JDM: Japanese Drift Master Reviews

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is ranked in the 37th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
IGN
Top Critic
6 / 10.0
May 23, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is an ambitious and sincere ode to Japanese drift culture, but right now it feels like an unfinished project that’s shipped without the early access caveat.

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72 / 100
May 21, 2025

Bursting with ideas, enthusiasm, and a solid physics model, but JDM seems more preoccupied with throwing another idea in than polishing what's already there.

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5 / 10
Jun 10, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is an ambitious attempt to fill a forgotten hole in the arcade driving market, but misses the mark in most instances

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5.5 / 10.0
May 20, 2025

It may appeal to the hardcore racing game enthusiasts with a full racing sim setup, but for people who play these games on a controller and sit down to have a fun time, this game will feel mind-numbing at times. It has moments that shine through, and the arcade controls feel pretty satisfying, but it doesn't make for a great game.

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7.8 / 10.0
Jun 4, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is the result of boundless passion, and as is often the case this leads a bit to overdoing it. The driving model is very good and overall the experience is fun and evocative. However, the game could have used a bit more refinement: it is still rough in some parts. Overall, however, JDM: Japanese Drift Master is spectacular arcade racing and definitely recommended.

Review in Italian | Read full review

5 / 10.0
May 26, 2025

There's certainly potential and creativity brimming in JDM: Japanese Drift Master. It's the execution needs some work, and the missions and open world do it no favors.

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7 / 10.0
May 26, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master shines in places like the graphics and the cars themselves. Gaming Factory has put a lot of love into this, and it shows. Especially using Polish musicians to fill up their radio stations. There are some issues, though; the story itself doesn't leave an impact, the difficulty of the AI is inconsistent, and there are some bugs. But it's all about the drifting, and that's where it makes up for it. The driving is fluid, and the NPCs can be quite challenging. However, the cars sound amazing, it really sounds like you're driving a Miata! Fans of Tokyo Drift, Initial D and general drift racing sim fans will have a ball with JDM.

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Impulsegamer
Top Critic
4.3 / 5.0
Jun 1, 2025

A true JDM lovers heaven, even a few noticeable bugs couldn't stop me having a blast with JDM. With even more content and improvement, these guys will be unstoppable!

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7.5 / 10.0
May 29, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a fun title, with a few unfortunate drawbacks stopping it from reaching its true potential

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SECTOR.sk
Branislav Koh�t
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
May 21, 2025

At JDM, you can enjoy exotic car racing in a stylish Japanese setting, with a focus on unconventional drifting competitions. But you can also take in the interesting scenery as you drive leisurely through the city. It offers a refreshing change from the usual routine disciplines of classic motorsport. Both casual and experienced players enjoy the great driving experience, enhanced by the arcade-style or simulation setting, as well as the complex modifications and improvements to the vehicles.

Review in Slovak | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Jun 1, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master has a solid foundation and, thankfully, a fully transparent roadmap that shows promise for the future.

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6.5 / 10.0
May 28, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a game with potential that it failed to fully exploit. There are a lot of good elements here, but it's clear that a lot is missing. Die-hard racing game fans will find it fun, but beginners will simply get bored. Gaming Factory put a lot of heart into this project, but unfortunately it didn't deliver in all aspects.

Review in Polish | Read full review

70 / 100
May 23, 2025

An ambitious indie racer with thrilling drift mechanics and rough edges, JDM is great fun for beginners, but limited content and polish hold it back. It's worth checking out; just keep your expectations in second gear.

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8 / 10.0
Jun 1, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master has the potential to be the best drift experience out there. It embodies the lifestyle and uniquely showcases it.

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75 / 100
May 31, 2025

Japanese Drift Master captures the essence of drifting through Japan’s scenic streets, which are beautifully modeled after their real-world counterparts. However, technical issues significantly hold it back, leaving room for improvement as outlined in the game’s promising future roadmap.

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May 27, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a stylish and heartfelt homage to Japanese car culture and the art of drifting. With tight driving mechanics, an atmospheric world, and enough customisation to make any car fan happy, it provides an engaging single-player experience that’s both accessible and rewarding. While it falls short in a few areas, most notably the absence of multiplayer and occasional visual hiccups, the overall package is compelling. Especially for fans of games like Initial D, CarX Drift Racing, or Need for Speed Underground. If you’re looking to lose yourself in the smoky trails of a mountain pass with a custom-tuned ride and a lo-fi beat in the background, JDM: Japanese Drift Master might just be the ride you’ve been waiting for. JDM: Japanese Drift Master receives the Thumb Culture Gold Award!

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65 / 100
May 22, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master is a new drift simulation racing game with eye candy visuals and unique car control mechanics. While the game manages to hit the spot for most drifting aficionados, it falls behind when compared to other simulation titles out there.

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Recommended
May 27, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master has left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it has one of the best maps I've seen in a car game and it's entertaining, but, on the other hand, it fails in key aspects: the AI is disastrous, the tests lose interest quickly, and the story is weak and falls into clichés that are redundant. It is a game of contrasts. Even so, I recommend it for being different and unique in the current panorama.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8 / 10.0
May 25, 2025

JDM: Japanese Drift Master offers an enjoyable and faithful experience true to its identity, with gameplay that brings back memories of classic titles where the pure joy of driving took center stage. It successfully delivers on its promises and stands as a well-executed attempt worth trying for anyone seeking a fun driving experience and a unique atmosphere.

Review in Arabic | Read full review

8 / 10.0
May 21, 2025

I would have legitimately given JDM: Japanese Drift Master an even higher score if it wasn’t for the somewhat lacklustre amount of content it offers as of now. The foundation for a truly spectacular love letter to Need for Speed Underground 2 can be clearly seen when you’re cruising around Japan with your pimped out ride. It’s an amazing game technically-speaking, it just needs more meat, some extra cars and modes. It actually feels original, and you can obviously notice the amount of love and effort put into every single corner of its map. Just add more sushi to this platter and it will become one hell of a feast.

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