Every Driver Game, Ranked From Worst to Best

Summary

The Driver series, by Ubisoft Reflections, has captivated players with open-world driving in multiple cities since the 1990s.
Several mobile games of varying quality, from speedboat racing to tales of revenge.
Games focusing on solid driving mechanics tend to be the most popular in the series.

As a long-time enthusiast of car chase games and movies, I must say that my personal favorite from the Driver series is undoubtedly the original game. Having grown up during the ’60s and ’70s, the cinematic influence on this classic title truly resonates with me. The revolutionary “Film Director” and “Quick Replay” modes create an unparalleled experience, making you feel like a real-life action hero straight out of a movie.

Since the late 1990s, the Driver series, originally created by Ubisoft Reflections (previously known as Reflections Interactive), based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has been keeping gamers hooked. Kicking off with the original game titled simply Driver for the PlayStation 1, it follows the adventures of cop John Tanner throughout most of the series, primarily focusing on high-speed driving in open-city landscapes.

The game titled “Driver” has been overshadowed, perhaps undeservedly so, by Rockstar’s blockbuster “Grand Theft Auto” series. However, these games have many appealing aspects, particularly their groundbreaking open-world settings. Ranging from mediocre mobile versions to timeless hits across various platforms, the “Driver” games are evaluated and ranked in this list considering their overall popularity and impact.

10. Driver: Speedboat Paradise

Is It Even A Driver Game?

Platform: iOS, Android
Released: 2014-12
Developer: Ubisoft Paris
Genre: Racing

To begin with, let me introduce a puzzling free-to-play mobile game, focusing on high-speed speedboat racing: Driver: Speedboat Paradise. Unlike other games in the series, this one doesn’t offer an open-world setting and deviates from the tradition of having John Tanner as the main character. Instead, he serves as a consultant before races, while players are challenged with dismantling the speedboat mafia through racing competition.

I must confess, I shared the dismay felt by many fans upon the release of this game. It wasn’t just the peculiar alterations that left a sour taste, but also the inclusion of microtransactions, an unusual element in previous mobile iterations of the iconic Driver series. To be fair, the gameplay itself wasn’t abysmal, it simply lacked the unique flair expected from a boat racing game and was ultimately withdrawn from app stores back in 2016 without much fanfare.

9. Driver: Renegade

A Missed Opportunity For a Comic-Style and Driving Return

Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Released: 2011-09-01
Developer: Velez & Dubail
Genre: Action, racing

Renegade,” set amidst events from the first two games, is exclusively available for the Nintendo 3DS gaming system. Spanning twenty missions and offering numerous challenges, players assume control of the character John Tanner, who was once a cop but now operates outside the law enforcement system to combat crime.

Although the game featured appealing comic-style sequences and thrilling action, it was marred by subpar voice acting, a sparsely populated New York City backdrop, a playtime of less than three hours, and a noticeable reuse of assets from other games like C.O.P. The Recruit, which initially planned to be part of the Driver series.

8. Driver 76

New York in 1976 Looks Pretty Good for the Handheld Market

Platform: PlayStation Portable
Released: 2007-05-08
Developer: Ubisoft Reflections, Sumo Digital
Genre: Action-adventure

In “Driver 76,” which unfolds approximately two years prior to the narrative in “Driver: Parallel Lines,” players assume control of the character Ray, who was previously a secondary figure. The plot revolves around the relationship between Ray and his companion Slink, as they join forces to bring down Jimmy, a treacherous criminal whose alliance with the woman Ray loves, Chen Chi, adds an extra layer of complexity to their mission.

Most elements in this game are borrowed from “Parallel Lines,” and the layout of its 27 missions follows a familiar pattern, with driving and gunplay remaining key aspects of the game. The comic-style narratives and voice acting were generally well-received by critics, but the combat system could use improvement, and the narrative, spanning less than seven hours, is relatively brief.

7. Driver: Vegas

What Happens In Vegas, Stays in Mobile Vegas

Platform: Mobile
Released: 2005-11-30
Developer: Gameloft
Genre: Action-adventure

In this rephrased version: The game, not part of the main storyline, continues the tale of John Tanner post-Driver 3. His journey leads him to the corrupt city where he seeks revenge against Charles Jericho and takes his life. While the majority of the twenty missions center around driving, there are also sections where players can engage in on-foot gameplay for added excitement.

The game “Driver: Vegas” primarily stayed available only for mobile devices, largely because of the successful mobile version of “Driver 3“. This version also performed fairly well. Critics had mixed opinions about it, with most comments focused on the somewhat awkward controls that needed time and practice to master. However, they highly appreciated the concise way the praised storyline was presented.

