Sony uses its September 2022 State of Play event to announcePacific Drive, a horror survival game that it’s in development for PS5 with a planned 2023 release.Pacific Driveis being developed by Ironwood Studios, a studio based in Seattle, Washington comprised of developers who have previously worked on everything from theCall of DutyfranchisetoSly Cooperto Nintendo’sThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Pacific Driveis Ironwood’s first game, and Sony choosing to showcase it at theSeptember 2022 State of Playsuggests that the company has confidence in the project. Described as a first-person driving survival game, players inPacific Driveexplore the Olympic Exclusion Zone. In the world ofPacific Drive, the Olympic Exclusion Zone is a portion of the Pacific Northwest that was seized by the United States and walled off after government experiments caused “severe radiation, environmental collapse, and supernatural horrors.”
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The player character inPacific Drivemanages to get behind the walls and starts exploring the area to see if there’s any truth to the spooky legends surrounding it. Players are able to upgrade and repair their vehicle using tools they loot in their journeys, though the roads change each time they venture out, similar to aroguelike game.
ThePacific Drivetrailer shown at the State of Play shows off these various gameplay elements, with the player character referencing a map at their home base and venturing out in their station wagon. Along the way, they come into contact with all matter of bizarre phenomena, including dangerous storms, mysterious green goo that rises from the pavement, flying bug-like creatures, unnatural-looking lightning, and more. The trailer ends with the player flipping their car over, presumably bringing an end to their current run.
Pacific Driveis far from the highest-profile game that was shown at the latest PlayStation State of Play. After all, the show was host toheavy hitters likeHogwarts Legacyand the big PlayStation holiday exclusiveGod of War Ragnarok. Despite this,Pacific Drivehas managed to turn some heads thanks to its unique premise and creepy atmosphere. It will definitely be interesting to see if Ironwood is able to deliver on expectations when the game launches for thePlayStation 5next year. The individuals on the team have track records of making some great games, so one has to imagine that the odds are in Ironwood’s favor.
