Pacific Drive Reviews
Pacific Drive manages to combine elements from roguelike and survival forms and combine them with the catalyst of the old station that we have all seen in some American movie of the 80s.
Review in Greek | Read full review
While some of its looting mechanics feel a little stale in comparison to how it evolves other areas of the genre this likely won’t deter most players from seeing this intriguing story through to the end. Instead, Pacific Drive is one of the most intriguing games I’ve played in 2024 so far. It borrows concepts from the likes of STALKER and Firewatch, and combines them to create an accessible survival rogue-lite that’s a joy to engage with. Seeing your car gradually transform from a heap of junk to essentially a life support system is a satisfying experience, and only enhanced by the weird and wonderful world you get to drive it about in.
Pacific Drive will end up as a highlight of 2024 for anyone seeking a fresh experience. Unfortunately, some quirks and genre trappings make it a little less wondrous than the Zone itself.
With a charismatic voice cast, vast upgrade system and a fascinating mysterious world, Pacific Drive is an experience that is unique in every aspect. I personally have never played anything like it. Similar yes, but like this experience, never. The idea of creating a game based on roadtrip films with a mystery and horror aspect, combining elements of survival and crafting was an assertive choice. The debut of Ironwood Studios is a great success and made me extremely curious about the developer's future works.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Pacific Drive is a unique twist on the survival genre that will make you fall in with a car, if you can handle its random difficulty spikes.
Pacific Drive is a rare experience in the space of roguelikes that combines unique mechanics with a deep story that not very many games in the genre offer.
"Pacific Drive" is an extremely atmospheric survival game that draws its charm from the exuberant inhospitability of the exclusion zone. Loneliness and menacing anomalies make our old station wagon our closest ally. If you like roguelikes and crafting, you will find a rich field of activity in "Pacific Drive" - but the tinkering and fiddling sometimes get a bit out of hand. If you leave the somewhat tough start to the game behind, you will be rewarded with a motivating expansion system. The exclusion zone is an almost mythical place - and certainly not for the faint of heart.
Review in German | Read full review
Ironwood Studios' debut game accomplishes to be an immersive survival driving adventure. Its intense treks through mind-bending obstacles are balanced with humor and relaxing moments provided by crafting and upgrading useful tools and car components, along with Pacific Drive's catchy alternative rock soundtrack. It's an incredibly impressive debut game that should put the new studio on the map: "there's no peace of mind or place you'll see, like riding on Pacific Drive."
Pacific Drive delivers a refreshing spin on survival horror gameplay, with its original atmosphere and inventive use of genre elements. Despite minor flaws, its innovative approach captivates players, offering a truly unique gaming experience that pushes boundaries and keeps the genre exciting.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Getting used to its well thought out progression systems might take a little too long due to its user interface but once you do it, it’s hard to stop playing Pacific Drive.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Pacific Drive is an intriguing survival title that appeals to the unknown and the player's curiosity, with unique and engaging moments. By merging vehicle and survival, Ironwood Studios nails its proposal and boldness.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Pacific Drive can be broken down easily into other genres, but it's unlike anything available in terms of tone, atmosphere and execution.
Pacific Drive is a title that oozes passion from every exhaust pipe, and we can only be happy for Ironwood Studios and the love placed in their debut work.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Pacific Drive is an ambitious and rewarding debut from Ironwood Studios. It's an unusual combination of factors that all coalesce; roguelike exploration, deep and challenging survival mechanics, an interesting narrative to follow, and a central vehicle that brings everything together. Fiddly controls and complex UI mean it's not free from annoyances, but the pleasure found in incrementally upgrading the car and throwing it into the unknown trumps the setbacks. It might be an arduous journey at times, but it's definitely worth the trip.
The premise of Pacific Drive is unique and original in many ways, although in others it can be a bit tedious and tiresome. It is a game in which we must be patient and not go crazy, because it is better to go little by little so as not to fall into despair. Being a first-person survival rogue-lite, it has its own twist and nothing will be the same in every exploration, but for my taste a third-person option would have been good for it.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Ironwood Studio's debut is a challenging roguelite caRPG rich in atmosphere, complexity, and fascinating lore.
Pacific Drive takes each genre it tackles in a bold new direction, and creates something that’s not necessarily unheard of, but feels entirely unique in its design, care, and the way in which it pulls you into its world. You’ll immediately begin to care for your car as you keep it safe, and exploring the Zone consistently provides new, refreshing things to keep you engaged and daunted. Though the milder aspects can feel repetitive, it adds to a worthwhile experience that is absolutely worth playing.
A punishing, exhasperating slog, or an off-beat love story between driver and car, human and the Zone? Pacific Drive is both and then some.
Pacific Drive is a fantastic survival game with an addictive gameplay loop that involves forging deep connections to junctions, progressing deeper into an ever-changing Zone, upgrading a quirky vehicle, and navigating through challenges that appear on the road ahead.
It’s a gorgeous, thoughtful and idiosyncratic game that perfectly blends mundane engine maintenance with otherworldly anamolies. Still, the station wagon is an automatic so when it comes to learning to drive? Absolutely useless.