Ever wondered what would happen if a video game could truly allow you to live out your childhood fantasies?
As a kid, I had an obsession with drifting. Movies like Tokyo Drift and games like Need for Speed: Underground 2 just added fuel to that fire. JDM: Japan Drift Masters is the game that finally puts me in the seat of the drifter again. I can finally show off my skills and prove that I can still be a drift king.
The game combines nostalgia with a story that feels like it was ripped straight out of a manga. That’s probably because the cutscenes are inspired by manga and comic books. You actually get to read your character’s story through comic strips. Not only that, but the game also feels like an interactive anime.
The minute I saw the game, I just knew I had to try it. After a few hours, I was hooked, and I felt like I was sitting in my childhood bedroom playing Need for Speed. The game feels like a mixture of nostalgia and modern game storytelling. It also transports you to the middle of Tokyo, where you get to experience the city through drifting.
The controls are pretty simple, like most car games, but it took me a while to get to the point where drifting became second nature. This might be part of the game’s charm, but I can see how some players might be put off by it. You can switch on different mechanics to help, but even with that, it can still be a little tricky.
The graphics aren’t the best, but I love that you can tune your car the way you want to. It once again takes me back to Underground 2, where you could basically turn your car into the best-looking street racer there is. There are countless customization options, and that’s how I love my racing games.
The game’s narrative isn’t deep, and it feels like it rips off all the games that came before it. The manga-style storytelling does feel fresh and makes the game unique. I think this game is just the start of what could become a hit franchise. I don’t know the future, but I do know I want to become Tokyo’s drift king.
If you love racing games or if you want to take a nostalgic trip back to one of the best PlayStation 2 games, then give JDM a chance. It might not be exactly like NFS: Underground 2, but the gameplay comes pretty close. I can see many of my friends falling in love with this. I know the game came out a while ago, but I’m just glad I discovered it. It’s easily a 4 out of 5 stars for me.
