Driver

 PlayStation
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 167 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 128 out of 167
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 167
  3. Negative: 10 out of 167
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Harry210
    Mar 17, 2011
    7
    Driver is a decent driving game which draws influences from classic 1960's and 70's car chase films and attempts to bring those movie car chase scenes and mimic them in this game. Reflections has done a good job with this concept with great looking 3D environments, a soundtrack that fits well in the game and sound effects that sound powerful. The games 3D environments that you can driveDriver is a decent driving game which draws influences from classic 1960's and 70's car chase films and attempts to bring those movie car chase scenes and mimic them in this game. Reflections has done a good job with this concept with great looking 3D environments, a soundtrack that fits well in the game and sound effects that sound powerful. The games 3D environments that you can drive around in were somewhat of a new thing back then and still look great. Driver was a breakthrough in 3D driving games that even the mighty Grand Theft Auto series took this concept and the 3D view and built on it, and then Grand Theft Auto 3 was born, 2 years after this game. The environments are a little empty though and some of the cities roads are very strangely designed (I mean, Los Angeles has one of the longest straights I've ever seen!) The game play is simple: It involves you driving around in a car, around a big city, avoiding traffic and the cops, and either trying to get to a destination quickly or trying to get away from the cops as safely as possible in the single player campaign mode. The game play is quite limited and it does get quite repetitive after a while as you drive to this destination, then drive to another destination, avoid this, avoid that. The handling model feels responsive, polished and allows you to skid around corners and dodge traffic. The games main missions require a flamboyant driving style and good car control as you dodge traffic and avoid charging cop cars. The cut scenes that carry the story forward are nicely animated (seems that Driver games always have good cinematic cut scenes to advance its stories). As I said earlier, the sound effects are fantastic with some great sounding car crash noises and car engine sounds. The menu music is funky to listen to and is probably the best track in Driver's soundtrack. Chases with the police helps to liven things up and the police A.I is fair for most of the time and is able to dodge the traffic instead of mindlessly smashing into them unlike in Driver 2. Sometimes when the roar of the police engine and the sound of the police sirens is just behind you, you wonder if you're going to escape them or not. Along with the single player campaign, there are a few driving games to try out. My personal favourite is the Survival mode where you try to survive for as long as possible against a rampage of cop cars with supercharged V12 engines under their bonnets (well not literally, but they do seem to have a slight speed advantage) that try to damage your car. Now this game is good but there is one problem I have to address. Police car A.I is quite fair (unlike in Driv3r) most of the time but in one particular mission, they are far too aggressive; they slam in to your car consistently if you're not careful you could find yourself getting smashed around like a pinball in a pinball machine. This mission (I'm not telling you what mission it is) that I'm talking about is one of the hardest missions I've have ever come across in a Driver game because of the brutality of the A.I. It is a huge problem which may cause you to rip your hair out. Despite this "Minor" problem, Driver is a solid driving game and the fact that it was one of the first 3D driving games, it is one game that hugely influenced the 3D Grand Theft Auto games and the sandbox genre… Expand
  2. drlowdon
    Jun 16, 2013
    6
    At a time when GTA was still in 2d Driver provided an opportunity for gamers to take to the streets in 3d. It may not have been a true open world game but the thrill of chasing and being chased around a fully formed city in vehicles that, for the time at least, handled very realistically was fantastic. A horrendous difficulty spike in the last level meant that many would never complete itAt a time when GTA was still in 2d Driver provided an opportunity for gamers to take to the streets in 3d. It may not have been a true open world game but the thrill of chasing and being chased around a fully formed city in vehicles that, for the time at least, handled very realistically was fantastic. A horrendous difficulty spike in the last level meant that many would never complete it but it remains one of the best game available on the PSone.… Expand
  3. GabePhoenix
    Mar 7, 2022
    5
    Let me start by saying how great the physics for this game are, and how it surprisingly still holds up TO THIS DAY; it's incredible. The way the car moves, and reacts to the environment; the crashes, and swinging - really cool.

    I should also mention the good atmosphere and soundtrack for this title. A lot of jazz and blues, and that's great to listen. It brings a retro feeling (even for    Let me start by saying how great the physics for this game are, and how it surprisingly still holds up TO THIS DAY; it's incredible. The way the car moves, and reacts to the environment; the crashes, and swinging - really cool.

    I should also mention the good atmosphere and soundtrack for this title. A lot of jazz and blues, and that's great to listen. It brings a retro feeling (even for when it was released, back in 99', I believe).
    The rain effects are really good, they look great.

    The game presents four major cities in the campaign, each with their individual vibe, and well represented. I don't think they hold many secrets, but they still pleasant to the eyes, as these were fairly good graphics for it's time.
    Also, there's a good replayability factor, since you can't do all of the missions in just one playthrough; sometimes you may have to choose one from two or three available contacts.
    Plus, you still got a director camera to film and edit your own cuts, and a few additional standalone modes you can have an extra fun with.

    Unfortunately, the game lacks a captivating story, a good protagonist, interesting characters overall, and car variety, as we only have a handful of vehicles to drive around the cities.
    Tanner doesn't have much charisma, and that certainly applies to the rest of the cast; no exceptions (actually they don't have any charisma at all).
    It's kind of hard to keep track of who's talking, and who's who during the cinematics, as they don't have any lip-synch or subtitles pointing out who's having the word.
    Some missions have a timer only for the sake of having it, instead of making any sense.

    Also, the opening mission, where you're given a proficiency test in the parking lot, doesn't make much sense at all. Why would you ask a proficiency test from a person who just got his hands in the controller? Sure, Tanner is already good using the wheels, but the player isn't. There's the tutorial, but the tutorial should be included in the campaign.
    Kinda poorly executed. Many people gave up right there and then.

    Anyway - I don't really have a lot to complain about the gameplay itself, as it does a good job of being a driving simulator, but that sort of brings me to the final mission of the game.

    NO SPOILERS: The final mission throws the idea of being a simulation to the garbage bin, and tries everything in it's power to completely frustrate and ruin your day. It doubles up the chasers' speed, and probably triples their bumping strength. I was countless times pummeled to death, and even thrown OUT OF THE MAP... literally; I could see the whole map disintegrate right before me as I flew away.
    For some reason, developer Reflections turned the game into a bumper car simulator, and let me tell you, it is the hardest mission I've ever played in a video-game; and I've played a lot of games.

    DRIVER was well respected, and very influential back in the day, and I believe you should at least experience what it offers once; though keep in mind it has aged in some aspects, and is also incredibly difficult at some points; especially during it's final mission, where all hell breaks loose, and you shall feel hopeless.

    In my opinion, it was an OK game back then.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best PS1 Game of 1999
7
#7 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1999
14
#14 Most Shared PS1 Game of 1999

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Electric Playground
    100
    Delivers in spades exactly what it sets out to do: It lets the gamer be the wheelman in a non-stop car-chase movie. This is everything a driving game should be. It is, for all intents and purposes, perfect.
    Read full review
  2. IGN
    97
    What a tour-de-force! The graphics are top notch, the driving itself is unparalleled and the Director tools are unique and friendly... It's pure driving poetry.
    Read full review
  3. PSX Nation
    96
    One of the freshest, exciting and entertaining titles we have played in 1999. Reflections has done it again with a title that breaks boundaries and creates a new level of entertainment.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »