Road to Guangdong | PS4 Review

September 5, 2020 Alyssa White

I am always eager to play calming, peaceful games, and Just Add Oil’s Road to Guangdong appeared to be just what I was craving at first. Taking a road trip with your grandmother? It’s a lovely concept, but the old adage “The journey is more important than the destination” doesn’t apply here. I left my experience with the game feeling both fulfilled and frustrated. It took me about three hours to complete the entire journey. Of course, mileage will vary for each player.

Family Reunion

You play as Sunny, a young woman who returns to her hometown after learning she’s just inherited her family’s restaurant. Upon arriving, her Guu Ma (grandmother) tells her she’s also inherited their old car that is affectionately named Sandy. Sandy has seen better days, to be honest. The vehicle is extremely old and needs a lot of mechanical repairs. Guu Ma asks you to take her on a road trip to visit different family members and invite them to the annual reunion.

When visiting each family member, you learn about the dilemmas they each face and you must decide the best course of action to take. You must be careful, though, because your choices dictate whether you receive a recipe for your restaurant and if the family members attend the reunion. This was my favorite aspect of the game. Each family member is charming and feels like a fully fleshed out person. Their experiences are relatable and provoke deep thought. Do you tell someone they’re actually adopted? What about saving a beloved chicken from becoming dinner? Learning more about each relative fueled me to keep playing, even when the central mechanic of the game frustrated me.

Breaking Down on the Side of the Road

What really hampers the gameplay is the fact that you constantly have to monitor Sandy the car. It runs out of petrol at a frustrating rate, and gas stations are few and far between. You’re also given a set amount of money, but petrol and parts are expensive, and running out of cash will end your journey. I was constantly stressed traveling between destinations due to having to drive at less than forty miles per hour so the car wouldn’t overheat, having to keep my eyes on the petrol and oil levels, and making sure the engine, air filter, and fan belt were in working order. This broke the sense of calm that I experienced with my relatives, and proved to be more of a headache than anything else. The driving is smooth and accessible, though, and the colorful visuals helped tamp down the anxiety I felt.

The Final Stop

Road to Guangdong has honorable intentions, but is hamstrung by frustrating mechanics. Meeting and getting to know my relatives was touching and fascinating, but the constant care Sandy required took me out of the road trip mindset. The visuals and music allow you to relax a bit while driving, but don’t completely remove the stress of constantly monitoring your vehicle. The concept is intriguing, but the execution didn’t fully pay off.

This review is based on a PS4 copy of Road to Guangdong provided by Press Engine for coverage purposes. It is also available on PC, Switch, and Xbox One.