Pacific Drive Races onto Xbox Game Pass, Drops Surprise Expansion ‘Whispers in the Woods’

Pacific Drive isn’t just cruising onto Xbox; it’s hitting Game Pass in style, with a brand-new expansion, “Whispers in the Woods,” pulling into the station at the same time. If you’ve missed the road trip that critics can’t stop talking about, this is your signal to buckle up.

The base game is now part of Xbox Game Pass for subscribers across Ultimate, Premium, and PC tiers. The expansion, however, is a separate pit stop, priced at £12.49 / €14.99 / $14.99 across Xbox, PS5, and PC. That’s not a bundle deal, but if you’re in it for the drive, it’s hard to resist a fresh map and more dangers lurking in the woods.

Expansion Adds New Map Region, Storyline, and Anomalies

“Whispers in the Woods” isn’t just a quick tune-up. It’s a full tank of new content: a fresh narrative arc, a brand new region to explore, extra anomalies waiting to be discovered, and weird artefacts peppered throughout. Pacific Drive thrives on its sense of mysterious adventure, and the expansion promises more of what makes the game magic, just don’t expect the woods to show any mercy.

The expansion’s arrival was officially revealed during the Galaxies Showcase, complete with a moody release trailer. That same-day surprise launch is a rare treat for players hungry for something new, and for Xbox fans, it finally brings parity with PS5 and PC, where Pacific Drive first rolled out in February 2024.

According to Kepler Interactive, those eerie new environments aren’t just for show. The Pacific Northwest in Pacific Drive is notorious for its unpredictable physics, sinister atmosphere, and the constant feeling that the landscape is as likely to chew you up as help you escape. The “Whispers in the Woods” expansion turns that dial even higher.

Indie Hit Finds a Wider Audience, and Critical Praise

Pacific Drive has already earned its place in the indie pantheon. Critics haven’t just warmed up to the strange, haunted roads; the game cracked Eurogamer’s Best Games of 2024 list, with editor Chris Tapsell describing it as “one of this year’s most unique games”, noting its “weird physics, gallows humour, masochism, and a requirement to press on regardless.” That combination is basically catnip for players who love a challenge and a little bit of existential dread behind the wheel.

Now, Game Pass subscribers can experience the tension and surprises for themselves, no extra charge for the base game. However, if you want to dive into “Whispers in the Woods,” you’ll need to pay for the ticket, even if you’re on PS5 or PC, where the expansion debuted simultaneously.

And if you’re the kind to keep tabs on Game Pass value, note that the service recently saw a price jump and a shake-up in subscription tiers, right as Xbox reported record-breaking numbers for subscription income. That means Pacific Drive’s arrival, alongside major titles like The Outer Worlds 2, Football Manager 26, and PowerWash Simulator 2 coming later this month, adds more fuel to Game Pass’s growing library in what’s now a much more competitive field.

If you live for atmospheric road trips and the thrill of narrowly escaping disaster, Pacific Drive just became impossible to ignore. Keep your eyes on the road, and don’t get lost in the woods.