10 Best PS5 Games You're Not Playing
9. Pacific Drive
To heighten tension, horror movies often include a scene where a character can't start the car while trying to escape from an imposing figure.
And in 2024, Ironwood Studios decided to turn this trope into a whole game. Although Pacific Drive deals with interdimensional threats and wormholes, the true horror lies in car maintenance.
After entering a reality-defying region, the protagonist realises his only means of survival is by relying on his station wagon. As such, it's imperative you keep your vehicle in tip-top shape.
On paper, having auto repair play a big role in a survival title could kill the momentum. However, the customisation and repair aspects gel well with the gameplay. After all, the main reason you're driving is to scour for parts to upgrade your car. And after dealing with acid rain, ghosts, and sentient mannequins, it's rewarding when you finally get the chance to pimp your ride.
Pacific Drive also utilises an effective way to maintain tension. The yellow objective rings on the map gradually decrease in size, indicating how much time you have left. Since the rings are constantly shrinking, it feels like you've completed each task by the skin of your teeth, even when there's plenty of time to spare.