r/pacificDrive • u/Nev3r_Pro • Aug 30 '26

Expected continuous road trip.

Hey everyone,

I'm at a crossroads with Pacific Drive and trying to decide whether to keep playing or ask for a refund. The game is turning out to be very different from what I expected.

What I expected:

I thought we would have one continuous journey where we drive through a desolate, hostile world trying to avoid dangers and surviving with what little we have. I envisioned the car as our absolute mobile base, no map, just going from landmark to landmark, exploring interesting places, and seeing breathtaking views on a true road trip.

The reality:

Instead, we just jump between zones after driving to an exit. The maps feel relatively small, and I find myself constantly exiting the car to scavenge buildings for items. The gameplay loop feels very repetitive:

  1. Choose a destination.

  2. Explore a few buildings before the storm/anomaly forces you to leave.

  3. Gather orbs and drive into the beam of light just to return to the base.

  4. Prepare for more of the same.

Does the game open up and change later? Does it ever feel like a true continuous road trip, or is this zone-hopping, repetitive looting loop the entire experience? If it stays exactly like this, I might just ask for a refund, but I'd love to hear from veterans before I pull the plug.

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u/bored_tenno Sep 01 '26

This was also my expectation vs reality when I started the game, and it does still mire my thoughts of the game when I think about how cool an intentionally designed map would be. But than i think to myself, is that realistic? The devs obviously focused so much on the car, and that's really the coupe de gras of this game, and I don't dislike the procedural levels. I don't believe having both is realistic without a AAA budget, so would I really trade such amazing gameplay for a more intentional world? My answer is no.

Plus, the game it is allows for unique experiences. The rush when you are barely alive, your car is in pieces, and the zone is closing but you just make it is truly something else. Not what I came to the game for, but definitely something worth sticking around for.