With a narrative flair reminiscent of classic LucasArts adventures, the unsettling atmosphere of the Black Mirror trilogy, and the intricate pixel art seen in last year’s Arco (a personal Game of the Year for me), the upcoming point-and-click title The Drifter embodies everything that a specific group of gamers yearn for. After experiencing the demo, which was released in conjunction with the June Steam Next Fest, I’m excited to dive deeper into this stylish noir when it launches later this summer.
The story centers around Mick Carter, introduced to us in a weary state as he secretly rides in the cargo compartment of a freight train. However, when Mick and another drifter are apprehended, he witnesses a brutal murder. This forces him to flee to an encampment beneath a bridge, where he uncovers a troubling pattern of recent attacks and disappearances. By the end of the demo, I found myself in a life-or-death struggle as Mick began to grasp the true nature of the situation.
Developed by the Australian indie duo Powerhoof, known for their 2017 title Crawl, The Drifter is described as a blend of “King, Crichton, and Carpenter,” infused with a dash of ’70s Ozploitation. The 20-30 minute demo leaned heavily into the John Carpenter influence, channeling a Lovecraftian vibe similar to Carpenter’s own In the Mouth of Madness. Yet, hints suggest that upcoming twists may delve even deeper into the supernatural. (The trailer offers a few spoilers if you’re curious.)
The Drifter operates like a classic point-and-click game. Players will explore their environment, gather essential items, and solve puzzles to advance in a compelling storyline. Voice actor Adrian Vaughn brings Mick to life with a performance as rich as the game’s art style. Powerhoof’s comparison to Stephen King is well-founded; although ominous developments await as the reluctant investigator unravels the mystery surrounding his kidnappers and the implications it may have for his estranged marriage, the inner dialogue is sharp enough to rival King’s own first-person narratives.
Adding to the game’s appeal is its seamless gameplay. While traditional pointing and clicking with a mouse will work well on PC, I tried the demo on my Steam Deck, using the interactive wheel to navigate the dimly lit alleys of the opening chapter. This is promising news, as following the Windows, Mac, and Linux launch in July, Powerhoof plans to release the game on Nintendo Switch later this year.
During my 20-minute playtime, everything I needed to find was intuitive enough that I avoided my biggest frustration with point-and-click games: not being able to see the objects I should be interacting with. The Drifter includes a few enjoyable challenges without presenting overwhelming obstacles.
The Drifter releases on July 17, and I am eager to uncover more of Mick’s journey in this chilling mystery.
