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As much as we complain about what Driver has done wrong, it has done a lot of stuff right, and if we don't acknowledge that, the good parts might not remain in the next game(s). So, without further ado..
What did they do right or wrong? The good stuff will be written in green, the bad will be written in red Driver: You are the Wheelman ------------------------------- * The cops were tough to loose, if you got too far ahead they would appear ahead of you * Cops were also aggressive, necessary in a chase game * Physics were great for their time, loved sending cars sky high on the PS1 * Good cheat codes, stilts, freight train, etc * Great music * I like the drop camera * On PS1, the graphics were muddy, low screen resolution * City graphics were a bit dull Driver 2: The Wheelman is Back ------------------------------ * Players could exit their damaged vehicles and exchange for new ones * Curved roads, much better graphics * Cool places to drive, the canyon in Rio, underground base in Havana * Couldn't exit a moving vehicle, or any vehicle while the cops were chasing * Nothing to do on foot but steal other cars, unlock a small amount of hidden stuff * Slow motion gameplay because of graphics * Tanner used C4 explosives in a mission towards the end, but not in Take a Ride, inconsistent * Cars are slow, not sure if this was an effect of slow motion * Newfound freedom not supported with exploration Driv3r ------- * Inclusion of guns welcome * Great graphics, damage modeling * FPS controls for on foot are great * Love the toggle sticks for steering & gas * Thrill Cam * Crash physics reached their peak, not too realistic, cars flew around twisting every which way * Cars got considerably more air on jumps, a small ramp in Nice launched me above the four story buildings in the area * I like the hidden Timmies, but they're a bit dumb, even if you are making fun of GTA * Interiors are a nice addition, but are lacking * More diverse vehicles, boats, semi's * Cars and weapons sound powerful * Slow cars all top out at the same speed * Empty streets make driving boring * On foot severly lacking, little action to be found past the grenade launcher * Nothing to do inside buildings, or anywhere really * Exploration and interaction are almost non-existent. There were a few ladders.. thats about it. * You can't shoot your gun completely vertical, whats the point of roof-tops (theres nothing else up there either) * Nothing to do in boats, empty seas, boats are slow, you can shoot your gun at the air Driver: Parallel Lines ---------------------- * Lots of traffic to weave in and out of * Reach high speeds * Vehicle customization * Can perform drive-by's with all weapons * Jumps peppered throughout the city * You can knock down light poles * Can only do drive-bys looking forward. Backward is the most important direction * Cops can't handle the traffic * Survival mode is too easy * Crashing cars isn't very fun without extensive damage or crazy physics * NY is boring, overused city anyway, exploration and interaction onc again not supported * Pedestrians slow you down when hit, and don't even scatter when you're coming * Cars stop when you jump out. Maybe an option for this one Anyway, if you guys have anything to add feel free This message has been edited. Last edited by: PennySillin, -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- jagshemash! |
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You did forget to mention the fact that D1 was great for its Film Director, which didn't play as much of a good role in the other Driver games and wasn't as good either.
Other than that, I really do think that it was a wise decision to make a topic like this since it could Reflections see their own mistakes. However, there is a problem. I think that we already have a topic like this, which is about what things went wrong in the Driver games. At least you decided to include both the benefits & drawbacks of the Driver franchise, so I guess that it isn't a bad thing if we post here instead. "If you are to only stick to what is there, you'll never be at the top." |
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Nice summary of green (good), red (needs improvement) for all the games in the Driver series.
