Driver: Parallel Lines

"I've been driving since I was a Wii lad"

As you walk down the spunky streets of New York City, circa 1978, amidst all the radiant neon signs and pulsating beats of David Bowie and his contemporaries, you notice a pristine San Marino Spyder sitting parked up by the curb surrounding the local precinct. Stealing it would not only be morally wrong, but for the average Joe it'd be a ticket to the jail cells. But you're no model citizen. You're ‘The Kid', a country boy looking to make it big in the Big Apple itself, and you've got an extraordinary knack for handling anything that runs on a few wheels and a tank of gasoline. It goes without saying that moments later the serenity of a glowing Sunday morning is shattered by a harsh wail of sirens and the screeching sound of burning rubber on asphalt.

Spoken for truth: when the going gets tough, the tough get going in souped-up automobiles customised to a T.

Driver: Parallel Lines is the 4th instalment of a series that has been dragging its feet ever since its surprisingly successful debut. This time however, things have changed back to the way they were before. Instead of attempting to emulate a certain grand theft, unadulterated driving is given the utmost precedence and as a result, riding in any of the many vehicles that may be bought or ‘borrowed' feels pretty damn good. In this Wii-specific version, motion-sensitive controls for the E-brake turns and full 360s work brilliantly and it's all very natural.

So how exactly do you make it big by driving? There are a number of ways, but ‘The Kid' (TK for short) decides to ditch the typical vigilante slant and take the short-cut offered via smooth criminal activities. This involves everything from boy-racing for petty cash, to ‘trading-in' your current vehicle for a flashier set of wheels, and of course some thrilling chases that rival the likes of those intense sequences found in The Italian Job and The Bourne Supremacy.

Your holder may ask you to perform a hit now and again, may it be a two-timing scumbag or his numerous bodyguards. In such instances, mad driving skills alone just isn't enough. Good thing then that TK is well-versed in the art of spitting shrapnel; handguns, shotguns, even RPGs are easily obtainable in this virtual sandbox. Shoot-outs do not play a major role as its brother from another mother (ie. Grand Theft Auto), but what's here is of a similar standard with respect to the set-ups, controls and extreme gung-ho. There is one aspect in particular, though, that really takes the cake: drive-by shooting. It couldn't be made any easier than steering with the nunchuk attachment with one hand, whilst taking pot-shots at any moving human or vehicular targets with the Wii-mote held securely in the other.

You're going to be very thankful that the controls are as tight as they are. Throughout the 32 main missions and numerous side missions there isn't much room for error. In a densely populated city home to a many sweet rides (all illegitimately yours at the press of a button), careless driving will lead to some spectacular crashes drawn out with some impressive slo-mo effects, but at the same time putting you out of action, period. Unfortunately, the controls can be a bit of a hit-and-miss at times and some gamers may find it difficult and confusing to get around the mapping provided (which cannot be changed). On foot, it is admittedly a bit shaky with the Wii-mote pointer directing the camera, and overall, this not the best work that the Wii is capable of as evidenced by other similar crime dramas such as Scarface.

Nit-picks and unavoidable comparisons aside, the latest Driver is a solid, albeit relatively linear cruise. It begins rather humbly, but a plot-twist midway through the game changes the outlook both audio-visually and mission-wise; although the story takes a turn for the worst (in the best way possible), the essence of driving is torqued up by a couple of notches. This is a fine return to form for the Driver franchise, but it may just be a bit too little, too late, especially with the behemoth that is Grand Theft Auto IV just a hairpin turn away. However, if you're a Wii owner willing to give this old-timer another shot, a spanking front-seat in a classic San Marino Spyder awaits one reckless driver.

GCNZ - September 2007

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 08/01/07, Updated 11/05/07

Game Release: Driver: Parallel Lines (AU, 06/28/07)