DRIV3R

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Jun 21, 2004
  • Also On: PC
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 51 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 51
  3. Negative: 11 out of 51
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  1. Times Online
    100
    The graphics are divine, with vast urban locales and spectacular crashes. The cars handle well, and each vehicle has its own characteristics. Yet this is no easy driving game — one of the reasons why, subject matter aside, it carries a 16+ rating.
  2. Games Radar
    90
    A technical marvel that sets a new benchmark. The plot may twist until you lose grip of it altogether, but the balls-out street-driving action saves the day. [PSM2]
  3. Playboy
    88
    Your investigation jump-starts reckless car chases through more than 150 miles of highways and city streets in detailed re-creations of Miami, Nice and Isantbul. Slam into any of the 30,000 buildings and your car crumbles realistically. [Apr 2004, p.38]
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  5. 1UP
    85
    No matter the situation, whether you're sneaking around a dark building or barreling through a shopping mall with three police cars in pursuit, you always feel on edge, as if you're living the 007-like "danger is my middle name" lifestyle at all times.
  6. Gamer.tv
    80
    Stays true to the series blueprint and moves things forward into the current console generation with style.
  7. PGNx Media
    77
    Guys at Reflection could have fixed the spotty AI and graphical problems. As is, fans of the series will certainly want to pick this up since this up since it is the best iteration of the series.
  8. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    75
    This is the first game to successfully mix death-on-the-freeway antics with a plot you might actually care about, and it's worth a shot for that alone.

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004
14
#14 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 127 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 127
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 127
  3. Negative: 46 out of 127
  1. TheNewSpielberg
    Apr 29, 2011
    3
    This game is possibly the single glitchiest, buggiest, most boring and pointless GTA rip off ever released. It is so unbelievably mediocreThis game is possibly the single glitchiest, buggiest, most boring and pointless GTA rip off ever released. It is so unbelievably mediocre that I actually took to switching the PS2 off after the first mission. The graphics look lame, the cutscenes look like rejected scenes from a Pixar movie and the voice acting is terrible. The one good reason to play this game though is the excellent driving mechanics and car chases. There is a wide range of vehicles to drive including sedans, sports cars, convertibles, vans, trucks, police cars and even a go kart! But apart from that, its a terrible game. Seriously, just a waste of time and money.… Full Review »
  2. ToddT.
    Dec 7, 2005
    10
    this game is awsome the only prob is it is very glitchy.
  3. DennoCoil
    Jul 30, 2016
    3
    If you see ANYONE giving this game a 10 out of 10 or other high score, they're most likely paid shills. Just know that this game was a buggyIf you see ANYONE giving this game a 10 out of 10 or other high score, they're most likely paid shills. Just know that this game was a buggy broken mess upon release (it still is) and Atari was involved in a scandal. Driver 3 was very hyped up before being released and Atari actually paid for high review scores! It was obvious upon release that Driver 3 is a very buggy and broken GTA-3 clone that came out several years too early. There was no social media when this game was released so the controversy was buried. Atari even hired a PR group to (poorly) astroturf any negativity this game received on forums. (It would have started its own GamerGate-style fallout if social media was a thing in 2004.) Don't let this controversy be buried or let the positive scores fool you. Look up some Driver 3 footage and say to yourself how could this game get a remotely high score, even for a game from 2004?… Full Review »
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