Solo developer Sorpasso Games recently launched a Steam page and trailer for their debut title, Ghosts of the Mountain Pass. Described as “a single-player racing RPG set on the Italian Riviera at the tail end of the 1990s,” the game promises head-to-head street race duels, in-depth car customization, and a fully fleshed out story about uncovering the mystery behind a legendary race from decades past.
The race duels use a “distance is damage” mechanic. Each racer has a health bar at the top of the screen which drains when they’re behind. The bigger the distance between cars, the faster the second-place driver’s health depletes, meaning every second counts when it comes to closing the gap or maintaining a strong lead.
Winning duels allows you to use to earn car parts from their rivals, which you can use to customize and enhance you vehicle, similar to equipment in a traditional RPG. While the in-game roster does not include any real-world licensed cars, the designs included are said to be inspired by popular models from the 80s and 90s. In a Reddit post, the dev wrote that they would be primarily focusing on a Euro-centric roster, with some attention still given to the culture’s Japanese heritage.
The game engine is built to execute complex math to allow for real-time physics-based handling as players snake their way up and down the seaside mountain roads of the game’s setting. Several accessibility features based on real-world car assist systems are set to allow players of all skill levels to approach the game as they see fit.
Fans of Japanese racing games will no doubt note the game’s similarities to Sega’s Initial D series of arcade racers, which are based on the popular manga and anime series of the same name. Street-racing focus aside, the inclusion of comic book-style visualized sound effects certainly seems like a nod to those games’ stylized manga look.
Those with a taste for more niche classics may also recognize the story-driven (no pun intended) “racing RPG” premise bears a striking similarity to Squaresoft’s Japan-only PS1 title Racing Lagoon, an influence which the developer has openly acknowledged. Additionally, Ghosts of the Mountain Pass’s cel-shaded art style bears a striking resemblance to Capcom’s PS2 racer Auto Modellista, a cult classic that’s arguably best remembered for its striking visuals.
Although hailing from Italy, the solo dev behind Sorpasso Games clearly holds a deep respect for the Japanese street racing games and culture of the late-90s and appears to be aiming to bring the best of what those titles had to offer into the modern age with Ghosts of the Mountain Pass. At the same time, the Italian setting and distinct game mechanics give this title something new to look forward to.
Ghosts of the Mountain Pass is currently in development for PC (Steam) The release date is TBA. The developer’s X account provides updates on the game’s development.
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