DRIV3R

An above average game. Most people will love the intense action and gunplay that features so prominently, whilst putting up with the control issues, occasional camera problems and sometimes downright annoying fact at you can complete a mission and feel very proud of yourself, before being told that you failed and that you have to do it all again.

It may take you a long time to create the perfect directors cut but it is fun.

There are moments of controller-throwing frustration, but also many flashes of true craftsmanship and design excellence. DRIV3R is a game for those who love the feel of the wheel, but only for those with the patience to slog through the rough patches.

If you're looking for a racing or action game, you're better off buying a title more focused on those genres.

DRIV3R is next-gen in neither concept nor execution. Issues like pop-in should not be a part of a next-gen title. Even though DRIV3R relies much more on driving, it still smacks of the genre innovator, Grand Theft Auto.

The jump animation seems very stiff and looks like Tanner hasn't stretched in years. Tanner can also swim which looks marginally better than his running technique.

Ultimately forgettable.

The decision to create so much gameplay outside the car could have reinvented the series, but instead, it merely bogs it down with clumsy and frustrating gameplay. The poor save and checkpoint system will have you playing and replaying portions of the game to the point of insanity.

It's so depressing to complete an exhilarating chase only to face a bland shootout before you can complete a mission.

It hints at brilliance on occasions, but is ultimately flawed by poor execution, sloppy glitches and an overall unfinished feel.

The game's controls and animation also feel unresponsive and stiff.

I suspect the developers might have been better off contstructing this as a pure racing title (as it does do the basics of racing well) and avoiding the shooting action altogether. [Aug 2004, p.94]

The game's online presence is a joke, only effectively offering a way to check out other people's film director clips instead of playing mini-games with them. This is completely lame.

We can't forget the single-player game that's over in less than three hours once you've learned the routes of each mission, a series of me-too mini-games that offer no reason to play them, and an offensively small number of rewards. That's the DRIV3R package; all flash and no substance. [*Reminder: GameSpy equates 2 stars with 60/100.]

This whole game is just too linear for its own good. I think there are a lot of great things in Driv3r, Reflections just decided to hone in on the CG movies and the city graphics over having any normal sense of gameplay that was fun.

Hours to complete: That depends on how long you can deal with mediocrity.

After creating such large cities,Reflections have failed to use this potential offering no incentive to utilise the surrounds. With no hidden extras or surprises Driver 3 is strictly what you see is what you get.

While the city is large in itself and fun to explore and the cinematic cutscenes are semi-inspiring, DRIV3R is a continuously frustrating and boring affair.

The on-foot aspect is near abysmal and takes the wind right out of the sails. The numerous graphical glitches and bugs don't help matters, either.

Game play is where Driv3r really falls short. The controls are a bit fidgety and on the loose side. This is especially noticeable on foot, as it just plays so awkwardly. No matter what control scheme you choose, it just never feels comfortable.

A series of impressive ideas that just aren't implemented well enough to make this game really shine through its too numerous to count imperfections.

For a long time, DRIV3R was one of mine and many other gamers' most anticipated titles this year, and, with all the publicity and hype it was receiving, it was one of the biggest letdowns I've ever experienced.

On its own, it's troubled with unforgivably terrible AI, poor out-of-car controls, and some awfully designed levels...Compared to other games of its kind, DRIV3R falls on its face.

The poor controls and physics problems are exacerbated by a laundry list of bugs.

Maybe DRIV3R is trying to cash in on the success of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, but in reality it's not even as good as "True Crime: Streets of L.A.," and that game was mediocre at best.

While the game itself isn't completely broken, it's uninspired and frequently frustrating or boring. Consider that, along with all the glitches, and it adds up to be a game that isn't worth your time or money.

A great idea gone horribly wrong. Unless you're a masochist, then the cut scenes are about as entertained as you're bound to be while playing.

Here was a game with real potential to be what everybody had basically hoped for: "Grand Theft Auto" with really good graphics. Instead, what's here needs an air bag.

With all of the hype and anticipation surrounding Driv3r, it's a shame the game had to fail so miserably like it did.

The action when you are walking is sub par at best in the best of scenarios and even with the heavy firepower you can acquire such as, m16's, Uzi's and even grenade launchers, it doesn't make it all that much better.