Driver 2
Score: 96% ESRB: Teen Publisher: Infogrames Developer: Reflections Media: CD/2 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Mission-Based Driving
Graphics & Sound: Driver 2 looks good. Don't expect shiny invincible Gran Turismo cars here - you'll be driving hoopties that can get the $#!T knocked out of them. You can actually see the damage, actually see the cars begin to smoke - even catch fire - as you smash your way to success. You can use this to your advantage by knocking enemies out of commission, or can be on the other side of the punishment, trying to complete your mission with a nearly destroyed vehicle. In some missions, you can switch into a fresh car - not only eliminating your damage, but keeping the police guessing where you are. Sound? Oh, yeah! The sound effects are very good, the dialog is excellent, and the music reflects the locales your missions lead you to. The overall production of Driver 2 is excellent!
Gameplay: If you liked Driver, you'll LOVE Driver 2. (If you haven't played either, you should run out and get them now!!!) Tanner is back as the wheelman, this time with a sidekick. As Tanner, you'll be subjected to a series of tests of your fast-driving ability as you investigate Solomon Caine, a mysterious crime lord. Speed is important, but you'll have to master losing tails, hi-jacking other vehicles, tailing a subject (without being seen)... you'll even have to chase people on foot occasionally. The gameplay is definitely here!
Difficulty: Here's the main problem with Driver 2; it's just plain hard. Some of the missions are easy, some are not-so-bad, and some are simply insane. The game is very fun to play, but you have to go in expecting to get hung up on some of the missions. for a while. Maybe for a long while... If you can't make it through a certain mission, it sometimes helps to try different routes or strategies... or even to step away from it for a while and to practice in some of the other modes. However, since there's no difficulty settings, it may mean hours of honing your skills - and maybe bringing in a friend or two to help out.
Game Mechanics: The original Driver started a new genre - the mission based driving game. Driver 2 goes further, adding some 'outside-of-the-car' gameplay. Now you'll be hi-jacking cars, buses, armored trucks and running the baddies down on foot! This added element takes a great game and makes it better. Another improvement featured in Driver 2 is a curved road system. This allows for more realistic (non-downtown) roads. The missions are innovative and exciting and the story is captivating, in a sort of 'Starsky and Hutch' way.
-Geck0, GameVortex Communications AKA Robert Perkins
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