Pacific Drive’s latest update brings an exciting twist to this already unique driving simulator, amplifying its replay value significantly. Ironwood Studios has rolled out the Endless Expeditions update, marking the biggest enhancement to the game since its release last year. This update introduces a brand-new survival mode along with a suite of quality-of-life improvements and fresh content, offering seasoned players a compelling reason to return to The Zone after completing the story and maxing out their trusty Station Wagon.
The star of this update is undoubtedly the Expeditions mode. True to its name, Expeditions open up fairly early in the main story and deliver a whole new experience with a randomly generated map. Each map has varying difficulty levels that come with unique modifiers and rewards. Many of these rewards are exclusive to Expeditions and could include rare tools or flashy cosmetics to jazz up your garage. You can use your Station Wagon in its current form, but all your stockpiled resources must stay behind, so scavenging on the go becomes crucial. Even the simplest of Expeditions can become quite challenging when you’re starting with just the basics.
In contrast to the main storyline, Expeditions allow you to loop through the expedition map multiple times in one outing. However, the longer you explore, the more chaotic everything gets, introducing fresh anomalies and challenging modifiers. You’re only permitted to exit an Expedition after collecting enough Anchors. Despite my familiarity with Pacific Drive, my first few ventures in this mode sent me back to the garage with little more than a metaphorical bruised ego.
But that’s not all the update has to offer. With those extended journeys across The Zone, you now have the ability to pause your progress without losing the valuable resources you’ve gathered. Ironwood Studios has also decked out the game with a plethora of new cosmetics for your car and added 21 new tracks to keep your soundtrack exciting.
With its bizarre rendition of the Pacific Northwest and an impressive musical score, Pacific Drive quickly became one of my top roguelike picks last year. Now, with the Endless Expeditions update, there’s even more reason to immerse myself in the game’s enthralling world. If I go missing, you’ll know what happened—I’m back in The Zone.
