The Long Drive

About

The Long Drive is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Genesz and was released on September 25, 2019. It received very positive reviews from players.

"The Long Drive" is a co-op/multiplayer road trip game set in an almost infinite, procedurally generated desert landscape. Emphasizing freedom, driving, and exploration, the game features minimal car maintenance and survival elements. Players can drive across varied terrain, modify their vehicles, and explore the vast desert with few limitations.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+20

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 38,620 reviews

humor1.6k positive mentions

stability1.2k negative mentions

humor
1,658 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "The Long Drive" is characterized by its chaotic, janky gameplay and absurd scenarios, often leading to hilarious moments, especially when played with friends. Players frequently mention the game's crude and juvenile humor, including scatological jokes and bizarre physics, which contribute to its charm despite being a buggy experience. Overall, the game is seen as a source of laughter and entertainment, particularly in multiplayer settings, where the unpredictability of glitches and interactions can create memorable and funny situations.
- “The long drive offers a quirky and humorous take on the driving simulator genre, providing a unique experience that stands out from typical games.”
- “I can't tell you how many times I've cried laughing playing this with friends.”
- “The wild random craziness makes it hilarious and a sure shot for good times with friends.”
- “Terrible random generation which is ridiculously transparent and outright dull, current day humor (read painfully unfunny) and poorly optimized.”
- “That's not funny, that's just annoying.”
- “The radio and enemy dialog contains some similarly unfunny humor.”
stability
1,208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that significantly impact gameplay, especially in multiplayer mode. While many find the bugs to be humorous and part of the game's charm, others describe the experience as frustrating and often unplayable. Overall, the game is seen as a janky, buggy mess that can be entertaining, particularly with friends, but requires substantial improvements to reach its full potential.
- “Very stable and not buggy at all!”
- “Best enjoyed with friends - the multiplayer is bug free and a real feast for the eyes.”
- “Very stable, polished, well optimized, and not buggy at all. Highly recommend.”
- “Game has been out for 5 years and still full of bugs and glitches, almost unplayable.”
- “Single player is buggy, multiplayer borderline unplayable.”
- “This game is the biggest buggy mess ever and I love it so much.”
gameplay
1,108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
66%
7%
The gameplay of "The Long Drive" is characterized by a mix of driving mechanics, resource management, and quirky humor, creating a unique but often janky experience. Players navigate an open-world desert, managing fuel and vehicle repairs while encountering random structures for scavenging. While the game offers an engaging loop of exploration and car customization, it suffers from repetitive gameplay and bugs, leading to mixed reviews regarding its long-term appeal and depth.
- “The mechanics of fuel management, car repairs, and scavenging for supplies add layers of challenge that keep the gameplay engaging.”
- “The driving mechanics are realistic, requiring players to navigate rough terrain, avoid obstacles, and maintain their vehicle to prevent breakdowns.”
- “The gameplay loop is simple yet satisfying: drive through the desert, slowly upgrading your car as you go.”
- “A horribly optimized game with broken physics and shallow mechanics that seems, at times, to resent the fact you're playing it at all.”
- “However, the lack of updates and new content leads to repetitive and ultimately boring gameplay.”
- “The gameplay loop is repetitive and uninspired.”
graphics
592 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
63%
9%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the stunning landscapes and atmospheric visuals, while others criticize the simplistic and outdated graphics that can be visually jarring. Many users note that the game runs poorly on lower-end PCs, requiring adjustments to settings for optimal performance, and some find the art style charming despite its flaws. Overall, while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they contribute to the game's unique atmosphere and engaging gameplay experience.
- “The visuals are stunning, with beautifully rendered landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see.”
- “This game's graphics are nothing short of incredible.”
- “The graphics are top tier, almost identical to the real world.”
- “15 euros for potato graphics with no tutorial?”
- “It's like they dug up graphics from the stone age.”
- “The graphics are absolutely terrible (but I get an amazing framerate, so that's good).”
story
418 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
79%
9%
The game's story is minimal and often described as lacking depth, primarily revolving around a quest to visit the player's mother after an apocalypse. While some players appreciate the open-world design and the freedom to create their own narratives, many note that the game focuses more on gameplay mechanics than a structured storyline. Overall, the narrative is seen as simplistic, with players encouraged to find enjoyment in the journey rather than a compelling plot.
- “This game clearly has a much deeper story than any of its advertising lets on.”
- “The story is amazing through every chapter and extremely emotional.”
- “The game's minimalist approach to storytelling and atmospheric sound design add to the sense of isolation and adventure, making it a unique and unforgettable experience for any road trip enthusiast!”
- “There's no narrative or story other than a note in your mailbox from your mother asking you to visit her.”
- “The long drive doesn't have that much of a plot and most things are there as throwaway gags which creates a very eerie and unique vibe.”
- “There's no end, no point, no story, nothing, just a road you drive on forever.”
music
410 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
76%
2%
The music aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with players appreciating the ability to add their own tracks to a custom radio feature, which enhances the overall experience and replayability. However, many have noted technical issues, such as lag when switching songs, and a lack of variety in the in-game soundtrack, which primarily consists of ambient sounds and limited radio content. Overall, the game is seen as a relaxing backdrop for listening to music or podcasts while driving through its expansive environments.
- “Very fun game, honestly kinda relaxing, (until you swerve off of a mountain) love the custom radio feature, it's nice to listen to some of my favorite songs while just driving.”
- “The minimalist art style, coupled with the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, creates a sense of isolation and desolation that is both eerie and captivating.”
