Driving Is Hard

About

Driving Is Hard is a single player racing game. It was developed by Elegant Horse Studios and was released on January 31, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

Help Jeff to drive in his bathtub car in Driving Is Hard, a precision-based driving adventure game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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86%

Audience ScoreBased on 139 reviews

gameplay9 positive mentions

stability5 negative mentions

Unique and fun concept of driving a bathtub through challenging 3D obstacle courses with intuitive and enjoyable controls.
Visually appealing with diverse, charming biomes and a quirky, humorous atmosphere and soundtrack.
Fair and rewarding difficulty curve with multiple paths, collectibles, and overall addictive gameplay that appeals to fans of rage/climbing games.

Frequent and frustrating crashes causing lost progress, especially problematic for a game with permadeath mechanics.
Some physics glitches, wheel clipping, unpredictable moments, and inconsistent difficulty spikes leading to unfair deaths and irritation.
Story and voice acting are seen as weak or amateurish, with some design choices and repetitive dialogue detracting from immersion.

gameplay
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
29%
18%
The gameplay is challenging yet enjoyable, featuring well-developed mechanics such as mid-air rotation and a parachute for recovery, with minimal RNG for fairness. Players appreciate the fluent controls and the gradual mastery of skills, though some desire checkpoints and more rewards. The game’s evolving environments and emotional narrative add depth, keeping the experience engaging throughout.
- “If you like these kinds of games (one big map, mistakes are unforgivable, minimal mechanics), then you should consider this one.”
- “What makes it even better is that it has the minimal amount of RNG (random & unpredictable mechanics).”
- “The controls are fluent and learning new mechanics is actually enjoyable.”
- “If you like these kind of games (one big map, mistakes are unforgivable, minimal mechanics), then you should consider this one.”
- “The unexplained double jump mechanic.”
- “I called it quits at the ice level; there are randomly generated boulders that can potentially knock you down into a tunnel that will take you down several levels, which amounts to about 5 hours of gameplay.”
story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The story is generally seen as campy and somewhat amateurishly delivered, which some players find sincere while others find it forgettable or uneven. Emotional moments are undercut by awkward dialogue and inconsistent voice acting, making it difficult to fully engage with the characters. Despite this, the narrative provides some thematic cohesion and heartfelt moments, though it is not the game's main appeal.
- “The story and voice acting are campy to the extreme but this lends them a sincerity.”
- “Backstory gives weight and meaning to the game completion.”
- “It's very addicting, the controls are extremely fun (reminds me of TrackMania mixed with Rocket League) and the dialogue between every major hurdle is heartfelt, although I have yet to see the full picture the story is trying to tell.”
- “Story is half-assed!”
- “The disconnect between some emotional beats mixed with insults when falling can be jarring and doesn't help the story.”
- “As somebody who has a difficult relationship with my father, the story could hit a lot harder but it feels like a line reading in a high school drama class.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The graphics are colorful, detailed, and charming, featuring a playful, cartoonish aesthetic reminiscent of whimsical dream levels. The 3D visuals are surprisingly good, with customization options that add a unique and enjoyable touch to the experience. Overall, the art design is beautiful and enhances the game's vibe and emotional journey.
- “The 3D graphics are surprisingly good, and the addition of being able to pick up items to customize your bathtub or even give your character a hat is something I didn't know I would want in a game like this until it was given to me.”
- “On a serious note - the graphics are colorful, detailed, and nice to look at.”
- “After disclosing that... I must say that this game is no less than amazing. The graphics and the art design are beautiful, and the game has an emotional journey throughout.”
- “My current setup includes an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor, 32GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX 3060 graphics card.”
- “Also, the vibes and aesthetic vaguely remind me of the dream levels from SpongeBob: Battle for Bikini Bottom.”
- “The bathtub and its surrounding world are designed with a playful, almost cartoonish aesthetic.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is praised for being both clever and absurd, with standout moments that evoke laughter through quirky scenarios and unique sound design. While it delivers consistent laughs, the humor is sometimes intertwined with frustration, creating a challenging yet entertaining experience. Overall, players find the comedic elements memorable and a key part of the game's charm.
- “What a great and funny game with minimalistic yet suggestive soundscapes!”
- “It is both funny and a little frustrating, but I didn't think I would have so much fun. We need more games like this; I wish you continued success.”
- “Misdirection like "the pipes" are one of the most funny moments in the game.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is marred by buggy physics that often make platforming feel unpredictable and unintended, especially in complex levels. However, vehicle steering and grip are well-designed, allowing for challenging climbs, and most glitches are minor and self-correcting.
- “The developer has conflated difficulty with buggy physics-based driving. It reminds me of unintended mountain climbing in Skyrim - you genuinely have no idea what the outcome is.”
- “90% of the time, when you reach a platform - especially in the building complex level and higher - it feels unintended and buggy.”
- “Rarely a dangerous issue, these glitches in the matrix correct themselves.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with some heartfelt and addictive moments, particularly in the dialogue and story about overcoming doubt. However, the emotional impact is weakened by inconsistent tone and lackluster acting in some parts. Overall, it presents a compelling emotional journey despite occasional disconnects.
- “It's very addicting, the controls are extremely fun (reminds me of Track Mania mixed with Rocket League) and the dialogue between every major hurdle is heartfelt, although I have yet to see the full picture the story is trying to tell.”
- “After disclosing that... I must say that this game is no less than amazing. The graphics and the art design are beautiful, and the game has an emotional journey throughout. As you climb higher and higher, Jeff's father continues to doubt him, and you prove him wrong.”
- “The game has an emotional journey throughout as you climb higher and higher. Jeff's father continues to doubt him as you prove him wrong.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users indicate that the game requires substantial grinding, often demanding significant time and effort, sometimes feeling like a second commitment.
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's music provides a relaxing and enjoyable background experience, enhancing the overall gameplay atmosphere.
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization needs improvement, as users feel it could be more enjoyable with better performance and smoother gameplay.
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users praise the game's atmosphere for its detailed and immersive backgrounds, highlighting the enjoyable hidden elements that enhance the climbing experience. The thoughtful design adds a charming and engaging touch to the overall environment.
- “The backgrounds and atmosphere are absolutely amazing. As you climb, you can watch all these fun details hidden throughout the game, which is a really nice touch.”