The levels and play of Driver involve things like making getaways, doing drops, and smashing up the competition. There are a large variety of missions and the levels are huge and detailed, filled with little niches and garages you can hide in while the cops are looking for you. Upon completing a level you are often rewarded with a little video sequence to spice things up. Unfortunately, the game gets dull because most of what you're really doing is just driving from point A to point B as fast as possible without getting mauled by the cops. Driver cries out for two things, stunt tracks and multi-player, two things it sadly does not have? "What?!" you say, "No multi-player?" It's sad but true. Driver has no multi-player. It may be added later as a patch, but the shipping version is a one-man game.
The graphics are excellent, certainly a cut above Midtown Madness. The streets are filled with cones, traffic meters, barrels, boxes, and of course cars, which you can crash into or through. All the little details really make Driver stand out. Reflections play constantly off your car's surface, and unlike most games, they actually look realistic. There is a price though for all the eye-candy. We suggest you have a Voodoo3 or faster video card and a Celeron 450 or faster, otherwise you will be playing at 640x480 with most of the details at their lowest settings.
The sound of Driver is just right. The sirens, engine roar, crashes, and all that are stock and fit the game perfectly. The voice talent feels straight out of Cleopatra Jones. And then there's the music, oh yes, the music. Driver has funky groovalicious 70's style instrumentals that magically transport you into dark smoke-filled private rooms in the back of bars where hairy sweaty men in undershirts sit and discuss business over games of poker. Nothing more needs to be said.
Perfect arcade feel, excellent graphics and wonderful sound make Driver a very attractive game. While there are a variety of missions to play, lack of depth and no multi-player mar what could have been a classic. Driver is fun and if you're looking for a fun no brainer single-player driving game you should pick it up. It's better than Midtown Madness in most respects. However, if you're looking for a driving game to play with your friends or a one that you can't put down, Driver is not it. Driver is an excellent start, but feels incomplete. If there's a sequel to Driver it just might become the classic Driver should have been.
Jon Simon
Assistant Editor