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 dialogue are thought-provoking and relatable, exploring deep themes of depression, creativity, and introspection.
- It's a short yet replayable experience with multiple endings, allowing players to engage with different dialogue options and uncover hidden achievements.
- The game is quite short, lasting only about 20-30 minutes, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- Some players found the monologues and dialogue to be overly lengthy or pretentious, potentially detracting from the experience.
- The game can feel empty at times, with limited interactions and a slow walking speed that may hinder immersion.
- music24 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its evocative and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a blend of styles that include funk, jazz, and lo-fi elements. While the soundtrack is described as killer and perfectly fitting for the game's aesthetic, some users noted a lack of variety, leading to repetitiveness. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's emotional depth and immersive storytelling.
“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.”
“I love it from the very beginning... the music and art style are unreal, very chill aesthetic overall.”
“- not enough music tracks to choose from (gets repetitive)”
“The music, oh where do I begin?”
“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.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are characterized by a distinctive 90's vaporwave aesthetic, featuring glossy neo-noir visuals with a blend of purples, pinks, and turquoises. While some users noted occasional graphical flaws, the overall art style and VHS effects enhance the emotional and atmospheric experience, making it a visually striking and relatable journey. The combination of stylish colors and unique filters creates a chill aesthetic that resonates well with players.
“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.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story is generally praised for its relatable themes, particularly for creatives grappling with life's challenges, and is described as both enjoyable and emotionally resonant. While some find it lacking in personal engagement, the charismatic characters and atmospheric elements, such as music and visuals, enhance the overall experience. The narrative's film noir undertones and its exploration of personal struggles contribute to its appeal, making it a worthwhile experience despite some technical issues.
“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.”
- 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 that create a contemplative mood, making it feel like a poetic journey through a city at night. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and integral to the experience, despite the game's minimalistic design.
“There's very little to do here, by design, but what there is is all wonderfully 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 flat and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion.”
“Despite the game's setting, the atmosphere is surprisingly dull and fails to evoke any emotional response.”
“The overall ambiance is underwhelming, making it hard to get lost in the game's world.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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, contributing to its indie gem status.
“It was amidst my rewatch of 'Xavier: Renegade Angel' that I played this, and I couldn't have chosen a better moment, as 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'… and I personally thought the gruff, weary voice felt more like acting than natural—maybe it’s just all those years of smokes taking effect?”
- 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 just made me feel at 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.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily a walking simulator focused on exploration, where players collect text logs and engage in dialogue. However, it features a unique smoking mechanic that doubles as a progress bar, adding an interesting layer to the otherwise straightforward experience.
“I loved the smoking mechanic, which also works as a progress bar.”
“The gameplay is simple walking simulator fare; you're just exploring the environments for collectible text logs or traversing from one dialogue to the next.”
“The gameplay is just simple walking simulator fare; you're mainly exploring environments for collectible text logs or moving from one dialogue to the next.”
“Gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The mechanics are clunky and the controls are unresponsive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, encouraging players to return for new dialogue options and to uncover hidden achievements. With three distinct endings and branching conversations with various characters, each playthrough offers a fresh 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 is interesting, but it doesn't significantly change the outcome of the game, making replaying feel less rewarding.”
“Despite having multiple endings, the lack of substantial differences in gameplay mechanics means I don't feel motivated to replay it.”
