an actual mechanically distinctive racing game, inertial drift asks a question abandoned the minute the PS2 entered retirement: "what if the right stick wasn't just for camera control?" as a proof-of-concept it totally nails it.

but in similarly PS2 fashion, the game is structurally anemic, with a barebones story mode that ferries you through the tracks and race types with the most skippable dialogue ever written. the bar for racing game story is subterranean. there is no reason to have shame. we all see what you're doing with the name, go all the way. have a tofu delivery minigame that penalizes excessive g-forces and collisions. make all the characters work at a gas station and fumble every shot at romantic connection

i continue to wait for someone to just remake racing lagoon but with a good driving model