The Drifter

About

The Drifter is a single player action game with horror and thriller themes. It was developed by Powerhoof and was released on July 17, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

The Drifter is a dark, pulp adventure thriller featuring twin-stick controls and striking pixel art. Players follow Mick Carter, who, after witnessing a murder and narrowly escaping death, finds himself framed and haunted by mysterious forces. The game weaves a brooding narrative with intense action and a cinematic dark-synth score.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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98%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,253 reviews

story986 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

Engaging and well-written story with unexpected twists that keeps players hooked from start to finish.
Beautiful pixel art and atmospheric visuals that enhance the overall experience.
Excellent voice acting that brings characters to life and adds depth to the narrative.

Some puzzles can be too straightforward or easy, lacking the challenge that veteran players might expect.
Occasional reliance on black screen narration instead of animations can disrupt immersion.
Certain sequences may feel tedious due to backtracking or specific action requirements to progress.

story
1,588 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
37%
1%
The story of *The Drifter* is widely praised for its engaging narrative, rich character development, and unexpected plot twists that keep players invested throughout the game. Reviewers highlight the seamless integration of voice acting and pixel art, which enhance the storytelling experience, while the pacing and logical puzzle design contribute to a compelling adventure. However, some critiques mention that the story can become convoluted towards the end, with certain plot elements feeling rushed or overly complex, yet overall, it remains a standout feature of the game.
- “The story was well written and very engaging.”
- “The story is gripping, the dialogue is great, and the voice acting is amazing!”
- “The story is rich and well-told.”
- “I found the middle chapters to be somewhat tedious with the amount of back and forth necessary to move forward; including that there is way too much exposition rather than actively experiencing or showing important details to the story.”
- “The more the story is revealed, the more it turns into an uninspiring, convoluted sci-fi blob and falls completely flat by the end.”
- “The story degenerates into dull & generic sci-fi in the final chapters, progressively becoming more and more convoluted.”
music
341 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
32%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its atmospheric synthwave soundtrack that perfectly complements the narrative and enhances the overall experience. The combination of excellent voice acting and a well-crafted score creates a captivating ambiance, drawing players into the story and elevating key moments. Overall, the soundtrack is described as both nostalgic and immersive, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The music and the art style are simply gorgeous, and the voice acting, especially that of the main character, is fantastic.”
- “Great story, superb synthwave soundtrack, and solid voice acting combine to make this one stand out from the crowd.”
- “The soundtrack fits perfectly and the voice acting is frankly some of the best I've seen in a game like this.”
- “The music, for its part, fit the narrative splendidly and I can say that never has a point-and-click adventure game musically and mechanically made my heart pump so often.”
- “While there aren't really any bangers, the soundtrack is used very effectively.”
- “The music and voice acting are really standout on this one, although I feel like the pixel art is slightly too simplistic at times.”
graphics
328 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
1%
The graphics of the game have received mixed feedback, with many praising the stunning pixel art style and atmospheric visuals that evoke nostalgia for classic adventure games. While some players appreciate the artistic execution and detail, others criticize the low resolution and occasional lack of clarity in item representation, which can hinder gameplay. Overall, the visuals are often described as beautiful and immersive, contributing significantly to the game's engaging narrative and atmosphere.
- “The pixel art graphics are amazing, and everything feels alive.”
- “The artwork is beautiful, the acting is good, everything is really excellent.”
- “The drifter masterfully blends classic point-and-click gameplay with the gritty, pulpy aesthetics of an '80s thriller—and the result is stunning.”
- “Graphics could be better; the color palette is a little dull and the resolution is low, possibly lower than those in the 320x200 era.”
- “It's somehow got a few problems that I can't get around - the graphics are too low resolution; I know it's made to resemble the old look, but games on CRT monitors looked better than this.”
- “Some of the puzzles make no sense at all, and even if you figure them out, you cannot solve them until something in the game lets you do it. Overall, it is frustrating due to that and lacking logic; also, the graphic style makes it hard to see what you can interact with and what you can't.”
