JDM: Rise of the Scorpion Drifts The Streets Of Guntama

Hmm… this could be a repeat of previous posts on JDM: Rise of the Scorpion, but I’m so stoked about this upcoming racer that I can’t help repeating what’s already been said.

A standalone of the upcoming JDM: Japanese Drift Master, this racer from Gaming Factory draws inspiration from a wealth of sources to create something quite unique. Fellow Japanophiles will note some of the following references, such as the fictional prefecture Guntama or the protagonist’s name, Hatori Hasashi.

Implementing a manga aesthetic to the storytelling part, JDM: Rise of the Scorpion, the game mixes the narrative and racing experience into one opus where Hatori will meet various characters to help shape ‘the rising of the Scorpion’.

Characters include:

• Aoi Ishida is a girl from a traditional family who has known Hatori since they were children. When they start dating, she supports him in every way she can, especially on the track.
• Ayumi Kurama is a rich girl raised by a single father who fulfills her every financial whim. She is successful in everything she does, including drifting. However, if victory is at stake, her friendship with Hatori may be at risk.
• Satoru Hayashi very quickly becomes Scorpion’s main rival. He is cheerful and reckless, but his family is poor, so he does not feel like a part of his school. Satoru’s car belonged to his uncle, a famous drifter. 
• Kaori Kato is Aoi’s best friend. This artistic girl works at a nearby paint shop. Independent and progressive, she always supports Aoi, even if she believes Hatori isn’t a good boyfriend.

JDM: Rise of the Scorpion is a prologue to the upcoming JDM: Japanese Drift Master, an open-world map with previously unseen ‘interesting areas and challenging roads’. The former is free, and it’ll be available on Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG from July 18th, 2024.