The Immaculate Drag
- October 6, 2021
- Discrete Infinity
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a captivating 80s synthwave aesthetic, complemented by an excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.
- The writing and voice acting are engaging, with philosophical dialogues that provoke thought and reflection on life and creativity.
- It's a short yet impactful experience, offering multiple endings and a relaxing gameplay style that encourages exploration and introspection.
- The game can feel empty and lacks substantial content, with limited locations and interactions.
- Some players may find the dialogue and writing overly pretentious or trying too hard to be deep.
- The walking speed is slow, which can detract from the pacing and overall experience.
- music20 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its evocative and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the emotional depth of the experience. Reviewers highlight the stylish soundtrack, which blends various genres like funk and jazz, creating a chill aesthetic that complements the game's narrative. However, some note that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetitiveness, despite the overall quality and impact of the music.
“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.”
“The music, narration, and characters all come together beautifully.”
“Not enough music tracks to choose from (gets repetitive).”
“It was as much about the three songs you could choose as it was the feel of the drive or the look of the game.”
“The repetitive musical theme is reminiscent of the DS game Hotel Dusk, which is a good thing.”
- atmosphere11 mentions
- 91 % positive mentions
- -18 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its immersive 80s synthwave vibe, blending elements of surrealism, introspection, and quality music. Players appreciate the stylish and evocative environments, which create a captivating mood that enhances the overall experience, making it feel like a poetic journey through a city at night. Despite its simplicity, the atmospheric design is a standout feature that resonates deeply with players.
“I found this game by searching 'cigarette' and thought this game looked interesting; it has a cool 80s synthwave kind of vibe and is very atmospheric.”
“A blend of narration, light surrealism, and quality music in this atmospheric existential adventure makes for a thought-provoking trip.”
“It’s a highly atmospheric game that relies heavily on a mood of introspection and reminiscence.”
“The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion.”
“Despite the game's setting, the atmosphere is disappointingly flat and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
“The overall ambiance is dull and forgettable, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- graphics11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are characterized by a quirky 90's aesthetic infused with vaporwave and neo-noir elements, creating a visually striking experience that enhances its emotional storytelling. While some users noted occasional graphical flaws, the overall art style—featuring a blend of shadows, light, and stylish colors—has been praised for its excellent execution and ability to evoke a chill atmosphere. Adjusting the resolution and VHS effects can further elevate the visual experience, making it a unique and immersive journey.
“It has that quirky 90's graphics through a vaporwave/VHS lens.”
“Glossy neo-noir wrapped in a puff of cigarette smoke and set in a vaporwave aesthetic.”
“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 almost in all cases can be turned off) and stylish, noir colors of purple, deep pink, and grey.”
- story8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The story is generally well-received, with many players finding it relatable and emotionally resonant, particularly for those grappling with creative struggles. While some critiques mention technical issues and a lack of personal engagement, the characters and somber tone contribute to a compelling narrative experience. Overall, the game's aesthetic and music enhance its storytelling, making it a worthwhile play for those seeking a reflective journey.
“It has interesting characters, a great story, and really captures the time period.”
“The story is relatable and well done, along with the music.”
“Story doesn't personally grab me and the game runs poorly at times, but I like the somber tone and the main characters are charismatic enough to give this a thumbs up.”
“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.”
“It's a short and simple game, telling a story that isn't too uncommon, but the aesthetic, music, and emotion are what make this worth playing at least once.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes strong emotions, resonating with players on a personal level and reminding them of significant life phases. Its blend of philosophical themes, humor, and a captivating soundtrack contributes to a heartfelt and poignant experience, particularly highlighted by its impactful ending.
“Reminded me of a weird phase in my life; it actually made me feel like home for some reason, especially the ending.”
“This is a true indie gem: evocative and perfectly paced, stylish with a killer soundtrack, philosophical and mature, kitschy and funny, emotional and heart-wrenching at the same time.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its clever and absurd monologues delivered by the protagonist, which blend philosophical depth with kitschy charm. Players find the comedic elements to be a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience with a mix of hilarity and emotional resonance.
“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.”
“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.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the innovative smoking mechanic, which serves as a unique progress bar, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
“I loved the smoking mechanic, which also works as a progress bar.”
“The gameplay is incredibly engaging and keeps you on your toes.”
“The mechanics are intuitive, making it easy to pick up and play.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, encouraging players to return for new dialogue options and to seek out hidden achievements.
“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.”
“Each playthrough offers a unique experience, making it hard to resist diving back in for another round.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes ensures that no two playthroughs feel the same, keeping the game fresh and exciting.”