Some of the positives mentioned that I really liked in the series: Positives: * The cops were tough to lose, if you got too far ahead they would appear ahead of you * Cars got considerably more air on jumps, a small ramp in Nice launched me above the four story buildings in the area * I like the hidden Timmies, but they're a bit dumb, even if you are making fun of GTA * Lots of traffic to weave in and out of * Reach high speeds * Vehicle customization *Motorcycles, Tractor Trailers included! And of course Driver 1 had a superior film director mode compared to the rest, especially Driv3r which was REALLY lacking in camera flexibility. Here's some more negatives: -Not enough camera views in vehicle/on foot in the series (we need more FPS, close and overtheshoulder views. Bring the player close to the action.) -Almost no interaction with most of the buildings, they're really just fancy looking walls to walk/drive around (excluding the mall, interiors, ladders on a mere few of them). I'd like to see every building at least climbable or able to use the steps, ledges, gates, ladders. -Not enough jumps/ramps to send the car flying, especially in Driv3r. The landing is half the fun too. Bring back more D1 bridges. I spent hours hitting those ramps, major highlight of the game. -Cops shot out tires. Bulletproof eased that problem thankfully, but find less ways to stop the chase, and more ways to make it last longer thanks to relentless, smart pursuits that don't end the second you lose a bit of distance. -The missions were more frustrating at times than fun. Challenging, creative and fun is the key. Plenty of stunts, but not impossibly tough, like the final Driver1, or carcliff chase mission near the end of Driver2. -Unless on foot is spectacular, keep the focus 95% on car/vehicle chases. -There weren't any Fully attached 18 Wheelers filling the freeways. Please add for atmosphere and fun. -DPL scrapped some important options. Bring back more options to "change weather, pedestrians on/off, cops on/off, onfoot on/off(classic driver mode), traffic count(low, med, high, off), controller mapping(allow every button customized)... -------------- Next Driver: Interior DASH view, Free Roam TAG MODE chases, Miles of Backroads, Intense Speed-Edge of your seat Action, MAJOR Crash Impacts, day/night cycle, tons of customizable options, lots of stunts, ON FOOT in FPS view/overthe shoulder RE4 style, sportbikes, more car camera views, "Drop a RAMP" Cheat, fun vehicle chases where THE CAR is the Weapon, not a gun... |
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I'm (actually Reflections) going to need others input on the film director, I thought it was boring and never used it unless something really cool happened. And it usually got botched up by glitches in the replay anyway.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- jagshemash! |
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I'm along term user of the Film Director, I use it for everything and I was pretty pissed off when I didn't see it in Driver: Parallel Lines.
The only thing I didn't like about it in Driver 3 as so many graphical glitches were present during the directing and production process. After creating over 500 replays on my xbox and almost 400 on my PC. I'm starting to get a little bored with the Film Director. The main reason I'm getting so annoyed with it is you here a constant click everything you press a button. That constant click really gets into my mind and gives me a frustrating and annoying headache, especially when I'm wearing headphones. Click, Click, Click Agh! I need to here either no clicking sound or a unique sound. Because I usually give up when I have a horrible headache. Other than the horrible clicking sound and the graphical glitches the Film Director is perfect and is very, very easy to use. However I have always wanted an advanced film director. I'm going to make a few topics with my ideas in them soon and people can discuss particular elements of them. Most of my ideas are for the Film Director to. You cannot have a hollywoods car chasing game without the feature of filming your action, being your own director, filmer, editor and stuntman (driver)! So here is what I think. (Film Director) Positives + Easy to Use + Excellent Tool Negatives - Needs more features (tweening ect.) and something no developer has attempted is having a higher resolution version of the games city on the disk with a lower resolution(quality) version playable. The higher resolution version will be used when the player decides to render the video. Making really high quality directed videos. And the time it takes to render would be a great time to be active, have a bit of a break and maybe a glass of water! |
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Personally, I don't think that very many of us have ever been using film director, but that doesn't mean that we won't and that we can't get any better at it. Moreover, it would be an enjoyable experience for me (possibly) if I was to learn how to make some really good replays, especially for Driver: You Are The Wheelman. There is just no other Driver game out there, except maybe DPL and the original Driver, that I simply want to play. On the contrary, I hope to play the next Driver game, if it is a good game, at the very least. This is certainly an excellent idea for a discussion/topic, PennySillin. It contains just many important aspects to discuss in particular. Many of the threads are out there for us to post on what we want the Driver franchise to be like while threads like these are helpful in ways that they let their games' developers see what it is that fans believe was wrong with their games. I will feel compelled enough to at least have this be one of the topics that I'll still continue to post in, but other than that, I don't plan to do too much as before. After all, one's life can't always be spent for posting on a forum.
