Indie development duo Powerhoof is excited to announce that their fast-paced, point-and-click thriller, The Drifter, will launch for Windows, macOS, and Linux on Steam on July 17, 2025. They are also developing a Nintendo Switch version, aiming for release later this year, with further details to be announced soon.
A demo for The Drifter is now available to download via Steam ahead of its participation in Steam Next Fest. The event runs from June 9 to June 16th, featuring the full first chapter. It invites players to experience its uniquely thrilling take on the classic adventure genre.
To coincide with the announcements, a high-octane new trailer effortlessly spotlights the game’s crunchy pixel art visuals and pulpy narrative – inspired by the works of Stephen King, John Carpenter and Michael Crichton.
No Brakes, No Limits – The Drifter Pulls You In
A classic 2D point and click adventure with the brake-lines cut. The Drifter plunges players headfirst into a web of shadowy corporations. It involves conspiracy, murder, and the thousand-year obsession of a madman.
Mick Carter’s been drifting a while now – moving from job to job, never staying one place long. Jumping a box-car to his old home town, he witnesses a violent murder. He is thrown into a reservoir and drowned while being pursued by hi-tech soldiers.
Just before something rips away his consciousness, it thrusts him back into his body. He comes alive again, just seconds before his death. Framed for the killing he witnessed, Mick endures torment from his own past and is haunted by the feeling that something has followed him back from the other side.
The Drifter takes its cues from the modern revival of the adventure genre, focusing on serving up a tight, razor-sharp narrative that propels the player through the story. Grounded, unobtrusive, and satisfying investigative puzzles act as the sinew between punchy narrative beats.
Key Features
- A Pulp Adventure Thriller from the minds that brought you Peridium and Crawl.
- An engrossing roller-coaster of a story – Drawing on King, Crichton and Carpenter, with a dash of 70s Aussie grindhouse.
- Point ‘n Click or Controller – Unique twin-stick controls make The Drifter as comfy to play on the couch as at your PC.
- Bursting with raw, crunchy pixel art and high-impact animation.
- Professionally voice acted, with a brooding, dark-synth cinematic score.
The Drifter will launch for Windows, macOS and Linux via Steam on 17 July. It is currently targeting a release for Nintendo Switch later this year. A demo featuring the game’s opening chapter is available to download now ahead of its participation in Steam Next Fest.
