Driver: San Fransisco is the continuing story of John Tanner and his struggle to keep Charles Jericho, San Francisco’s most wanted, locked up and off the streets. I, being a huge fan of the racing genre, still had low hopes for this game before it’s release. Little did I know that when I started plaing, that it would stick out to me as one of the most innovative games to hit the driving genre in a long time.
To start, John Tanner is injured in the early minutes of the game. Setting up the story for the game as well as setting the stage for some of the most unique gameplay I’ve witnessed in years. You quickly learn the that Tanner has a new feature up his sleeve and is simply the one mechanic of the game that wins me over. The ability to shift. Shifting is basically floating up out of the car you’re driving, and shifting into anything rolling down the streets that takes your fancy. Yes, it still has all the great features that we may remember from previous Driver games. The great driving physics and generally a gearhead feel to the game. The ability to shift allows the game to be played in a very different manner, that takes it beyond any driving game on the market today.
Imagine being in a car chase, or a race that you may need the edge on. All you need to do is shift into another, faster, stronger, all round better car and just slam your opponent head on, and with a quick switch back, give yourself the clear advantage. Normaly I think that options like this wear thin rather quick, but for me this new shifting ability made me want to play the game time and time again and really have fun with this unique mechanic. Even though shifting is a huge part of the game, Driver does not lack on other features.
Some of the missions are more original than anything I’ve seen in this type of game for a long time. An example would be one mission asking you to drive under moving semi trucks  in order disarm bombs that have been planted. The side missions are clearly the meat and potatoes of the game, but the story is there and kind of indepth, but short to say the least. Half way through the game the story was giving me doubts, but Reflections does a great job of making the whole thing just work right.
On top of all this great gameplay, Driver pleases and serenades with a great soundtrack which gives a very retro touch to the game, making for the action to feel in a steady flow. All the cars are very detailed with the genuine engine sounds, and interiors that any particular car might have. The cars themselves, as obvious as it may sound, are also a great feature to the game. I can’t stress how impressive the garage is in this game, and there are tons of cars to be unlocked an bought. You buy these cars from gathering Driver’s currency — willpower. Willpower is given for nearly everything you do in San Francisco. From simple things like drifts and jumps, to the longer, more challenging mini-events — the latter rewarding more. Also in the garage, you have the ability to buy upgrades for your chosen car, helping with things like boosting, ramming, and making income to buy all of those nice cars I was speaking of.
All in all, there are many great things about this new entry into the Driver franchise, and one that won’t be forgotten soon. Driver creates the perfect blend of a solid racing game experience, with surprisingly unique and quirky feature. If Driver is given a chance, it shan’t disappoint with its innovative gameplay, and groundbreakingly distinct features.