 "If you are to only stick to what is there, you'll never be at the top." |
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Film Director in Driver 1 was superior to Driv3r's, mostly thanks to the awesome exterior car chase camera, that let you zoom in or far out(helicopter style), then lock it into place. Driv3r's only let you have it behind the vehicle or go dizzy in circles Matrix style, with no option to stop it. Even Driver 2 didn't offer the range of D1's great chase cam.
Yes, Driv3r offered more camera effects, slow mo, blur that spiced up the replay. But Driver 1's replay could last almost 20 minutes long compared to Driv3r's measly five minute or so replay. And I agree, streamline the buttons, less icons, more text so there's no confusion what does what. -------------- Next Driver: Interior DASH view, Free Roam TAG MODE chases, Miles of Backroads, Intense Speed-Edge of your seat Action, MAJOR Crash Impacts, day/night cycle, tons of customizable options, lots of stunts, ON FOOT in FPS view/overthe shoulder RE4 style, sportbikes, more car camera views, "Drop a RAMP" Cheat, fun vehicle chases where THE CAR is the Weapon, not a gun... |
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I cannot even remember a replay limit on driver 1's film director. But it was great to be able to make a very, very long replay.
Driver 1's Film Director could do a lot more, other than the effects that you could do with any video editing application. As you said you can place the camera anywhere around the car and lock it in that position giving you a lot more power. I believe reflections wanted to keep the Film Director as simple to use as possible so they cut out those time consuming parts. It feels like it takes me an hour to set up the camera angles in driver 1 for a 3minute replay where it would only take 10minutes in driv3r. DRIV3R was quick and easy to use. But in the upcoming driver you should have a choice between a simple and advanced film director. |
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I agree with you, driver_madness. There should definitely be a film director that is able to use both simplicity and advancement. Also, the length of time and amount of cameras need to be expanded upon, especially since this is already a second generation after the original Driver came out, and if Ubisoft Reflections can't have themselves improve in the film director any more than D1, it'll be such a shame because, with all of the power that the PS3 and Xbox 360 wield, it cannot mean such a big failure to Reflections.
As far as I can see, with big new changes, including those of moving to Ubisoft, and with the different suggestions already put out, how can we see another bad direction heading for the Driver franchise, such as that of D3, DPL, and D76, which many fans and critics were dissapointed by? Of course, the Driver franchise needs to improve a lot and by saying this, Ubisoft Reflections needs to first take many of the important considerations into their hands, making sure not to make the same mistakes. After all, history tends to repeat itself and in order to prevent this, you must work hard. Therefore, lets have Ubisoft Reflections not exactly work too hard on innovating because it's not that simple, and there is a risk that will need to be taken. My advice to Ubisoft Reflections is to get more used to working for Ubisoft (one more game should be enough) before trying really hard to bring a lot of new things into the Driver franchise. Edit: The graphics in D1 I think were actually a bit better than those of D2, especially if you look at both of the game's framerates, in which D2 had more slowdowns than D1. Whether D1 for the Playstation had better graphics than D2 or not, I know for a fact that the PC version of D1 did the graphics much better than both PS versions of Driver 1 & 2. Just take a look at these screenshots below and you'll see for yourself.  Driver 1 for the Playstation actually had better lighting textures for its cars than in those of Driver 2.  Next, lets look at Driver for the PC. It happened to have better textures for the car models, buildings, and even the pedestrians. Also, the headlights, when turned on, look pretty realistic for a game around at its time.  Driver 2's graphics, as you can see, improved on the textures with buildings and maybe even add more colors to the whole game, but it still doesn't seem to look any better than the original Driver on the PC. This message has been edited. Last edited by: Assault_machine, "If you are to only stick to what is there, you'll never be at the top." |
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Driver76 was developed by an outside developer, not Reflections. They took the basic engine and made the PSP game under Ubisoft's support.
