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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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Never mind, I've just found a load of cheats, so I can just unlock all the cars, weapons and be invincible. Wooh.
:@)
:@)
Has anyone found the fork-lift truck yet? I so want to try that out but I have no idea where it is.
The handling isn't supposed to be realistic, it's supposed to be cinematic. But I hate the pick-ups with the raised suspension though, they tip over far too easily.
LOL..that bike clip makes me laugh..but I can't help but feel that the handling is a bit crap at times..even the slightest nudge makes you do a 360? hardly realistic..also the AI really does suck balls, I love the bikes though, they do rock muchy.
Don't get me wrong I really want to like Driver 3, my girlfriend loves the Driver series but we are both sorely disappointed by how it's turned out.
Don't get me wrong I really want to like Driver 3, my girlfriend loves the Driver series but we are both sorely disappointed by how it's turned out.
sPiKeCaSt wrote:
> 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?
Different cars have different attributes; the handling on each takes getting used to - and if your Xbox Live movie is anything to go by, you haven't exactly gotten to grips with the feel of the motorbike either! :-)
If you flew in an opposite direction, you obviously didn't hit the ramp in exactly the same way, as the car physics are nigh on perfect. The handling is brilliant, in my opinion - easy to use at first, but with enough depth to master.
I also strongly suggest you spend some more time with the directing section - it's really great fun and very creative. Check out mine on Xbox Live if you have the time :D.
> 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?
Different cars have different attributes; the handling on each takes getting used to - and if your Xbox Live movie is anything to go by, you haven't exactly gotten to grips with the feel of the motorbike either! :-)
If you flew in an opposite direction, you obviously didn't hit the ramp in exactly the same way, as the car physics are nigh on perfect. The handling is brilliant, in my opinion - easy to use at first, but with enough depth to master.
I also strongly suggest you spend some more time with the directing section - it's really great fun and very creative. Check out mine on Xbox Live if you have the time :D.
I feel the same as Mav, I know it's not brilliant but I enjoy it, and that's enough for me, it is nowhere near like the disapointment of The Getaway and True Crime.
Though I find it suspect how, out of all the Future Publishing magazines, only ONE got a review (PSM2) before the game was released...I suspect bribery.
Though I find it suspect how, out of all the Future Publishing magazines, only ONE got a review (PSM2) before the game was released...I suspect bribery.
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.
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.
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.
Despite having numerous flaws, I can't help but enjoy it - meaning I'm not disappointed.
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