Initial Drift Online
- March 30, 2023
- RewindApp
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam"Initial Drift Online" is a racing game that focuses on drifting mechanics. Customize your car and compete in various modes, including Time Attack and Multiplayer. Drift your way to the top of the leaderboards and challenge players from around the world.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game captures the nostalgic feel of Initial D, making it enjoyable for fans of the series.
- The drifting mechanics, while challenging, can be rewarding once mastered, providing a sense of accomplishment.
- The community is supportive, and the game offers a fun multiplayer experience, especially when playing with friends.
- The game suffers from poor physics and handling, making it difficult to control the cars effectively.
- There is a lack of content and updates, leading to a repetitive gameplay experience.
- The graphics and overall presentation feel outdated, resembling a low-budget mobile game rather than a polished PC title.
- graphics57 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the stunning detail and immersive environments, while others criticize them as outdated or reminiscent of mobile games. Many users note that the graphics do not significantly impact gameplay, with some expressing that they are acceptable for lower-end systems, but overall, there is a consensus that improvements are needed to enhance the visual experience. Despite the varied opinions, the game's aesthetic appeal and physics are often highlighted as positive aspects.
“The graphics are stunning, with attention to detail that makes the virtual world come alive.”
“The impressive physics and well-designed tracks enhance the immersive experience, complemented by stunning graphics and sound.”
“The graphics are perfect, the turning/drifting is very realistic compared to real street racing, and is overall a beautiful/nostalgic experience for me.”
“I just have no words to say about this game, but it's not a PC game... like it has mobile graphics and type of physics.”
“The game UI is like straight out of the Google Play Store, and the same applies to the graphics.”
“The graphics are like PS2 games and it's missing a lot of features; it should take 5 years of polishing before publishing at least.”
- music47 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the inclusion of a customizable soundtrack that allows them to play their own music, which enhances the experience. While some enjoy the original tracks, particularly the eurobeat and phonk playlists, others find them repetitive and lacking depth. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, but there is a consensus that it could benefit from more variety and refinement.
“The unique gameplay and customizable vehicles add an extra layer to the game, and the music in the game is simply excellent and very close to that presented in the anime series.”
“Best soundtrack in any game I've played.”
“The music is fantastic; add some more songs please, but overall the Initial D vibes is what makes this game awesome.”
“The soundtrack can use some work, the keybinds for keyboard gear shifting (left ctrl and left alt) are horrible, the physics aren't very good, the brakes need to slow you down quicker, the soundtrack can use some work (though I do love that it allows you to use your own music), the graphics aren't as shown in the banner (currently PS3 level), and the cars have really bad snap oversteer.”
“I like the horrible eurobeat, but the songs get stale quick.”
“The soundtrack is also nothing.”
- gameplay41 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of engaging mechanics and a steep learning curve, particularly regarding the drift system, which some players find overly sensitive and challenging. While the variety of tracks and customizable cars enhance the experience, there are concerns about the game's balance and the lack of open-world options. Overall, players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetics and community, but many express frustration with the controls and physics, leading to a divided reception.
“The variety of tracks keeps the gameplay fresh, and the drift mechanics are satisfyingly realistic.”
“With a wide range of customizable cars, the game provides variety and engaging gameplay, plus the opportunity to compete against other players.”
“There is a bit of a learning curve to the mechanics, although once you figure it out, the game is a blast!”
“The drift mechanics are too sensitive and the cars don't feel like cars.”
“You can eventually adapt to the overly sensitive driving mechanics, but by then you are left with a game with not much to do and no real reason to return.”
“Terrible controls, worse physics, confusing gameplay.”
- story22 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is highly polarizing; some players find it lacking, with no quests or significant narrative, while others praise its innovative storytelling and immersive experience. Many users suggest that the game prioritizes gameplay over story, indicating that those seeking a rich narrative may be disappointed. Overall, the reception of the story varies widely, with some players rating it highly and others deeming it nonexistent.
“First this game makes you bang the walls constantly with a shotty car but after playing and watching hours of cut scenes, you give this game a second chance and it will knock your socks off to the moon with its story, music, and driveability.”
