When you think of drifting, your mind likely jumps to the winding roads of Japan, the birthplace of the sideways slide. But JDM: Japanese Drift Master doesn’t hail from the Land of the Rising Sunβit was built by a small team in Poland, the same country where Bartosz OstaΕowski, a man who drifts using his foot after losing both arms, became a professional driver. That alone tells you: this game might not come from Japan, but it gets the spirit of drifting.
JDM Feels Like a Passion Projectβand Thatβs Its Strength
This isnβt just another open-world racer. Itβs clear from the first turn that JDM was made by people who love the culture. From cherry blossom-lined streets to Tokyo-style cityscapes, the world is oozing with respect for the source material. The 250 kilometers of road arenβt vast like Forza Horizon 5 or The Crew, but thatβs not a bugβitβs a feature. What JDM lacks in scale, it makes up for with authenticity and character.
Most racing games widen their roads for comfort and speed. Not here. JDM forces you to grip the wheel tighter, to dance between narrow lanes like you’re in a real Japanese touge battle. These tighter roads aren’t just prettyβthey’re packed with personality and challenge.
Drifting Done Right, Racing Done Rough
Sliding through corners in JDM feels fantastic. The handling has been tuned to hit that sweet spot between arcade fun and believable vehicle behavior. Youβre not dealing with a sim like Assetto Corsa, but youβre also not floating like in a 2006 Need for Speed title. Whether you’re in a rear-wheel drive legend or a souped-up AWD monster, drifting feels weighty and satisfying.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the grip racing. Once the game asks you to stop sliding and start driving “normally,” things fall apart fast. AI opponents act like bumper cars on steroidsβramming into you, phasing through your vehicle, and generally ignoring the laws of physics. These races don’t just feel out of place; they feel like they belong in another game entirely.
A World Thatβs GorgeousβBut Sometimes Confused
Thereβs no denying it: JDM is beautiful. The lake towns, the neon-lit city streets, the petals floating across your windshieldβthis is digital tourism at its finest. But sometimes that beauty gets in its own way. The lighting, especially at night, makes it hard to see traffic. NPC cars behave strangely, like theyβre all programmed to flee from your presence. And while performance is generally smooth, stutters and frame dips do creep in.
The map design is mostly solid, but the game does a poor job of telling you what kind of event you’re driving to. More than once, I showed up to what I thought was a drift event only to find myself in a grip race my car was completely unsuited for. Thereβs no real fast travel eitherβyou have to drive back to your garage, switch cars, and return. Itβs frustrating in a game where the fun should come from choosing how to drive, not whether you brought the wrong vehicle to a mystery event.
Style Meets Manga (and Sometimes Misses the Mark)
JDM has a story, told through manga-style comic panels that even read right-to-left, true to Japanese tradition. Itβs a fun nod to the culture, but it wonβt be for everyone. The characters are paper-thin and the tone swings from lighthearted to oddly sexual without warning. Think Days of Thunder meets Initial D fanfiction, and youβll be in the ballpark.
Still, the garage is packed with personality. Over 20 cars, many officially licensedβfrom Honda to Subaruβare available to customize, modify, and tune. Want a katana-shaped gear shifter? Go for it. Prefer your ride low-key and functional? That works too. Itβs a satisfying system that feels deeper than youβd expect from an indie title.
The Finish Line Feels Rushed
After about 10 hours, youβll finish the main story. Whatβs left is free-roam driving, some side jobs, and underground drift challenges. Gaming Factory promises more content through 2025βsplit-screen multiplayer, more missions, and an expanded driving school are on the roadmap. But that promise is a double-edged sword: JDM feels like it should be in early access. Instead, it launched as a finished product that still needs more laps around the track.
Final Thoughts: Drift First, Patch Later
JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a game made with heart, soul, and unmistakable respect for the culture it celebrates. It delivers on the thrill of drifting and offers a map thatβs both stunning and unique in design. But itβs also weighed down by janky AI, mismatched mission types, and the unmistakable sense that it shipped before it was fully tuned.
If you love drifting and can forgive some potholes along the way, JDM is worth a spin. Just donβt expect a perfectly polished ride out of the garage.