Kaido Genkai: An Anime Racing RPG immediately brings Forza Horizon to mind with its open-world design

If you enjoy independent indie game coverage, consider supporting Indie-Games.eu on Patreon. It helps keep the site independent.

Kaido Genkai is an upcoming open-world racing RPG for PC (via Steam), developed as a solo passion project by Karoshi of Karoshi Electric Company. The game blends the high-stakes style of 90s Japanese drift culture and anime aesthetics with deep RPG mechanics, drawing inspiration from titles like Initial D meets Forza Horizon. A demo is planned for Fall 2025.

Set in a cel-shaded version of the Japanese countryside, you play as a young drifter trying to uncover a mysterious past. What starts as simple street racing against local rivals quickly evolves into a deeper narrative. You’re free to explore a handcrafted, dynamic world on foot or by car, complete with day/night cycles and changing weather. The story unfolds as you interact with 20+ unique NPCs (allies, rivals, and legends) using branching dialogue to unlock backstory and form alliances. Additionally, you’ll uncover fragmented memories and lore by collecting “treasures” hidden throughout the map.

You will race in varied events like time trials, pursuit chases, and intense mountain pass battles using nitro boosts and drifts. As you earn XP from races, you can level up your driver, improving stats like grip or stamina. Furthermore, you can customize 19 unlockable vehicles, from kei cars to JDM icons, with dozens of parts, upgrades, and liveries. Resources scavenged from the world can also be used to craft improvements.