Road Trip to the End of the World

About Road Trip to the End of the World

Road Trip to the End of the World is a character-driven visual novel from Shark and Pelican Games. Set in a quirky, semi-autobiographical universe, it follows Andy Min and her imaginary friend Fishy as they start on a chaotic cross-country road trip. The story centers on Andy’s fallout with her ex-best friend and the emotional reckoning that comes with confronting past relationships. Released in 2025, it’s built for PC and features a single-player narrative focused on dialogue choices and emotional beats. The game leans into slice-of-life absurdity, blending humor and melancholy as it explores themes of friendship, regret, and self-acceptance. Think of it as a text-heavy journey where every decision shapes how, and if, you reach the end.

Gameplay

The core loop revolves around reading dialogue, selecting branching responses, and navigating conversations that determine the story’s direction. Andy and Fishy’s interactions with other characters, like quirky roadside strangers or Andy’s conflicted ex-friend, branch into multiple outcomes. Players spend most sessions sifting through snappy, often darkly comedic dialogue while managing Fishy’s unpredictable antics. Mini-games pop up occasionally, like a cringey burger-flipping challenge or a chaotic gas station scene. The story is split into chapters, each ending with a decision point that subtly shifts the relationship dynamics. Controls are minimal, relying on mouse clicks or keyboard navigation. The game’s strength lies in its pacing: slow-burn tension builds toward a climactic wedding confrontation, where earlier choices determine whether the ending is cathartic or bitterly unresolved.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate it 4.3/5, with 65% completing the main story and 32% unlocking all endings. Average playtime is 8.2 hours, though some sessions stretch to 15+ with full branching. Community moods are split between "nostalgic" (48%) and "frustrated" (22%), with complaints about ambiguous choice impacts. Critics praise the writing, calling it "a raw, relatable dissection of adult friendships" (GameSpot, 8.5/10). One user review: "The Fishy character is either genius or grating, depending on your day." Achievements include "Burger King of Regret" (eating 10 burgers) and "Tearful Exit" (achieving the game’s saddest ending).

PlayPile's Take

It’s a $19.99 gamble for fans of emotionally messy stories. The game shines when you crave a slow, text-heavy journey with moral ambiguity. Achievements add replayability, but the price feels steep for an 8-hour experience. Skip if you prefer action or instant gratification. For those okay with imperfect characters and bittersweet conclusions, it’s a worthwhile trip. The ending might not fix your real-life friendships, but it’ll make you question your own.

Storyline

Andy Min is having the worst summer: on top of dropping out of med school, she’s been uninvited from her ex-best friend’s wedding. Join her and her imaginary friend Fishy on a cross-country drive to eat burgers, crash a wedding, and perhaps even find closure.