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This thread has been linked to the game 'Driv3r'.
Got this this morning from Special Reserve, who kindly sent it out early.
It's not the flawless, revolutionary title that I was hoping for but it's certainly not a disappointment. The car physics are wonderful - the Take A Ride mode really is a joy. Motorbikes have been implemented better than in GTA, and I've also got behind the wheel of a nifty "Cigarette" boat. Level design is absolutely superb - everything's interactive, and there are ramps, rooftoops, etc.
The on foot dynamics aren't quite as good. The aiming is a nice touch once you get used to it, and a welcome change from the lock on system in GTA. There's also a competent selection of weapons, from what I've seen, making the combat a fairly decent aspect, although there's no hand-to-hand stuff. However, the lack of a climb button really is a disappointment and jumping only takes you about a foot off the ground. This means falling in the sea can often mean you'll have to restart - you can swim (albeit slowly), but getting out requires a ladder, steps or gradual slope. Rolling is slow and mechanical.
The Undercover mode (the main story) is beautifully cinematic, atmospheric and well acted. The majority of the missions are superbly varied and great fun, but a minority require a little more perfection than is enjoyable and the on-foot orientated missions aren't as good. But they've stayed true to what they do so excellently, and it's primarily and majoritorily a driving game. On first impressions it's a little more linear than promised, but I'm not too far in and therefore expect it to open up a bit once the main storyline kicks in.
Graphics are a mixed bag. FMVs are, of course wonderful, but in game it varies shockingly. The draw distance on static scenery, for example buildings and trees, etc, is superb - but for cars and people, pop-up is just as bad as it was in Vice City. This you can overlook, however, as the buildings and vehicles are modelled beautifully. In fact, the graphics really are rather impressive, except that in some instances they can fall back to near PSOne standard. Anyone with the game looking for an example should take a look at the cut-scene just before you enter the firing range on the first mission.
I've already rambled on for more than I was intending, so I'll just quickly mention that director mode is in-depth and excellent, and the police/enemy AI is vastly improved and pretty decent. All in all, recommended and worthwhile. Not quite as good as GTA3, but in my opinion better than Vice City.
It's not the flawless, revolutionary title that I was hoping for but it's certainly not a disappointment. The car physics are wonderful - the Take A Ride mode really is a joy. Motorbikes have been implemented better than in GTA, and I've also got behind the wheel of a nifty "Cigarette" boat. Level design is absolutely superb - everything's interactive, and there are ramps, rooftoops, etc.
The on foot dynamics aren't quite as good. The aiming is a nice touch once you get used to it, and a welcome change from the lock on system in GTA. There's also a competent selection of weapons, from what I've seen, making the combat a fairly decent aspect, although there's no hand-to-hand stuff. However, the lack of a climb button really is a disappointment and jumping only takes you about a foot off the ground. This means falling in the sea can often mean you'll have to restart - you can swim (albeit slowly), but getting out requires a ladder, steps or gradual slope. Rolling is slow and mechanical.
The Undercover mode (the main story) is beautifully cinematic, atmospheric and well acted. The majority of the missions are superbly varied and great fun, but a minority require a little more perfection than is enjoyable and the on-foot orientated missions aren't as good. But they've stayed true to what they do so excellently, and it's primarily and majoritorily a driving game. On first impressions it's a little more linear than promised, but I'm not too far in and therefore expect it to open up a bit once the main storyline kicks in.
Graphics are a mixed bag. FMVs are, of course wonderful, but in game it varies shockingly. The draw distance on static scenery, for example buildings and trees, etc, is superb - but for cars and people, pop-up is just as bad as it was in Vice City. This you can overlook, however, as the buildings and vehicles are modelled beautifully. In fact, the graphics really are rather impressive, except that in some instances they can fall back to near PSOne standard. Anyone with the game looking for an example should take a look at the cut-scene just before you enter the firing range on the first mission.
I've already rambled on for more than I was intending, so I'll just quickly mention that director mode is in-depth and excellent, and the police/enemy AI is vastly improved and pretty decent. All in all, recommended and worthwhile. Not quite as good as GTA3, but in my opinion better than Vice City.
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Got this this morning from Special Reserve, who kindly sent it out early.
It's not the flawless, revolutionary title that I was hoping for but it's certainly not a disappointment. The car physics are wonderful - the Take A Ride mode really is a joy. Motorbikes have been implemented better than in GTA, and I've also got behind the wheel of a nifty "Cigarette" boat. Level design is absolutely superb - everything's interactive, and there are ramps, rooftoops, etc.
The on foot dynamics aren't quite as good. The aiming is a nice touch once you get used to it, and a welcome change from the lock on system in GTA. There's also a competent selection of weapons, from what I've seen, making the combat a fairly decent aspect, although there's no hand-to-hand stuff. However, the lack of a climb button really is a disappointment and jumping only takes you about a foot off the ground. This means falling in the sea can often mean you'll have to restart - you can swim (albeit slowly), but getting out requires a ladder, steps or gradual slope. Rolling is slow and mechanical.
The Undercover mode (the main story) is beautifully cinematic, atmospheric and well acted. The majority of the missions are superbly varied and great fun, but a minority require a little more perfection than is enjoyable and the on-foot orientated missions aren't as good. But they've stayed true to what they do so excellently, and it's primarily and majoritorily a driving game. On first impressions it's a little more linear than promised, but I'm not too far in and therefore expect it to open up a bit once the main storyline kicks in.
