Today, JDM: Ph4ntom Driver was officially announced in collaboration with the IGN FanFest Sales Event on Steam. Gaming Factory, the developers, took inspiration from Japanese Drift Master (JDM) street culture and Japanese folklore. It is meant to be a standalone game that is in the style of arcade racing games.
The setting is an alternate version of Guntama, a fictional Japanese prefecture that has been conquered by a ruthless demon. Players will face off against his Oni army, using their JDM cars that have been transformed by dark magic. They can use their car as a weapon, channel supernatural Hakai power, and mow down their enemies.
Gameplay includes vehicle customization, allowing players to create a reinforced beast on wheels sure to obliterate any Oni standing in their way. They will be able to upgrade their cars, use their nitro to build their Hakai score, chain combat skills, and rear-bash their enemies by drifting around corners.
In terms of style, gameplay will be a mix of an arcade experience and fantasy style of racing. Players will have agile cars with easy controllability. Drifting and boosting are also activated simultaneously in a Nitro-Drift fashion. It is designed to be easy to grasp and fun while granting players the chance to experiment with their vehicle controls.
Players will be able to explore the Corrupted world and find recourses to increase their power. They may even discover new cars along their journey. Car parts found are useful for increasing their car’s performance and enhancing combat capabilities. The stronger their weapon on wheels, the deeper they will be able to venture into demon territory.
The main goal is to defeat the Demon King, Shouten Douji, and save the world from the corruption. If players want to know when they can test their combat-driving skills, then they should wishlist the game to stay updated. Gaming Factory has also stated that fans of their titles can find easter eggs hidden throughout the world. JDM: Ph4ntom Driver has no set release date confirmed, but it is one spin-off that players do not want to miss out on.