Rev Up Your Consoles: Xbox Game Pass Welcomes the Ultimate 2020s Gaming Road Trip!

There are few experiences in life as freeing as embarking on a lengthy road trip. Particularly when escaping the everyday routine of work and obligations, a journey with the right companions can provide a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with oneself and the possibilities life has in store. It’s no surprise that numerous games, ranging from the cross-country velocity of The Crew, the emotional depth and closeness of 2024’s Open Roads, to the cel-shaded appeal of last year’s Caravan Sandwich, have attempted to capture that excitement in digital format.

However, few games encapsulate that feeling of “anything could occur” as effectively as this week’s most intriguing addition to Xbox Game Pass, Road 96. This smart blend of contemporary adventure gaming, roguelike elements, tabletop-inspired role-playing mechanics, and superb world-building makes it one of the finest indie titles available on the platform, ideal for passing time during the January 2025 release lull.

Set in the fictional politically fractured nation of Petria on the verge of a chaotic election, Road 96 is an adventure title reminiscent of Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead or Don’t Nod’s Life Is Strange. Players assume the role of a missing runaway teen aiming to reach the country’s border to escape the oppressive, anti-youth regime of President Tyrak. You can opt to hitchhike, take a bus, utilize a taxi, walk, or explore other means to accomplish the northern journey.

In contrast to Telltale’s illusion of choice, however, Road 96 adopts a more engaging approach to player agency. Participants don’t merely embody one runaway, but multiple. The pursuit to the border is not guaranteed. In Road 96, dangers are very real. Neglecting sleep or failing to navigate tricky situations may lead to detainment by a government on the edge of tyranny, succumbing to hunger and fatigue, or even facing death.

Road 96 operates like an interactive adventure book. Instead of reverting to a previous page after missteps, the conclusion of one journey signifies the beginning of a fresh adventure from an entirely different teen’s viewpoint. Each run unfolds uniquely based on the circumstances surrounding the missing teenager. One nameless playable character might have departed home with greater funds, while another begins from a more favorable area of the map.

Every journey introduces players to numerous characters from Road 96’s extensive cast, each with unique reasons for being on the road. These interactions usually unveil fragments of their backstories, which helps illuminate the broader narrative surrounding how Petria became so polarized in the decade leading up to this election cycle. With every subsequent run, you will encounter new individuals and familiar faces at various stages of their lives, all while the game’s calendar steadily approaches Petria’s Election Day. It’s noteworthy that these characters will reference specific interactions they’ve had with other runaways in past days and weeks, rendering your actions as a player significant.

Although the situations that lead players to the road aren’t precisely favorable, it does not mean the journey won’t be enjoyable. Most encounters will introduce new minigames and challenges that vary from enjoyable to nerve-wracking. The decisions you must make are consistently engaging. The game’s roguelike mechanics suggest that acting on impulse or taking risks is often rewarded. Moreover, the citizens of Petria each possess captivating backstories, providing context for their political stances and motivations. This makes it easy to invest in the politics of this world and understand what is at stake for each of its inhabitants.

This leads to the best aspect of Road 96. It’s a title that genuinely has something to express. Its backdrop during an election is utilized expertly. It becomes evident early on that this game was crafted during and in direct response to the emergence of contentious global leaders such as President Donald Trump (alongside France’s conservative National Rally party, as Road 96 developer DigitxArt is situated in Montpellier).

The delivery of Road 96’s subtly disguised allegory can sometimes be heavy-handed. However, during a time when so many developers are adamant about remaining entirely neutral regarding current affairs, it’s invigorating to witness a modern video game boldly tackle a clear, forthright perspective on the state of today’s world. Given we are moving toward another four years mirrored by the very environment in which this game was created (at least here in the U.S.), some of its more nuanced themes surrounding immigration, the radicalization of marginalized communities, and the stagnant status of establishment politics are likely to resonate as prophetic for first-time players.

The Road 96 is a superb title to dive into during a less hectic period for game releases. It offers a remarkable twist on the adventure genre. Its astute writing, surprisingly enjoyable minigames, and intriguing characters will likely hold your attention until its conclusion. Most importantly, it’s one of the few (although increasingly less uncommon) examples of a video game that doesn’t feel disconnected from reality. Road 96 is absolutely deserving of your time and storage space if you’re a Game Pass subscriber.