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Keep Driving

Great characters, challenging resource management, and impeccable road trip vibes.
94%Game Brain Score
music, gameplay
grinding, stability
96% User Score Based on 1,518 reviews
Critic Score 90%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWinWindows

About

"Keep Driving" is a management RPG set in the early 2000s, where you drive across a procedurally generated pixel art open world in your first car. Upgrade, customize, and repair your vehicle, pick up hitchhikers with unique stories, and face challenges on the road using a turn-based combat system. With multiple endings and varying playtimes, each journey offers a different experience. The game encourages players to enjoy the journey and its picturesque landscapes.

Keep Driving screenshot
Keep Driving screenshot
Keep Driving screenshot
Keep Driving screenshot
Keep Driving screenshot
Keep Driving screenshot
Keep Driving screenshot
Keep Driving screenshot
Keep Driving screenshot
Keep Driving screenshot
Keep Driving screenshot
+3

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,522 reviews
music380 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions

  • The game captures the nostalgic feeling of a road trip in the early 2000s, with beautiful pixel art and a fantastic soundtrack.
  • Gameplay is engaging and offers a unique blend of resource management and turn-based combat, making each run feel fresh and enjoyable.
  • The characters and hitchhikers you meet along the way are well-written and add depth to the experience, creating memorable interactions.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive after multiple runs, with some events and mechanics feeling stale over time.
  • There are minor bugs and glitches that can disrupt the experience, such as issues with the UI and occasional crashes.
  • The game lacks a robust tutorial or explanation for some mechanics, which can lead to confusion for new players.
  • music
    656 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Keep Driving" has been widely praised for its eclectic and nostalgic soundtrack, featuring a mix of indie rock and lesser-known tracks that enhance the game's road trip atmosphere. Players appreciate how the music complements the pixel art and gameplay, creating a cozy and immersive experience reminiscent of early 2000s road trips. However, some users noted frustrations with the limited playlist size and the need for upgrades to expand music options, suggesting a desire for more variety and customization in the soundtrack.

    • “It has a banger soundtrack that fits perfectly with the game's theme and the pixel art is stunning.”
    • “The music is a big win here—it's got this great playlist of songs you probably haven't heard before, but they feel exactly right for the game's vibe.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing and the gameplay is just so easy to get lost in.”
    • “One little nitpick I have is how you can only listen to 6 tracks at a time, and there's no automatic looping of your chosen music.”
    • “Sure there are upgrades for improving the music listening experience, but considering they take up upgrade slots in your vehicle, it feels like unnecessary filler to just listening to the music.”
    • “The music is a mixed bag for me, and I find it annoying that you keep having to change playlists (you get 5 songs before you have to go to the music tab and rechoose songs). You can double the track size at the cost of an upgrade slot for your car. Yes, you do have to upgrade to keep the vibes going for whatever reason. Sure it's more immersive, but I find it annoying.”
  • gameplay
    290 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Keep Driving" features a simple yet engaging loop that combines elements of resource management, turn-based RPG mechanics, and nostalgic road trip vibes. While some players find the mechanics repetitive and not groundbreaking, many appreciate the addictive nature of the gameplay, the charming art style, and the excellent soundtrack that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully balances a relaxed atmosphere with strategic choices, making it appealing for those who enjoy story-driven and vibe-centric gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing and the gameplay is so much fun!”
    • “Fresh style of gameplay, great nostalgic feel, a soundtrack full of bangers, and lots of surprises and easter eggs.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging, the graphics are stunning, and the soundtrack perfectly complements the experience.”
    • “The soundtrack is great and so is the art, but it's a hefty price tag for gameplay that gets pretty stale after your first run or two.”
    • “The gameplay loop is kind of lackluster, and I would have loved to see it expanded quite a bit from its current state.”
    • “I found the game quite boring as the gameplay loop feels uninspiring; go through a checklist of things before you set off, play a mediocre mini-game on the road that gets boring very fast, arrive at the next city over, and go right back to that checklist, rinse and repeat.”
  • graphics
    196 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of this indie game are widely praised for their vibrant, nostalgic pixel art style that evokes feelings reminiscent of the 90s and early 2000s. Players appreciate the charming visuals and immersive atmosphere, which are complemented by a fantastic soundtrack, creating a cozy and engaging experience. While some minor issues with readability in the UI are noted, the overall aesthetic and artistic presentation are considered a highlight of the game.

