The Drifter Review (Nintendo Switch, GeForce Now & PC)

Some games catch you by surprise. You jump in expecting some small indie story, only to be pulled into something bigger. The Drifter is one of those games. It starts fast and throws players into an unexpected mystery and keeps players guessing the whole way. It somewhat looks like some old-school point-and-click game, but it plays much more smoothly. 

Don’t worry, this isn’t one of those slow, head-scratching adventure games with weird puzzles and vague instructions. It’s a point-and-click game, sure, but it’s snappier, smarter, and way more fun than you'd expect. The Drifter focuses on clear goals, natural choices, and fast pacing. Let’s break it down in this review.

The Second Chance

In this point-and-click game, the story kicks off pretty simply. You play as Mick Carter, a drifter who has been wandering, only to receive a call about his mother’s death. Mick hitches a ride on a freight train when everything goes south. Masked gunmen storm the train, bullets fly, and in the chaos, Mick witnesses a brutal murder. In the chaos, the guy is knocked out, and when he wakes up, he finds himself tied up underwater, struggling to breathe. Of course, with tied hands in the water, who can survive the drowning? Players are given one chance to save him, but it's not enough. Unfortunately, Mick ends up drowning. 

Now here is the twist: Mick’s story doesn't end there. He wakes up moments earlier, and interestingly, this time, he’s aware of what’s about to happen. Now, what happens after the miraculous resurrection is what sets The Drifter apart. Without spoiling too much, let’s say death isn't the end of Mick. From that moment on, the story shifts from a journey to a funeral, to now helping Mick survive the conspiracies and dangers that surround him. Players can use the earlier experience to help Mick cheat death, and that’s where things get interesting. 

Point and Click

One of the biggest issues with classic point-and-click adventures is how often they stall out. Players are always stuck trying to combine random objects, like pulling a sandwich just to unlock a door with no real logic behind it. The Drifter is not your typical point-and-click game. The game avoids that issue in the best way, offering puzzles that are logical and solutions that make sense. Of course, you will still need to think, but not be stuck in frustrating loops. 

The game features nine chapters, and each chapter has a clear goal. Players can sneak through back alleys and interrogate some shady characters as they solve memory-based puzzles. Now, here is another cool thing about The Drifter: when you mess up or miss a moment, the game doesn't punish you with “game over!” Instead, it loops back or shifts the scene, keeping the tension without slowing you down. It also adds some exciting mechanics to the dialogue. Unlike most adventure games, dialogue and interactions change based on what you discover. 

To enhance the experience, the game features an inventory of collected items and mental notes on dialogue options unlocked through conversations and discoveries. Notably, you will never feel lost thanks to the nicely designed notebook system that tracks your current goals. At the top of the screen, players can find topics Mick picked from the story through things he heard, saw, or experienced. Interestingly, the game allows players to bring up the topics when talking to other characters. Surprisingly, if a character dislikes the topic or has nothing to say about it, the dialogue turns gray to indicate they have nothing to say, and that's a unique addition. Ultimately, The Drifter doesn't waste your time. It's paced better than most indie adventure games with minimal backtracking.

Mouse or Controller

You’d expect a point-and-click game to be mouse-first, and sure, that works perfectly here. But surprisingly, the game plays just as well on the controller. Players can move Mick with the left stick and use the right stick to highlight interactive items. Well, it sounds like it should be a bit clunky, but it's surprisingly smooth. For those who prefer a keyboard, the game supports full WASD movement, giving it a more “walk around and interact” vibe rather than the traditional cursor-based adventure. 

When it comes to inventory, the game sticks to a familiar system: find an item, use it when needed, and sometimes combine it with others to create something new. It’s nothing revolutionary, but it works and, more importantly, it doesn’t slow things down. This game doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel; it just makes it smoother and more modern. Whether you’re using a mouse, keyboard, or controller, the controls feel natural and responsive. That seamless experience lets players stay focused on the story, not wrestle with the interface.

Setting the Mood

Now here’s where The Drifter truly shines. The game doesn’t just tell a story it pulls you into its atmospheric world with moody audio and striking visuals. It leans into an old-school aesthetic, but with a cinematic edge that feels ripped straight from a gritty 70s film. Characters express emotion through their subtle movements, and every location feels intentionally designed. It’s clear the developers were aiming for a retro Australian grindhouse vibe, and they absolutely nailed it.

The soundtrack adds more to the mood with its slow-building synth that creates tension without being overwhelming. Players can always feel like something is coming thanks to the buzzing lights, distant footsteps, and echoes of voices. The colors are mostly dark, there are lots of shadows, and the lighting is dim. Surprisingly, it never feels boring. The flickering lights in the streets add to the visual flair. 

The voice acting in this adventure game deserves a mention, too. The devs did a good job of ensuring the narration offers a nice audiobook vibe. Mick talks through much of the game, reacting to the world around him. He can be sarcastic and sometimes serious, but always in a way that hooks players. 

Additionally, the environment adds to the tension thanks to the silence that makes the atmosphere eerie in a way. What really stands out is the way the game mixes urban and rural spaces. One moment you are surrounded by concrete and graffiti, and the next, you are in the middle of nowhere, just you and your thoughts. The world is relatively small but packed with immersive experiences that will keep you invested in the game. Ultimately, The Drifter nails its atmosphere, making it one of the game’s strongest points. 

The Bad

It would be unfair to finish the review without mentioning the flaws. Thankfully, The Drifter doesn't have many. The game is immersive and full of heart; however, it’s a bit short. The entire game can be completed within 3 to 5 hours, depending on the players’ speed. While the story is a good one, some players might feel the adventure ends too soon, leaving them craving for more exploration and resolution.

Additionally, there’s limited player choice. Of course, there is the illusion of choice; players can pick dialogue options and make decisions. However, most paths loop back to the main story. If you jump in expecting branching narratives, you will be disappointed because the game takes a more restrictive approach. 

Puzzles are logical, but there are occasional trial-and-error moments. Players might need to revisit areas to try out certain dialogue topics with certain characters. It's not frustrating, but it somewhat diminishes the otherwise smooth flow of the game. In addition, while the hand-drawn art style fits the game’s tone, it might not be for everyone. Some of the character movements feel a bit stiff, and the animation can feel dated, diminishing the cinematic vibe. Overall, these minor flaws do not ruin the gameplay. A few patches and updates could smooth out the rough edges, but even now, The Drifter still plays well and offers a perfect point-and-click adventure. 

Verdict

The Drifter is undoubtedly a fun and fast-paced point-and-click game that keeps the adventure moving without the usual slow pace the genre is known for. The story pulls players right from the first frame with a strange twist about cheating death, which takes a tense twist. Notably, the game’s puzzles, dialogues, and atmosphere make it one of the best indie point-and-click games in 2025. 

The game is not without its flaws. There are a few small issues like stiff animations and brief pacing issues, but they don't ruin the otherwise smooth adventure. Of course, players might wish for a longer story and a few complex challenges, but what is here works perfectly. The way the music and dialogue come together to build tension that keeps players hooked without overwhelming the gameplay is especially noteworthy. The story moves naturally without forcing into awkward spots. 

Ultimately, The Drifter focuses on the story, and that’s exactly what modern point-and-click games should be. Smooth, story-driven, and exciting. For fans of story-driven games or anyone looking for a short, memorable adventure, The Drifter is worth trying.