Story Mode
Exclusive to this game, there's an actual story mode that, unlike the stupid mess that most of the following games do, they actually retell the story instead of making this sort of a weird mix where they tell the original manga story but not really?
Regardless of that, this mode is a great introduction to the series since it lets you reprise all of the races (and some other events) of the manga in all of their glory, and its also a great a way to see in the long run how are you improving, but more on that later.
How this mode works is pretty simple, you're given a mission, and you must complete it within the aloted time. If you succeed, you'll unlock the next mission and some stuff for the other games modes. Generally speaking, the difficulty of said missions tends to be pretty fair, minus some missions where its difficulty goes way off the roof, but those are manageable in the end if you're persistent enough.
But, the meat and bones of this game is not really just the retelling of the manga story, it is more about seeing how are you being able to improve in the game, because after all, that's the main focus of this game, to be able to do the same races but even faster. So, SEGA Rosso decided to implement a ranking system that determines how well you've done it in these missions. Minus the first mission, ALL of the races rankings are determined by how fast you complete the missions, nothing more, nothing less. The ranking system is as follows:
- S: Woo-hoo! You've managed to get the best ranking in the race!
- A: Almost there, you're so close to getting that S rank!
- B: Not bad, but you're still doing way too many mistakes.
- C: Well, you've passed, but just barely.
- D: You failed, try again.
Akina's Eight-Six
Here is where it all began, when Takumi was forced to discover his passion for mountain pass racing, and wowed everybody that just because your car might not be the best, it can still perform way better than expected, and thus, a legend was starting to take shape.
During this chapter, the vast majority of the races tend to be not too hard, although it has one BIG fat exception, more on that later. However, this doesn't mean that you can relax, specially if this is your first time playing any Initial D, and you'll be surprised by how harsh and punishing this game can be (even though when you get better you'll realize how pathetic the AI is, specially when going for the S ranks).
Stage 1: Let's Buy an Eight-Six! (Part 1)
One of the few non-canonical events (well it really is canonical but not the event per se), its main purpose is to teach you about the most important feature about this game (and the same applies to Initial D: Arcade Stage, Initial D: Arcade Stage Ver. 2 and Initial D: Arcade Stage Ver. 3), which is to not hit a wall. If you hit a wall, you'll receive what is called a "wall penalty". Basically, this penalty it makes your car acceleration drop and your top speed will be reduced too. Obviously, the harder you hit a wall, the bigger penalty, so you gotta make sure to not hit any wall at any cost!
Objective: reach the end of the third sector within the time limit and without spilling all of the water in the cup
Requirements for S rank: do not spill any water while reaching the goal (100% of water remaining)
Rewards:
- B Rank: Subaru Impreza WRX STi Sedan Type R Version VI (GC8G) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Uphill)
Stage 2: Let's Buy an Eight-Six! (Part 2)
Another one of the few non-canonical races (this time not even the anime showcases Takumi going downhill, in fact, do we even see the hotel that they mention even ONCE?), this event is just there to help you learn without the pressure of any rival car the circuit inside out. This event is also there to teach you that just because you're doing the same race but in reverse mode, doesn't mean that you can proceed the same way, in fact, a lot of races coff coff Irohazaka coff coff will force you to plan out a different race path just because you're doing them but in reverse.
Objective: reach the end of the course within the time limit, in this case being 3 minutes and 40 seconds (3:40)
Requirements for S rank: complete the race within at least 2 minutes and 58 seconds (2:58)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Speedy Speed Boy - Marko Polo (BGM)
- B Rank: Toyota Corolla Levin SR (AE85) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Downhill)
Stage 3: The Ultimate Tofu Vendor Drift
Nani?! Kansei Dorifto?! Indeed guys! It's time to drift around Akina and make ourselves (well, Takumi in this case) a legend around the Gunma area, in this case by overtaking the second best driver of the Akagi RedSuns team, Keisuke Takahashi (oh excuse me, I meant to say K.T. poor americans can't say Japanese names without dying in the process). I haven't mentioned this before, but during these races, and ONLY during these races you can trigger specific lines from the anime if you play like the races did in the anime. By no means its mandatory to do so, but it really adds to the charm to this game and it makes me question why in the mother of god we haven't seen any more of this kind of stuff after this game.
Objective: be in front of Keisuke by 40 meters in less than 2 minutes (2:00)
Requirements for S rank: complete the objective in no more than 14 seconds (0:14)
Rewards:
- C Rank: No One Sleep In Tokyo - Edo Boys (BGM)
- B Rank: Honda S2000 (AP1) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Downhill)
Stage 4: Dogfight
(WIP)
Objective: finish the race in 1st place
Requirements for S rank: finish the race in no more than 1 minutes and 30 seconds (1:30)
Rewards:
- B Rank: Mazda RX-7 Spirit R Type A (FD3S) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Downhill)
Stage 5: Iketani's Valuable Experience
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- B Rank: Nissan Silvia K's (S13) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Downhill)
Stage 6: Stupid Father, Bring Back the Eight-Six!!
