The Immaculate Drag

About

The Immaculate Drag is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Discrete Infinity and was released on January 17, 2022. It received very positive reviews from players.

"The Immaculate Drag" is a first-person smoking simulator following a writer's late-night journey through a moonlit city. Players will share cigarettes and conversations with other lonely souls, exploring themes of depression, nostalgia, and mortality. This atmospheric game boasts branching dialogues, a cast of eccentric characters, and an original score inspired by retrowave and lo-fi hip hop.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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95%

Audience ScoreBased on 74 reviews

music10 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The Immaculate Drag offers a deeply atmospheric experience with striking visuals and a haunting soundtrack that immerses players in its neon-drenched cityscape.
The writing is introspective and poetic, effectively exploring themes of loneliness, nostalgia, and self-destruction, resonating with players on a personal level.
Despite its short length, the game provides a meaningful and contemplative journey, encouraging players to reflect on their own lives and experiences.

The gameplay is minimal and may feel lacking for those expecting traditional mechanics, as it primarily consists of walking and engaging in dialogue without any puzzles or objectives.
Some players may find the pacing slow and the monologues overly lengthy, which could detract from the overall experience.
The game is quite short, typically lasting around 30-40 minutes, which may leave some players wanting more content or depth.

music
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
56%
10%
The music in the game is widely praised for its evocative and atmospheric qualities, featuring a blend of lo-fi beats, ambient drones, and a smooth soundtrack that enhances the emotional depth of the narrative. While many players appreciate the overall aesthetic and quality of the music, some express a desire for more variety to avoid repetitiveness. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element that complements the game's introspective themes and enhances the player's experience.
- “The soundtrack is equally evocative, made up of lo-fi beats, gentle ambient drones, and muted city noises that pull the player deeper into the protagonist’s insomnia.”
- “So yeah, this is a true indie gem, evocative and perfectly paced, stylish and with a killer soundtrack, philosophical and mature, kitschy and funny, emotional and heart-wrenching at the same time.”
- “A blend of narration, light surrealism, and quality music in this atmospheric existential adventure makes for a thought-provoking trip.”
- “First, let’s talk about the game; my only little nitpick is I wish there were some more upbeat music during the walking sections, that’s it.”
- “- not enough music tracks to choose from (gets repetitive)”
- “The music, oh where do I begin?”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
6%
19%
The Immaculate Drag is praised for its striking and immersive atmosphere, characterized by a blend of somber themes, cinematic lighting, and a nostalgic 80s synthwave vibe. Players are invited to engage with the world through introspection rather than objectives, creating a deeply personal experience that emphasizes mood and reflection. Overall, the game is described as a stylish, atmospheric journey that captivates through its evocative soundscapes and surreal narrative.
- “The immaculate drag, developed and published by Discrete Infinity, is a somber and atmospheric narrative experience that delves into themes of loneliness, nostalgia, and self-destruction.”
- “A blend of narration, light surrealism, and quality music in this atmospheric existential adventure makes for a thought-provoking trip.”
- “There are no puzzles to solve, no objectives to chase, and no fail states; the player’s role is to exist within this world, to absorb its atmosphere, and to interpret its meaning.”
- “Its combination of atmosphere, mood, and introspective writing turns a simple premise into a deeply personal reflection on decay, addiction, and the search for clarity in a world that rarely offers it.”
- “The lighting, in particular, is striking: bold reds, sickly greens, and soft blues bleed into one another, creating an atmosphere that feels both cinematic and dreamlike.”
story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The story is a poignant exploration of creativity and existential reflection, set against a vibrant yet desolate cityscape that enhances its emotional depth. While it may not be groundbreaking, the narrative resonates with players, particularly those grappling with creative struggles, and is complemented by a strong aesthetic and atmospheric music. Overall, it offers a relatable and immersive experience, making it worth playing despite some technical issues.
- “It occupies that peculiar middle ground between an art installation and an interactive story, drawing players into a neon-drenched cityscape that feels alive yet suffocatingly empty.”
- “The immaculate drag’s storytelling thrives in its restraint—it says just enough to evoke emotion, but not enough to resolve it.”
- “It is a story that feels strangely personal, especially if you're a tired creative, suddenly realizing that life has already happened, and you wonder if you have anything to show for it.”
graphics
