Overall score 7/10 (for a free indie game)
graphics:
the environment has a low-poly vibe that is well executed and looks good, some cars are more detailed and do stick out but it isn't a big issue after you get used to it
controls:
the drifting is your worst enemy at first as you will literally skid on every corner (this is especially bad on keyboard so I recommend using a controller).
once you do eventually learn to first control and then manage the drift mechanic it becomes more of a handy tool to take any turn at high speed which is a necessity for harder difficulties.
gameplay:
+ The AI driver slows down and speeds up depending on how good you are keeping the battles tense and entertaining.
+ The tracks are varied and each have interesting course design.
+ The drifting mechanic is fun once you figure it out and master it.
- The AI driver has a car that DOES NOT drift, even in the toughest corners.
- The AI driver will just bump into you like the FR killer if you manage to slip ahead.
- The AI car appears to be made of a tungsten-gold alloy making it impossible to get of track.
- There is no tutorial or ANY explanation of how to drift your car so it's up to you to figure this stuff out.
extra notes:
Learning the drifting mechanic is a NECESSITY if you want to do any intermediate or hard races and there is no explanation of it besides your car skidding like it is driving on dry ice.
This is made worse by the fact that most people will use a mouse and keyboard and there is no analog input to dictate how much gas to give or how aggressive you want to steer, a controller (Xbox360/one on windows or any xbox/playsatation controller on linux (IDK about macOS so just try I suppose)) is definitely a really big help if you want to do ANYTHING drifting related.
~On the other hand you should keep in mind that there is no brake/reverse if you use your controller, and that the layout only uses your left hand while driving.~ see edit
I would also love to see a multiplayer mode as this would be an amazing game to play with friends (if I had them).
conclusion:
It's a fun game if you can look past the issues it has and manage to master the drifting mechanic.
there are also a couple clipping issues with the maps that I would like to see fixed and if the problems I mentioned do get fixed it would be a game I am willing to pay for ($5-10) and would spend time to play with friends once I manage to acquire those (if anyone can help me with that please HMU)
EDIT:
the controller issues I talked about are specific to my configuration and how unity handles game controllers, you should not run into those if you use windows or if you're a competent person (which I apparently am not)