Long Drive North: Co-Op RV Simulator is a new survival and driving title developed by Mindflair Games LTD and published by Excalibur Games, set to launch in Early Access on PC on November 6, 2025.
Presented as a cooperative open-world experience, Long Drive North invites players to travel aboard an RV across the desolate lands of North America, facing hunger, thirst, fatigue, and the perils of the road. After its debut during the Steam Next Fest in October 2025, the demo offered a first taste of the journey, but not exactly the one many were hoping for.
An Intriguing but Rough Idea
The concept behind Long Drive North is immediately captivating: a realistic road trip, alone or with friends, where survival intertwines with vehicle management and resource gathering. On paper, the formula is perfect for those who enjoy slow-paced, contemplative titles like The Long Drive or My Summer Car. However, from the very first minutes of the demo, several issues emerge that make the experience more frustrating than relaxing.
It’s clear that Mindflair Games LTD has ambitious ideas, but the project still needs a clearer direction: the lack of a proper tutorial or initial guidance makes it difficult to understand the core mechanics, leaving players feeling lost from the very beginning.
A Vast but Empty World
The heart of the game should be the journey: endless roads, breathtaking landscapes, and that sense of freedom only an RV in an open world can offer. Unfortunately, the demo still fails to convey all of this. Resources are scarce, the map feels barren, and the graphics, while functional, fall short of expectations.
Although Excalibur Games often focuses on immersive and niche experiences, Long Drive North still struggles to find its visual identity. The landscape feels repetitive and uninspired and for a title meant to celebrate the beauty of the journey, the visual impact is essential.
Co-op and Survival: Potential Yet to Be Unlocked
The idea of being able to share the journey with friends is undoubtedly one of the most promising aspects. The four-player co-op mode could make these on-the-road adventures more entertaining and unpredictable, even if in the demo the features still feel limited.
It’s clear that Long Drive North still needs time to mature and that the team is still building many of its core foundations. With a roadmap already announced and an engaged community, there’s no shortage of room for improvement, but the project needs more direction, more content, and more atmosphere to truly bring out its full potential.
Conclusion: A Journey Yet to Begin
The demo of Long Drive North: Co-Op RV Simulator leaves the impression of a game with a solid concept that just isn’t ready to hit the road yet. It’s missing key elements to make the experience engaging and rewarding: a clear tutorial, a more vibrant world, and a visual quality that matches the sense of adventure it promises.
Those who enjoy cooperative survival experiences might still want to keep an eye on it, but for now, it’s best to add it to your wishlist and wait for future Early Access updates, hoping that the journey improves along the way.