gameplay
220 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
58%
4%
The gameplay of the game is a well-executed blend of classic point-and-click mechanics with modern innovations, offering engaging puzzles that are generally intuitive and satisfying to solve. While some players noted occasional frustrations with sequencing and trial-and-error elements, the overall experience is enhanced by a compelling narrative, smooth controls, and a unique time-rewind mechanic that adds depth to the gameplay. The art style and voice acting further complement the gameplay, making it a standout title for fans of the genre.
- “The puzzles are fun to solve, and the mechanics give you a chance to try different things without them becoming frustrating.”
- “The gameplay is engaging without being overly difficult or obtuse, which is something that can be a huge negative aspect of many games in the genre.”
- “The gameplay masterfully blends classic point-and-click mechanics with the gritty, pulpy aesthetics of an '80s thriller—and the result is stunning.”
- “The gameplay is quite simplistic, but for me, I went in with the expectation to get a great story, and I did.”
- “The gameplay can be a bit annoying since sometimes certain sequencing or repeatedly doing the same action is needed to move on, but overall an outstanding game...”
- “The puzzles and gameplay style really complement the story in this way.”
atmosphere
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
31%
2%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive qualities, combining stunning pixel art, a moody soundtrack, and exceptional voice acting to create a gripping and emotionally charged experience. Reviewers highlight the effective use of tension and intrigue, with many noting the dark, noir-inspired visuals that enhance the storytelling. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a standout feature, drawing players into a captivating narrative filled with mystery and suspense.
- “Its atmosphere, music, voice work, and sharp writing pull you straight into a story that feels exactly like what the genre should deliver.”
- “Combined with the moody soundtrack and atmospheric visuals, it all builds into a tense, cinematic experience that’s both eerie and emotionally charged.”
- “The atmosphere, music, characters, the pixel art... everything is well thought out.”
- “All the mystery, intrigue, atmosphere, and suspense set up during the first half gives way to contrived sci-fi nonsense and melodrama.”
- “The atmosphere of this game is quite harrowing in parts; it almost feels like a survival horror at points, but without the possibility of dying and being sent back to your previous save point, it doesn't feel anywhere near as oppressive.”
- “The gritty, grimy atmosphere, the grizzled, tormented anti-hero wallowing in regret and self-loathing, the bizarre time-warping narrative that always threatens to teeter and tip over into being a convoluted, over-complicated mess but always remains tight, consistent, and engaging.”
emotional
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players noting its raw and genuine storytelling that evokes strong feelings, from heartwarming moments to deep sadness. The voice acting and character development contribute significantly to the emotional depth, making players feel invested in the narrative and its characters. However, some critiques mention that certain plot developments and pacing issues detract from the overall emotional impact, leaving a mixed impression on the game's ability to deliver a consistently powerful emotional experience.
- “Loved it, cracking thriller with a strong emotional core - got genuinely choked up at a couple of points.”
- “The characters are profoundly believable, to a heartbreaking extent in some places, and the story woven around them is the best kind of sci-fi: the kind that uses the medium to tell stories that are achingly real.”
- “The story is emotional and gripping, and the moments of torment and fear were powerful and human - in a game that's made of pixels!”
humor
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
6%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, blending dark and witty elements that enhance the overall narrative without overshadowing its serious themes. Players appreciate the clever writing, engaging dialogue, and well-timed comedic moments that provide levity amidst the gritty storyline. The voice acting and character interactions further contribute to a unique comedic tone reminiscent of classic adventure games, making it both entertaining and emotionally resonant.
- “The story hits you with action, cliffhangers, and just enough dark humor to keep you smirking while the world falls apart around you.”
- “Crazy adventure that manages to mix suspenseful dark sci-fi with good humor, fantastic pixel work, and great voice acting!”
- “Despite the game's tone being that of a serious and gritty thriller, there's a lot of humor in the writing and the side characters would feel right at home in a comedic LucasArts adventure.”
- “The voice acting and presentation further work together to create a sense of an 80s B-movie without ever dipping directly into 'satire' or cringey humor.”
- “The humor often falls flat, relying on clichés that fail to elicit genuine laughter.”
