Keep Driving has you embarking on a journey that encapsulates the essence of early 2000s road trips with eerie precision. This atmospheric management RPG offers a unique blend of exploration, resource management, and narrative depth, all set against the backdrop of a procedurally generated pixel art open-world. While it’s inspired by a lot of games that become evident when playing it, this delivers a unique memorable experience you can have again and again. Keep Driving is truly something special.
Set in the early 2000s, Keep Driving places players in the driver’s seat of their first car, embarking on a cross-country trip to attend a distant festival. The game’s setting is rich with nostalgia, from the ambient indie rock tunes playing on the car’s CD player to the evocative pixel art landscapes that scroll by as you drive. YCJY Games have meticulously crafted an environment that feels both expansive and intimate, capturing the essence of youthful exploration and the open road filled with endless possibilities and unknown consequences.
At its core, Keep Driving is a management RPG that emphasizes the journey over the destination. Players must navigate various challenges, from managing fuel and car durability to maintaining the driver’s energy levels. The game introduces a turn-based “combat” system of sorts, where players use skills and items to overcome obstacles like potholes, inclement weather, and other road hazards. This system adds a strategic layer to the gameplay, requiring thoughtful resource management and planning.
The turn-based combat is there to make this feel more like a game, and introduce unpredictability and challenge that would otherwise not be present, but still in-line with life. While innovative, can feel abstract to fully grasp and be at odds with the “vibes” of the game. Applying skills like patience or using items such as chewing gum to navigate road hazards requires a mental leap that might not be immediately intuitive. I found a reprieve and relaxation during longer stretches of driving with minimal events, and enjoyed it less when these would crop up.
Naturally you can opt to pick up hitchhikers, sometimes they will offer you advice, give you tips, or want you to take them to their destinations. These characters not only enrich the narrative but also offer unique skills that can aid in overcoming challenges. For instance, a wandering songwriter might provide inspiration, reducing energy costs for certain actions, while a mechanic could offer skills to repair the car on the go. However, these companions come with their own quirks, and managing their needs adds another layer of depth and complexity to the journey.
Keep Driving offers a robust customization system, allowing players to upgrade and personalize their vehicle, often collecting objects found in abandoned vehicles. From performance enhancements to aesthetic modifications, the game provides ample opportunities to make the journey uniquely yours. You can only customize your ride at mechanic shops, so holding on to something really cool for several miles before you can attach it is a kind of giddy everyone can relate to. Additionally, players can take on odd jobs at rest stops to earn money for upgrades and supplies, further emphasizing the game’s focus on the journey and the experiences along the way.
This is a game that’s meant to be replayed. There’s multiple endings, many ways to get to your destination, and varied choices to make along the way. In addition to seeing the different endings, there are different vehicles to unlock for your playthrough.
The game’s dashboard view of the game is incredibly clever and insightful. You are able to see your energy, status effects, money held, what kind of conditions and time of day it is, how much durability the car has, and how much gas remains. It’s all super clear, and the horizontal map gives a great view at what lies ahead momentarily. Perhaps my favorite UI elements are the gas and brake pedals, with the former allowing you to skip through certain events and the latter being the game’s pause menu.
The pixel art style of Keep Driving is both charming and evocative, capturing the nostalgic feel of early 2000s road trips. The landscapes are varied and detailed, with dynamic weather effects and day-night cycles that enhance the immersive experience. Complementing the visuals is a thoughtfully curated soundtrack featuring ambient indie rock tracks that perfectly set the mood for long drives and introspective moments.
Keep Driving is a heartfelt homage to the open road, capturing the freedom, challenges, and introspection that come with long-distance driving. The management and logistics aspects are such a great fit, though the shoehorned “combat” left a lot to be desired. YCJY Games has crafted an experience that resonates with the wanderlust in all of us, offering a journey that’s as much about self-discovery as it is about reaching a destination. Keep Driving is a unique and rewarding adventure that’s well worth the trip.
A Steam code was provided by the publisher for review purposes
