Driving is Hard is an action indie racing adventure game for PS5 that puts players in control of a bathtub on wheels. The core experience revolves around navigating steep and unforgiving terrain where precise movement and quick recovery determine success. Jeff serves as the central character, and the story follows his personal challenges with family expectations and self-acceptance while he pushes forward through each obstacle.
Gameplay
The gameplay centers on physics simulation that governs every turn, tilt, and fall. Players steer the bathtub vehicle across varied surfaces, managing momentum and balance to avoid setbacks. Controls remain straightforward at first glance, yet the underlying mechanics demand repeated practice to handle slopes, gaps, and sudden drops effectively. Progress comes from learning how small adjustments affect the vehicle's stability, turning each attempt into a test of timing and persistence. The journey incorporates narrative elements that unfold alongside the driving challenges, revealing Jeff's internal struggles without interrupting the flow of movement.
Seven distinct worlds provide the main structure, each introducing new environmental hazards and movement requirements. These areas build on basic navigation with added layers such as tighter spaces or altered surface properties that change how the bathtub responds. Collection elements appear throughout, including a set of soaps that encourage exploration of side paths and careful positioning. Skins for the bathtub become available as players advance, offering visual variety while the core handling stays consistent.
Game Modes
Two difficulty settings shape the overall experience. Easy Mode reduces the strictness of the physics demands, allowing more room for error and a steadier pace suited to players who want to focus on the story and exploration. Hard Mode restores the full challenge, where every miscalculation resets progress and forces a return to the start of the current section. Both options use the same seven worlds and control scheme, so the choice affects only the tolerance for mistakes rather than altering the layout or objectives.
The single-player structure keeps attention on individual improvement. There are no competitive or cooperative elements, which keeps the emphasis on personal mastery of the bathtub's movement and the gradual unfolding of Jeff's story.
Story and Themes
The narrative follows Jeff as he confronts doubts tied to his father's expectations and works toward greater self-acceptance. These themes surface through environmental storytelling and brief moments of reflection between driving sections. The bathtub itself serves as both vehicle and symbol, representing an unconventional path that Jeff must learn to navigate on his own terms. Progress through the worlds mirrors his emotional steps, with setbacks in the terrain echoing the internal obstacles described in the story.
Is It Worth Playing?
Driving is Hard suits players who enjoy deliberate, physics-driven challenges that reward patience over speed. The combination of simple inputs and demanding outcomes creates a loop where each completed section feels earned. Those drawn to indie titles that blend racing mechanics with personal storytelling will find the seven worlds and dual modes provide a focused experience without unnecessary complexity. Availability on PS5 makes it accessible for console players seeking a compact yet demanding adventure centered on one unusual vehicle and its driver's growth.
