JDM: Rise of the Scorpion

The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the stunning visuals and unique art style, particularly in specific weather conditions, while others criticize the overall quality, describing it as underwhelming or reminiscent of mobile games. Many users express concerns about optimization issues, including frame rate drops and blurriness, especially on lower settings, indicating a need for better graphical customization options. Overall, while there are moments of beauty, the graphics are seen as a significant area for improvement as the game develops.

The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe stuttering, lag, and inconsistent frame rates across various devices, including PCs and the Steam Deck. While some users appreciate the game's potential and fun gameplay, they express frustration over performance issues, particularly on lower-spec hardware, and call for improvements in graphical settings and overall optimization. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization work to enhance the player experience.

The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as enjoyable and fitting for the driving experience, while others criticize it for lacking variety and feeling out of place. Some players highlight the audio balancing issues, noting that the music can be muffled in certain views, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong point by many, but there are calls for more diverse music options to enhance the game's atmosphere.

Gameplay reviews highlight a mix of opinions, with some players enjoying the arcade-like mechanics and easy-to-understand controls, while others criticize the drifting and steering mechanics as inconsistent and buggy. Many appreciate the game's aesthetics, story, and multiplayer features, but there are significant complaints about the drifting system and overall driving feel, leading to a divided reception. Overall, while some find the gameplay fun and engaging, others feel it lacks polish and depth.

The game's stability is a mixed bag; while it runs well on platforms like Steam Deck and Linux, many users report significant bugs, including issues with controller bindings and random physics glitches, such as cars floating. Performance can be inconsistent, with some players experiencing frequent freezes and stutters, making the overall experience feel incomplete and buggy despite its entertaining aspects.

The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the immersive night settings, detailed environments, and dynamic weather effects that enhance the overall experience. The combination of dark, rainy nights and vibrant cityscapes creates a captivating vibe, making driving through these beautifully crafted locations particularly enjoyable. Many players feel that the strong atmosphere significantly contributes to the game's appeal, reminiscent of beloved titles like NFS 2015.

Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the need to return to the shop frequently after races, which disrupts the flow of gameplay. Additionally, there are complaints about the lack of realistic car damage and physics, making the grinding experience feel less rewarding. Overall, while the driving mechanics are enjoyable, the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall experience.

The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky mechanics, particularly in grip racing, where players experience exaggerated delays in braking that lead to amusing penalties on their timers. This comedic aspect is reminiscent of 2000s-era manga, adding a lighthearted charm to the gameplay. Overall, players find the humor both intentional and reminiscent of classic gaming quirks.

The game is currently free during its early access phase, with no account creation required and no paywalls or microtransactions encountered by players.

The reviews highlight that the manga features appealing character designs, but they do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of character development. Overall, while the visuals are praised, the development aspect remains underexplored.

The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with multiple users indicating that once completed, there is little incentive to play again.