Your Favorite Spooky Road Trip Just Got a Lot Spookier
In a move that has the gaming community buzzing, Ironwood Studios just pulled off the perfect pre-Halloween surprise. ‘Whispers in the Woods,’ the first major expansion for the breakout driving survival hit ‘Pacific Drive,’ was just shadow-dropped during the Galaxies Showcase. But the surprises didn’t stop there. Alongside the DLC’s immediate release on PC and PlayStation 5, the base game made its long-awaited and unannounced debut on Xbox Series X|S, launching directly into Game Pass.
For fans of the original’s unique blend of scrappy car maintenance and tense, anomaly-filled exploration, this is a massive treat. And for Xbox players who have been waiting to get behind the wheel, the doors to the Olympic Exclusion Zone are finally open. It’s time to gas up the station wagon; things are about to get weird.
A Darker Drive into the ‘Whispers in the Woods’
‘Whispers in the Woods’ isn’t just more of the same; it’s a significant expansion that leans heavily into the horror elements that made the base game so unnerving. This new narrative arc, which adds a substantial 8 to 12 hours of gameplay, takes players to a previously unexplored region of the Zone where a sinister, anomaly-obsessed cult resides. Creative Director Cassandra Dracott noted that the team heard how much fans loved the fear factor of the original, and with this expansion, they wanted to “lean hard in that direction.”
The new area is filled with creepy, candle-lit shrines, strange symbols, and massive effigies, creating a far more chilling atmosphere. The main new gameplay mechanic revolves around ‘Artifacts’ – mysterious objects that you can carry in your car to provide powerful effects that are “instrumental to your survival.” However, these artifacts also introduce new dangers, making your journey through the woods even more perilous. This expansion is designed to be accessible to both new and old players, unlocking after the first few hours of the main campaign.
Welcome to the Zone, Xbox Players!
The biggest surprise of the announcement was the immediate availability of the base ‘Pacific Drive’ game on Xbox Series X|S. Even better, it launched directly onto Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Ultimate, giving millions of subscribers instant access to one of 2024’s most unique indie hits. It’s a huge win for the platform and for players who have been eager to see what all the fuss is about.
It’s important to note the specifics of the release:
| Platform | Content Availability |
|---|---|
| Xbox (Game Pass) | The base ‘Pacific Drive’ game is included with your subscription. |
| All Platforms (PC, PS5, Xbox) | The ‘Whispers in the Woods’ expansion is available as a separate purchase for $14.99 / £12.49. |
A Perfect Reason to Get Back Behind the Wheel
For players who have already completed their journey through the Olympic Exclusion Zone, ‘Whispers in the Woods’ is a compelling reason to fire up the old station wagon. The new horror-focused story, the risk-reward system of the Artifacts, and the challenge of new anomalies promise a fresh and terrifying experience. The community has always praised the game’s core loop of tense scavenging runs followed by the cozy, cathartic process of repairing and upgrading your car in the garage. This expansion adds a whole new, creepy layer to that beloved formula.
With new car components to unlock and new decorations to personalize your garage, this DLC offers a complete and substantial package for fans who have been hungry for more.
Conclusion
The surprise launch of ‘Pacific Drive: Whispers in the Woods’ and its simultaneous debut on Xbox and Game Pass is a masterstroke by Ironwood Studios. It rewards the existing community with substantial new content just in time for Halloween and opens the door for a massive new audience to discover one of the most original survival games in recent memory. Whether you’re a seasoned ‘breacher’ or a rookie just getting your driver’s license, the Zone is calling, and it’s never been more dangerously alluring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pacific Drive: Whispers in the Woods?
It is the first major narrative expansion for the driving survival game ‘Pacific Drive.’ It adds a new 8-12 hour horror-themed story, a new region of the map, new gameplay mechanics, and new anomalies.
When did the DLC and Xbox version release?
They were both surprise-released on October 23, 2025.
Is Pacific Drive on Game Pass?
Yes, the base game of ‘Pacific Drive’ is now available on Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Game Pass Ultimate. The ‘Whispers in the Woods’ expansion must be purchased separately.
How much does the Whispers in the Woods DLC cost?
The expansion is available for $14.99 / £12.49 / €14.99 on all platforms.
What new gameplay features are in the DLC?
The main new feature is the ‘Artifacts’ system, where players find and equip mysterious objects that provide powerful effects but also introduce new dangers, adding a new layer of risk and reward to every run.
Can I play the DLC if I haven’t finished the main game?
Yes, the ‘Whispers in the Woods’ content becomes available after the first few hours of the main campaign and can be pursued alongside it.