6. Driver: L.A. Undercover

Infiltrating The Mafia With Pixels

Platform: Mobile
Released: 2007-06-30
Developer: Gameloft Montreal
Genre: Action-adventure

In this new, non-mainstream mobile game, we find ourselves following Tanner once more, but this time he’s journeying to the West Coast for the sequel titled “Driver: L.A. Undercover“. After spending a couple of years as a professional racer, a noticeably fresher-faced Tanner decides to go undercover to infiltrate the Los Angeles crime syndicate.

Once more, missions predominantly revolve around car driving and gunplay, occasionally switching to on-foot gameplay. Players have the option to personalize their vehicles and engage in races as well, which can be entertaining, but share similar issues found in the previous version. The blend of 2D sprites with 3D backdrops and objects produced mixed feedback.

5. Driver 3

A Threequel That Impressed Visually, But Not Without Flaws

The eagerly awaited third edition, famously known as Driver 3 (frequently abbreviated as DRIV3R), did not quite meet the expectations of series fans. In this installment, players navigate through the three open-city landscapes of Miami, Nice, and Istanbul, resuming control over John Tanner, who has been transformed into an FBI agent unraveling a global car-theft syndicate.

Critics praised the graphics, city landscapes, and driving features, yet again found problems with the on-foot segments and performance glitches. Regardless of unfavorable reviews, the game proved profitable and led to follow-ups over time. As ever, the “Film Director Mode” was appreciated as well.

4. Driver: Parallel Lines

A Series of Flashbacks Makes for an Eventful Experience

In the game “Driver: Parallel Lines,” there were significant alterations. Notably missing was regular character John Tanner. Instead, players control a getaway driver named TK. The game is set in New York City during 1978, and later in 2006 as TK seeks revenge after serving 28 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

In the aftermath of perceived shortcomings in “Driver 3”, Reflections decided to prioritize the driving aspect in future missions. While the game’s soundtrack and portrayal of New York in two different eras garnered positive feedback, graphical flaws and gunplay were met with continued criticism.

3. Driver 2

The Wheelman Is Back in a Classic

Platform: PlayStation, Game Boy Advance
Released: 2002-11-14
Developer: Reflections Interactive
Genre: Action, Driving

For the very first time in this series, character John Tanner manages to step out of his vehicle and commandeer others. Spanning four extensive urban landscapes – namely Chicago, Havana, Las Vegas, and Rio de Janeiro, all open for exploration within ‘Take a Ride’ mode – the game titled Driver 2 was a financial triumph, mirroring its precursor in popularity.

Feedback on this title was divided significantly. On one hand, some hailed it as among the greatest games ever produced, while others argued that the original game was superior and didn’t see enough progress to warrant a follow-up. As for the gameplay, it leans heavily on vehicle missions, with all the action occurring within cutscenes, which gives the experience a cinematic, action-movie feel.

2. Driver: San Francisco

Shifting Gears as One of the Best of the Best

In approximately six months following the events from Driver 3, you find yourself back in the driver’s seat as our familiar character, John Tanner, in the game titled Driver: San Francisco. This is the fifth major installment of the series and it unfolds in the breathtaking landscapes of San Francisco and its surrounding Bay Area. Boasting one of the largest playable maps in gaming at over 208 miles of roads, every vehicle comes equipped with a ‘boost’ feature that promises an exhilarating and swift driving experience.

To stand out among current games, we’ve chosen a unique approach: Players can no longer exit their vehicles; instead, they can “Shift” between any other vehicle shown on the game map, like phasing through them. This feature turned out to be quite appealing, and the addition of real-life licensed vehicles for the first time was warmly received.

1. Driver

It’s Hard to Beat the Original Classic

One captivating way to rephrase this passage is: “Still considered a timeless masterpiece among Sony’s initial console offerings, Driver stands out as the top game within its series. Drawing inspiration from high-speed car chase films of the 60s and 70s, this game is set in four distinctive cities – Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco. The protagonist of the story is John Tanner, a secret agent cop who goes undercover to dismantle a criminal organization.

The innovative “Film Director” and “Quick Replay” features significantly enhance the sensation of being in a film, making the game an unparalleled triumph, both in terms of critical acclaim and sales. However, the main drawback lies in the challenging tutorial level that must be completed, but those who persevere are rewarded with an exceptional gaming experience.

2024-12-23 12:34