- “The custom radio feature makes it 10 times better - it's different when your music comes from the car's radio instead of playing some music video in the background.”
- “The game lacks a soundtrack, relying instead on the ambient sounds of the desert and the occasional radio broadcasts that players can find in-game.”
- “And it freezes every time the custom radio changes the song so that feature is useless too.”
- “The music on the radio is varied but there's about two tracks per station (and if you only speak English, non-English for the most part, but that's a me problem.)”
optimization
264 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
62%
24%
The game's optimization has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including frequent stuttering, frame drops, and lag, particularly in multiplayer modes. Despite some improvements noted by developers, the overall consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization to enhance playability, especially for users with mid-range or lower-end systems. While the game is enjoyable and has potential, its current state is marred by these technical shortcomings.
- “The performance of this game is fantastic.”
- “Developers are reportedly working on rewriting core parts of the game to improve its performance.”
- “There are massive improvements in playability and performance.”
- “A horribly optimized game with broken physics and shallow mechanics that seems, at times, to resent the fact you're playing it at all.”
- “The game is very buggy and performance-wise runs very poorly, especially on the multiplayer beta.”
- “The absolute worst optimization I've seen in a long time.”
atmosphere
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
40%
3%
The atmosphere of "The Long Drive" is widely praised for its immersive and unique qualities, blending a sense of isolation with moments of humor and surrealism. Players appreciate the game's minimalist visuals, ambient sound design, and the captivating experience of driving through a vast desert landscape, which evokes feelings of freedom and exploration. While some critiques mention repetitiveness and technical shortcomings, the overall atmosphere is considered a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience.
- “From the moment I hopped into my car, I was immersed in an atmospheric experience that kept me captivated for hours.”
- “Its immersive atmosphere, challenging gameplay, and compelling narrative come together to create a truly unforgettable experience.”
- “The ambient sound design further enhances the atmosphere, with the soft hum of the engine and the gentle rustle of the wind creating an immersive sense of immersion.”
- “Lack of atmosphere”
- “While the advertising cinematics make this game seem pretty, the playermodels looked ridiculous and the poo and pee mechanics undermined any kind of atmosphere.”
- “It doesn't have the same charming atmosphere as Jalopy; the scenery isn't very varied or interesting, the physics are janky at best... but that's kind of charming.”
grinding
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
63%
35%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to engage in repetitive tasks that can feel monotonous. Many reviewers suggest that the clunky controls and frustrating physics exacerbate the grind, making it a chore rather than an enjoyable experience. However, some players find a degree of fun in the mindless nature of grinding, especially when paired with background entertainment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “If you want to have a chance at finding anything remotely of value, you will have to pack up the vehicle with necessary items, which -again- are the same ones whether this is your 1st or 183rd run, and that becomes incredibly tedious after having done it once.”
- “Very clunky and frustrating controls making the most mundane task difficult and tedious.”
- “This game is very grindy so be prepared because you can play this game for hours and not know what has happened in real life.”
replayability
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
67%
10%
The replayability of "The Long Drive" is a mixed bag among players. While some find it highly enjoyable with near-infinite replay value due to features like custom music and random seed generation, others criticize its lack of content and multiplayer functionality, which currently limits its replay potential. Overall, the game shows promise for increased replayability if future updates and mods enhance its content and multiplayer experience.
- “There is an option to add your own music to the radio, and this adds near infinite replayability.”
- “The replayability of 'The Long Drive' is also high, with players able to return to the game again and again, trying to beat their previous scores or trying new drivers and vehicles.”
- “It can be very relaxing and has great replayability with the random seed generation.”
- “Until then, it really has no replay value in my eyes whatsoever.”
- “The long drive suffers from a significant lack of content and replayability.”
- “I get that it isn't supposed to have a lot of content and is more based on the atmosphere/vibes, but personally I don't find it to have much replay value.”
emotional
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a profound journey that evokes a wide range of feelings, from deep acceptance and calmness to laughter and tears. Players report experiencing a unique emotional connection to the story and characters, often feeling a sense of nostalgia and introspection. Despite some technical issues and frustrations, many find the game to be heartwarming and transformative, making it a memorable experience.
- “The story is amazing through every chapter and extremely emotional.”
- “An emotional journey that will touch your soul from start to finish.”
- “If you ever felt the need to go on a very long adventure that will change you emotionally, help you understand yourself, kill you or almost kill you and hopefully change the way you look at everything - just because you feel lost, insignificant and you have nothing to lose... well then this game is for you.”
monetization
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
7%
85%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" and criticizing the misleading advertising that does not reflect the actual gameplay experience. However, some players appreciate the absence of microtransactions and the availability of mods, suggesting that it can be a fun option for those looking to escape from more commercialized games. Overall, the game's monetization strategy appears to be a significant point of contention among players.
- “If you are bored of crappy high-end video games and need something to play that is fun and has no microtransactions, this might just be the game for you.”
- “This game has access to mods and it doesn't have microtransactions.”
- “Game cash grab.”
- “Pure cash grab.”
- “This is a cash grab, don't fall for the YouTubers and their false promises for what this game is.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is overshadowed by its numerous bugs and unsettling character designs, which some players find to be the most entertaining aspect. The interactions between characters, particularly during gameplay, add a layer of chaotic fun, though they may not contribute to traditional character growth.