The Unbreakable Bond: Pacific Drive Captures the Unique Relationship Between Cars and Drivers
The Story
The Olympic Peninsula in North America, once a hotbed of groundbreaking research, now rests within the Olympic Exclusion Zone, a contaminated and perilous wasteland filled with radiation and other mysterious threats. Unveiling Pacific Drive, a survival game, where the undying connection between automobiles and their owners takes center stage.
The Perfect Fusion
In Pacific Drive, players must navigate the treacherous landscape in a search for resources using a mysterious old station wagon as their sole line of protection. Working alongside Oppy, a disillusioned scientist, players must upgrade and maintain their vehicle in a garage, while strategizing their excursions into the lethal zone. By combining rogue-like elements and a dash of randomness, this core loop creates a thrilling gameplay experience.
A Vehicle Reborn
One of Pacific Drive’s most captivating features lies within the vehicle maintenance and upgrade system. Every aspect of the car, from doors to panels, wheels to the engine, can be replaced or improved. However, resources are scarce, and players must thoughtfully allocate their supplies. Balancing the need for repairs and upgrades with limited resources heightens the game’s tension and creates a strategic challenge.
Journey into the Unknown
As players embark on each drive, they must remain vigilant and attentive to their surroundings. Exploring dilapidated buildings for valuable resources and avoiding dangerous anomalies are paramount. Menacing mannequins, known as Tourists, sprout to life and cause deadly explosions, while the lethal Can Opener lurks beneath the ground, potentially damaging the car’s tires. Navigating through this eerie and unpredictable zone provides a constant sense of danger and thrill.
The Path to Survival
Delving deeper into the Olympic Exclusion Zone uncovers greater perils, but as upgrades are unlocked, players equip themselves to face the danger head-on. Anchors become the key to survival, enabling players to summon portals back to the garage. Yet, this summoning also triggers a furious storm that players must outrun. Stockpiling more Anchors than necessary becomes essential, as they provide the vital energy required to unlock indispensable upgrades, expanding storage capabilities, enhancing vehicle parts, and enabling the addition of survival tools.
The Complexity of Creation
While Pacific Drive offers a deeply gratifying experience, the game’s immense scope and intricate systems can at times hinder enjoyment. Scanning anomalies and objects, hunting for specific resources, and navigating dense menus can create slight impediments to the otherwise immersive gameplay. However, with its richly detailed world and enthralling story, these complexities become part of the journey.
Unraveling the Controls
Although Pacific Drive’s controls contribute to its immersive qualities, they can occasionally feel cumbersome. Inventory management and interaction menus are accompanied by a multitude of actions for each item, making the system demanding to master. Even the process of starting the car becomes a manipulative task, requiring players to turn the ignition key and adjust the shifter. While enhancing immersion, these intricacies may initially present a challenge.
The Beauty of Imperfection
Despite technical shortcomings, Pacific Drive remains a rewarding and captivating experience. While the stylized visuals, with softly textured aesthetics, effectively set the tone, its frame rate on the PS5 occasionally falters. However, the game’s charm stems from its ability to create a remarkable driving adventure in a hostile environment. As players conquer their fears and overcome obstacles, their bond with the ever-reliable but haphazard station wagon strengthens, leaving a lasting impression.
