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Driver: Parallel Lines is the next installment of Atari's legendary franchise action driving game. As the only game that offers an open, fast-paced driving action-movie experience, Driver: Parallel Lines features an unfolding storyline of double crossing and revenge. Set in a photorealistic interpretation of New York City, players take on the role of a notorious 18 year old who, free from conscience and rules, is the most sought after driver-for-hire in town. Get down and dirty in cars of all kinds. Modify and juice up cars before engaging in Hollywood-style car chases. Features over 40 diverse missions, online multiplayer options, realistic driving physics, and a brand new story with an unforeseen twist. [Atari]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 86
Official Xbox Magazine UK
A genuine and triumphant return to form for the Driver series, and even shows the mighty Grand Theft Auto franchise a few cool new tricks along the way. [April 2006, p.65]
83
Game Chronicles
A significant step in the right direction and almost enough to make me forget about the wasted hours I spend on "Driver 3."
 82
Game Over Online
The story isn’t much, but the game itself is always fun to play - providing a strong, but fair challenge as you progress, while delivering the most thrilling car chases in gaming.
80
MS Xbox World
Sure there aren’t as many options as in "GTA: SA" but then again Parallel Lines offers more depth to the actual driving and escaping cops.
78
Pelit (Finland)
A game that tries to be every major street driving game you can imagine. At the end of the day, Driver: Parallel Lines feels a bit dated and jaded. Some fun car chases and over-the-roof-top racing, though. And yes, good music. [Apr 2006]
77
Electronic Gaming Monthly
But it can't match San Andreas' scope, and as good as the game is, I found myself treading between boredom and frustration more than I'd like.
77
Team Xbox
Something this title achieves that other “sandbox” style games tend to put on the backburner is a great story, which actually had us caring about characters and seeing their plights played out on screen.
75
Entertainment Weekly
The game is actually better to listen to than play, but the point still is: Don't come a knockin' if this game is rockin'.
74
Xbox World Australia
It just doesn't have that unique style or irreverent humour of GTA. It's a driving game, first and foremost, which has stepped somewhat tentatively into a much larger gaming pool.
74
Kombo
It gets the series back on track, but its lousy on-foot controls and AI restrictions really kill a lot of the major fun factor.
73
Jolt Online Gaming UK
Parallel Lines at least shows that the studio is on the right track.
72
IGN
The improved out-of-car experience, better gun handling, added driving-and-shooting mechanic, and the slew of changes all culminate in this being a much better outing that "Driver 3."
72
Cheat Code Central
It could piss off fans of both Driver and GTA due to the unoriginal gameplay and shift in direction but there's no reason the average gamer can't have a ball with this game.
70
Pro-G
The good driving mechanic and excellent presentation found in Parallel Lines are only let down by some rather mundane missions.
70
Edge Magazine
Driver has escaped near-death with a captivating and colourful return, and one where everything from systems to cinematics is of a quality build. As surprises go, it’s a juggernaut. [Apr 2006, p.84]
70
Yahoo! Games
With a dash of humor and inspiration -- the two things Parallel Lines desperately needs -- this might have been a minor classic. Instead, it merely shows that attention to detail is nothing without a flash of life to drive the effort.
70
GamerFeed
Taking place in two entirely different eras, the 1970s and 2006, Parallel Lines bleeds style, but the most important aspect, the gameplay, is actually fun.
70
Games Radar
While Parallel Lines is a decent offering, it feels very much like a watered-down Grand Theft Auto, with a more linear storyline and fewer random fun things to do outside of missions.
70
Official Xbox Magazine
Parallel Lines is an impressive overhaul and creative recovery for a series that had hit its nadir. [May 2006, p.77]
68
Game Informer
Aside from the obvious problems, the real problem is that nearly every part of the now-aged Driver formula has been done better elsewhere. [May 2006, p.98]
68
Talk Xbox
The story is interesting to some degree and the main missions are intriguing, but the rest of the game is a let down.
65
Gaming Target
Sure, the driving is fun but the twitchy handling, tough repetitive missions (especially the poor shooting sequences), generic sidequests and flaky police AI all conspire to reduce the fun level.
65
GameSpot
Driver: Parallel Lines is a mostly competent GTA clone, but the dull storyline and remedial gameplay prevent it from being recommendable.
60
1UP
The difference between Parallel Lines and "DRIV3R" is that while the previous game was a pretty half-assed "GTA" clone, Parallel Lines is more like a three-quarters-assed "GTA" clone. Maybe even four-fifths-assed.
60
games(TM)
Parallel Lines is a stylish game; everything from the cut-scenes and dialogue to the excellent soundtrack has been constructed meticulously to produce an almost Tarantino simulacrum of 1970s Americana. [Apr 2006, p.108]
60
GameSpy
Where "GTA" used humor, masses of distractions, OTT violence, and a giant game world with a real sense of space and depth to mask the unimpressive visuals, Driver is the opposite, using an impressive physics engine and city to hide repetitive and languid gameplay that's becoming increasingly difficult to enthuse about.
60
Sydney Morning Herald
Pity the game lacks GTA's mischievous sense of humour and fun distractions.
60
Computer Games Magazine
Parallel Lines proves that effective story-telling sometimes makes up for mediocre gameplay. [July 2006, p.87]
60
DarkStation
The once celebrated Driver series seeks to return to glory with a fantastic recreation of the 70's Big Apple, but is marred by the severally limited on-foot missions.
60
G4 TV
How badly do you want to play another GTA rip-off? Driver: Parallel Lines is better than most, but it still can't hold a candle to Rockstar's flagship series.
50
Gaming Age
I get the impression that far too much effort was put into locking up a great soundtrack.
Andrew V. gave it an8: Jonathon D. gave it a9: |
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