Point-and-click adventures are few and far between these days. Way outside their heyday, it’s always exciting to see one appear in the wild. The Drifter is one that ticks every single box and reminds us they still have a place in today’s gaming sphere. It offers a gritty story with pockets of humour and humanity. It also makes great use of the genre’s defining mechanic to breath life into simple exploration and interaction with gorgeous pixel art and voice acting that elevates the story to keep you fully invested throughout.
Mick Carter is a drifter. Unable to settle down and returning home for a funeral, it’s clear he’s carrying a lot on his shoulders. Piece by piece, you learn a lot about him. He’s a likeable character who’s both relatable and interesting. While there’s a very human story at its heart, you’re also witness to a brutal murder and chased by soldiers to the point your thrown in a river and left for dead. Sinking to your death and no hope of survival, it starts to look bad for Mick…until he comes back to life and embarks on a mystery to work out how he survived and what the hell is going on.
The star of the show is obviously Mick, but there are plenty of characters that have a great rapport with him. Each chapter feels like its own story, albeit linking the main narrative together. The point-and-click elements feel different than most, yet it takes a while to get used to. There’s a circle of options for you to choose from when walking around. Instead of just exploring and choosing what to interact with, you’re given this circle with spots in it that show you what can be interacted with.
Sometimes you can check something out; sometimes it’s someone to talk to; and other times it’s an action that progresses the story. Once you understand the mechanic, it becomes increasingly easier to find the solution to one of the environmental puzzles. Often, these come in the form of finding an item and using it, or combining with something else. Talking with other characters can open up the next piece of the puzzle, and it’s often done through interacting with this circle that appears in every scene.
The pixel art is usually grimy and dark, yet it’s often gorgeous. This world Mick finds himself is dangerous, but there’s beauty in the most unexpected places. I love how Powerhoof has made use of every pixel, bringing to life a multitude of places that are often unexplored by the average person. The voice acting is superb. Having strong actors make the story believable, even when it gets a bit silly at times. It’s an excellent point-and-click adventure that continually makes things interesting and I love it for that.
We’re so used to fast gameplay and brutal combat with Soulslike titles dominating the market. However, games like The Drifter are what provided the backbone of yesteryear’s market. If you want to experience a thrilling story with an interesting bunch of characters, this is for you. The item-based puzzles continue to be exciting, and the story is always finding new ways to keep you engaged. With great actors, gorgeous pixel art, and a strong protagonist, The Drifter is something that shouldn’t be slept on.
