For all gamers who are fans of the superhit anime series Initial-D, we have news for you. JDM, or Japanese Drift Master, is an eagerly awaited simulation arcade racing game set in the fictional Japanese prefecture of Guntama (not Gintama, you anime nerds).
Table of Contents
Inspiration and Setting
The real-world Honshu, one of the main islands of Japan, inspires the region of Guntama. It is known for its rich history and culture, as well as its rich automotive culture and some notable roads that are popular among car enthusiasts and racers. This makes it the perfect backdrop for a game that promises to immerse its players in a world full of thrilling street races and Japanese drift culture.
Game World
The world of JDM is set to offer over 250 kilometers of meticulously designed roads, including scenic rural routes, mountain passes, and bustling city highways. The players are also given the opportunity to explore stunning views of the historic Himeji Castle and the vibrant Daikoku parking area if they can take their time away from the nerve-wrenching gameplay.
Gameplay and Graphics
The gameplay developers Gaming Factory and 4Divinity had a vision that wanted to mix the complexities of sim racing with elements of arcade fun. This is wholeheartedly seen in their graphic design which gives off a semirealistic feeling, though it would be hard to tell if it is for sure.
Engaging Storyline
The game unlike other racing games nowadays which are devoid of any story promises to provide an engaging story akin to the ones we see in mangas like the aforementioned Initial D. In JDM, we get to play as Touma, a Polish driver who desires to make it big in the Japanese street racing scene. His story, however, is not told through normal cutscenes but through manga pages which bring the narrative forward. And like with any manga series, Touma also has his group friends to help him in this journey across the street racing scene, as he encounters “drama, action and even love”.
Car Customization and Features
The game is supposed to feature fully licensed cars from renowned Japanese manufacturers like the legendary Nissan, Mazda, and Subaru. One of the images also showcased the culturally significant Toyota AE86, again a car that many would recognize as Takumi Fujiwara’s from Initial D. Players are expected to have full freedom to customize their car in whatever way they want as the developers wish the game to feel as if the gamers themselves built them.
Conclusion
It seems like Gaming Factory and 4Divinity know exactly what kind of crowd they want to attract with Japanese Drift Master and to be honest, if they play their cards right, they might even find themselves to be welcomed into the gaming industry that has felt the want for more games that can help relive the nostalgia they had felt when they first played NFS: Most Wanted. JDM is aimed to be released on March 26, 2025, and can be expected to pack quite a punch.