Driver 1's Miami had some nice chase moments, but even by today's standards, the speeds could be faster, with more obstacles to interact with. The one thing that makes a game dull is too many open roads with little traffic to avoid and not enough obstacles to react to. DPL's traffic was very welcome in my opinion, though I agree, a TRAFFIC: light, medium, heavy, off option is necessary. Film Director should be easy to use, but for the expert, have more options under the hood than that of Driv3r, with better setups. -------------- Next Driver: Interior DASH view, Free Roam TAG MODE chases, Miles of Backroads, Intense Speed-Edge of your seat Action, MAJOR Crash Impacts, day/night cycle, tons of customizable options, lots of stunts, ON FOOT in FPS view/overthe shoulder RE4 style, sportbikes, more car camera views, "Drop a RAMP" Cheat, fun vehicle chases where THE CAR is the Weapon, not a gun... |
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I mean no offense to Reflections, but the Driver franchise has been really challenged by the GTA franchise, just as it was by Mafia: the game. And when I talk about Mafia: The Game, it really did have some truly impressive AI to offer. Also, the traffic laws were even more realistic than that of Driver. Even the fact that Mafia is pretty much a largely linear game still doesn't make it any worse than Driver. And the vehicles look just as good as those in D3 or perhaps even better, considering that there aren't as many problems with glitches in it than in D3. I'm afraid to say this, but Reflections seems like it has really been out of shape throughout most of its time as a developer. This happened with every game of its own, including the early games, Shadow Beast, Shadow Beast 2, Destruction Derby 2, Driver 2, Driv3r, and Driver: Parallel Lines. Destruction Derby, Stuntman, and Driver are what I'd consider to be Reflections' best accomplished games, but even when I say this, the formulas of all three games really ended up looking terrible after a few sequels were made to these three original games. Of course, Stuntman 2 received better ratings than its predecessor, but it wasn't a great game, nor was it made by Reflections.
It seems like Reflections will really need to look at their past, including their games and everything they've ever done with themselves, making sure to not make those same mistakes. As far as I'm concerned, I haven't been happy with the majority of its games. Stuntman was a very frustrating game, but I did enjoy it a little. Even when I say this, I don't think that I'll feel compelled enough to go back to renting or buying it and completing it because it was such a hard game. Instead, I'll just look at videos, strategy guides, and even screenshots of it as well as listen about it from its fans to learn everything important about it. Driv3r, whether I mentioned this or not, I watched all the missions that it contains and it is absolutely one of the worst storylines ever. The whole aspect of the game is terrible as well. I can't deny that as facts. With all of these flaws and criticism said towards Reflections and its games, I don't think that I'll feel compelled anymore to come by this place. Either I'll still come, but less often, or I won't come at all. Reflections is, without a doubt, not one of the best developers out there. Even developers of racing games and those who brought you Mafia, did much better than Reflections. In fact, I'm looking more forward to GTAIV, Mafia 2, Saint's Row 2, and all the other franchises that did impress by some of an extent, in terms of linear and non-linear gameplay for a crime setting (excluding True Crime, Getaway 3). My taste has really been lost for the Driver franchise. If the next Driver game turns out a lot better than DPL, D3, D2, or even more than D1, I'll feel enough compelled to go ahead and play it, but if its too much of the same gameplay and no great amounts of improvement, I won't give it a try at all. "If you are to only stick to what is there, you'll never be at the top." |
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When PSM said Driv3r deserved a 4 out of 10, I couldn't believe it. I was actually enjoying the game, mostly by ignoring the missions and just getting into random chases, exploring the cities. I even went so far as to use the cheat code to unlock the Istanbul city rather than waste time with the frustrating missions. The city was a ghost town, but for a creative player, there's fun to be found. Missions aside, a 4/10 seemed harsh, till I realized they probably ONLY based most of the review on missions alone, never once discussing free ride.Take a Ride has always been the main reason I've enjoyed the Driver series along with the great vehicle controls. I would have at least given it a 6/10 based on the improvements over the mostly broken framerate of Driver 2. PSM based most of it