Pacific Drive: Everything We Know

Ironwood Studios’ Pacific Drive is a curious thing, that’s for sure. It’s curious simply because, well, it’s billed as a survival game, yet it bases its entire world around a station wagon. That’s right — a station wagon. Granted, it isn’t a concept that we’ve bumped into all that many times over the years, other than Kona, perhaps. But sure enough, it’s definitely a first for us, which makes it all the more appealing to the naked eye, for sure.

So, what exactly is this so-called Pacific Drive, and when can we expect to get our hands on it? Well, here’s everything we’ve been able to collect on the matter since first hearing of its existence a fair ways back. Pacific Drive: what, when, and why? Let’s get right into it.

What Is Pacific Drive?

Let’s get straight to the point. What is Pacific Drive? Right, so it’s described as a post-apocalyptic “driving survival adventure” game, one that’ll look to center its premise around an “anomaly-filled” world known as the Olympic Exclusion Zone. It’s within this self-contained zone, apparently, that unspeakable calamities take place, and not to mention ghostly apparitions roam free under the cover of the dreaded Zone Storm. It’s here, at the epicenter of the OEZ, that you will set out in your trusty station wagon to not only document the oddities that grasp the Pacific Northwest, but tackle the elements and anomalies in a last-ditch effort to make it through to the other side.

In Ironwood Studios’ own words: “In this run-based driving survival adventure, you face supernatural dangers on each expedition into the Olympic Exclusion Zone. Make your base of operations in an abandoned garage, where you’ll research new parts, customize your station wagon, and chart routes deeper into the Zone. As you gather precious resources and investigate what’s been left behind in the Zone, you learn exactly what it takes to survive in this unpredictable, hostile environment.”

Story

So, we know that the game will be centered around this anomaly-strewn Olympic Exclusion Zone — but why? Well, that’s where things get a little confusing, as it turns out. From the looks of it, this once-thriving zone was originally home to “experimental” research of a top-secret organization. Now abandoned and consumed by its own creations, the OEZ stands with little more than a few fragments scattered between sections. This is where you, along with your station wagon, will set out to uncover its vast mysteries.

Here’s a summary of the story, based on Ironwood Studios’ own words: “The experimental leftovers of the secretive ARDA organization remain scattered across the Zone, and finding answers won’t be easy. Everywhere you look you’ll find anomalies, surreal forces of a twisted nature that make your journey more difficult… or at least a lot more interesting. Silhouettes in the dark, rolling piles of scrap metal, and towering pillars of earth – each run is packed with otherworldly hazards. As terrifying as those may be, nothing compares to the overwhelming power of a Zone Storm. Stomp on the gas and outrun it if you can – these rolling maelstroms rend the landscape and obliterate anything that sticks around too long. Don’t let that be you.”

Gameplay

As far as gameplay goes, Pacific Drive will divide its time between run-based open world exploration, which will consist of scavenging for materials and documenting your trips, and upgrading your station wagon in order to venture into greater depths in the OEZ. Going by the blurb, your base of operations—a disused garage—will allow you to make adjustments to your vehicle, as well as plan new routes and pinpoint key landmarks out in the OEZ.

“Check the map, pack some gear for the trip, and hit the road,” the description adds. “Gather resources and collect data as you go, there’s all sorts of useful stuff inside the walls of the Zone. Make it back safely and use the contents of your trunk to improve your car and garage. Every time you venture out, new trials await: bizarre weather, unforgiving landscapes, and experimental remnants. The golden rule in the Zone is ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ — some materials can only be found in the most dangerous places. Be smart out there, and don’t waste time — it’s going to be a long haul.”

Development

Ironwood Studios announced its plans to bring Pacific Drive to consoles and PC during the State of Play event back in September 2022. Since then, the team has lifted the veil on a second trailer, as well as a selection of in-game screenshots. If all goes according to plan, then the finished product should arrive on PlayStation 5 and PC before the end of 2023.

Trailer

Ironwood Studios teased a trailer of Pacific Drive back at PlayStation’s State of Play 2022, and then again during a February 2023 showcase. You can check out the most recent trailer above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Pacific Drive will be heading to PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store at some point in Q4 2023. Does this mean it won’t be on Xbox Series X|S? Apparently so. But then, who’s to say it won’t find its way over to Microsoft at some stage in the distant future? It happened to Stray, after all.

As far as editions go, Pacific Drive will launch with just the one standard copy, which will be available to purchase from the PlayStation Store, Steam, and the Epic Games Store.

Planning on staying up to date with Pacific Drive’s development? If so, don’t forget to check in with Ironwood Studios over on its official social feed for all the latest updates here. If anything changes ahead of its 2023 launch, we’ll be sure to fill you in on all the details right here on gaming.net.

So, what’s your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Pacific Drive when it eventually comes to consoles and PC? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.