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Remember Me - Leslie Parrish (BGM)
- B Rank: Nissan 180SX Type X (RPS13) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Uphill)
Stage 7: Battle to the Limit
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Back On The Rocks - Mega NRG Man (BGM)
- B Rank: Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR32) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Downhill)
Stage 8: Deathmatch of Madness
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Don't Stand So Close - Dr. Love (BGM)
- B Rank: Honda Civic SiR-II (EG6) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Downhill)
Stage 9: Sparkling Line Cross
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- B Rank: Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Downhill)
Stage 10: Hot Winds! Mad Racing! Usui Pass
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- B Rank: Nissan SilEighty (RPS13) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Real Usui (Downhill)
Stage 11: Know the Fear of the Rain Battle
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- B Rank: Nissan Silvia Q's (S14) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Real Myogi (Downhill)
Stage 12: High Tech vs. Super Technique
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- B Rank: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV RS (CN9A) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Downhill)
Stage 13: Let Takumi do the Driving!!
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: White Light - Mr. Groove (BGM)
- B Rank: Nissan Silvia K's Aero (S14) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Nissan 180SX Type X (RPS13) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akagi (Downhill)
Stage 14: Suicidal Fireball Battle
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Save Me - Leslie Parrish (BGM)
- B Rank: Subaru Impreza WRX STi (GDBA) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akagi (Downhill)
Stage 15: The Seal Shall Be Released
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Burning Desire - Mega NRG Man (BGM)
- B Rank: Nissan Altezza RS200 Z Edition (SXE10) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Downhill)
Stage 16: Hunch of Awakening
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Get Me Power - Mega NRG Man (BGM)
- B Rank: Toyota Corolla Levin GT-APEX (AE86) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track:
- First round: Shomaru Pass (Inbound)
- Second round: Shomaru Pass (Outbound)
- Third round: Shomaru Pass (Inbound)
Stage 17: Challenge!! Irohazaka
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Mikado - Dave McLoud (BGM)
- B Rank: Misubishi Lancer Evolution III GSR (CE9A) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Irohazaka (Downhill)
Stage 18: Further Inside Corner!!
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Crazy For Love - Dusty (BGM)
- B Rank: Toyota MR2 G-Limited (SW20) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Irohazaka (Downhill)
Stage 19: Blazing Course Record
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Stay - Victoria (BGM)
- B Rank: Toyota Celica GT-Four (ST205) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Downhill)
Akagi RedSuns
(WIP)
Stage 20: Eve of the Rivals
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- B Rank: Toyota MR-S S-Edition (ZZW30) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) - Keisuke Takahashi
Race track: Akina (Uphill)
Stage 21: Conflicting Pride!!
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: 100 - Dave Rodgers (BGM)
- B Rank: Nissan Skyline GT-R V-Spec II (BNR34) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) - Keisuke Takahashi
Race track: Real Myogi (Uphill)
Stage 22: Trial Battle
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- B Rank: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII GSR (CT9A) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) - Keisuke Takahashi
Race track: Akagi (Uphill)
Stage 23: Breakthrough of Fear!!
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Don't You (Forget About My Love) - Sophie (BGM)
- B Rank: (WIP)
Car and character used: Mazda SAVANNA RX-7 ∞ III (FC3S) - Ryosuke Takahashi
Race track: Akagi (Downhill)
Stage 24: A Critical Moment for the FD!!
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: West End Guy - Digital Planet (BGM)
- B Rank: Nissan Silvia Spec-R (S15) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) - Keisuke Takahashi
Race track: Akagi (Downhill)
Project D
(WIP)
Stage 25: Who is the More Reckless!
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Crazy For Your Love - Morris (BGM)
- B Rank: Mazda Eunos Roadster (NA6CE) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Momiji Line (Downhill)
Stage 26: Full Throttle Hill Climb!!
(WIP)
Objective: fill up the faint bar before running out of time or finishing the race
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- C Rank: I Need Your Love - Dave Simon (BGM)
- B Rank: Nissan Skyline 25GT Turbo (ER34) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) - Keisuke Takahashi
Race track: Momiji Line (Uphill)
Stage 27: Don't Look Behind
(WIP)
Objective: finish the race before Daiki Ninomiya does
Requirements for S rank: fill up the bar in less than 42 seconds (0:42)
Rewards:
- B Rank: Mazda Roadster RS (NB8C) (Iketani's Car Guides)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Enna Skyline (Downhill)
Stage 28: Takumi Attacks!!
(WIP)
Objective: finish the race in 1st place
Requirements for S rank: finish the race without taking more than 2 minutes and 20 seconds (2:20) to do so
Rewards:
- B Rank: (WIP)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Enna Skyline (Downhill)
Stage 29: A Turbo FF Driving Man
(WIP)
Objective: finish the race in 1st place
Requirements for S rank: defeat Smiley Sakai within 2 minutes and 37 seconds (2:37)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Big in Japan - Robert Patton (BGM)
Car and character used: Mazda ɛ̃fini RX-7 Type-R (FD3S) - Keisuke Takahashi
Race track: Enna Skyline (Uphill)
Stage 30: Blind Attack
(WIP)
Objective:
- First round: don't let Tomoyuki get a lead bigger than 100 meters
- Second round: finish the race in 1st place
Requirements for S rank: have an overall time of both rounds no bigger than 4 minutes (4:00)
Rewards:
- C Rank: Crazy Night - Boys Band (BGM) and Express Love - Mega NRG Man (BGM)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track:
- First round: Happogahara (Outbound)
- Second round: Happogahara (Inbound)
Stage 31: A Nightmarish Machine
(WIP)
Objective: win the race
Requirements for S rank: win the race no slower than 2 minute and 49 seconds (2:49)
Rewards:
- B Rank: (WIP)
Car and character used: Toyota Sprinter Trueno 3door GT-APEX (AE86) - Takumi Fujiwara
Race track: Akina (Downhill)