David McNamara
Checkpoint GamingThe Drifter Review - Brutal brilliance - Checkpoint
Published 7/17/2025
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Scoring alignment
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Score
90
+5 vs critic avg
Review
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Linux / PC / Mac - 7/17/2025
The Drifter
The Drifter is a point-and-click adventure in the classic style. Taking cues from the second wave of the genre, there's an emphasis on story, with puzzle-solving being the glue that ties it together rather than the focus. Mick's a pretty practical guy, and so puzzles are down-to-earth, designed to be unobtrusive and give an investigative feel. The pacing is quick and lean, and you'll never be wandering around lost for long periods. Mick is propelled through the story at a good clip from one situation to another, with barely a moment to catch his breath.
- Developer
- Powerhoof
- Publisher
- Powerhoof
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Critic average
85
Average of 12 scored external reviews.
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Serious / dark / groundedDefining · Curated baseline
Story / character-drivenDefining · Curated baseline
Puzzle / logic-focusedDefining · Curated baseline
Atmosphere-driven / aesthetic identityDefining · Curated baseline
Strategic / planning-heavyStrongly · Curated baseline
Short / focusedStrongly · Curated baseline
Unconventional / experimentalStrongly · Curated baseline
Highly replayableModerately · Curated baseline
Show 12 more descriptors
Systems / mechanics-drivenModerately · Curated baseline
Exploration-drivenSlightly · Curated baseline
Punishing / high-pressureSlightly · Curated baseline
Side-content richSlightly · Curated baseline
Whimsical / playful / lightheartedNot present · Curated baseline
Run-based / proceduralNot present · Curated baseline
Reflex / execution-heavyNot present · Curated baseline
Combat / action-focusedNot present · Curated baseline
Cozy / low-pressureNot present · Curated baseline
Buildcraft / customization-heavyNot present · Curated baseline
Loot / progression-drivenNot present · Curated baseline
Multiplayer / socialNot present · Curated baseline
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Review coverage
Critic signal strength
Numeric critic scoring uses full scored reviews once available. Review-in-progress scores act as temporary early signal only until full review scores exist. Unscored reviews still count as coverage, but they are not included in the critic average.
High confidencePolarized
Critic avg
85
12 scored reviews
Total coverage
12
All coverage currently scored
Score range
60–100
Lowest to highest scored review
Signal shape
Polarized
Score range is 31+ points
Critic landscape
The critic average is 85 across 12 scored reviews, with a 40-point spread. Critics are far apart on this one.
How to read this
Treat the average carefully. A polarized landscape is where reviewer match, review text, and score deltas matter more than the headline number.
Most scored reviews currently sit in the 90–100 band.
Score distribution
Shows how included scored reviews are clustered across the normalized 100-point scale.
12 included scored reviews
90–1008 reviews · 67%
80–891 review · 8%
70–792 reviews · 17%
Below 701 review · 8%
Showing 11-12 of 12 matching critic reviews. 12 total critic reviews. Page 2 of 2.
Kim Snaith
GameSpewThe Drifter review
Published 7/17/2025
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Scoring alignment
—
Score
100
+15 vs critic avg
Review
Read originalPlayer reviews
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