Pacific Drive gets a test drive demo before its big debut

The Pacific Drive demo is now up for grabs at the Steam Next Fest, allowing players to take the wheel before the official release on February 22. The game promises an intriguing and action-packed journey through the Olympic Exclusion Zone, an area isolated by the United States for decades, now filled with radiation and dangerous anomalies.

Within the 400 meters of walls, the player uses their car and cunning to explore the ever-changing landscape. During the excursion, collecting materials to build a protection toolkit is necessary while seeking answers to the region's mysteries. The demo, available as part of the Steam Next Fest, provides a preview of the beginning of Pacific Drive and the first intriguing mission.

With a car as a mobile base and mysterious guidance on the radio, the player will turn the vehicle into a formidable force. From simple repairs to the creation of sophisticated devices, all these activities take place in the safety of the garage, the only refuge in the Pacific Northwest, where the player will become familiar with every inch of the car.

A few weeks ago, Ironwood Studio released an extended gameplay video with almost 10 minutes of footage. The video delves deeper into the gameplay, the survival system, and what players must gather to stay on the road.

Pacific Drive was initially slated for 2023 before Ironwood Studio announced a delay to 2024. It marks the studio's debut, having partnered with the publisher Kepler Interactive (Sifu, Scorn, Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn) and they are placing a significant bet on this new iteration of the survival genre. The gameplay loop requires players to check the map, pack some gear for the trip, and hit the road. Then, gather resources and collect data as you go since there are all sorts of useful stuff inside the walls of the Zone. Afterward, make it back safely and use the contents of your trunk to improve your car and garage.

The Digital Deluxe Edition, set to release on February 22, offers various customization items for the car, including a space shuttle-themed paint kit, custom paints that glow in the dark, wishful star antennas, the Laika the Space Pup bobblehead, among others.

If you're keen on the game, you can check out our comparator for the best deals on Pacific Drive and ensure your survival on four wheels. The game hits PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and Epic Games on February 22.