Pacific Drive is an intriguing addition to the survival game genre, developed by Ironwood Studios, a Seattle-based team.
The studio is led by Alexander Dracott, a veteran with experience at notable studios like Sony Online Entertainment, Sucker Punch Productions, and Oculus VR.
Ironwood Studios, founded in 2019, aims to bring a unique survival adventure set in the Pacific Northwest, specifically the Olympic Peninsula, an area that inspired Dracott due to its memorable, lonely roads and atmospheric settings.
Concept and development
Pacific Drive’s concept emerged from Dracott’s experiences and drives through the Pacific Northwest, encapsulating the solitary but memorable drives across the region.
Development began amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, with the team setting up in Seattle by 2022.
The core gameplay revolves around the player’s relationship with their car, emphasizing the car’s condition as a crucial survival element over traditional survival mechanics like inventory management and resource grinding.
The game aims to foster creativity and problem-solving in facing threats, with the environment’s randomization inspired by titles like Spelunky.
Gameplay and mechanics
Pacific Drive is described as a post-apocalyptic “driving survival adventure,” focusing on exploration within the Olympic Exclusion Zone, a mysterious area filled with anomalies and dangers.
Players will document oddities, tackle environmental challenges, and upgrade their station wagon to survive this hostile setting.
The game is built around run-based open-world exploration, with a significant emphasis on vehicle customization and resource management from a base of operations in an abandoned garage.
Storyline
The narrative centers on the Olympic Exclusion Zone, previously home to secretive experimental research by the ARDA organization.
Now abandoned, the area is overrun by its own dangerous creations.
Players, alongside their station wagon, embark on a journey to uncover the mysteries left behind.
The game promises a rich story filled with anomalies, surreal forces, and the menacing presence of Zone Storms, challenging players to survive and discover the truth behind the area’s abandonment.
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Release information
Initially revealed during PlayStation’s State of Play presentation in September 2022, Pacific Drive is slated for release on February 22, 2024, for PlayStation 5 and Windows PC.
The game has seen several trailers since its announcement, showcasing its unique blend of driving simulation and survival gameplay.
Despite its PlayStation 5 exclusivity, there’s speculation about a potential future release on other platforms.
Trailers and previews
Trailers for Pacific Drive have given players glimpses into the Olympic Exclusion Zone’s eerie yet captivating environment, emphasizing the game’s focus on exploration, survival, and the deep bond between the player and their car.
Gameplay trailers highlight the importance of the garage as a safe space for vehicle upgrades and preparation for the zone’s challenges.
The game presents a fresh take on the survival genre, blending traditional elements with the unique twist of vehicular exploration and maintenance.