Info about Initial Drift Online:

Official game description:
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About the Game
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**Drift over some of Japan's most legendary mountain passes, compete against your friends or players from around the world in epic battles, make deliveries, buy new cars and set records in the world rankings!**  
Initial Drift Online is a fully multiplayer game that aims to be the first MMO of its kind.  
No headache, just join a server and start playing straight away!  
The game has a semi-open world composed of 3 legendary locations :  
**\-** The road to Irohazaka  
**\-** Mt. Haruna  
**\-** Mt. Akagi  
*   Earn money and experience by making deliveries!
*   Buy new cars at the Irohazaka dealership and customize them at the garage!
*   Compete against your friends or players from around the world in epic uphill and downhill battles!
*   Set records to try to be among the champions in the global ranking!
*   Two music playlists available: Eurobeat or Phonk. It's up to you to choose your style!
*   Chat with all the players on your continent by opening the chat!
*   A day / night cycle is present on each server and will radically change the atmosphere!
*   Several camera angles are available. First or third person view, it's up to you!
*   Realistic but dynamic physics for a gameplay as pleasant as possible!
*   Will you manage to reach level 1000 and become a Drift King?
Initial Drift Online will provide the player a unique experience of the most advanced Japanese drift RP in a fully multiplayer world!  
**_What are you waiting for to join the race?_**

Release date: Mar 30, 2023

Categories: Driving Simulation, Vehicle Customization, Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer, Racing, Arcade, Semi-open World, Dynamic Day/Night Cycle

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 90; verdict: Predatory Monetization; summary: The game has significant issues related to its monetization strategies. Players feel that the game is pay-to-win, with real money providing substantial advantages. Additionally, a large portion of the content is locked behind DLC and microtransactions, leading to a perception of the game being a cash grab. These factors severely impact the user experience and suggest a focus on monetization over gameplay quality.
- Steam Deck: score 55; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues with controller support, menu navigation, and gameplay sensitivity. Many users report that controllers do not work properly, forcing them to use alternative methods to navigate menus and play the game. Additionally, the controls are noted to be overly sensitive, making the gameplay experience less enjoyable. Various bugs and technical issues further disrupt the user experience. The lack of an offline mode is also a notable limitation. These issues collectively indicate a need for substantial improvements to enhance the overall user experience.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Positive overall game experience (weight 0.4): Many players express that the game is enjoyable, well-made, and entertaining. It is often described as a great game with potential and beautiful design.
- Variety of cars (weight 0.22): The game includes a variety of cars that are easy to acquire and modify, featuring both mythical and modern vehicles.
- Enjoyable drifting mechanics (weight 0.21): The drifting mechanics are highlighted as a strong point, with players finding them enjoyable, smooth, and beautiful once mastered.
- Fun with friends (weight 0.19): Players find the game fun to play, especially with friends, making it an enjoyable social experience.
- Solid and interesting gameplay (weight 0.17): The gameplay is described as solid, interesting, and skill-based. Players appreciate the smooth running and detailed tips provided.
- Simple and pleasant controls (weight 0.16): The controls are noted as simple, pleasant, and easy to understand, with good controller support.
- Satisfying learning curve (weight 0.15): The game has a fair and satisfying learning curve, making it enjoyable as players get the hang of the handling and controls.
- Extensive car customization (weight 0.14): Players appreciate the extensive car customization options available, allowing for a decent amount of personalization.
- Competitive online mode (weight 0.13): The game features a competitive online mode, providing a challenging and engaging atmosphere for players.
- Faithful to Initial D (weight 0.13): The game is faithful to the Initial D anime, providing an authentic experience with mythical roads and atmosphere.
- Good value for price (weight 0.12): The game is considered a good value for its price, often described as affordable and worth the cost.
- Good for casual play (weight 0.11): The game is good for casual play, providing a relaxing and enjoyable experience for casual driving.
- Custom music integration (weight 0.11): Players appreciate the ability to integrate custom music, enhancing the personalization of the gameplay experience.
- One of the best drifting games (weight 0.1): The game is often praised as one of the best drifting games on Steam, with enjoyable drift racing and simulation aspects.
- Variety of maps and vehicles (weight 0.1): The game offers a variety of maps and a wide range of vehicles, adding to its replayability and enjoyment.
- Nostalgic and good graphics (weight 0.09): The graphics are described as nostalgic, good, and lightweight, contributing to the game's visual appeal.
- Eurobeat soundtrack (weight 0.09): The Eurobeat soundtrack is a notable feature, enhancing the gameplay experience with its energetic and fitting music.
- Authentic Japanese landscapes (weight 0.09): The game accurately represents Japanese rural landscapes and famous mountain tracks, capturing the spirit of Japanese mountain drifting culture.
- Enjoyable tofu delivery (weight 0.09): Players find the tofu delivery mechanic enjoyable and a fun way to earn in-game cash.
- Addictive and rewarding gameplay (weight 0.07): The gameplay is described as addictive and rewarding, keeping players engaged and entertained.
- Exciting races (weight 0.07): The races are exciting and great for racing fans, adding to the game's appeal.
- Semi-open world design (weight 0.06): The game features a semi-open world design, adding to its exploration and gameplay variety.

