The Drifter Reviews
The Drifter is a great point-and-click adventure that keeps you engaged throughout, with smart puzzles and great characters.
I’ve played a lot of point-and-clicks. Some innovate, some imitate. The Drifter does both, but with intent. It honors the classics while carving out its own identity. It doesn’t waste your time with obtuse puzzles or bloated dialogue. It delivers a tightly constructed mystery, grounded in human fear, and pushes it through sci-fi terror and gritty realism. Is it perfect? No. But it’s smart. It’s polished. And it’s interesting something I can’t say about half the games trying to cash in on ‘retro’ adventure nostalgia.
Powerhoof's first commercial venture is a fast-paced, exciting thriller with a freshness that makes it highly enjoyable.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
There’s something that continuously draws us back to old/retro games. Is it nostalgia? Is it wanting to relive the memories? Did we love the storyline? Maybe the somewhat now dated graphics and the soundtrack kept our blood pumping as we eagerly awaited the next boss battle or the revealing of a hidden item? If you have chosen all of the above, then you’ll be delighted to learn that Powerhoof’s newest game, ‘The Drifter’, will unlock all your old-school gaming desires!
By the end of my time with it, I found The Drifter to be a fun and haunting experience throughout, as it constantly kept me engaged both regarding the puzzles I had to solve through the game and the story itself being both interesting and gripping, as each new piece of information led me to want to discover more.
The Drifter exudes respect and passion for its inspirations, from pulp magazines to the point-and-click genre itself, while simultaneously establishing its own identity by combining these elements with unparalleled success. With an engaging, precisely paced narrative and a well-crafted noir atmosphere, the game proves to be not only an intriguing experience, but also an accessible and fluid one. Knowing how to work with its influences, it understands the value of conciseness, both in progression and design, and, like its drifting protagonist, it never allows itself to stagnate, leading the player through a memorable mystery of death, paranoia, and acceptance.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The hype I had from playing the demo was definitely not let down in the full release. Powerhoof really surprised me with the direction in which they took this story and I truly loved playing it. Mick is a really interesting character and learning more about why he was a drifter was a unique experience that I’ve not really had in a point and click game. I’m so glad I got the chance to sink my teeth into The Drifter and would recommend it to anyone that was already a fan of the genre or looking for a way to step into it. It wouldn’t be fair to give The Drifter anything other than the Thumb Culture Platinum Award.
The Drifter is bold, bizarre, and full of surprises. It’s the kind of game that lingers long after the credits roll.
If nothing else, The Drifter is a love letter to a classic genre of PC gaming that many will have fond memories of growing up. While there may be those who feel like this form of point ‘n click gameplay may be obsolete and may find the puzzle-solving to be frustrating but I believe what Powerhoof has crafted here is a gem that is worth a look. This engaging story with a gripping protagonist, stellar presentation, and solid voice acting showcases that there’s plenty you can do within the medium that will reward those who enjoy the thrill and challenge of a good adventure. If this kind of game is up your alley, I definitely recommend you’d give it a shot!
The Drifter is a stylish pulp ride that, despite a few stumbles, delivers an excellent adventure experience with fantastic visuals.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
The Drifter is a messy first attempt at the point-and-click genre from Powerhoof. The story can be frustrating at times, which can extend to the puzzles that leave you confused when returning after a long break. However, the story comes together beautifully, making the mess seem intentional and worth your time.
Add this to your wishlist, follow the developer, and above all, keep an eye on him. Because this is a game that's going to make a splash.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
The Drifter is a fantastic supernatural thriller and point-and-click investigation game rolled into one, staying true to the staples of the genre while updating certain elements for a current-day audience. The team at Powrhoof has fashioned a gritty, intriguing tale that keeps you guessing without feeling lost, enticing you with breadcrumbs stuck in the muck collecting in the corners of Mawson. For those who love to solve problems with their logic and wits, and slowly unravel a mystery like none other in point-and-click games, The Dirfter is a must-play.
The Drifter's storyline gets a little predictable and corny in its third act, but otherwise this is a fantastic game for point-and-click puzzle fans. It has pretty faultless point-and-click gameplay, an excellent voice cast, and the perfect narration to set the tone in this pulp thriller story.
The Drifter is an evolution of the point-and-click adventure, as it delivers a highly refined experience from top to bottom. The Drifter immediately hooks you in with its captivating sci fi thriller narrative thanks to a supremely strong opening full of time travel, conspiracy and murder. It flowed with nearly perfect pacing throughout and was well rounded with superb voice acting, a flawless gamepad experience, but most importantly, challenging puzzles that avoid the genre trope of being obtuse. There were a few minor issues, but nothing that detracted from the overall experience. The Drifter is a must for fans of the golden era of the point and click adventure, but thanks to its refinement, it’s also for anyone who loves a good sci-fi thriller adventure.
The Drifter is another adventure of merit, a "must play" for every fan of the genre. Especially those who have a soft spot for thrillers and the atmosphere of old horror movies will probably love it a little more.
Action doesn't usually integrate well to point-and-click titles, but The Drifter is an exception. It holds its own with both its calm sections and its hectic moments. It feels like an interactive audiobook that you don't want to put down. A captivating summer paperback.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Powerhoof continues to be one of the most exciting developers out of Australia, achieving a tight point-and-click that anyone can get into with The Drifter. The performances from the cast are wonderful and sell the story well, while the quality gameplay clears the bar that the rest of the package sets. The beautiful work with the environments, animations, and soundtrack elevate this Aussie pulp thriller to fantastic heights.
The Drifter is an adventure game that recalls great point-and-click classics, but doesn't get too hung up on them. It has a very original and creative story, delivering a very charming game with truly impeccable voice work.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Drifter is a perfect example of a game that just clicks (pun fully intended). Powerhoof breathes new life into the once-dead genre, mixing Carpenter/King-style storytelling, dark synth vibes, and top-tier voice acting to create a point & click experience that goes down like a smooth cuppa tea. If you're after a retro-style adventure packed with challenge and clever trial-and-error design, The Drifter is well worth your time.
Review in Dutch | Read full review