The latest update to the wonderfully peculiar driving simulator, Pacific Drive, brings a fresh burst of excitement to the game. With the introduction of the Endless Expeditions update from Ironwood Studios, players can enjoy an entirely new survival game mode, enhancing the game’s replayability. This is the most significant update since the game launched last year, packed with quality-of-life improvements and a range of new content. It’s a fantastic opportunity for players to venture back into The Zone, especially after they’ve completed the storyline and fully decked out their trusty Station Wagon.
A standout feature of this update, as the name hints, is the new Expeditions mode. Accessible fairly early in the main story, this mode challenges players with randomly generated maps, each offering unique modifiers and rewards contingent on their difficulty level. Some of these rewards are exclusive to the Expeditions, gifting players with rare tools or stylish cosmetics to jazz up their garage. While you can dive into Expeditions using your current Station Wagon setup, you’ll have to leave your stockpiled resources behind and rely on what you find along the way. Even though some of these Expeditions might not seem too daunting at first glance, heading in with minimal gear ups the ante considerably.
One of the unique aspects of Expeditions compared to the main story is the ability to loop through an Expedition map multiple times in a single go. However, linger too long and the environment becomes increasingly volatile, introducing new anomalies and tougher challenges. You’re only allowed to leave once you’ve gathered enough Anchors. Despite being a seasoned Pacific Drive player, my initial expeditions often ended with me crawling back to my garage, sporting nothing more glamorous than a black eye.
But Expeditions aren’t the only fresh features this update brings. For those embarking on long journeys through the zone, there’s now the option to pause your run, saving your journey progress without losing any scavenged resources. Plus, Ironwood Studios has introduced a variety of new cosmetics to pimp out your ride and has added 21 new tracks to keep you grooving while you drive.
Set in its topsy-turvy version of the Pacific Northwest, paired with an incredible soundtrack, Pacific Drive quickly became one of my favorite roguelikes of last year. Thanks to the Endless Expeditions update, there’s more than enough reason for me to jump back in. If I suddenly vanish, you’ll know where I am—lost somewhere in The Zone.
