Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Driver puts you in the driver’s seat of Tanner, an undercover agent tasked with infiltrating a ruthless crime syndicate by serving as their personal wheelman. From the very first mission, the game strikes a thrilling balance between tight scripted chases and open-world exploration. You’ll find yourself weaving through alleyways, leaping over sidewalks, and smashing through benches, all in pursuit of targets or in dramatic escapes from the police. Each mission has its own distinct flavor—one might require precision pursuit of a fleeing suspect, while another demands high-speed getaway tactics amidst crowded city streets.

The game offers an impressive roster of playable vehicles, ranging from sleek muscle cars to bulky sedans, each delivering a unique driving feel. Handling is heavily physics-based for its era, allowing for spectacular donuts, 180-degree spins, and dramatic reverse maneuvers that feel intuitive once mastered. The steep learning curve rewards players with nail-biting chases and hair’s-breadth escapes as you learn to use the environment—ramming rivals through shop windows or barreling down pedestrian areas to shake tailing cop cars.

In addition to the main story missions, Driver includes a robust suite of side modes that extend the gameplay well beyond the narrative. Carnage mode challenges you to rack up as much vehicular destruction as possible, while Dirt Track offers tight time-trial circuits on unpaved courses. Modes like Pursuit and Survival thrust you into high-stress chases, testing your skills under pressure. Even casual players can enjoy Drive About mode to simply cruise through Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York without objectives, soaking in the atmosphere.

For those who love replayability, the full Director mode is a standout feature. You can place multiple cameras around your favorite chase scenes to capture every angle, then edit a custom replay sequence. This not only adds a creative outlet for enthusiasts but also extends the game’s lifespan as you choreograph your own cinematic car stunts and share them with friends.

Graphics

When Driver debuted, its cityscapes were a technical marvel, rendering four sprawling urban environments teeming with detail. Though time has softened some textures, the sense of scale remains impressive—skyscrapers loom overhead in New York, palm trees line Miami’s boulevards, and the winding hills of San Francisco present steep inclines that affect your driving dynamics. The draw distance, especially on consoles of the late ’90s, holds up remarkably well, offering clear sightlines for long road stretches.

Vehicle models are solidly constructed polygons with enough detail to differentiate makes and models at a glance. Headlights cast realistic beams in night missions, and damage is visually represented when you ram into obstacles or collide with other cars—cracked windshields and dented fenders enhance the visceral impact of high-speed crashes. The ragdoll physics for NPC drivers and pedestrians add chaotic flair to the carnage, making each accident a little unpredictable.

Pop-in and occasional frame dips can occur in more crowded areas when pursuing targets at high speeds. However, these minor hiccups seldom detract from the thrill, and the overall performance stability keeps the action fluid. The game’s use of dynamic lighting—such as the flashing red-and-blue police sirens bouncing off buildings—contributes significantly to the tension and immersion during nighttime missions.

Story

Taking on the role of Tanner, a hardened ex-race car driver turned undercover cop, Driver’s narrative weaves a gritty crime thriller that spans from Miami’s neon-lit streets to New York’s rain-slick avenues. Your initial infiltration feels tense and calculated, as you prove your worth by executing near-impossible escapes and precision driving tasks. As you climb the ranks of the syndicate, the stakes grow ever higher, weaving in moments of sudden betrayal and last-second rescues.

The plot gains emotional weight through sporadic cutscenes that highlight Tanner’s personal motivations, particularly his determination to save his love interest, who becomes entangled in the syndicate’s ruthless plans. Though character development is somewhat economical by modern standards, the simple setup—good cop versus bad guys—works in tandem with explosive gameplay to keep you invested throughout all four cities.

Dialogues and voice acting capture the smoky, noir-tinged atmosphere, with slick one-liners during high-speed pursuits and terse exchanges in dimly lit warehouses. While the storyline’s twists aren’t overly complex, they serve as a strong framework for the driving-focused missions, ensuring that every chase and getaway feels narratively justified rather than a disconnected stunt.

Overall Experience

Driver remains a seminal title in the evolution of open-world driving games, setting a benchmark for immersive car chases long before modern franchises took the concept mainstream. Its blend of structured missions and free-roam opportunities ensures that both action-oriented players and casual cruisers will find something to enjoy. The variety of modes—from Carnage to Lose the Cop—means that once you’ve beaten the story, there’s plenty of reason to keep returning.

While newer titles boast more polished visuals and deeper role-playing elements, Driver’s straightforward focus on pure driving thrills offers a refreshing change of pace. The city layouts are memorable and distinctive, each offering its own shortcuts and hazards to master. This sense of discovery fuels countless “one more mission” sessions as you hunt for that perfect line through a chase route.

For retro gaming enthusiasts and newcomers alike, Driver delivers an adrenaline-fueled ride that still resonates today. Whether you’re a fan of cinematic car stunts, high-stakes escapes, or simply exploring digital urban playgrounds, this game provides a compelling, high-octane journey from coast to coast.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10