The Drifter: Point-and-Click Conspiracy Wrapped in a Moody Package – But Does it Stick the Landing?
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
*The Drifter* is a point-and-click adventure that blends conspiracy, noir, and a touch of B-movie madness into a compelling, if occasionally uneven, experience according to Rock Paper Shotgun – just watch out for the over-enthusiastic voice acting early on!
Right, so Rock Paper Shotgun reckons this point-and-click adventure, *The Drifter*, is worth a look, despite a few wobbles. And you know me, I'm always up for a bit of wobbling... in a game, that is. Turns out, this moody little number from Powerhoof is a decent ride, even if it does occasionally threaten to drown itself in its own conspiracy-laden plot.
The game throws you into the scuffed boots of Mick Carter, a bloke on a one-way ticket back to the family he'd rather forget. Family funeral, see? But before you can say "existential dread," Mick's train journey goes properly sideways thanks to some trigger-happy mystery types. Missing homeless people, weird visions, you know, the usual Tuesday afternoon.
What keeps it all grounded, apparently, is Mick himself. He *seems* like your typical hard-drinking noir protagonist, but there's more to him than just empty bottles – it's broken promises that are haunting him, according to the RPS review. It's this focus on the human element that keeps *The Drifter* from flying off the rails completely. (Although, fair warning, RPS did mention 'B-movie batshit tinfoil' – so buckle up.)
Now, here's where things get interesting. *The Drifter* apparently has a controller scheme that it's rather proud of. It uses a hotspot wheel – think of it like a dungeon delving SatNav – which sounds alright in theory, but the reviewer at Rock Paper Shotgun found it a bit… distancing. You end up focusing on the wheel itself rather than actually taking in the environment. They reckon you might as well just hold the 'H' key to highlight interactables, old-school style. Good lettering though, apparently, so that's a win.
Mick himself? A bit of a mixed bag. His dialogue's apparently sharp, and his voice actor, Adrian Vaughan, has got pipes. The problem? Vaughan is giving it 400% all the time, even when Mick's just having a cup of tea! Picture this: you're having a chill picnic, when suddenly a loud Australian bloke looms over, grabs your sandwich, and starts narrating his actions like he's auditioning for a stage play. "WITH CAT-LIKE REFLEXES I GRAB THE SANGER!" Bit much, yeah?
Thankfully, it seems this intensity chills out a bit as the game progresses, especially when Mick starts interacting with other characters. His ex-wife, Sarah, is the emotional core of the story, and there's even a New York detective thrown in for good measure. It's all a bit silly, but in a good way, apparently.
Puzzle-wise, *The Drifter* likes to keep things simple and contained. The reviewer noted that the game tends to empty your inventory between chapters, which keeps things focused, but also means you won't be using that random bit of string you picked up at the beginning of the game to solve a puzzle three hours later. Some of the puzzles are even described as "automatic," but they serve as nice little breathers between the heavier story bits.
And the soundtrack? Oof. Sounds like a proper mood-setter, with everything from hellish soundscapes to "gothy disco." RPS mentioned that there's even a victory lap scene near the end with such triumphant music that they were half-expecting Mick to shout, "It's Driftin' Time!"
Overall, Rock Paper Shotgun reckons *The Drifter* is a good story, well told, that balances head-scratching puzzles with simple tasks to keep you moving forward. Just be prepared for a bit of early-game intensity and maybe lay off the coffee before you start playing.
Tags: point and click, adventure game, indie game, review, story-driven
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun