Driver: You Are the Wheelman
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| Driver: You are the Wheelman | |
Missing image Driver_PC_Best_of_Infogrames_cover.jpg PC budget re-release Cover | |
| Developer: | Reflections |
| Publisher: | GT Interactive, later Infogrames |
| Release date: | PSX: 1999, Others: 2000 |
| Genre: | Racing |
| Game modes: | Single player |
| ESRB rating: | Teen (T) |
| ELSPA rating: | +15 |
| Platform: | PlayStation, ported to PC and Mac, GBC |
| Media: | 1 CD |
| Input: | Keyboard, Wheel or joystick (PC) |
| Missing image Driver_PC_screenshot_cover.jpg Screenshot (PC) | |
Driver: You Are the Wheelman, better known as Driver, is a 1999 video game developed by Reflections Interactive, who had earlier hits with Destruction Derby on the early years of the PlayStation. In the game, the player is Tanner, a cop gone undercover due to his impressive driving skills, and must gain the confidence of the syndicate's bosses by performing incresingly difficult missions such as stopping or following another car, driving through windows, delievering a stolen car or a fan-favourite, scaring a taxi costumer. The game is played in four cities—(Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York)—which, like many games, remain only partially faithful to the original city layouts.
Most missions (many times the player has the option to choose between two or three missions) are simple A to B travels, with little or no variation, which is the most criticized flaw in the game design. Other flaws include the easyness to turn 90 degrees in any direction, only straight curves, general bad AI and a (for many) difficult starting level, where Tanner must complete several manouvers like slalom, braking or turning 180 degrees in a small garage with only three "scratches" (hitting another car, pillars or walls) allowed.
The game was designed to look like '60s and '70s car chases movies. The music, the character design in the cut scenes, the cars (with flying wheel caps), everything looks inspired from movies such as Bullitt. The game also features a Director's Mode where the run could be replayed with cameras chosen by the player, and a Quick Replay, where the cameras were automatically selected.
In addition to the Underground mode, the player also had an option to drive around in the cities (once they were unlocked) and dirt tracks. There were several other modes, like pursuit, escape, checkpoint, and carnage (inflicting as much damage as possible). After the game was finished (or secret passwords inserted in the records screens), several cheats were available. Among them are: skipping the garage mission, give (among others) the car super speed, immunity to police cars, invincibility, or a short ride on Newcastle, Reflections' home town.
Initially only for the PlayStation, PC and Mac ports were released. A special Game Boy Color version was released, with top-down view, only three cities—San Francisco was removed—and less missions.
| Contents |
Story
A movie starts as Tanner and New York City's deputy are talking about a mobster named Castaldi. In order to stop him, Tanner must give up his status as a cop. In training, you must prove you can be a great wheelman by performing tricks while keeping the car intact. Once you succeed, you begin in Miami, Florida.
Miami
Tanner begins his missions in a hotel room. You look at the answering machine for if there is any missions. Sometimes, you have 2-3 missions to choose, but they do go to one path. You might hear gag messages.
When you complete either stealing a car or assist in robbing a bank, Tanner talks to a pimp named Rufus. You then do a little errand in saving his associate. Near the end, Rufus is shot and you must chase the shooter who's in a monorail. She will tell someone where Castaldi is, San Francisco.
San Francisco
You get more options, like carrying explosives and freaking someone out (fan favorite), but you get two messages of a Japanese speaking man and an order for chicken. After Tanner either assists in freaking, carrying dynamite, chasing a trolley, delivering weapons from Fisherman's Wharf, or getting pranked on, you must destroy the car of a mobster named Klop. You go to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles
LA is straight-forward, and all missions are at night. You must help out in an assassination as well as chase Duval, who drives a car similar to OJ Simpson's. After this, Tanner goes to New York.
New York City
This is the last city, but Tanner isn't done yet. At the beginning you can choose to find info or drive a clunker to a location where Tanner dumps his girlfriend. At the middle, you must assist in destroying taxis. At the end, Tanner goes to his "rite of passage" and reaches Castaldi's headquarters. Tanner is disgusted by his ultimate plan - having to kill the president. Tanner refuses and saves the high person.
Aftermath
All mobsters are captured, but Tanner dosen't want his badge back. He leaves the garage to go elsewhere.
External link
- Official Driver website (http://driver.gtgames.com/overview.html)