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a striking vaporwave aesthetic, featuring a blend of gritty textures, neon colors, and VHS filters that enhance its emotional resonance. While some users noted occasional graphical flaws, the overall art style is praised for its stylish neo-noir presentation and ability to evoke a chill, immersive atmosphere that complements the narrative. The synergy between visuals and sound creates a hypnotic experience, making the game's aesthetic a key highlight.
- “The synergy between sound and visuals transforms what could have been a simple walking simulator into something hypnotic and emotionally resonant.”
- “Every aesthetic choice, from the gritty textures of the city to the subdued animation of cigarette smoke, serves the emotional core of the story.”
- “If you plan on playing this, please turn down the resolution and increase the VHS effects; it takes the game to a whole other dimension of aesthetics.”
- “Some bad graphics here and there.”
- “The graphic element is a blend of a blurry world, full of shadows and light (that can almost always be turned off) and stylish, noir colors of purple, deep pink, and grey.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The gameplay is minimalist and focuses on immersion and pacing rather than traditional mechanics, creating a contemplative experience that may not appeal to everyone. Players engage in exploration and dialogue, with a unique smoking mechanic serving as a progress indicator. Overall, it emphasizes emotional authenticity over complexity, inviting reflection rather than action.
- “It’s a meditation on burnout and longing, captured through minimalist gameplay and haunting visual design.”
- “It’s a reminder that sometimes the most impactful experiences are not the ones that overwhelm us with mechanics or spectacle, but those that leave space for thought and silence.”
- “The gameplay is stripped to its bare essentials, relying more on immersion and pacing than mechanical complexity.”
- “This deliberate lack of traditional gameplay structure may alienate some players, but for those drawn to slow, contemplative experiences, it enhances the sense of emotional authenticity.”
- “Gameplay is simple walking simulator fare - you're just exploring the environments for collectible text logs, or traversing from one dialogue to the next.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game excels in emotional depth, using a harmonious blend of sound and visuals to create a hypnotic experience that delves into themes of lost love and personal struggle. While its unconventional structure may not appeal to all, it offers a poignant, singular emotional journey that resonates deeply with players, evoking nostalgia and introspection. The aesthetic choices enhance the narrative, making it a standout indie title that is both heartwrenching and thought-provoking.
- “The synergy between sound and visuals transforms what could have been a simple walking simulator into something hypnotic and emotionally resonant.”
- “Each interaction offers a glimpse into the protagonist’s fractured psyche, touching on lost love, creative failure, and the inability to let go of old habits.”
- “Every aesthetic choice, from the gritty textures of the city to the subdued animation of cigarette smoke, serves the emotional core of the story.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its clever and cinematic monologues delivered by the protagonist, which blend philosophical depth with kitschy wit. While some players find the lengthy monologues amusing, others feel they can become overly drawn out, adding a layer of charm to the experience. Overall, the game's humor is seen as a standout feature that enhances its indie appeal.
- “It was amidst my rewatch of 'Xavier: Renegade Angel' that I played this, and I couldn't have chosen a better moment. The overly swollen, pseudo-deep, beautifully voice-acted, highly cinematic, and hilarious monologues of our protagonist are the first thing that hit me as a stroke of genius while experiencing this delight.”
- “So yeah, this is a true indie gem, evocative and perfectly paced, stylish and with a killer soundtrack, philosophical and mature, kitschy and funny, emotional and heart-wrenching at the same time.”
- “The monologues can get a bit too winded, which is funny because I thought smokers’ lung capacity would give long before they could even say 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.' I personally thought the gruff, weary voice felt more like acting than natural—maybe it’s just all those years of smoking taking effect?”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game boasts high replayability, encouraging players to return for new dialogue options and to uncover hidden achievements. With three different endings and branching dialogue for various characters, each playthrough offers a unique experience.
- “A very replayable game that not only entices you to come back and explore new dialogue options, but also to hunt down all of the hidden achievements.”
- “Replayability is fantastic - there are three different endings, and each character you meet has branching dialogue.”
- “Replayability is limited; while there are three different endings, the overall experience feels repetitive after the first playthrough.”
- “The branching dialogue with characters adds some depth, but it doesn't significantly enhance replayability.”
- “Despite having multiple endings, the lack of substantial changes in gameplay makes it hard to justify replaying.”