Pacific Drive

Pacific Drive thrusts its players into the heart of the Olympic Exclusion Zone, once a controlled experimental site now dominated by supernatural chaos. Your goal is clear: as someone dragged into the Zone amidst a routine delivery gone wrong, escape from this center of turmoil in a beat-up station wagon.

How can I describe this game? Very few games have given me joy, like Pacific Drive; these include, but are not limited to, “Stories Untold” and “Oxenfree.” However, this comparison doesn’t reveal much about Pacific Drive itself. Despite their distinct differences, such as gameplay and narrative, the only common thread among them might be their mysterious vibe. Perhaps this indescribable quality is their greatest strength.

Pacific Drive offers a unique experience that defies easy categorization. Is it a driving simulator? Not quite. A horror survival game? Not really. A story-driven (don’t mind the unintentional pun) narrative? Maybe, quite likely. The real magic lies in Pacific Drive’s ability to skillfully blend these elements to create a unique mix that engages players.

A story full of anomalies

While the stories of the bizarre, strangeness, and failed experiments have always been my jam, Pacific Drive takes it all up a notch. I had different expectations for the game since the only thing I knew came from a singular TikTok video about an encounter with the mannequin-like “anomaly” called “the Tourists“. It instantly reminded me of the ‘Weeping Angels’ from Doctor Who, and based on my experience with SCP-173, I thought, “I have to play this game.” So, I went into it thinking it was going to be a horror game, but it turned out to be more about crafting, survival, and a great story that slowly evolved.

To delve deeper into the story, the game begins with a brief introduction that sheds light on the Olympic Peninsula and its history. In 1947, a government organization called ARDA started developing a groundbreaking technology known as LIM technology on the Olympic Peninsula, expecting it to have a revolutionary impact on the world.

Fast forward to 1955, and the rumor mill starts churning with tales of weird stuff and people vanishing on the Peninsula. In response, the government hits the panic button, kicks out the locals, and throws up a massive wall, officially marking it as the Olympic Exclusion Zone. Over the next 30 years, this Zone expands like an overfed balloon as the government tries to crack the mystery within. Eventually, with no clear explanation, the Zone is abandoned and closed.

Now, in 1998, our character, en route to the Olympic Peninsula for a routine delivery, suddenly finds themselves in the midst of a gripping story of survival and mystery-solving. Let me tell you, things are most certainly not okay in the Olympic Peninsula. When you find yourself caught in the chaotic ‘Zone,’ a rickety 80s station wagon comes to your rescue as you run in panic. Throwing ourselves into the car for dear life and starting to drive, we start to get to know the voices on the radio that will guide us throughout the game.

Enigmatic characters and their stories

Tobias Barlow and Francis Cooke, two scientists who worked and still live in the Zone, contact you through the car radio and direct you to a garage belonging to Dr. Ophelia “Oppy” Turner. Oppy reluctantly agrees to help you and lets you use her garage to explore the area. From then on, the garage becomes your base and a safe haven from all the chaos of the Zone.

After these explanations, our first mission is revealed. We need to verify whether Remnant has taken control by discovering an anomaly known as ‘Colossal Cappy’. Armed with Oppy’s invention, the ARC device, our exploration becomes a surreal journey into the unknown.

Gameplay and mechanics

Pacific Drive roots itself in the roguelike genre by embracing the essence of dynamic and challenging gameplay. As the driver, you navigate the unpredictable Olympic Exclusion Zone in a battered station wagon. The core roguelike elements manifest themselves in strategic decision-making, resource management, and the ever-present threat of anomalies lurking within the Zone.

Manual vehicle interaction

There are literally a lot of moving parts in the game, from driving to repairing to gathering resources. Almost everything you do requires manual input. You have to do everything manually, whether it’s opening the car door, starting the engine, or shifting gears. This hands-on approach even extends to vehicle maintenance.

