Get Ready to Die (and Get Framed!): Gritty Point ‘n’ Click ‘The Drifter’ Drops Demo Ahead of July Release
Point-and-click adventure enthusiasts, take note! In a genre already buzzing with exciting weekly releases on Steam (think last week’s “Kathy Rain 2” or “Neon Hearts City” before it), a new contender is emerging from the shadows, and it looks deliciously dark: The Drifter. This upcoming title from Powerhoof, the creative minds behind the critically acclaimed “Crawl” and “Peridium,” is already stirring up significant anticipation.
“The Drifter” promises a dive into a gritty, seedy underbelly, drawing inspiration from the narrative suspense of “King, Crichton, and Carpenter,” all sharpened with the unapologetic, ocker ruthlessness of Ozploitation cinema (if you’re unfamiliar, imagine gritty Australian cult films). The game centers on a protagonist whose luck has run completely dry. He’s a directionless itinerant who has the misfortune of witnessing a grizzly murder. As the sole witness, he’s swiftly hunted down and eliminated by “hi-tech” executioners. A tragic end? Not quite. In a cruel twist, he’s then resurrected, only to be framed for the original murder he saw!
The game’s pixel art style perfectly encapsulates this miserable world. It’s murky, chunky, and steeped in a depressive atmosphere, with a clear fascination for urban decay reminiscent of cult classics like “Escape From New York” or the unsettling “Bad Boy Bubby.” True to its ’70s and ’80s pulp inspirations, “The Drifter” isn’t afraid to veer into a thrilling conspiratorial paranoia. As the Steam description teases: “Follow Mick as he’s sucked headfirst into a lunatic web of shadowy corporations, murder, and the thousand-year obsession of a madman.”
Beyond its compelling narrative, “The Drifter” aims to be “quick and lean.” Powerhoof emphasizes that “you’ll never be wandering around lost or confused,” a design choice sure to appeal to both veterans and newcomers to the genre. It also innovates with two controller schemes: a traditional point-and-click interface and an intriguing twin-stick approach that players are encouraged to try.
Can’t wait to experience this grim adventure? The good news is, you don’t have to wait long for a taste. A demo for The Drifter is available right now on Steam, offering a preview before its full release slated for July 18th. Get ready to explore a world where bad luck is just the beginning.