on missions and glitches, overlooking the freedom the player was granted in free ride, to create their own adventurous car chases, stunts and action, as well as Film Director (which honestly fell below the standards of Part 1). I see your point, but I'm confident Ubisoft will offer another level of support and suggestions to make this THE BEST Driver game ever. Remember, Driver 76 wasn't developed by Reflections, and DPL was Reflections most recent game under Atari, a now nearly extinct game publisher (unless they pull off a miracle in the US anyway). This is Reflections chance to prove they can recapture the innovation and great gameplay of Driver 1, by reaching beyond that standard. -------------- Next Driver: Interior DASH view, Free Roam TAG MODE chases, Miles of Backroads, Intense Speed-Edge of your seat Action, MAJOR Crash Impacts, day/night cycle, tons of customizable options, lots of stunts, ON FOOT in FPS view/overthe shoulder RE4 style, sportbikes, more car camera views, "Drop a RAMP" Cheat, fun vehicle chases where THE CAR is the Weapon, not a gun... |
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From what I've heard, based on many reviews of Driv3r and of my own experience in watching the missions, I can't call this such an enjoyable game. The missions and storyline are terrible, no doubt. And if you go about saying that fun can be found in Take-A-Ride mode, it is just as Game Spy's review made clear:
"The only reason this muddled offering isn't getting one star is the impressive car physics and cities. But 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. Rent this, spend a few days marveling at the undulating town scenery of each locale, and once you finish the game, try to make your own fun. Reflections forgot to include that part." Take-A-Ride mode can be considered as giving you all kinds of ways to do things, but, of course, that has to be your own fun, and not Reflections', so Reflections has really not given enough features towards making the other modes, besides that of Undercover, any amusing or enough to make you enjoy it for a while. Basically, by handing off some very limited on-foot & the slightly more impressive driving aspects, it still isn't enough by Reflections' standards, to consider that they've included fun gameplay. Instead, you have to go and make your own fun. As for if this was D2, it would turn out a lot more fun, but it isn't and the many other free-roam games, with a crime setting, before its time, did a better job with the gameplay. "If you are to only stick to what is there, you'll never be at the top." |
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I agree that the missions were largely frustrating and repetitive, and there wasn't much to do in the city beyond getting into chases and causing havoc, by use of the solid physics, vehicles and weapons.
The rest of the game was lacking. I'd say making Stuntman first was part of the problem, offering Reflections less time to get Driv3r as it should've been. I remember thinking, "Why waste time making a closed circuit stunt game without any freedom over Driver 3?" -------------- Next Driver: Interior DASH view, Free Roam TAG MODE chases, Miles of Backroads, Intense Speed-Edge of your seat Action, MAJOR Crash Impacts, day/night cycle, tons of customizable options, lots of stunts, ON FOOT in FPS view/overthe shoulder RE4 style, sportbikes, more car camera views, "Drop a RAMP" Cheat, fun vehicle chases where THE CAR is the Weapon, not a gun... |
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It's such a shame that the Driver franchise was very much a linear experience. Although you had Take-A-Ride mode and some other modes (besides just Undercover mode) available to you, the games were centered on a front-end menu and the hollywood-styled car chases were made more to fit the storylines as opposed to the rest of the gameplay. It is because of such linearity that the rest of the game, including TAR mode, couldn't do so well in its freedom, but when DPL was made, it changed all of that and even though it didn't have the best non-linear experience for a free-roam game, it did have the best non-linear experience for a Driver game. Therefore, each and every Driver game should follow the lines of DPL, simply to not include a Main or Front-End Menu, to have all kind of careers available throughout the city, (just as side missions were available in DPL & the GTA games) and to have more interesting things to look for, which then will help towards unlocking some very nice secrets (cheats, vehicles, weapons, etc.). Of course, Reflections will need to get creative after its members follow this approach, but if enough time and effort is put towards it, then it'll turn out good in the end. And just as with DPL, Reflections needs to make sure, with all its efforts, to make the next Driver game as glitch-free, as possible.
