Mad Pursuit – High‑Speed Mayhem in the Streets of Ishikari

Game Overview

Mad Pursuit drops you straight into the chaotic heart of Ishikari Market, the bustling hub where the “A Mad Pursuit” main quest of Ghost of Yōtei begins. Your target? The notorious bounty Mad Goro, a slippery outlaw who’s turned the city’s traffic into his personal playground.

The game blends the open‑world vibe of Ghost of Yōtei with a focused, adrenaline‑pumping police‑car chase experience. Whether you’re playing on Android, iOS, or the PS5 version that streamers rave about, you’ll be thrust into a world of realistic physics, dense traffic, and relentless police pursuit. The core loop is simple: evade, out‑maneuver, and survive—but the execution feels anything but.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

Realistic Driving Physics

Mad Pursuit uses a physics engine that makes every turn, drift, and collision feel weighty. Cars respond to speed, braking, and road surface in a way that rewards finesse. A sudden brake can lock the wheels, while a well‑timed hand‑brake turn can spin you out of a police roadblock.

Vehicle Variety

The game showcases several distinct car classes, each highlighted in the popular YouTube walkthrough series:

• Compact Car – Light, nimble, and perfect for weaving through tight alleyways.
• Captain (Capitan) Car – A balanced mid‑size vehicle with solid acceleration and decent handling.
• Pioneer Car – Heavier, with higher top speed and more durability, ideal for straight‑line sprints.

Choosing the right ride for a given situation is a key strategic decision.

City Traffic & Dynamic Obstacles

Ishikari Market isn’t an empty arena. Pedestrians, delivery trucks, and random street vendors appear in real time, forcing you to constantly adapt. Traffic lights cycle, and police set up temporary roadblocks that can be bypassed with clever routing or a well‑placed boost.

Game Modes

Mad Pursuit isn’t a single‑track experience; it offers four distinct modes that keep the chase fresh:

1. Survival – Stay alive as long as possible while police reinforcements keep arriving.
2. Racing – Compete against rival drivers or police units in timed sprints across the city.
3. Getaway Driver – A mission‑focused mode where you must reach a safe house before the heat closes in.
4. Zones – Specific districts of Ishikari each present unique hazards (e.g., narrow market stalls, industrial warehouses).

Each mode tweaks the AI aggressiveness, the number of power‑ups, and the objectives you need to hit.

Controls (Mobile & Console)

• Steering – Tilt or virtual joystick (mobile); left stick (controller).
• Accelerate/Brake – Gas pedal on screen or right trigger (controller).
• Hand‑Brake – Tap the brake icon twice or press the “A” button.
• Boost (if equipped) – Swipe up on mobile or press “X”.
• Camera Toggle – Pinch gesture or press “Y” to switch between close‑up and cinematic views.

Understanding these inputs and customizing sensitivity in the settings menu can shave precious seconds off your escape times.

Strategic Tips

1. Master the Map Early

Spend a few minutes driving around Ishikari Market without a chase. Learn where the shortcuts, parking garages, and under‑passes are. In the “A Mad Pursuit” quest, the fastest route to Mad Goro’s hideout threads through a series of market stalls that most players overlook.

2. Pick the Right Car for the Mode

• Survival – The Compact shines because its tight turning radius lets you slip through police barricades.
• Racing – The Pioneer’s high top speed gives you an edge on open streets.
• Getaway Driver – The Captain offers a balanced mix of speed and durability, useful when you’ll face both traffic and gunfire.

3. Use the Environment as a Weapon

Police AI reacts to traffic lights and will stop at red signals. Position yourself just before a light turns red, then accelerate when it turns green to create a gap. In the Zones mode, the industrial district’s conveyor belts can be used to fling your car into a higher lane, escaping tailgating cruisers.

4. Upgrade Wisely

Vehicle upgrades are split into three categories: Engine, Suspension, and Armor.

• Engine upgrades boost acceleration—crucial for quick get‑aways from sudden roadblocks.
• Suspension improves handling on uneven surfaces, which matters in the market’s cobblestone lanes.
• Armor reduces damage from collisions, essential for the Pioneer in Survival mode where you’ll take more hits.

Prioritize upgrades that complement your preferred playstyle rather than maxing everything at once.

5. Manage Boosts and Power‑Ups

While the game doesn’t feature a traditional power‑up system, certain hidden nitro canisters appear in alleyways. Collect them for a short burst of speed. Use the boost only when you’re about to lose a police car; wasting it on a straightaway can leave you vulnerable later.

6. Learn Police AI Patterns

Police units follow a predictable “search‑and‑intercept” pattern: they’ll cut off your current lane, then attempt a side‑sweep. If you notice a police cruiser pulling ahead, anticipate a lane change and counter‑steer to the opposite side.

7. Play the Walkthroughs for Inspiration

The YouTube series “Mad Pursuit Police Car Chase – Gameplay Walkthrough” (Parts 1‑9) showcases each car class in action. Watching Part 2 (Captain Car) and Part 9 (Pioneer Car) can teach you optimal drift angles and braking points that many players miss.

Special Features & Challenges

Dynamic Weather (PS5)

The PS5 version introduces weather changes—rain slicks the roads, reducing traction, while fog limits visibility. These conditions force you to adjust braking distances and rely more on auditory cues (sirens) than visual ones.

Lethal Difficulty (Ghost of Yōtei Integration)

In the “A Mad Pursuit” mission on Lethal difficulty, police spawn faster, and Mad Goro’s escape route is riddled with explosive barrels that can be triggered by careless driving. Surviving this run requires flawless timing and a deep understanding of the city layout.

Community Challenges

Weekly leaderboards track the fastest Getaway Driver runs and the longest Survival streaks. Completing community challenges unlocks custom paint jobs for each car class, letting you personalize your ride.

Cross‑Platform Progression

Your vehicle upgrades and unlocked modes sync across mobile and console, so you can start a chase on your phone and finish it on the PS5 without losing progress.

Why Players Love It

1. Pure, Unfiltered Adrenaline – The combination of realistic physics and relentless police AI creates a genuine sense of danger that keeps hearts pounding.
2. Depth Beneath the Surface – While the core loop is simple, the variety of cars, modes, and city shortcuts provide layers of strategy that reward repeated play.
3. Integration with Ghost of Yōtei – Fans of the larger series appreciate how “A Mad Pursuit” ties directly into the Oni storyline, giving context to the chase and a satisfying narrative payoff when you finally corner Mad Goro.
4. Community Content – The walkthrough series and weekly challenges foster a lively community where players share routes, drift techniques, and custom liveries.
5. Accessibility – Controls are intuitive on both mobile touchscreens and console controllers, making the game approachable for newcomers while still offering depth for veterans.

Mad Pursuit isn’t just another police‑car chase game; it’s a tightly crafted experience that marries the open‑world intrigue of Ghost of Yōtei with the visceral thrill of high‑speed evasion. Whether you’re a casual player looking for a quick adrenaline fix or a completionist aiming to master every route and vehicle, the game offers enough variety and challenge to keep you coming back for more. Strap in, hit the accelerator, and see if you have what it takes to out‑run the law and bring Mad Goro to justice.