[3] The game is set in mid-to-late 1996 within the fictional nation of Petria, an authoritarian country ruled by a dictatorship undergoing a potentially transformative election season.

The game's campaign has the player assume the role of several teenage hitchhikers attempting to flee the authoritarian nation of Petria without being arrested or killed.

Each crossing attempt advances the overarching story arc of the campaign, culminating in a finale set on September 9, Petria's election day.

[7] The player travels to Petria's northern border by hitchhiking, walking, taking buses, hailing taxis, and stealing cars.

The player manages an energy meter which is depleted by performing certain major actions, and can be restored by eating food or sleeping at designated spots.

The player is allowed to make choices which influence the main story arc regarding the current election and the lives of the characters they encounter.

[18][19][20][21] Alice Bell writing for Rock Paper Shotgun commented that it was a "great journey to go on", but did not think the game was a particularly good representation of crossing the border or being homeless.

[36] Nintendo World Report's Joe Devader found the game to be enjoyable overall, though with certain technical flaws that detract from the experience.