Pacific Drive

Face the supernatural dangers of the Olympic Exclusion Zone with a car as your only lifeline in this driving survival adventure! Scavenge resources, load up your trusty station wagon, and drive like hell to make it through alive.

Current Players: 1094
Developers: Ironwood Studios
Publishers: Kepler Interactive
Release Date: Feb 21, 2024
Price (USD): $14.99
engaging atmosphere
vehicle mechanics
voice acting
original concept
musical selection
anomalies
narrative delivery
poor optimization
inconvenient save system
repetitive gameplay
lacks depth
The general sentiment around the game is that the atmosphere and concept are widely praised, bringing a unique blend of suspense, exploration, and car mechanics to the survival genre. However, optimization issues and the game's save system are frequent sources of frustration and can detract from what many perceive as a promising experience. Players also have mixed feelings about the gameplay loop, with some enjoying the immersive cycle of exploration and repair while others find it too repetitive or tedious. Despite these criticisms, the memorable voice acting and original concept contribute significantly to the game's appeal.

Positive Points

  • The game has an engaging atmosphere with eerie and mysterious elements that many players found immersive and gripping.
  • The vehicle mechanics and customization options were praised for their depth and creativity, allowing players to bond with and personify the car.
  • Voice acting and character interactions through the radio were highlighted as strong points, adding to the narrative and emotional engagement.
  • The originality of the concept, blending driving, survival, and exploration in a paranormal setting, was appreciated.
  • Negative Points

  • Frequent mentions of the poor optimization, with many players experiencing crashes and low frame rates despite having high-end hardware.
  • The save system was widely criticized for being inconvenient, particularly for players who cannot dedicate long periods to a single session.
  • Some players found the gameplay loop repetitive and the story underwhelming or lacking depth as they progressed.
  • There's a lack of clarity in some game mechanics that required players to frequently search for external guides.
  • Mixed Points

  • While some players enjoyed the ambient and thematic musical selection, others found it repetitive or not to their taste.
  • The anomalies and their interactions were a source of both excitement and frustration, with some players finding them too disruptive.
  • The narrative and lore delivery via radio and logs received mixed feedback; some appreciated the style while others felt it led to disconnection from the story when in stressful situations.
  • Common Themes

  • The haunting and atmospheric environment of the game world was a common appreciation among players.
  • Game mechanics tied to car maintenance and survival were both lauded for their depth but also criticized for becoming tedious over time.
  • Players often formed a narrative about their personal bond with the car, attributing personality and significance to its maintenance and upgrades.
  • Updated 5/17/2025, 12:01:22 AM UTC