JDM Japanese Drift Master Review (On My Low-End PC)

I grew up watching the classic racing anime series Initial D, which was aired on the Philippine free TV way back in 2007. I'm sure my fellow millennials are also familiar with this. Though I am not a racer, just a simple high school student back then, I was inspired by the thrilling car chases, unique Eurobeat soundtrack, and underdog story of Takumi mastering drift racing with skill and grit.

And once again, I experienced this long-desired nostalgia with my JDM Japanese Drift Master review.

For years, racing fans have wanted an open-world driving game based on Japan's twisty mountain roads and tight city streets. Enter Japanese Drift Master, which is now available on Steam after many delays. Most 2025 racing games are early access, but this one is a full release.

Before I delve into this indie racing game, here are some essential details you need to know, from its creator to specs.

JDM Japanese Drift Master - Overview

• Developer: Gaming Factory (Poland-based)
• Publisher: Gaming Factory, co-published by 4Divinity
• Release Date: May 21, 2025
• Platform: PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG
• Engine: Unreal Engine 5
• Genre: Open-world simcade racing (blending simulation and arcade physics)
• Setting: Fictional prefecture of Guntama, inspired by Japan's Honshu region, featuring over 250 km of roads
• Game Modes: Drift Challenge Mode, Drift Races, Free Drift
• Events: Over 40 narrative-driven races, including drift battles, grip races, and drag races
• Steering Device: Controller, Steering wheel, or Keyboard
• Driving Model: Arcade mode (assisted drifting) and Simcade mode (full control over car mechanics)
• Cars: Features licensed vehicles from Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, and Honda, including models like the Honda 52000, Nissan Silvia S15, and early 2000s Subaru Impreza.
• Customization: performance upgrades (e.g., wheel alignment, turbo kits) and visual modifications (paint shop, stickers, wheels)
• Price: PHP 1,599.00

JDM Japanese Drift Master - System Requirements

• Minimum:
• OS: 64-bit Windows 10 / Windows 11
• Processor: Intel Core i5-9400F / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
• RAM: 16 GB
• Graphics: Intel Arc A580 / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 / AMD Radeon RX590
• Storage: 18 GB free space (SSD recommended)
• DirectX: Version 12

• Recommended:
• Processor: Intel Core i7-11700K / AMD Ryzen 5 7600
• RAM: 32 GB
• Graphics: Intel Arc B580 / NVIDIA GeForce RTX3060 Ti / AMD Radeon RX6700
• Storage: SSD recommended

Meanwhile, here are the specs of my humble desktop computer that did not meet the game's minimum system requirements. Still, I was able to run JDM in low graphics settings, but it had laggy gameplay, as I would expect on my low-end PC.

• CPU: Intel Core i3-10105F
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti (2GB)
• RAM: 16 GB
• Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
• Storage: 128 GB SSD
• Display: 20-inch LED with 60 Hz screen refresh rate

JDM Japanese Drift Master Review: A Nostalgic Anime-Themed Racing Experience

First and foremost, I played the game through Steam and used a simple office keyboard, so the control was quite difficult but still manageable. Much better if you use a gamepad controller or steering wheel. As of writing, the game's full file size is 13.8 GB. Now, let us move on to my JDM review.

Japanese Drift Master made a good first impression on me. This open-world street racing in Japan has real-world cars, customization, a long single-player plot, and a stunning setting.

You play the character of Tomasz Stanowski or Touma, a European outcast with a revoked driving license. In the fictional Guntama Prefecture (not to be confused with the anime Gintama), you must fit into Japanese society and rise in drift racing.

The setting, rather than the story, is what struck me the most. Unreal Engine 5 beautifully renders mountains, kei cars, bicycles, trees, flowers, street lamps, and traditional buildings. The midday sun shines cherry blossoms, the nighttime light illuminates antique structures, and storms bring thunder.

Both genuine and fictitious automobiles are meticulously represented in 27 drivable models. Fictionals like "Yotsuhoshi" are Mitsubishi cars, and "Alpha Moriyamo" is obviously a Toyota AE86.

Beautifully replicated and customizable interiors stand out. Change your car's wheel rims, shifters, and seats, and these modifications are noticeable while racing over the streets.

Compared to other open-world racers, your driver avatar and other passengers are animated in JDM. You can see this clearly when you turn the car sideways through a corner.

In the recommended arcade handling mode, aiming at an edge causes the rear of your car to slide into a controllable drift with tires smoking. Meanwhile, simcade mode has a hardcore physics system. Most devices can have specific inputs mapped.

The career gameplay is quite simple. Most missions involve drifting for different reasons—like impressing a girl, beating a rival, or delivering sushi. Since it's named Japanese Drift Master, this is to be expected.

Further, the map is impressive. The roads are well-designed, and the size of the map is good. There are also some familiar racetracks outside the main area. The city is different from the quiet lakeside towns, and being up in the mountains with the city skyline below is always nice. The map has a lot of detail and a fun, exaggerated style that feels like Japan. You just have to enjoy its playful references. The lighting and effects are great, and there are plenty of details.

The sound design is also nostalgic and superb. To match the over-the-top vibe, cars rev and have spectacular backfires, pops, and bangs. Each car sounds unique and realistic. Performance upgrades make audio punchy and excellent. The music matches the game's tone, and I loved having Eurobeat, J-Music, Synthwave, and more radio stations.

JDM Japanese Drift Master: Final Verdict

My Score: 7/10

Pros: Stunning visuals, authentic drift mechanics, detailed customization, and a unique manga-style story. For me, the game captures the essence of Japanese car culture with narrow, realistic roads and iconic cars.

Cons: Optimization issues on lower-end PCs like mine. Experienced periodic input lag and FPS drops.

The game is still in its initial phase, so we cannot see its full potential yet. We can expect more updates to roll out in the coming months. Check out its post-launch roadmap.

• Phase 1 (First 3 Months After Launch): Improved Car Setup System, Quick-Tune Car Presets (for Grip and Drift), Deep Rims & Tires Customization, New Cars and Tuning Parts
• Phase 2 (First 6 Months After Launch): Driving School Expansion, Custom Vinyls & Stickers, Career Mode Extension, Photo Mode, New Cars and Tuning Parts
• Phase 3 (First 9 Months After Launch): Split-Screen Mode, Arena Rally Events, New Special Events With Manga Chapters, New Cars and Tuning Parts
• Ongoing: Community Feedback Integration, Additional Wheel Presets, AI Improvements, UI/UX Refresh, GPS Navigation Overhaul, Event Win/Loss Logic Revamp, Force Feedback Settings Overhaul, Improved Resolution & Display Options

That's it, PinoyTechSaga readers. If you also like JDM or have some thoughts about this indie racing PC game, comment on your experience or feedback below.