As for what you stated about Stuntman, yes, it was kind of a terrible thing to have Reflections stumble onto something new, that being a game about placing you in the shoes of a stuntman. Sure we can call it somewhat of a nice attempt, but the fact of the matter was that Reflections promised to have the second sequel to Driver: You Are The Wheelman be completed in 2002, but they couldn't get that done, either because they choosed to move to a new direction or because Atari was so stupid enough to put the next Driver game on hold. This really messed up the development process for Driver 3, which is, of course, now known as Driv3r. And because of this, both D3 and DPL weren't made with such good quality. If that step that Reflections took to put D3 on hold was never taken, and if D3 came out in 2002, I'm sure that we'd see a much better game than the final version. It's a great shame and this simply proves that a developer shouldn't go off track with its own franchise, especially with promises having been made, which Reflections has usually had a tendency to break. "If you are to only stick to what is there, you'll never be at the top." |
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They should have taken many of the ideas from Stuntman and put them in some of the secondary missions for Driv3r, as a suggestion.
And yes, the front end menu wasn't efficient enough. I rarely ever play the mini games in the Driver series, at least until DPL made them easily accessible without rebooting to the front menu each time. -------------- Next Driver: Interior DASH view, Free Roam TAG MODE chases, Miles of Backroads, Intense Speed-Edge of your seat Action, MAJOR Crash Impacts, day/night cycle, tons of customizable options, lots of stunts, ON FOOT in FPS view/overthe shoulder RE4 style, sportbikes, more car camera views, "Drop a RAMP" Cheat, fun vehicle chases where THE CAR is the Weapon, not a gun... |
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To be honest with you, I don't think that Driv3r had Reflections spend 4 years working on because Stuntman was worked on and completed before it. Therefore, it either meant that some of the team scrambled off to do the Stuntman project while the rest of the team was working on Driver 3. And in the end, it seems that the members for D3 didn't get the right amount of time on the game, or they just didn't have enough strength to make it a success. If Stuntman never came forth, it is very likely that, with all the members of Reflections working together, only to finish and impress us with Driv3r, it would've ended up as they had expected.
Now that Reflections' games have been a screw up, to some of an extent, along with our comments and suggestions being given, as well as a new game publisher to work for, which is Ubisoft (more reliable than Atari, of course), I'm hoping that we'll see the right kind of work being poured into this next game of the team's. "If you are to only stick to what is there, you'll never be at the top." |
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Yeah, I think you made a good point there, Assualt_Machine. In fact, I noticed that Driv3r played a lot like Stuntman (they had very similar front-end menus and gameplay). Driv3r should've played like D:PL, with no front-end menu, open world structure, vehicle customization, a money system, a good soundtrack, and all of all the other cool stuff from D:PL. That would've saved Driv3r from humiliation right there, especially since it was made in the PS2 and XBOX era (the early and mid-2000s). When that time came, they could do more with the PS2 and XBOX than they ever did back in the PS1 era. Driv3r basically played like the PS1 Driver games, except it had usable weapons and more vehicles to drive, that's not a big improvement nor something to be pleased with. I see where Driv3r went wrong (in most ways) when D:PL came out.
"New York is the coolest place in the world! From Connecticut and Long Island to New Jersey, from the Hudson Valley down to Staten Island, and all points in between, this is my backyard."-Driverman2006 |
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A huge map with tons of road and terrain variety from hills, twists, turns, straightaways, freeways, forests, deserts, mountains, rivers, tunnels, fields and more will be key to creating endless opportunties that don't grow stale quickly.
TDU's 1800 square miles is proof that a huge map with lots of road variety is key to strong replay value. I'm still playing it a year later. -------------- Next Driver: Interior DASH view, Free Roam TAG MODE chases, Miles of Backroads, Intense Speed-Edge of your seat Action, MAJOR Crash Impacts, day/night cycle, tons of customizable options, lots of stunts, ON FOOT in FPS view/overthe shoulder RE4 style, sportbikes, more car camera views, "Drop a RAMP" Cheat, fun vehicle chases where THE CAR is the Weapon, not a gun... |
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