    • “The visuals and atmosphere are stunning, and the soundtrack is absolutely beautiful.”
    • “Stunning graphics: the visuals are vibrant and charming, capturing the beauty of endless roads and scenic horizons in an incredibly cozy art style.”
    • “The gameplay is engaging, the graphics are stunning, and the soundtrack perfectly complements the experience.”
    • “I understand the art style is pixel art and lo-fi, but the stat indicators and items are just hard to see for people without the best vision.”
    • “The art style makes some of the text difficult to read and icons difficult to discern.”
    • “Not sure if it is the game's intended graphical effects or actual screen tearing.”
  • story
    152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is characterized by its non-linear structure, allowing players to shape their own narratives through interactions with hitchhikers and various quests, which often evoke emotional responses. Players appreciate the depth of character development and the engaging dialogue, while the unique art style and soundtrack enhance the overall experience. However, some players note that the main quest can feel linear and that certain quests may be bugged, impacting the storytelling flow.

    • “Did not know I could get so invested in a story that doesn't insist on being there and in your face.”
    • “The world feels alive, the hitchhikers all have a story to tell, the pixel graphics are beautiful, and of course the soundtrack is awesome.”
    • “I've become quickly hooked on the game's core loop of driving around, managing your resources, meeting interesting personalities, upgrading your car and abilities and building a unique emergent narrative each time.”
    • “You can't do everything in one game because as soon as you finish a main story line the game ends.”
    • “It does take a long time to get going to where it seems like you are doing something story related again.”
    • “The game doesn’t have a strong writing thread you’ve got to follow, and instead gives you the tools to figure out who your character is and what their story is.”
  • atmosphere
    82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and vibrant qualities, enhanced by a stunning art style and a carefully curated soundtrack that evokes nostalgia and emotional depth. Players appreciate the laidback yet engaging vibe, which complements the gameplay and creates a cozy, inviting experience. Despite some concerns about gameplay mechanics, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven indie games.

    • “Understated aesthetics and a vibrant but lo-fi atmosphere make this indie game a joy to play for anyone.”
    • “The atmosphere is captured perfectly.”
    • “This indie gem immerses you in a unique road trip experience, where every kilometre is accompanied by a perfectly curated soundtrack list that enhances the journey’s atmosphere and emotional depth.”
    • “I wish there were more character interactions and a bit more story elements, but all of that is completely negligible when you consider the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “While the 'combat' (a symbol matching game with a bunch of abilities that affect different strings of symbols) is nothing crazy, its simplicity lends to the chill atmosphere and open-ended nature of the game.”
    • “If you like indie games that focus more on mood and atmosphere than on complicated mechanics, this is a great pick.”
  • replayability
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts high replayability, with multiple cars, starting kits, and endings that encourage players to explore different strategies and experiences. Procedural maps and randomized encounters enhance the replay value, making each run feel fresh and engaging. While some users noted potential limitations, the overall consensus is that the game offers ample content and charm to keep players returning for more.

    • “It falls short in some aspects, but it's a more than decent game that offers plenty of charm and replayability at a more than justified price.”
    • “Now after my first run, I wasn't sure about the replayability, but with 3 car choices, so many endings, procedural maps, and turn-based combat that doesn't get old, it makes me want to play this more and more.”
    • “Each individual run doesn't last long, but there's no way to see it all in one go, encouraging replayability with all the randomized encounters along the way.”
    • “It seems unlikely that the game has much replayability.”
    • “I think it missed the opportunity to make it replayable though.”
    • “I'm not entirely sure how much replay value there is outside of experiencing every single ending, as I haven't gotten there yet, but with how many endings there are and how long each run lasts, if you try to keep your game purchases around $1/hr you'll easily get your money's worth out of this one.”
  • humor
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, featuring hilarious road events, quirky hitchhiker personalities, and amusing interactions that evoke nostalgia. Players find the writing consistently funny, with memorable moments like the absurdity of card battles involving a child peeing on the road. Overall, the light-hearted humor contributes significantly to the game's enjoyable atmosphere and replayability.