Common complaints:
- Poor collision physics (weight 0.26): The game's collision mechanics are widely criticized for being unrealistic, overly dramatic, and buggy. Players report issues with car and player collisions, making the physics feel uneven and problematic.
- Game feels unfinished (weight 0.21): Many players describe the game as raw, underdeveloped, and full of bugs. It is often considered far from being in a beta state and poorly made.
- Frequent bugs and glitches (weight 0.21): The game is reported to have numerous bugs that can be annoying and disruptive. These bugs are found in various aspects of the game, including the roads.
- Frequent server kicks (weight 0.19): Players are often kicked from servers and lobbies, sometimes as frequently as every 10 seconds. This issue forces players to repeatedly rejoin servers.
- Negative overall impression (weight 0.18): A significant number of players express a strongly negative opinion about the game, describing it as trash, junk, and not fun to play. Some even consider it the worst racing game.
- Poor car handling (weight 0.17): The game's car handling is criticized for being slippery with poor road grip and brakes. Players also report issues with drift physics and narrow roads, leading to constant car sliding.
- Unrealistic physics (weight 0.17): The game's physics are described as bad, very poor, and unrealistic. Some players even suggest that there is no physics in the game, which can be initially disliked by many.
- Cars getting stuck (weight 0.16): Cars frequently get stuck, particularly on guard rails, and sometimes become unresponsive. This bug makes car control difficult and disrupts gameplay.
- Terrible steering and controls (weight 0.14): The steering is criticized as being very poor, with some players describing it as absolutely useless. Additionally, gear changes are buggy, requiring manual downshifting.
- Clunky map design (weight 0.13): The game's maps are described as clunky and poorly designed. Players feel that the map design needs improvement and more variety.
- Gamepad control issues (weight 0.13): There are significant issues with gamepad controls, including imprecision and inconvenience. Gamepad functionality is reported to be worse compared to keyboard and mouse.
- Various technical issues (weight 0.11): The game suffers from a range of technical issues, including connection problems, server access issues, and camera issues. These problems hinder the overall gameplay experience.
- Frequent server disconnections (weight 0.11): Players experience frequent disconnections from servers, especially without using a VPN. These disconnections are repetitive and disrupt the gameplay experience.
- Difficulty in drifting (weight 0.11): Players find drifting to be very difficult due to weak brakes and poor handling. The game's physics make it hard to drift nicely.
- Poor drifting mechanics (weight 0.11): The drifting mechanics are criticized as being terrible and not following the laws of physics. Players find the handling on the starter car to be particularly bad for drifting.
- Buggy menus (weight 0.1): The game's menus are described as buggy, cluttered, and in need of polishing. Players experience glitches and issues navigating the menus.
- Controller camera spinning (weight 0.1): Using a controller, particularly a PS4 controller, causes the camera to spin continuously. This issue makes the game difficult to play with a controller.

