Driver Transformed

In several respects, Driver Parallel Lines is a huge change for Reflections, the English development studio responsible for the excellent and original Driver, and the subsequent downfalls, Driver 2, and Driver 3 (or better known in marketing terms as "Driv3r"). This new game not only changes fundamental design sections of the game, but it also tells a story that takes place in two different times, hence the sub-title, Parallel Lines.

As the young kid who yearns to drive fast cars, deal dope, and hang with the pretty young chicks, you make your way up the underground scene as the premiere "driver." You're a fast-driving, risky, and successful getaway artist who sees himself as an artist of sorts. A getaway artist.

Given the types of people you work with, however, things change, people betray each other, and before you know it, you're caught in the thick of some nasty fights.

In fact, when the real *&^% hits the fan in 1978, you're pinned as a major threat and the cops throw you in state prison for 28 years.

Twenty-seven years! When you are finally released, the world outside is completely transformed. The New York you once lived in was corrupt -- yet it was still innocent in many ways, hairstyles, clothes, cars, buildings, politics -- everything was different in one way or another.

When released, you enter into a world of even harder politics, worsened corruption, more cynicism, different kinds of drugs, cars, hairstyles, clothes, and even harder players. These hard players comprise the hit list of bastards who betrayed you -- and who make your Kill Bill hit list. In the second part of the game, you go after them with a vengeance.

While the superficial aspects of the world have changed, the fundamental game itself has not. After 27 years, you're out, wearing leather, smaller glasses, different pants, and yet somehow you still have the mullet. Aw yeah, the mullet lives! In a strange but whimsical touch, Reflections actually made your character's hair -- the long stringy mullet part -- flap around as you run.

These are the streets of 2006 look a little diffetent, no? The cars in 1978 might have been long and heavy -- gas guzzlers -- but the cars of 2006? Heh, well, they too are gas-guzzlers. They're heavier and amazingly, they're even bigger than in 1978. We've learned so much since then!

The streets of New York in 2006 look a little different, and certainly the people do. Check out these screenshots and return for more contrasts between 1978 and 2006 next week.

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