The Drifter Reviews
While The Drifter mostly succeeds as an immersive interactive novel, the experience, although solid and well paced, never quite evolves into something more than a moody two-evening adventure. What’s really a shame with Powerhoof’s creation is that while it’s a finely crafted point-and-click with great art direction and dark atmosphere, its shift from noir character drama and tense thriller to sprawling sci-fi conspiracy pulp is ultimately a disservice to the emotional potential of its arresting opening chapters.
The Drifter is a gorgeous and moody point 'n' click adventure with impeccable art, but its pulp leanings undermine its best qualities.
The Drifter is a new standard in point and click adventures and deserves to be spoken about in the same breath as the very best the genre has to offer. The look, sound, and feel of the game are all superb and it tells a story that never stops being thrilling. All in all, it's an essential purchase for anybody who has even a passing interest in the genre.
The puzzles are logical, never distracting, often contained within single screens in an escape room style. Excellent voice acting and a cynical narrator complete an experience that demonstrates that adventures can still have a lot to offer, when crafted by skilled hands.
Review in Italian | Read full review
What stumbles there are, though, do little to loosen The Drifter’s sturdy grasp of the genre. With a steady stream of plot twists and storytelling intrigue, the game is a propulsive and polished example of the form, every bit the satisfying pulp adventure it sets out to be.
After tons of time squinting at my monitor trying to solve whodunits and twisting my iPad around to see if my puzzle will cooperate, The Drifter has been the refreshing and innovative experience I’ve been looking for. You’ll find me hard-pressed to find any glaring flaws, as it excels in its characters, writing, puzzling, and everything else. It’s a thrill ride from start to finish that I’d recommend to anyone.
The Drifter is not only one of the best games of the year, so far, I’d consider it one of the best adventure games period. Not only does it buck the genre’s conventions through new, bold ideas, its story is a start-to-finish thriller that blends mystery, horror, and science-fiction while effortlessly dripping cool.
The Drifter is an excellent adventure game with a fantastic story, excellent sound, and lovely pixel art, though sadly drags a bit here and there.
A brutal, lightning-paced take on the point-and-click adventure, The Drifter stands confidently among the greats of Australian horror fiction. Building a uniquely unsettling atmosphere with its chilling prose and narration, it presents a compelling supernatural mystery that will satisfy any adventure game fan. With gorgeous pixel art, killer voice acting, a soundtrack full of bangers, and an engaging gameplay loop, The Drifter is a home-grown triumph.
The Drifter has everything you want from a modern point-and-click adventure – a banging story, excellent characters that are unabashedly Australian, and expertly designed puzzles. It's one of the best adventure games you'll ever play and it feels like an evolution for the genre, and Powerhoof deserves all the acclaim about to come its way.
Exciting and good-looking wild science fiction in the shape of a classic quest that doesn't look archaic.
Review in Russian | Read full review
If concepts like Stephen King, John Carpenter, and low-budget 80s horror films hold a special place in your life, you’ll absolutely love The Drifter.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Deserving of a place in the point and click hall of fame, The Drifter is a pulpy thriller with fantastic storytelling, excellent puzzles and truly stand-out voice acting. Undoubtedly one of the highlights of 2025, make sure this is on your radar if you're a fan of adventure games with unforgettable narratives.
The Drifter is a well-written, fast-paced point-and-click thriller that will keep you glued to your seat. It's a must-play for those who love puzzlers, mystery, and adventure.
Powerhoof deliver one of the most engaging and compelling tales you're likely to experience this year. Joining Mick on his journey filled with emotional stakes, peril and thematic intrigue is a pleasure, and one I'd encourage you to embark on for yourself. Aside from the occasional technical issue, The Drifter is a wonderfully crafted noir point-and-click adventure from start to finish.
The Drifter is part of a class of modern classics for point and clicks, joining 2025's other great adventure game, Old Skies, in both honoring and advancing the genre. With a compelling, tension-filled narrative and a cinematic presentation style, it becomes one of my easiest recommendations — not only as one of the best games this year but as an all-time point and click must-play.
In summary, The Drifter offers accessible yet not simplistic gameplay, where every interaction serves to heighten the atmosphere and support the narrative. It stands as proof that, in an era when graphic adventures seemed destined to remain a nostalgic memory, titles like this one mark a vibrant revival of the genre, especially within the indie scene. The protagonist is a tormented man, closed off from the world, a prisoner of his own ghosts and haunting regrets. He is portrayed with remarkable depth: hopeless, crushed by past mistakes, and reluctantly forced to start over. It’s a surprisingly intimate portrayal for a graphic adventure that is just as surprising, beautiful, and absolutely unmissable.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Adventure game fans should absolutely not miss what The Drifter has to offer.
I was optimistic about The Drifter just from seeing the trailer, but I was unprepared for just how remarkable the game truly is. From gorgeous pixel art, to fantastic vocal performances, to a truly bonkers and melancholy storyline, The Drifter is one of the most memorable and unique experiences I’ve had in a point-and-click adventure in a long time. If you’re a fan of the genre, The Drifter is undeniably a must-play.
Fast, brutal, emotional—The Drifter is the point-and-click game you didn't know you were waiting for—one of the best narrative adventures in years.