Ironwood Studios has officially announced the first major expansion for its acclaimed survival driving game, Pacific Drive. Titled Whispers in the Woods, this expansion marks a shift toward a stronger horror element, promising to deepen the game’s eerie atmosphere and deliver new gameplay features. Scheduled for release before the end of 2025, the expansion is set to offer between 8 to 12 hours of additional content.
Pacific Drive, originally launched in February 2024, challenged players to navigate a mysterious and dangerous stretch of forest roads in the Pacific Northwest’s fictional Olympic Exclusion Zone (OEZ), repairing and upgrading a station wagon while avoiding strange anomalies. While the base game was atmospheric and unsettling, it was not primarily a horror experience. Cassandra Dracott, Ironwood Studios’ CEO and creative director, explained that player reactions to the original game’s tension inspired the development team to lean fully into the horror genre with this expansion.
Whispers in the Woods introduces a chilling new narrative centered on a cult of "anomaly-obsessed fanatics" inhabiting a disturbing vision of the OEZ’s forests. Players will encounter new characters, fully voiced to enhance immersion, and explore new maps marked with strange symbols and effigies, adding to the mystery and dread.
A standout feature of the expansion is a new gameplay system called Artifacts. These mysterious objects affect both the player and the environment in dynamic and sometimes dangerous ways. For example, certain Artifacts cause the car horn to honk when jumping, while others might result in damage each time the horn sounds, forcing players to strategically manage which Artifacts to carry. This mechanic adds a layer of tension and choice, as holding too many can attract hostile entities within the zone.
Alongside new anomalies and modified existing ones, players will have access to fresh car parts and cosmetics, as well as expanded garage options and new music composed by Wilbert Roget II, contributing to the immersive and ominous atmosphere. The expansion's narrative unfolds through voice interactions, maintaining the original game's structure while amplifying the unsettling tone.
The announcement arrives amid a growing appetite in the gaming community for content that innovates within established genres. Pacific Drive's blend of survival, exploration, and horror dovetails with a broader trend where developers respond to player feedback to evolve gameplay and storytelling approaches.
While the gaming industry continues grappling with diverse challenges including unionization efforts aiming to improve working conditions, expansions like Whispers in the Woods symbolize ongoing creative growth and player engagement. With the base game currently discounted on Steam, new players have an ideal opportunity to experience Pacific Drive in readiness for the chilling new content arriving later this year.
Whispers in the Woods promises to redefine Pacific Drive by turning up the horror and introducing novel gameplay elements that deepen the game’s unique blend of driving and mystery. Fans of atmospheric survival games and those eager for a fresh horror experience on PC should keep this expansion on their radar.
