The Drifter: A Classic Point-and-Click Thriller with a Dark Story and Captivating Plot

"The Drifter" is a classic point-and-click thriller. These games often tell lighthearted, humorous stories, like the adventures of pirate Guybrush Threepwood in the Monkey Island series. However, this game from Powerhoof masterfully uses the format to create a dark, captivating narrative with unexpected twists that keeps you on the edge of your seat, much like an enthralling novel.

The player takes on the role of Mick Carter—a character you meet right after sneaking onto a train without a ticket. Within minutes, you witness a brutal and unjustified murder and are forced to flee. The story quickly evolves into a complex web of characters, pursuers, and mysteries. Mick serves as the game's narrator, describing his actions in a grim first-person voice, voiced by Adrian Vaughan. Although Mick's tone can sometimes seem overly dramatic, Vaughan's performance adds a grotesque charm that is delightful to immerse in.

The game features stunning pixel art with dramatic lighting and atmospheric shadows. Progression in the story mainly focuses on solving puzzles that require the right use of items at the right time and place. The game usually hints at direction through dialogues or a list of plot threads to investigate. Since the game was designed for comfortable play on Steam Deck, the controls resemble twin-stick shooters: the left joystick moves Mick, while the right brings up a hint circle for interaction. It can also be played using a regular mouse.

Sometimes players may get stuck and have to cycle through all inventory items with all characters in search of a solution. In such cases, it was necessary to consult online guides, as built-in hints are lacking—this is a classic genre problem that modern games have partially addressed. However, all the challenges were worth it: the nearly eight-hour playthrough concludes with impressive plot twists that merge into an exciting resolution. Moreover, players may find themselves staying up late, eager to discover what happens next.

I'm glad Mick's story is complete, but at the same time, I hope he gets into trouble again so I can enjoy another point-and-click thriller. "The Drifter" is already available on PC.