JDM: Japanese Drift Master takes the players to an open-world, fictional Japanese prefecture - Guntama. It spans over 250 km in main roads and features the most famous tourist landmarks, as well as legendary car enthusiast spots, mixed together to create one cohesive and stunning world. From the recreation of the Himeji Castle to our Guntama’s own Daikoku parking area, whether you’re a racing fan or just want to drive through Japanese roads - you’ll always find something exciting to do!
You will follow the story of Touma, a Polish driver who dreams of making a name for himself on the local street racing scene. With some help from his Japanese friends, he dives deep into the competition but quickly learns that fierce rivals are standing in his way. Will he manage to reach the top? Drama, action, and even love await the players.
The story in JDM: Japanese Drift Master is told through in-game events and a manga (Japanese comic book), meticulously drawn by our internal art team. Each time the player takes part in an event, pages of the comic book will lead them in or build up the narrative for what’s next to come.
There can’t be a racing game, without beautiful and fast cars! The players will find fully licensed Nissan, Mazda, Subaru cars at their disposal and we’re not done with our announcements yet! Stay tuned for more information in the future.
Each car can be upgraded, both mechanically and visually. From installing a new ECU to adding that over-the-top bōsōzoku exhaust - it’s all in the game! Tuning a car is simple and clear and if the players really want to push their cars to the limit, the most advanced parts will unlock fine tuning - every single car in the game can be adjusted to be a grip or drift beast or an all ‘rounder if that’s the desired preference.
Developed in Unreal Engine 5,JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a simcade racer, with a solid simulation backbone and arcade layers added on top for a fun and enjoyable experience. Expect each car to behave differently on the street, to feel the weight of it when going into a corner or trying to break at a high speed. Driving physics were very important for us from the beginning and we believe we found a perfect balance between fun and challenge coming from driving a car in real life.
Get ready to hit the streets of Guntama once again, as the team behind JDM: Japanese Drift Master releases a brand-new gameplay video showcasing never-before-seen footage from the story campaign and shedding light on the core gameplay loop awaiting players.
This video offers a raw and unfiltered look at one of the most anticipated aspects of the game: what playing JDM will actually feel like from minute to minute. Captured directly from the end of Chapter 01, the footage features protagonist Touma in a tense showdown with his rival, Scorpion.
The Campaign Experience
In JDM: Japanese Drift Master, players step into the shoes of Touma, a Polish drifter who relocates to Japan in search of redemption and a fresh start. With help from new friends, Touma rises through the underground racing scene, earning street cred through gripping races, stylish drifts, and personal rivalries.
The story unfolds through a blend of open-world exploration and mission-based events. Players begin each session in the garage and are free to cruise the sprawling streets of fictional Guntama Prefecture. Main missions are marked on the map and can be activated at any time, kicking off with stylized manga panels that transition into high-stakes racing gameplay.
Campaign Highlights:
- Drift, Grip and Drag Events: Compete in drifting showdowns where style reigns supreme, or go full throttle in grip races focused on speed.
- Dynamic Objectives: Some races require both flair and speed—players will need to adapt.
- Diverse Challenges: From making sushi deliveries to getting chased by enemies, story events go beyond traditional racing.
- Freedom of Exploration: Between missions, explore the vibrant open world of Guntama at your own pace.
Key Features:
- Exploration: Get ready to visit Ichikara—one of the exciting areas in JDM: Japanese Drift Master ! Inspired by Tokyo's most vibrant districts, Ichikara is a modern cityscape bursting at night with neon lights, towering billboards, and iconic architecture that’s a true tribute to the drift and car culture. You’ll discover nods to famous movie locations and landmarks cherished by automotive fans, making every corner a visual feast, whether by day or in the glow of night.
- High-speed cars: JDM: Japanese Drift Master allows players to get behind the wheel of licensed cars from iconic brands including Mazda, Subaru, and Nissan. Each vehicle has been recreated to provide a realistic driving experience, whether racing on the track or drifting around the winding roads of Japanese mountains. Automotive enthusiasts can expect a wide range of meticulously crafted car models, including authentic engine sounds, for unforgettable thrills.
- Tuning and modifications: JDM features advanced vehicle tuning and customization options that allow players to fully customize their machines. Players will be able to modify the performance of their cars, choosing from a wide range of parts and settings to, among others, improve grip, engine power or drifting balance. Meanwhile, in the paint shop, players will be able to personalize the look of their car - from changing paint colors and patterns to adding unique stickers and graphics.
- Exciting events: Take part in a variety of events designed to test your skills. From fast track races and intense drift challenges, to time trials and special head-to-head battles and drag showdowns. Each event offers unique gameplay dynamics and opportunities to showcase your mastery behind the wheel.
- An engaging storyline in a manga form: JDM: Japanese Drift Master is not only about racing but also about a compelling storyline. The game takes players into the world of Japanese car culture and offers a story full of competition, friendship, ambition, and emotion, presented in the form of dynamic Japanese comic book frames. Over 40 story challenges await you, as well as side quests, to immerse you in the world of JDM.
- The beauty of the open world: JDM takes place in the fictional Japanese prefecture of Guntama, inspired by the mountainous region of Honshu. Players will be able to explore this vast open world full of beautiful vistas - from narrow mountain passes to urban streets and picturesque countryside - with over 250km of main roads to explore, showcasing the true atmosphere of Japan.
JDM: Japanese Drift Master is coming to PC (Steam / Epic Games Store / GOG) on May 21, 2025.
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