    • “I'm charmed with the quality of numerous small chunks: the intentionally obstructive interface that you learn to master, the hilarious road events, the diverse music, cool hitchhiker personalities, and the consistently decent pixel art.”
    • “The hitchhikers are diverse and written in a way that made me laugh.”
    • “It has hilarious interactions and a nostalgic replayability that I keep coming back to.”
  • grinding
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players have mixed feelings about grinding in the game; while some appreciate the balance in managing hunger and sleep, others find the lengthy travel times tedious and suggest the addition of a skip feature. The stunning environments can make the grind more enjoyable, but the overall experience may still feel like a slog for some. Despite these concerns, many highlight the game's creative approach to what can often be a monotonous aspect.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “On one hand, you get to gawk at stunning vistas and environments; on the other, if the trip is long enough, it can feel tedious, akin to the slog you'd feel in Desert Bus.”
    • “Long playthroughs can get tedious with the time it takes to go between destinations; perhaps a skip button to the next event would help (unlocked after completing for those looking to replay?).”
  • emotional
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke nostalgia and a range of feelings, reminiscent of 80s-00s coming-of-age films. Players experience a profound connection through its curated soundtrack, which enhances the journey and creates an emotional roller coaster. However, some users also express frustration, indicating that certain moments can detract from the overall experience.

    • “This indie gem immerses you in a unique road trip experience, where every kilometre is accompanied by a perfectly curated soundtrack list that enhances the journey’s atmosphere and emotional depth.”
    • “Really evokes the warmth and emotionality of an 80s-00s coming of age movie.”
    • “Nothing else has ever made me feel nostalgia for things that didn't really happen like this game has.”
  • stability
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some players report no crashes or game-breaking issues, others experience UI glitches that can lead to skipped turns and unusable items. Additionally, taking screenshots through the Steam overlay can cause temporary freezes. Despite these bugs, many users still find the game enjoyable, particularly on the Steam Deck.

    • “I've been playing on Steam Deck and it runs great, but full controller support isn't in the game (though it's planned).”
    • “Sometimes the UI glitches out and you skip a turn, resulting in damage, or your glovebox items become unusable.”
    • “Screenshotting through the Steam overlay takes about 4 seconds and freezes the game for that duration.”
    • “10/10 but buggy at times.”
  • optimization
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is generally smooth, though players may experience occasional performance hiccups and rare bugs or crashes every 20 minutes. While it can be challenging if played as intended, a small amount of optimized gameplay can make it feel trivial. Overall, there are noted optimization issues, particularly for those who purchased the game on day one.

    • “Generally, the game runs smoothly, but you can encounter some rare bugs or crashes.”
    • “There are a few performance hiccups—not that many, but they happen once every 20 or so minutes.”
    • “Bought it day one and this game has some optimization issues.”
    • “There's a few performance hiccups - not that many, but they happen once every 20 or so minutes.”
    • “If you play the way the game wants you to play, it can be a bit difficult, but the tiniest amount of optimized gameplay trivializes the game.”
  • character development
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is praised for its thoughtful design and the depth of personalities among traveling companions, enhancing the overall narrative through engaging side quests. However, some players find the main character designs lacking and express a desire for more customization options.

    • “Everything feels very lovingly rendered and thought out, from the character design to the backgrounds and variety of vistas. The personalities of your traveling companions and the way the story unfolds into so many side quests are truly remarkable.”
    • “I think the two main character designs are boring, not sure if there are plans to add more in terms of character customization.”

Buy Keep Driving

11h Median play time
16h Average play time
5-26h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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