Gameplay feedback:
- Drifting mechanics central to gameplay (weight 0.39): The game heavily focuses on drifting mechanics, with players frequently mentioning excessive drifting and the game being a drift simulator. The physics and handling of cars are designed to facilitate drifting, making it a core aspect of the gameplay.
- Extensive car customization (weight 0.3): The game provides a wide range of car customization and tuning options. Players can adjust various settings and purchase different skills to enhance their cars, allowing for a personalized and optimized driving experience.
- Complex control settings (weight 0.24): Players have noted that the controls are difficult and require customization. The game offers customizable control settings, including keyboard controls and steering sensitivity settings, which need to be tweaked to match the player's style and the game's physics.
- Realistic physics and handling (weight 0.24): The game features realistic physics and handling mechanics, which include collision and manual gear mechanics. Players need to spend time tweaking their car settings to achieve the desired handling and performance.
- Arcade-style racing experience (weight 0.21): The game offers an arcade-style racing experience with casual driving gameplay and arcade physics. It includes racing on various maps and features an indie racing title feel, appealing to players who enjoy less realistic, more accessible racing games.
- Inspired by Initial D (weight 0.15): The game is inspired by the Initial D franchise, with tracks and cars designed to pay tribute to the iconic anime. This includes a focus on touge driving and narrow mountain roads, appealing to fans of the series.
- Multiplayer features available (weight 0.12): The game includes multiplayer features, allowing players to race with friends and participate in multiplayer lobbies. This adds a social and competitive element to the gameplay.
- Additional gameplay options (weight 0.1): The game offers various additional gameplay options such as weather settings, camera angles, and a semi-open world design. These features add depth and variety to the gameplay experience.
- Variety of maps and vehicles (weight 0.09): The game offers a variety of maps and vehicles, providing players with different environments and cars to choose from. This variety enhances the gameplay experience and keeps it engaging.
- Progression and monetization systems (weight 0.09): The game includes a progression system and monetization features, allowing players to earn achievements and unlock new content. This system provides goals and rewards for players to strive for.
- Controller support issues (weight 0.06): Some players have reported issues with controller compatibility and support. This can affect the gameplay experience for those who prefer using controllers over other input methods.
- Mission-based gameplay (weight 0.05): The game includes cargo delivery missions, providing players with objectives to complete for in-game cash. These missions add a layer of purpose and structure to the gameplay.
- Community and resources (weight 0.05): The game has a supportive community and resources available for players. This can enhance the overall experience by providing assistance and a sense of belonging.

Performance notes:
- Frequent server disconnections (weight 0.44): Players experience repeated disconnections from servers, often within seconds of joining. This issue is widespread and severely impacts gameplay.
- Game crashes and instability (weight 0.27): Players frequently encounter game crashes, including issues with game restarting, freezing, and general instability.
- Bugs and glitches (weight 0.23): The game is reported to be buggy and glitchy, with various issues affecting gameplay, including visual glitches and collision bugs.
- Graphics quality concerns (weight 0.22): The game's graphics are often criticized for being outdated or serviceable rather than cutting-edge. Some players mention the graphics feel like they are from the 90s.
- Optimization concerns (weight 0.19): There are mixed reviews about the game's optimization. Some players report good optimization, while others find it lacking.
- Settings and technical issues (weight 0.14): Players encounter issues with settings not saving properly, game loading issues on higher graphics settings, and other technical problems.
- Sound and UI concerns (weight 0.06): The game's sound design and user interface have received mixed reviews, with some players rating the UI as average.
- Regional bug variations (weight 0.04): Bugs and issues vary depending on the region, affecting players differently based on their location.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for drifting and car enthusiasts (weight 0.15): The game is highly recommended for those who enjoy drifting and are car enthusiasts. It offers a great experience for fans of motorsport and drifting, as well as those who want to learn drifting.
- Worth it if free (weight 0.13): The game is considered a good value if it is free or available at a very low cost. Many players suggest getting it only if it's free.
- Game has potential (weight 0.1): The game is seen as having potential and being good overall. It offers an interesting gameplay experience with variety.
- Try with a controller (weight 0.1): Players recommend trying the game with a new controller for a better experience. Manual transmission controls are preferred over automatic.
- Look past the bugs (weight 0.09): Despite some bugs, the game is recommended for a good experience. Players suggest ignoring the haters and focusing on the enjoyable aspects.
- Worth trying for self-improvement (weight 0.07): Despite being difficult initially, the game is worth trying for those who want to pursue self-improvement and experience the Initial D feeling. It requires some time to get used to.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.07): Several reviews indicate that the game is not worth buying at its full price. It is suggested to wait for a discount or other improvements.
- Play with friends (weight 0.07): The game is more enjoyable when played with friends. Engaging in activities like Tofu deliveries with a group enhances the experience.
- Join community for updates (weight 0.07): Joining the Discord community is recommended to meet other drivers and stay informed about tournaments. Playing on European servers is suggested for a more active community.
- Add more activities and maps (weight 0.06): Suggestions include adding more activities to make time spent on servers more enjoyable and incorporating more maps through workshop road design.
- Recommended for achievement hunters (weight 0.04): The game is recommended for achievement hunters and those who enjoy nostalgic gameplay. It offers a unique experience for these types of players.

