Driftwood: Longboarding Through a Bob Ross Painting

A chill ride with a side of chaos

Launch Day Larry

Driftwood, the early access game that lets you cruise through vibrant landscapes on a longboard, is a mixed bag of thrills and spills. It’s like taking a leisurely stroll through a Bob Ross painting, only to find out the squirrels have taken over the controls. Let’s dive into the gameplay, graphics, and story to see if this ride is worth the ticket.

Gameplay: A Balancing Act of Fun and Frustration

Driftwood’s gameplay is a rollercoaster of emotions, much like trying to balance on a longboard for the first time. The controls are a hot topic among players, with many finding them as intuitive as a Rubik’s Cube in the dark. Keyboard warriors, beware: you’ll need a controller to navigate menus and avoid veering off into the digital abyss. The controls are sensitive enough to make a cat on a hot tin roof look stable, but once you master them, the satisfaction is undeniable.

The mechanics are as inconsistent as a weather forecast, with players experiencing everything from smooth sailing to unexpected spins into oblivion. Yet, there’s a rewarding progression for those who stick with it, offering a low skill floor and a high skill ceiling. The game also caters to both adrenaline junkies and zen seekers, with time-based challenges and a “slow” mode for a more relaxed experience.

Bugs and early access quirks are part of the package, with collision physics that seem to have a mind of their own and camera shakes that could rival a shaky cam horror movie. Despite these hiccups, the game’s unique concept and potential shine through, promising a bright future for those willing to invest time in its development.

Graphics: A Visual Feast with a Side of Lag

Driftwood’s graphics are a feast for the eyes, reminiscent of a Bob Ross masterpiece. The painterly style and vibrant colors create an aesthetic that’s both relaxing and engaging, making you feel like you’re cruising through a dreamscape. The 3D graphics mixed with painterly skyboxes add to the charm, providing a beautiful backdrop for your longboarding adventures.

However, the game’s performance is as unpredictable as a cat on a caffeine high. Players report lag, frame rate drops, and poor performance on various devices, including the Steam Deck. The lack of optimization is a glaring issue, especially since the game isn’t graphically intensive. Visual bugs, such as clipping and objects popping into existence, further detract from the experience, breaking immersion and disrupting gameplay.

Despite these challenges, the community remains hopeful for future updates that will address these issues. With a bit of polish and optimization, Driftwood’s graphics could become a standout feature, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Story: A Quirky Adventure in Need of Depth

Driftwood’s story is as elusive as a sloth on a longboard, offering a blend of light-hearted humor and imaginative escapism. The world feels lonely, with random traffic but little interaction, suggesting a need for more NPCs and a text-based story mode to enrich the narrative. The game’s art style and characters provide a solid foundation for storytelling, but there’s room for more depth and engagement.

The narrative hints at an “adventure of a lifetime,” with emotional highs and lows that include tears, joy, and a sense of adventure. The quirky inclusion of a “sloth on a longboard wearing headphones” adds a humorous touch, suggesting a backstory that’s more about entertainment than deep narrative complexity. While the story has potential, it currently lacks the elements needed to make the world feel alive and engaging.

Final Verdict

Driftwood is a game with a lot of heart and potential, but it’s still finding its footing. The gameplay offers a rewarding experience for those willing to master its quirks, while the graphics provide a visually appealing backdrop marred by performance issues. The story, though charming, needs more depth to fully engage players. With continued development and polish, Driftwood could become a standout title in the longboarding genre.

Score: 6.5/10