For instance, replacing a damaged door involves walking to the door, pressing a button to initiate the removal process, holding down another button to detach the door, preparing a replacement, returning to the vehicle, and finally, holding another button to install the new door. This meticulous process is repeated for almost every component of the vehicle, creating a hands-on gaming experience.

Resource collection and inventory management

Survival relies on gathering resources during campaigns using tools such as saws and crowbars. Striking a balance between gathering enough resources to maintain the vehicle and managing inventory space becomes a strategic challenge. The station wagon’s mobile hub feature, combined with garage upgrades and customization options, strengthens the overall survival and resource management aspect.

Safe haven and upgrades

The garage serves as our only true refuge from the chaos of the Zone. It is not only a safe space but also a center for upgrades and customization. Upgrades for both the garage and the car, acquired with resources collected during the expeditions, have become a marker of the journey. The customization options create a unique bond and turn the car into more than a means of transportation but a companion that evolves with the player.

Story integration and anomalies

Pacific Drive seamlessly integrates a story layer into its roguelike structure. Anomalies arising from LIM technology experiments gone wrong provide fascinating narrative elements. The Remnant, a psychic entity that connects with our character, adds a unique touch to the game. Story missions add excitement to routine runs; the Mass Hallucination event and the exploration of the Deep Zone contribute to a narrative that evolves with gameplay.

The introduction of the ARC device adds a new dimension to anomaly discovery. The device creates gateways, allowing you to navigate the ever-changing Zone. This dynamic mechanic enhances both exploration and the return to the garage, contributing to a gameplay loop that requires strategic thinking and adaptability.

Extraordinary adventures on foot

Pacific Drive emerges as a multi-faceted journey that extends beyond the steering wheel. While the station wagon remains the focus, the game offers a different layer through exploration on foot. We step into the Zone not just as a driver, but as an explorer, traversing enigmatic landscapes on foot.

Beyond the confines of the wagon, the Olympic Exclusion Zone unfolds as a vast terrain of anomalies, each with their own mysteries and challenges. Exploration on foot allows players to delve into the details of the Zone, discovering hidden corners, unraveling the story, and confronting eerie events first-hand.

Personal reflections

My experience with Pacific Drive triggered memories of familiar titles like Stranger Things, Control, and Annihilation. However, the game quickly forged its own path, impressing me with its crafting, survival mechanics, and the story that unfolds with each passing mission. The game’s exceptional voice acting also elevated this immersive experience, bringing the characters to life and illuminating the mysteries of the Olympic Exclusion Zone realistically.

Once you get used to the anomalies and to the environment, the game becomes a fun routine as long as you’re doing material runs. But the story missions put you in a completely different and exciting atmosphere. I would definitely recommend putting time into the game because it gets more fun the more you play. Also, who wouldn’t want a cool station wagon from the 80s instead of the rusty old machine we start with (no offense to our trusted partner who has a consciousness and personality due to its Remnant status).

Pacific Drive became more than a game for me; it became a personal journey, an adventure through anomalies and uncertainties. Its refusal to be confined to a specific genre made it a compelling and addictive experience. The deeper we delved into the unpredictable Olympic Exclusion Zone, the more Pacific Drive’s allure grew.

The story-driven exploration of the unknown left me with a sense of anticipation for what was to come. Whether you’re a fan of roguelikes or story-driven games or just want a personal gaming experience, Pacific Drive is an experience that resonates long after the screen goes black.

Conclusion

In summary, Pacific Drive is an impressive gaming experience that skillfully weaves a captivating narrative into the challenging fabric of roguelike gameplay. Some may find the detailed mechanics and exploration on foot a little tiring, but I see this as the game’s advantage, as the meticulous attention to mechanics draws players into the enigmatic landscape of the Olympic Peninsula.

Pacific Drive is a slightly more labor-intensive game but rewards players with a rich, immersive journey with anomalies, dangers, and an intricately woven story.

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