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.

Driving Is Hard challenges players to navigate a bathtub on wheels through steep, unforgiving terrain using physics-based controls. Balance patience and skill across seven unique worlds while exploring Jeff’s emotional journey of self-acceptance and growth. With Easy and Hard modes plus collectible soaps and customizable bathtubs, every mistake tests your perseverance.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 127 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

stability5 negative mentions

Driving Is Hard offers a unique and fun challenge with its quirky concept of driving a bathtub on wheels through tricky terrain, making it engaging for fans of the genre.
The game features intuitive controls and a variety of obstacles that keep the gameplay fresh and rewarding, allowing players to feel a sense of accomplishment with each successful jump.
The visuals and humor add charm to the experience, making it enjoyable to explore the diverse environments while collecting items and customizing your bathtub.

The game suffers from significant crashing issues, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustration as players lose progress frequently.
Many players find the physics to be inconsistent and janky, leading to unfair challenges that can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
The story and voice acting are often criticized for being lackluster and amateurish, which can diminish the emotional impact intended by the developers.

gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
22%
21%
The gameplay is characterized by a large, unforgiving map and minimal mechanics, appealing to fans of challenging experiences. Players appreciate the fluent controls and enjoyable learning curve, particularly with the parachute and mid-air rotation mechanics, though some express a desire for more checkpoints and rewards. Overall, the game offers a fun and engaging experience that evolves with each new location, despite some frustrations with certain mechanics.
- “If you like these kinds of games (one big map, mistakes are unforgivable, minimal mechanics), then you should consider this one.”
- “The controls are fluent and learning new mechanics is actually enjoyable.”
- “The gameplay is fun, and you can notice yourself getting better at the game with each run.”
- “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 is like 5 hours worth of gameplay.”
- “Broke my $60 mechanical keyboard and threw my mouse at the far wall and it shattered.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it campy yet sincere, while others describe it as forgettable and lacking emotional depth. The voice acting is criticized for being amateurish, detracting from the overall experience, and many feel that the narrative fails to engage them fully. Despite these shortcomings, some players appreciate the thematic cohesion and heartfelt dialogue, though they acknowledge that the story does not significantly enhance the gameplay.
- “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.”
- “The 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
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
28%
29%
The graphics in the game are praised for their colorful and detailed 3D visuals, which evoke a playful, cartoonish aesthetic reminiscent of classic titles like "SpongeBob: Battle for Bikini Bottom." Players appreciate the customization options and the overall art design, noting that it enhances the emotional journey of the gameplay. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's charm and immersive experience.
- “The 3D graphics are surprisingly good, and the addition of being able to pick up things 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.”
- “The visuals are simple but charming.”
- “The bathtub and its surrounding world are designed with a playful, almost cartoonish aesthetic.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its absurdity and clever moments, such as the character driving a bathtub and the unexpected challenges that arise. While players find the comedic elements engaging and entertaining, the game's frustrating aspects can sometimes detract from the overall experience. Overall, the blend of humor and challenge creates a unique and enjoyable atmosphere that many players appreciate.
- “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 [spoiler]"the pipes"[/spoiler] are one of the most funny moments in the game.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is often criticized due to buggy physics that lead to unpredictable outcomes, particularly during platforming sections. While the driving mechanics are generally enjoyable and provide good grip, players frequently encounter glitches that can disrupt gameplay, though these issues tend to resolve themselves without major consequences.
- “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%
Reviews highlight a mixed emotional experience in the game, with some players finding the emotional beats jarring due to a lack of depth in the acting and dialogue. However, others appreciate the heartfelt moments and the emotional journey of the protagonist, particularly in the context of overcoming doubt and adversity. Overall, while the game features beautiful graphics and engaging mechanics, the emotional impact varies significantly among players.
- “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.”
- “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 as you prove him wrong. The mechanics of the game feel great and have been very well developed, just tricky to master.”
- “The emotional beats in the story create a compelling narrative that resonates deeply with players, making each victory feel earned and meaningful.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is praised for its relaxing quality, making it an enjoyable backdrop for gameplay.
- “A great game to relax and enjoy the music while playing in the background.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “The music is so immersive that it draws you deeper into the game's world.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers indicate that the game's potential enjoyment is hindered by subpar optimization, suggesting that improvements in this area could significantly enhance the overall experience.
- “The game has great potential, but it really shines when optimized properly.”
- “With a few tweaks to optimization, this game could be an absolute gem.”
- “I can see how enjoyable this game could be if the optimization was improved.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its stunning backgrounds and intricate details, which enhance the overall experience as players explore and climb through the environment.
- “The backgrounds and atmosphere are absolutely amazing. As you climb, you can watch all these fun details hidden throughout the game; it's a really nice touch.”