“Story 10/10”
“The story, in my opinion, is the most innovative I have seen in a while, and this is why the game needs at least 10 billion players playing every second of every day of every year of every month of every Wednesday!”
“This game has no story.”
“If you want to have a story, then you are at the wrong place.”
“No quests, no story.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and repetitive, often leading to boredom, especially with tasks like delivering tofu on the same routes. While some enjoy the grind and the racing elements, many feel that it detracts from the overall experience, suggesting that the game could benefit from less grind and more varied content.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The game has no content to it unless you like driving the same few roads back and forth while grinding away your tofu deliveries.”
“Some improvements I would add is to make the game less grindy; the game is fun to grind but, at times, gets annoying.”
“Some achievements are way too grindy.”
- humor7 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it entertaining and enjoyable, particularly in the context of community interactions and funny moments during gameplay. However, some players noted that certain race mechanics and bugs detract from the overall comedic experience. Overall, the game is considered a fun choice for casual play, especially after school or work.
“This game is very funny, I like it a lot, it’s worth the money and I expect more updates :)”
“A funny game, perfect to play after school or work, it has everything you need; the only thing I would like to have is better graphics.”
“There is actually a ton of cars to unlock, which is hilarious.”
“Racing with other players isn't funny because you can just drive through them, and on the map Akagi, there's a bug that prevents you from finishing the race at all.”
- optimization7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the game's optimization to be quite good, especially considering its low price point, with smooth performance even on less powerful systems. While some users noted that the map's performance could be lacking, the ability to tune car performance and enjoy quality graphics contributes positively to the overall experience.
“Tuning up includes updating the performance or downgrading some features of your car (power, braking, and torque), changing the suspension, and changing the appearance, including changing the color of the body, changing the color of the rims, and adding a spoiler to your car.”
“My computer is not the most powerful, but the game is very optimized.”
“You can performance-tune your cars.”
“The map is alright, but the performance is quite bad.”
“My computer is not the most powerful, but the game is poorly optimized.”
“Tuning up includes updating the performance or downgrading some features of your car, changing the suspension, and altering the appearance, including the color of the body, the color of the rims, and adding a spoiler to your car.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is highly variable; while some users find it infinitely replayable, others criticize it for lacking depth and variety, leading to repetitive gameplay. Many players express dissatisfaction with the limited content, particularly in terms of monotonous tasks and minimal engaging features.
“Infinitely replayable.”
“Drifting, score challenges, and time attack modes add significant replay value.”
“Like other RewindApp titles, it's nothing more than an asset flip with little replay value that will be left abandoned on the Steam store.”
“Not good replayability value if you don't want to stare at the same road, doing the same A-B deliveries for hours.”
“Drifting, score, and time attack modes offer no replay value.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for being immersive and enjoyable, though some players have noted a shift towards a toxic environment due to overly competitive multiplayer interactions, which detracts from the initially casual experience. Overall, many recommend the game for its strong atmospheric qualities.
“I really like the atmosphere of the game.”
“The game is very atmospheric; I definitely recommend this game.”
“The multiplayer community, while lively, started to feel toxic with overly competitive players, ruining the fun and casual atmosphere I had enjoyed initially.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is characterized by significant bugs, particularly with the steering wheel controls, which may fail to function properly at times. Despite these issues, players find the experience enjoyable and appreciate the chaotic, low-budget charm that comes with the clunky mechanics.
“Steering wheel control is buggy and may not work in some cases.”
“It's fun as hell, but buggy.”
“It's buggy, low budget, and clunky, but that's what's good about it; finally being able to control a sloppy car between two invisible walls feels like an accomplishment.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy has drawn criticism for its reliance on microtransactions and pay-to-win elements, which detract from the overall enjoyment and potential of the game. Players express disappointment over the game's shift towards exploitative practices.
“The microtransactions and pay-to-win elements became increasingly apparent, tarnishing the once-enjoyable experience.”
“It's disheartening to see a game with so much potential succumb to the pitfalls of modern monetization practices.”