Graphics are a mixed bag. FMVs are, of course wonderful, but in game it varies shockingly. The draw distance on static scenery, for example buildings and trees, etc, is superb - but for cars and people, pop-up is just as bad as it was in Vice City. This you can overlook, however, as the buildings and vehicles are modelled beautifully. In fact, the graphics really are rather impressive, except that in some instances they can fall back to near PSOne standard. Anyone with the game looking for an example should take a look at the cut-scene just before you enter the firing range on the first mission.
I've already rambled on for more than I was intending, so I'll just quickly mention that director mode is in-depth and excellent, and the police/enemy AI is vastly improved and pretty decent. All in all, recommended and worthwhile. Not quite as good as GTA3, but in my opinion better than Vice City.
It's not the flawless, revolutionary title that I was hoping for but it's certainly not a disappointment. The car physics are wonderful - the Take A Ride mode really is a joy. Motorbikes have been implemented better than in GTA, and I've also got behind the wheel of a nifty "Cigarette" boat. Level design is absolutely superb - everything's interactive, and there are ramps, rooftoops, etc.
The on foot dynamics aren't quite as good. The aiming is a nice touch once you get used to it, and a welcome change from the lock on system in GTA. There's also a competent selection of weapons, from what I've seen, making the combat a fairly decent aspect, although there's no hand-to-hand stuff. However, the lack of a climb button really is a disappointment and jumping only takes you about a foot off the ground. This means falling in the sea can often mean you'll have to restart - you can swim (albeit slowly), but getting out requires a ladder, steps or gradual slope. Rolling is slow and mechanical.
The Undercover mode (the main story) is beautifully cinematic, atmospheric and well acted. The majority of the missions are superbly varied and great fun, but a minority require a little more perfection than is enjoyable and the on-foot orientated missions aren't as good. But they've stayed true to what they do so excellently, and it's primarily and majoritorily a driving game. On first impressions it's a little more linear than promised, but I'm not too far in and therefore expect it to open up a bit once the main storyline kicks in.
Graphics are a mixed bag. FMVs are, of course wonderful, but in game it varies shockingly. The draw distance on static scenery, for example buildings and trees, etc, is superb - but for cars and people, pop-up is just as bad as it was in Vice City. This you can overlook, however, as the buildings and vehicles are modelled beautifully. In fact, the graphics really are rather impressive, except that in some instances they can fall back to near PSOne standard. Anyone with the game looking for an example should take a look at the cut-scene just before you enter the firing range on the first mission.
I've already rambled on for more than I was intending, so I'll just quickly mention that director mode is in-depth and excellent, and the police/enemy AI is vastly improved and pretty decent. All in all, recommended and worthwhile. Not quite as good as GTA3, but in my opinion better than Vice City.
AI decent...
I think they sent you the wrong game.
*Gets out of car with Uzi, runs firing, police stand in road looking at the sky*
Yes, amazing.
I think they sent you the wrong game.
*Gets out of car with Uzi, runs firing, police stand in road looking at the sky*
Yes, amazing.
The AI has to be the most hated part by every decent reviewer. How can you say it's good?
Well, you're probably right in that case, but if you just consider the driving part of the game (which is what it's really all about), it's impressive the tactics they use you close you down and what you can do to get away. It's far more intense than before, and the interaction with the landscape makes for some amazing chases - their responses and maneouveurs make for a really exciting game.
As I say, this isn't a review - merely first impressions.
Mav wrote:
> It's not the flawless, revolutionary title that I was hoping for but
> it's certainly not a disappointment.
If you're hoping for something and you donm't get that, I class it as a disppointment. Just me.
> It's not the flawless, revolutionary title that I was hoping for but
> it's certainly not a disappointment.
If you're hoping for something and you donm't get that, I class it as a disppointment. Just me.
Despite having numerous flaws, I can't help but enjoy it - meaning I'm not disappointed.
I'm really enjoying Driver. Enemy AI, whilst on-foot, is laughable though, but if you don't take the game too seriously you can overlook that, as it's still fun rolling around shooting stuff up, no matter how dumb your opponents are.
But the reason I got this game is because I wanted to create some great car chases and have brilliant car and damage physics, and that's what I got, so I am in no way dissapointed, it's everything I expected. I have literally spent hours in the freeride mode, just launching my cars off ramps to watch them be destroyed as they roll over about 10 times with parts flying all over the place.
But the game has gotten mixed reviews, some reviwers have given the game 9/10, and others have given it as low as 5/10. If you like cars and car chases, then you'll like Driver. I don't think I can put it any simpler than that.
But the reason I got this game is because I wanted to create some great car chases and have brilliant car and damage physics, and that's what I got, so I am in no way dissapointed, it's everything I expected. I have literally spent hours in the freeride mode, just launching my cars off ramps to watch them be destroyed as they roll over about 10 times with parts flying all over the place.
But the game has gotten mixed reviews, some reviwers have given the game 9/10, and others have given it as low as 5/10. If you like cars and car chases, then you'll like Driver. I don't think I can put it any simpler than that.
I think Lou Role's hit the nail on the head really.
After a bit more play, I can appreciate the fact that the AI is diabolical when on-foot (though I stand by my comment that the in-car police AI is rather good and makes for some decent chases).
You've just got to put the on-foot levels to one side and appreciate that the driving and intense chases are incredible.
After a bit more play, I can appreciate the fact that the AI is diabolical when on-foot (though I stand by my comment that the in-car police AI is rather good and makes for some decent chases).
You've just got to put the on-foot levels to one side and appreciate that the driving and intense chases are incredible.
Handling is good? It's utter crap at best, I consider myself pretty decent at driving games, but this game forces you to hate the handling, it's really unbalanced, ie you can hit the same jump in the same way at the same speed but fly in an opposite direction? Hmm..I'm giving it more time but I'm not exactly loving it.
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