If you've been craving a game that blends story-driven gameplay with a unique twist, Dustborn has just rolled into town, and it’s time to hitch a ride. Released today on PS5 and Xbox, this narrative adventure from the creative minds at Red Thread Games (yes, the same studio linked with Quantic Dream!) invites you on a wild, word-powered road trip across a fractured America.

Ragtag Crew and a Road Less Traveled

Dustborn is not your typical road trip. Imagine a world where words aren't just for conversation - they're weapons. You’ll join a motley crew of outcasts, each with quirks, talents, and emotional baggage, as they journey across the Divided States of America. With your trusty tour bus and a robot driver at the helm, you’ll be navigating a landscape as unpredictable as it is beautiful.

Words with Power—Literally

In Dustborn, words aren’t just for banter; they’re tools of persuasion, manipulation, and even combat. The game introduces the concept of Vox, a powerful linguistic arsenal that lets you craft new Shouts to sway conversations, avoid conflict, or even create it when necessary. Whether you’re calming a heated argument or shouting down an adversary, how you use your words will shape your relationships and your journey.

An Unforgettable Journey Across America

Your journey will take you to iconic locations in an alternate-history America, rendered in stunning graphic-novel-inspired art. The colourful 2D illustrations brought to life in 3D create a vibrant, immersive world where every stop on your road trip offers something new—a challenge, a story, or a moral choice that could change everything. Along the way, you’ll meet a colourful cast of characters, each with their own stories to tell and secrets to uncover.

A Crew as Diverse as the Landscape

Your crew in Dustborn is your found family—a group of misfits with unique powers and even more unique personalities. Managing these relationships is key to your success. The branching dialogues and choices you make will not only affect how your crew members feel about each other but could also change the course of your journey. As you explore, investigate, and interact with the world, you’ll find yourself forming bonds that are just as crucial as the road ahead.

Gameplay That Keeps You on Your Toes

Dustborn offers a variety of gameplay experiences as varied as the landscape itself. Whether you’re exploring new locations, overcoming challenges with your crew, or crafting new Shouts and Vox, there’s always something new to do. And let’s not forget the more action-packed moments—like tossing Molotov cocktails from a motorbike or taking down helicopters with a baseball bat. It’s all part of the everyday life on the road in Dustborn.

Our Verdict: A Road Trip Worth Taking

We’ve given Dustborn a solid 3/5 “Itemdrop Recommends” rating. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a game in this genre—good, engaging, and ticking all the right boxes. It may not be perfect, but it delivers an experience that’s well worth your time, especially if you’re a fan of narrative-driven adventures like those from Quantic Dream.

Whether you’re in it for the story, the characters, or just the sheer joy of a road trip through a beautifully stylised America, Dustborn offers something for everyone. It’s in stock now at Itemdrop, so why not pick up your copy and see where the road takes you?

Hit the road and let your words do the talking—Dustborn is out now on PS5 & Xbox!

Itemdrop Recommends: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) Exactly what you would expect. Good Game that should tick all the boxes. Where most games sit. 50-60% games have 3 stars.