Keep Driving captures the dream of a road trip, a coming of age experience where you’re finally able to start motoring around the world in your own set of wheels. Your sense of wonder’s still intact and each place you visit on brings fresh surprises.
But the game isn’t a schmaltzy dip into wanderlust, or a blinkered memory of youth and a lack of responsibilities. Lurking in the background is the nervousness of inexperience, which transforms mundane tasks into nightmares you must overcome.
Using the tools of a turn-based RPG, Developer YCJY Games turn each minor road obstacle or distraction into a threat you have to battle or tank some damage to speed past. Choosing to stand and fight sees you have to flick out your ability cards in the right fashion to plink away incoming attacks to your energy, fuel stock, and car health. A slow-moving tractor or some vague road markings wouldn’t phase a veteran driver, but to you they’re potential world enders, demons of the driving realm to be exorcised between point A and B.
I loved Keep Driving from the moment I gave its Next Fest demo a go while still in my previous home. I’ve not spent as much time with the full thing as I’d hoped – certainly not as long as Brendan will have when he reviewed it. When life/the relentless release schedule allows, though, I will fix that.
I love the way the game lends itself to hoarding. You inevitably shuffle an array of potentially useful things in and out of the boot and backseats of your ride. You don’t know what you’ll need, so shit, better hold onto everything and spend hours playing Tetris with electric guitars, sleeping bags, and big bottles of coke. Try to be as frugal with money as you can, even doing odd-jobs when possible. That’s been my approach, because I’m ruled by fear.
Or blow it all on some useless flame decals for your Volvo as soon as it hits your pockets. Pick up some hitchhikers who, in a turn up for the books, won’t be dumping your dismembered corpse into a river hours later. Blast through the countryside on a wave of indie music and chocolate bars. Live a bit, like I should be more comfortable doing in this video game where you can be reckless without consequences. Enjoy existing in a world where everything’s out to get you, but at least has the common decency to do so via fun turn-based shenanigans.
You’re young. The journey’ll be exhilarating. It’ll be terrifying. Do it anyway. Be free.
Julian: As someone who can’t drive, this game has taught me so much for what I assume must be on the theory test, if not the practical exam. For instance, I hadn’t realised how often drivers are blocked by flocks of sheep, loitering birds, and lane-hogging cows. Nor that you need a glove box filled with duct tape and chocolate to combat the wildlife. I now know why my dad won’t drive anywhere without a bag of wine gums in easy reach.
Head over to the RPS Advent Calendar 2025 to open another door!