Keep Driving
Release Date: February 6, 2025
RPG, turn-based, cars, 2D, adventure elements, indie games, side-scroll, singleplayer
OpenCritic
Steam
An unusual RPG, in which we set off on a cross-country journey in an old car, hoping to reach a music festival. Keep Driving shows the action from the side. We encounter hitchhikers and various events, solving problems using a turn-based system. We can also customize our car.
Keep Driving is a pixel art, 2D RPG game that combines adventure and simulator elements. It was produced by the Swedish independent studio YCJY, which has such titles such as Post Void and Sea Salt in its portfolio.
Plot
In Keep Driving we go back to the beginning of the 21st century. It's summer, and the character controlled by us bought their first car. He decides to set off on a journey to the other end of the country to get to a music festival. The route leads us through highways, quiet country roads, and smaller towns.
Along the way we meet hitchhikers with their unique stories that enrich our journey and create its atmosphere.
The game has many endings. At the end of each trip, we are encouraged to return to the beginning and see what would have happened if we had chosen a different route.
Gameplay
We experience the action in Keep Driving from the side of a moving car, in a so-called side-scroll. During our journey we set new destinations, and while driving between them we encounter many challenges.
To address them, we use a turn-based system, in which we can solve each problem in many ways. For this purpose, we draw from the knowledge and skills we have acquired. Various items that we can buy at every gas station, car repair shop or find during our travels can be helpful.
Our responsibilities include taking care of our character's energy and the condition of the vehicle and the amount of fuel. Car workshops can repair broken parts. We can also make improvements and personalize many elements of the car, like its wheels, roof or interior.
Additionally, we meet hitchhikers on the road. Their stories sweeten our journey. However, each of them has a different personality, which affects the comfort of traveling with them.
Our travels are accompanied by the music of alternative Swedish bands. On the way, we collect their new CDs, which by the end of the trip can accumulate into a sizable collection.
Videos and Screens
[1:18] Keep Driving Keep Driving - Reveal Trailer
RPGamer: 3.5 / 5 by Sam Wachter
With short playthroughs that clock anywhere between an hour or two, I became obsessed with obtaining all of the endings, trying different hitchhiker skills, and just enjoying the ride through pixilated backgrounds with my Swedish indie pop in the CD player. While the game’s story is minimal, it’s a point in its favour as it allows the player to create their own road trip adventure.
Games Freezer: 7.5 / 10 by Richard Pett
This is a delightful game that I am glad I jumped into with my arms wide open and my passenger door ajar. If you want to experience something special in the card-based RPG world, then this is the video game for you, my friends.
Digital Spy: 4 / 5 by Jess Lee
Keep Driving brings together all of its systems to create narratives that unfold organically and that are easy to get lost in. You may encounter the same hitchhikers or the same quests across two different runs, but the stories won't be the same. It's about the journey, not the destination.
The main pros of the game
- Nostalgic Experience: Many players appreciate the nostalgic feel of the game, reminiscent of road trips and life in the early 2000s. The vague setting allows players to project their own memories onto the game.
- Engaging Soundtrack: The soundtrack is highly praised, featuring obscure and captivating music that enhances the gameplay experience.
- Freedom and Exploration: Players enjoy the freedom to choose their path, pick up hitchhikers, and engage in various activities without being forced to complete specific objectives.
- Unique Art Style: The pixel art and overall aesthetic are considered beautiful and immersive, contributing to the game's atmosphere.
- Replayability: The game offers multiple endings and a variety of hitchhikers and events, encouraging players to replay for different experiences.
- Relaxing Gameplay: The game is described as a chill experience, allowing players to unwind while managing resources and making decisions.
The main cons of the game
- Repetitive Gameplay: Some users find the core gameplay loop becomes repetitive over time, particularly the combat and road event mechanics.
- Limited Content: A number of players feel that the game lacks sufficient content, such as diverse events, more hitchhikers, and car upgrades, leading to a sense of sameness after a few playthroughs.
- Minor Bugs and Technical Issues: Some reviews mention bugs related to UI elements and interactions, which can disrupt the flow of the game.
- Difficulty with Resource Management: Players have noted that managing resources, particularly money, can be frustrating, as it often feels like a bottleneck that limits progression.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Deeper Interaction with Hitchhikers: Players desire more meaningful interactions and conversations with hitchhikers, rather than just brief encounters.
- More Variety in Events: Many users suggest adding more diverse events and challenges to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
- Expanded Customization Options: There are calls for more car upgrades and customization options to enhance player choice.
- Controller Support and Localization: Some players expressed a wish for better controller support and additional language options to make the game more accessible.
Summary
- In summary, "Keep Driving" is celebrated for its nostalgic vibes, engaging soundtrack, and unique gameplay, but it faces criticism for repetitiveness and a perceived lack of content. Players hope for future updates and expansions to enhance the overall experience.
Summary generated on:
Keep Driving Summary
Platforms:
PC Windows
Keep Driving System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card Intel HD, 3 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Keep Driving is coming to consoles after a successful launch on Steam. YCJY Games devs reveal the 2025 roadmap with new content ahead
The journey continues as Keep Driving gears up for improvements. New updates, more localization, and console plans have been announced.
video games
Olga Racinowska
March 28, 2025