Deal | Steam free game: PvP drift game with open world and arcade vibes inspired by legendary anime gets 100% discount for limited time
If you were an anime fan in the 90s and early 2000s, you'll know all about Initial D, and even if you weren't, the anime has left such a mark on automotive and anime subcultures that it's impossible to ignore. Initial Drift Online, an indie game by RewindApp, is inspired by the racing and story of that legendary anime. For a limited time — until January 18 — Initial Drift Online is free on Steam. Notably, this isn't the first time the game has been free, and it is frequently on sale, but if you're looking for some simple arcade-style action and anime vibes to pass the time on a Steam Deck or Legion Go S (curr $749.99 on Amazon), Initial Drift Online might be worth looking at, especially while it's free.
Initial Drift Online gameplay
The core gameplay of Initial Drift Online revolves around racing up and down the scenic mountainsides of Japan in a classic hot hatch, but you can also cosplay as Takumi from Initial D and perform deliveries in exchange for cash, which you can spend on vehicle upgrades and new vehicles altogether. There are two different soundtrack options, Eurobeat and Phonk, and there is a day/night cycle to keep things interesting, as well as a global leaderboard for both uphill and downhill races.
For a niche retro arcade game, Initial Drift Online has a decent player base, with around 1,500 daily players, according to SteamDB. That means that if you are in the mood for a PvP match, there's a good chance you'll find one, since the world isn't completely open. All of that said, Initial Drift Online doesn't claim to have the depth of customisation of a Forza or Need for Speed game, nor does it claim to have the hyper-accurate physics simulations of BeamNG. It's mostly just a fun romp through some retro scenery with fun drift mechanics and a wacky soundtrack — an alternative to Vampire Survivors and the slew of roguelikes that have been so popular on the Steam Deck, perhaps.
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