Vindictive Drive

"She who lives by the grudge."

**Vindictive Drive** is a **Mecha/Thriller/Action** game released in 2017 by **Balthasar02** and published by

**SometimesYou** on **Steam** for **Microsoft Windows**, the game features a Real Time Action/Stealth mechanics an a dark, story-driven setting with revenge themes.

## **Plot/Details**

The story follows **Arris Fern**, a young woman in her cold blooded revenge against her father, President **Charles Mourne**, for the assassination of her mother, **Genevieve Fern**, 12 years ago.

After years suffering the consequences of such situation, Arris decides to prepare a **sadistic plan** to corner Mourne and ultimately kill him, hunting down and manipulating the actors involved in her past in the proccess.

The game has dark themes surrounding Arris' mental health, suicide, abuse and the cruelty of her methods.

## **Game Features**

* Vindictive Drive's "**battle system**" relies on outsmarting security systems, avoiding cameras, and fooling your enemies using your computer and jamming devices, leaving the pistol as last resort.
* **Stealth** is an important part of the game, you will be able to disable alarms and create distractions.
* Story rich scenarios and suspense.
* Talkative and friendly NPCs.
* A lot of illustrations and animations made frame per frame.
* Multiple endings.

## Characters

* **Arris Fern -Usable character**
* **Liz Barrett -Usable character**
* **Eureka -Usable character**
* **Genevieve Fern**
* **Luna Herz**
* **Amy Mourne**
* **America**
* **Cyree**
* **Frankie**
* **Rektman**
* **Hex Reader**
* **Alicia Fields**
* **Emma Fields**
* **Edu Feinmann**
* **Charles Mourne**
* **Eris Mourne**

## **Release**

In January 2017, after a year of development, the game was added to **Steam** in **Early Access** with six playable chapters, in this time, Balthasar discussed with players how to improve the game, a few of them, like AtlasAtrium, ended involved in the development of the game. A promotional video was produced featuring MikuLeRoux as Luna Herz's voice, which was also included in the Early Access Version. Two months after that, in May 15th, the game was released completing the story including the last three chapters.

After the release, a new version was announced in which Balthasar stated will include translations to Spanish and Korean.

A 'Definitive Edition' update was released in May 2018, featuring(among other things) improved art, a Spanish language option and an additional Eureka scenario that takes place 10 years before the events of the main game.

## **Reception**

Using dark themes, puzzle solving and a lot of action, **Vindictive Drive** has been released to a majority of positive reviews, hitting over **100.000 downloads just a month and three days** after the final release. With in **average 300 concurrent players per day**, with a peak of over **1600 players in one day**, It was rated **#2 highest rated Action/Adventure game**, and **#429 of all genres in PC** in **GameFAQs**(updated 9/1/17)**.**

The **Early Access version** had mixed reviews, with some negative criticism on its dark themes, difficultly and controls, **most of these points were modified for the final version**, giving **Vindictive Drive** its current reception scores.

User R**eview Scores(Final release)**
 **IndieDB** | 9/10

## **Trivia**

* **Luna**'s design was originally one of **MikuLeRoux**'s custom outfits for a photoshoot.
* The Subterranean Vault, and Frankie's bat scene are **Max Payne** references.
* A character awkwardly similar to **Yui Hirasawa** from **K-On!** is killed by the Galick-00 during the Senate Massacre Scene.

## **References**

1. ↑ https://dpadjoy.com/2017/05/19/steam-indie-games-released-this-week/ - Hidden gems, Steam release announcements.
2. ↑ http://invisioncommunity.co.uk/2017/01/06/vindictive-drive-early-access/
3. ↑ https://thegamerholics.com/vindictive-drive/
4. ↑ http://store.steampowered.com/app/507400/Vindictive\_Drive/ #Community Hub
5. ↑ MikuLeRoux's promotional video for Vindictive Drive
6. ↑ http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/298027/Vindictive\_Drive\_Final\_Release\_\_STEAM.php
7. ↑ http://www.4players.de/4players.php/spielinfonews/PC-CDROM/38750/2167332/Vindictive\_Drive-Stealth-Action-Rachefeldzug\_gegen\_den\_Praesidenten\_der\_maechtigsten\_Nation\_veroeffentlicht.html
8. ↑ http://www.develop-online.net/press-releases/vindictive-drive-final-release-steam/0232602
9. ↑ [1]
10. ↑ http://balthasar02.tumblr.com/post/161081699335/it-keeps-happening
11. ↑ Vindictive Drive statistics in SteamSpy
12. ↑ Vindictive Drive concurrent player Statistics in SteamCharts
13. ↑ Vindictive Drive ranking in GameFAQs(#9 in Action/Adventure)
14. ↑ Vindictive Drive ranking in GameFAQs(#1281 in All PC categories)
15. ↑ Luna Herz fashion design by MikuLeRoux

## **External Links**

Vindictive Drive's official site

Vindictive Drive on Steam

Vindictive Drive in IMDb

Vindictive Drive in TvTropes

SometimesYou official site

Developer's blog

Developer's Facebook Page