DRIV3R

"Good game worth purchase (not = to GTA3 though, more like Getaway, True Crime)"

OKAY. I have had this game for 24 hours now (got it early at a stupid department store) and hear is my quick review for those thinking of buying the game.

Is it as good as Vice City? NO.
Is it as good as GTA3? NO.
Is it better than the Getaway? Yes.

I am a big fan of these sorts of games (Who isn't) and have to say that Driv3r is a good game with 70% driving and 30% walking. The driving parts are great. Cars are fast with no handbrake but automatically slide to turn corners, which makes driving great. Only played about 7 missions but they are varied eg. chases, following, hold-ups etc. IGN said the walking part sucks (Which it does compared to VC) but on its own and after a few minutes it becomes natural. I think IGN are too hard on some games). Yes there are glitches but nothing too big. Cars can take heaps of damage and finally just don't go. Enemy AI isn't too bad on foot but this is the big problem I have with the game and why it doesn't score higher. THE COPS!!! An integral part of urban destruction games but apart from the initial cops that rock up after you when you commit a crime and a few more, they are just not a problem or even dangerous.

Scenario example: I was driving along, stopped and got out, pulled out my gun and shot a few civi's. A cop saw me (I suppose) and I shot that cop and a cop car rocked up and I shot them too. (Now my felony meter is at maximum) 2 more cop cars arrive and I shot both of them and another arrived on foot (shot him) Then there are no cops left in the area and NO MORE COME!!!!!! Unless the unlikely event that a patrol comes past and sees you but you can just kill them. No helicopters, no swat vans, no FBI cars nothing!!!!!!!! So you felony meter is at full (and doesn't go down) but it doesn't matter as you can just kill the cops is one is near you. Cops are aggressive drivers but you can burn off and they rarely catch you.

Presentation 9/10
Presentation is great. Menus, FMV, music etc. All top notch. The FMV are a bit dark but not too bad. You get the option to view all FMV when you want, a trailer to Terminator 3 and there is even a 1 level demo of "TRANSFORMERS"(Not bad). There is even a making of film (I started to watch but it showed stuff I hadn't seen yet so I turned it off.)
Additionally there is a replay film director mode where it records your mission for about 4 minutes and you can rewatch it. It's great you can add effects, place cameras etc. It even records the walking bits for total shot out action!! There are other games modes too: Free ride and racing also.

Graphics 7.5/10
Good. Car models are good and out of car is good but not unreal. Reflections off other cars etc.. is great. Yes you can ride motorcycles.

Sound 9/10
Quite good. Guns sound loud and real, voices are great. Music sucks and is completely forgettable but effects are good.

Overall 8/10
Is an enjoyable game and a definite buy (even with it's faults). The game and extras are worth it and you would rob yourself of the experience if hired for 1 day. Not GTA but not bad. Get it now!!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/24/04