- “While the game attempts to be funny, most of the jokes feel forced and lack originality.”
optimization
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
22%
9%
The game's optimization is highly praised, with smooth performance on various platforms, including the Steam Deck, and minimal resource demands. Players appreciate the excellent pixel art and intuitive interface, which enhance the overall experience. The standout voice performances, particularly by the lead actor, contribute significantly to the game's emotional depth and narrative engagement.
- “It features excellent pixel art and runs smoothly on the Steam Deck.”
- “Only 1.2 GB, runs smoothly on any modern system (device).”
- “Top tip for deck users: though this game isn't very performance/battery intensive, you can get even more battery life if you fix the lock the framerate below 60fps.”
- “Love the controls (and performance) on the Steam Deck.”
- “The way that each character is voiced shows exactly how they fit into the story; whether they sound pretentious, drained, or frantic, these performances bring the game together into an experience like no other.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
9%
82%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with many noting that certain chapters involve tedious backtracking and repetitive tasks that can detract from the enjoyment. While some appreciate the engaging narrative and well-paced puzzles, others feel that the trial-and-error mechanics and excessive exposition lead to a frustrating grind, particularly in specific chapters. Despite these issues, the story and character development often keep players motivated to push through the more tedious elements.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I found the middle chapters to be somewhat tedious with the amount of back and forth necessary to move forward; including that there is way too much exposition rather than actively experiencing or showing important details to the story.”
- “Getting thrown into a loop where you have to trial and error your way to a solution, seeing the same scenes and hearing the same dialogue over and over again is just tedious to me, especially when they're timed.”
- “Sometimes puzzles felt a bit tedious towards the end, where I had to collect too many items to my taste in order to proceed.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
Overall, the game's replayability is considered low due to its linear structure and relatively short playtime, with most players noting that it lacks significant incentives to replay beyond achieving 100% completion. While some may return after a few years, the consensus is that the experience is primarily a one-time journey rather than one that invites repeated playthroughs.
- “Not sure how much replay value it has, but I can definitely see myself coming back to it in a few years.”
- “It's relatively short (I clocked 10-11 hours start to finish), there's not much deviation or replayability either... but the main story is a wild roller coaster, and raises the bar on the tension and adrenaline you can squeeze out of a point and click adventure game.”
- “Most replay value this game has is in not dying and getting everything right once, but it's honestly not that revolutionary.”
- “I will say that this game is fairly quick, and there's probably not much replay value unless you want to obtain every possible achievement; it is rather linear, but still an excellent game for the price.”
- “Like most point-and-click adventures, the replayability is fairly low unless you're one to rush through on the first playthrough.”
- “There's no replay value here; it's a point-and-click game, and the price for the game feels just right.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some users report minor graphical glitches and occasional restarts, others experience smooth performance without any significant issues. It runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck and Mac, indicating good compatibility across devices.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “This game runs great on Mac, so all my Mac gamers can be happy.”
- “Although it has some glitches with graphics, I often had to restart my Surface 7 twice before it would run fine.”
- “I did notice some glitches, but I never got soft locked at any point, and they were always minor.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
Character development in the game is marked by expressive designs that enhance emotional engagement, but it suffers from a rushed narrative that leads to some characters being easily forgotten until needed for plot progression. While the story avoids excessive backstory, this brevity may detract from deeper character exploration.
- “The character designs are expressive, making the emotions of the story feel more immediate.”
- “The plot and character development didn't slowly drag you along; it was really good at getting to the point.”
- “Then there is the rushed story and lack of character development later in the game to the point that I forgot about some of them until they were required to advance the story.”
- “The plot and character development wasn't slowly dragging you along a gravel road giving you long, drawn-out backstories; it was really good at just getting to the point.”