There can never be enough point-and-click games. Throughout the years, we’ve seen some absolute classics, and The Drifter has done the genre proud. Coming from developers Powerhoof, this has everything I could ever want from a game. Creepiness, grittiness, poignancy, humour. There’s something dangerous lurking in the shadows, and it’s up to you to work out what the hell is going on. Although I only got to play a short preview of The Drifter, I was more than hooked by the time it ended.
You play as Mick Carter, a drifter returning home after his mother’s passing. After being shot at by mysterious soldiers on a train, you end up at the bottom of a hill, at the foot of an old tunnel. It sets the tone well, with the grimy pixel art working wonders. Despite taking place in the dark, the way the lighting amplifies the tension and darkness of its tone is superb. What I appreciated about the gameplay was how I’m free to move around with the left analogue stick. I don’t have to click to move.
The point-and-click mechanics come into play whenever you’re talking to someone or trying to interact with something. At the entrance to the tunnel, you can chat with an old friend. When a point of conversation unlocks, you can then talk to them about it. Behind him, there’s a car which can also be interacted with. When you find some old wires from a broken washing machine, you can then interact with the car in a different way to try and fix it. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s clear exactly when you’ve either exhausted dialogue options, or have a new way to interact.
Another thing that struck me was how good the voice acting was. Mick is guarded, yet there’s a big heart somewhere deep inside. He sees the homeless people inside the tunnel, crowded around an oil drum fire and becomes angry at the reporter who only seems interested in a good story rather than the safety and wellbeing of those suffering there. When you get a call from his sister, he doesn’t open up about his mother’s passing, but rather tries to act normal. There are different facets to his character, and I’m so excited to see more from him.
He’s instantly likeable and relatable. While I found out very little about what was happening story wise, I was instantly engaged. Powerhoof is onto a winner with The Drifter. From its art style to its acting, there’s a lot to like. If Cormac McCarthy and John Carpenter bashed there heads together at a video game developer’s studio, you’d find something like this. Thankfully, I don’t have to wait long until The Drifter comes out, because Mick Carter is one of the greatest protagonists of 2025.
The Drifter is coming July 17 to PC and Nintendo Switch.
