Pacific Drive: You’re in for the ride of your life.
Cars are more than just vehicles; they’re our reliable companions for daily tasks, whether it’s picking up groceries or finding shelter during times of disaster. This concept forms the core of Pacific Drive, a unique survival game that centers around the act of driving for survival.
In a world reshaped by apocalyptic events, where the boundaries between humanity and nature blur, your car becomes more than a mode of transportation—it becomes your lifeline.
How would a driving survival game work?
Pacific Drive takes a different approach compared to typical survival games. Instead of relying on a human or animal companion, your car becomes your constant companion in this post-apocalyptic world. It’s your most valuable asset, aiding you in your quest for survival.
The game doesn’t only stick to the usual day and night cycles; it presents a wide range of environmental conditions such as mist, rainfall, forest fires, thunderstorms, and various landscapes spanning from untamed wilderness to decaying urban areas. The expansive open-world map is set to be a faithful representation of the Pacific Northwest, inviting exploration across its vastness.
Unlike traditional driving games, Pacific Drive allows you to step out of your vehicle, adding an extra dimension to the gameplay. Starting with a basic hatchback-type family car, you have the freedom to customize it extensively. Your vehicle can be tailored to match your survival strategy, both in terms of appearance and functionality.
To keep the journey engaging during long drives, voiced radio stations provide companionship. Although wheel support isn’t initially available, the development team hopes to incorporate the controller support after the game’s launch.
A recurring gameplay theme in this post-apocalyptic world is the presence of supernatural storms and anomalies, injecting an element of unpredictability and excitement into your travels.
The features of Pacific Drive
Pacific Drive employs a vibrant art style that captures the region’s beauty despite its desolation. Survival in Pacific Drive is closely tied to the regions you traverse, each offering its own set of challenges.
Key features include:
- Abandoned garages act as crucial points for vehicle repair and upgrades, a concept reminiscent of safehouses and bases in traditional survival games.
- The game features an engaging narrative, urging you to journey to the heart of the Olympic Exclusion Zone and uncover a forgotten mystery with potentially world-changing implications.
- Central to the experience is vehicle customization, focusing primarily on your car. You can adapt to the evolving challenges by using repair tools, swapping parts, and crafting with materials you find.
- The game world is populated with NPC monsters. The nature of your interaction with these creatures—you must confront them head-on in your vehicle or evade their pursuits.
A notable aspect of Pacific Drive is its meticulous animations. The customization process feels immersive, adding an element of mechanic simulation to the gameplay and enhancing the overall experience. Off-roading becomes a significant aspect with the possibility of your vehicle getting stuck in tough terrain. Additionally—customizations need to account for this challenge.
Development and release date
Utilizing advanced graphics, Pacific Drive offers a visual spectacle. Realistic shadows and lighting create an immersive atmosphere. Whether it’s the striking glow of taillights and neon signs piercing the night or the gentle morning sunlight filtering through trees, the visuals capture both tranquillity and tension, immersing players at every turn.
Set for release on the PlayStation 5 and on PC via platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store. Pacific Drive has been in development by Ironwood Studios since 2019. With direct support from PlayStation, the game aims to meet the high standards expected from PlayStation exclusives, setting it apart from typical indie survival titles.
While the exact release date remains undisclosed, Pacific Drive is slated for a 2023 launch. The initial release focuses on a single-player experience, with the potential for multiplayer features to be added in the future, adding an extra layer of excitement for players seeking collaborative survival challenges.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, Pacific Drive represents an innovative fusion of survival gameplay and driving mechanics, beckoning players to embark on a perilous journey through a post-apocalyptic world where the line between machine and companion blurs. With its immersive narrative, captivating visuals, and innovative gameplay, the game promises an unforgettable experience that will undoubtedly leave its mark in the realm of survival gaming.
