One
could argue that fans of the Driver series have had something of a
roller coaster ride over the last 13 years. From the ground breaking
highs and critical acclaim received for the first Driver instalment
on PS1, to the embarrassing and broken mess that was 'driv3rgate',
via the opinion splitting Driver 2 and the entirely forgettable
Driver: Parallel lines. It's fair to say, that ardent fans of Driver
games are true fans indeed. It's been a while since the series'
enthusiasts have had a chance to grab central protagonist 'Tanner' by
the shoulders and in recent years you could be forgiven for having
had your head turned. After all, the variety and quality of racing
games available across the current-gen formats is surely more
impressive and expansive than ever.
So
when Ubisoft announced that they would be wading back into the murky
water of Driver's lineage by taking it back to where it (partly) all
began it's fair to say that, not unlike San Francisco weather, the
reception was slightly foggy.
You
play as detective John Tanner, covering San Francisco's slanted
gradient. Arch nemesis (and old foe) 'Jericho' is behind bars but
he's not sticking around. An elaborate prison break, with the help of
a few friends means that San Francisco's streets are going to need
saving once again. Jericho, it emerges, has his sights set firmly on
turning the inhabitants of the bay area into toast, if he is afforded
the chance.
It's
eminently clear from the outset that Driver presents itself well. The
cut scenes are delicious to look at, even though a rocket-propelled
grenade from a news helicopter to engineer the afore mentioned prison
break is a little far fetched. It doesn't matter though, the
rhythmic, energetic yet soulful soundtrack steers you coolly into the
rustic, grainy San Francisco Bay area.
There
are few flaws here. FMV sequences and in-game play interchange like
snow on ice and the learning curve is just as smooth. After a chaotic
opening, we burn rubber hand in hand with John Tanner, learning the
tools of his trade, with a few welcome surprises. Driver is keen to
engage your nostalgia, which is no bad thing, we should be glad to
come back to San Francisco after so long away. The City is bustling
as always and its peaks and troughs make for a pleasant back drop.
Driver does a great job of reminding you that it is
still Driver but is just as quick to pull rabbits out of it's hat.
Driver:
San Francisco, unlike any of it's predecessors, allows you to jump
from car to car with just a quick button combo. Pressing 'a' (360) or
'x' (PS3) will fly you free from your motorised shackles and float
your view high above the sprawling metropolis. Pointing the left
analogue and re applying said button will bullet you into an adjacent
vehicle of your choosing. As events unfold further, you're required
to make better use of John's new found abilities by exploiting higher
heights, jumping you streets, rather than feet away. The theme grows
with the game, by the time the story reaches it's hyperactive peak,
you'll be able to negotiate the entire bay area in seconds from mile
high club altitudes.
Behind
the wheel there's plenty more neat new features, pushing up the left
analogue will give you a speed boost and holding down the left
modifier will charge a ramming meter, designed to take out your
nearest nemeses. These skills can all be upgraded by completing
missions, whether central to the story or sub missions. Generally
they are non-essential but hugely beneficial, not only will they
unlock new vehicles but they grant access to further upgrades to your
new found skills. You can also fund your purchases through in game
currency. Every near miss, drift or completed mission will fatten up
your bankroll, the top right hand corner of the screen tracks your
cash clock and there's no upper limit.
It's
one of the many great incentives Driver provides you to just keep
playing. As one mission ends, you're left floating above the city
with San Francisco as your oyster. To scroll to the next story based
mission across the landscape can be laboured at times but, oddly,
this serves the experience well. More often than not, you'll find
yourself sidetracked from the main event to waste a few minutes
nailing a cheeky jump or burning off the local constabulary.
The
map is dotted with assorted blue icons wherever you look. It feels as
though, if a detour to take you away from the central plot thread was
needed, one can be found effortlessly. There are challenging missions
aplenty, it's not to say Driver: SF is an easy game but if it's ever
getting too much you can change up your experience with a quick
handbrake turn and speed boost down another street.
Driver:
San Francisco's game modes are truly expansive; chases and mass
chases, involving running from the Feds. Dare, encouraging completion
of high speed challenges or jumps. Races, from point to point, via a
set path or through your own chosen route, as well as 'shift races'
where you command the destiny of two vehicles alternately, with a
view to finishing first and second in your given race.
There
are unlockable 'movie challenges' too. These are a gem in an already
glowing game, collecting ten movie icons, dotted around the map at
random, will unlock a specific challenge. Upon entering this mode,
all mod cons are removed and it's time to get old school. Everything
is strictly 'Seventies' from the car you drive to the boys in blue
that chase you in their nostalgic, periodically accurate fuzzmobiles.
The funky 70's backing music and the faux film grain on screen are
lovely, but stripping away the frenetic car hopping and speed
boosting does just as much to tip it's hat in acknowledgement of
where Driver began. Scores are logged instantly with online leader
boards in what proves a nice bridge for the reluctant on-liner.
Driver:
SF is so well presented it hurts, every car we drive is fully
licensed and there is no generic handling model present. Every car
has it's own way of behaving while not being so niche that the more
arcade oriented elements , such as boosting, ever feel misplaced. An
Aston Martin DB9, for example, will feel no more relevant than it's
rustic sibling the DB5, it may handle better and feel a touch
speedier though.
We
are treated to flashy cut-scenes too. At intermittent points
throughout, Driver: SF will throw stylish '24' style recaps of key
character and plot developments, set to yet another slick seventies
groove.
The
story recaps are very well done indeed. It's a shame though that the
story is such a bizarre and convoluted affair. Post prison break,
Tanner's world is thrown into internal combustion. The off shoot for
you, faithful Driver lovers, is that we slip between fantasy and
reality in a way that makes itself apparent almost immediately but
never commits. Frustratingly, it takes John Tanner nearly the whole
game to figure out what was apparent to everyone else from the start.
To
be more fair the story is flashy, funky and fun yet delirious and
draconian. “Madman intends to gas San Francisco” was done some
time back.
Shaky
story aside, there are few reasons to gripe at an otherwise
fulfilling and challenging game. Driver: SF supports local split
screen play with a friend as well. It's the only mode that seems to
experience slight slowdown, however it should be praised for its
inclusion nonetheless. The online play in Driver: SF is another
pleasantry, a genuinely varied and enthusing selection. Trailblazer,
where we follow behind a careening vehicle while shoveling other
players out of our way. Tag, essentially an automotive capture the
flag with no bases. Jump, where we jump stuff, and you can race an
free roam too. If you find a group online you like, you won't be
booted after each race or 'best of' series. We got to hang in there
for instant shots at revenge after yet another second place finish
until we were, voluntarily, ushered back to single player amid
feelings of tedium and inadequacy.
Never
mind though, online progression is every bit as rewarding as single
player. You level up with every race or challenge you finish, and
you're rewarded with further game modes to tackle as you climb that
well greased, online leveling ladder.
Driver
is most definitely back and San Francisco is the place to be. It's
fast and ferocious yet stylised and sentimental. You should sweep
aside the brevity and insanity of the story and instead contemplate
the sheer scale of the awaiting world. Hours of replay value lie
ahead with a wide range of licensed vehicles and upgradable abilities
that cast you on asphalt streets, extensive as you dare to make them.
Driver: SF is a faithful, gas guzzling, nostalgic cruise that should
be experienced by fans both old and new.
Mecha
Score: 8.2
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