Other player notes:
- Request for friend system (weight 0.04): Players have expressed a desire for the addition of a friend system in the game. This feature would likely enhance the social aspects and multiplayer experience.
- Steam Deck compatibility (weight 0.04): There are mentions of the game being played or compatible with the Steam Deck. This indicates interest in the game's performance on this platform.
- Settings menu feedback (weight 0.04): Feedback regarding the settings menu, possibly indicating issues or suggestions for improvement. This could relate to usability or specific settings options.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.36): Players are primarily frustrated with the game's handling and braking mechanics, which are described as poor and unrealistic. Additionally, there are significant issues with server connectivity, including frequent disconnections and difficulties joining servers. Controller compatibility and camera issues further exacerbate the frustration, making the game feel unplayable at times.
- Disappointment (weight 0.25): Disappointment stems from the game's poor quality and unfinished textures, which give it a dated appearance. The drifting mechanics and overall gameplay experience do not meet expectations, and the lack of a single-player mode or story mode is a significant letdown. Players also express disappointment with the game's physics and controls, which feel unbalanced and unrealistic.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.06): Enjoyment comes from the fun gameplay and drifting mechanics, which are rewarding once players learn and fix initial issues. The variety of maps and the ability to customize cars add to the enjoyment. Despite bugs, the game is fun and evokes the spirit of Japanese drifting.
- Anger (weight 0.05): Anger is primarily caused by the presence of bugs and poor game quality, leading to a feeling of being scammed. Server issues, including bans and disconnections, further fuel this anger. Players are also angry about the poor driving physics and the game's overall performance.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.04): Satisfaction arises from the game's realistic physics and effective braking and drifting mechanics. Players appreciate the small details and simplicity of the game, finding it worth the price. Despite bugs, the overall positive experience and the game's quality contribute to satisfaction.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Joy is derived from the enjoyable drifting experience and the fun gameplay. Playing with friends and the aesthetic beauty of the game add to the joy. The variety of cars and the car modding system also contribute to a positive experience.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgia is evoked by the retro graphics and the game's ability to remind players of older racing games like Initial D. The game brings back memories of watching Initial D and listening to Eurobeat, creating a nostalgic experience.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement comes from the competitive and vibrant aspects of the game, including races and the rush of nailing a perfect corner. Players look forward to future updates and challenges, adding to the excitement.
- Hopeful (weight 0.02): Hopefulness is driven by the anticipation of future updates and improvements. Players suggest game enhancements and encourage others to have faith and master the driving system, looking forward to better organization and more content.
- Happy (weight 0.01): Happiness is derived from the pleasant gameplay and the experience of blasting down mountain passes to the sounds of Eurobeat. The enjoyable drifting and online interactions contribute to a happy gaming experience.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude is expressed towards the developers for the game's features and performance. Players appreciate the efforts put into the game, despite its issues.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm comes from enjoying the game and wanting to share the experience with others. The fun gameplay and drifting mechanics make players enthusiastic about the game.
- Relaxation (weight 0.01): Relaxation is derived from the driving experience combined with music. The game provides a calming and enjoyable atmosphere through its gameplay and soundtrack.
- Initial frustration (weight 0.01): Initial frustration is caused by difficult controls and controller issues. Players struggle with the handling and braking mechanics, leading to a frustrating initial experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Appreciation is expressed for the overall good quality of the game. Players recognize the game's strengths and enjoy the overall experience.
- Like (weight 0.01): Players like the quirky nature of the game and the ease of acquiring and modifying cars. The unique aspects and customization options contribute to a positive liking of the game.}