Driver 3 screenshots   The Final Say! Gameplay 7.2 Graphics 8.1 Sound 8.0 Value 7.0 Driver 3 (Driv3r) - reviewed by Andrew B Review Date: July 2004 Review Score 7.5/10 Distributed By: Atari Australia

The original Driver game was a gaming innovation that was easily one of the most original and entertaining car titles around and although it had its fair share of bugs, it was still one addictive title. Banking of the success of the original game, Atari have finally released the anticipated instalment of the next game in the Driver series called Driv3r or in laymen's terms, Driver 3. Once again, gamers are reunited with the previous hero of the series, Tanner an FBI agent  who goes undercover in order to infiltrate a highly dangerous and organised car theft ring. These exotic cars are worth millions of dollars and Tanner must first start his adventure in the sunny city of Miami that holds a deep dark secret. Although the storyline seems a little basic, the game itself has come along way since its original predecessor and from the success of the Grand Theft Auto series, Driver 3 has taken a leaf from that book which sometimes makes you feel like you are playing GTA III. Although the game initially starts in Miami, Tanner soon traverses the globe in order to shut down this racket, once and for all. The storyline is also nicely progressed through some beautiful pre-rendered cutscenes that simply look quite stunning and really help immerse you into this deadly world of grand theft auto. The title also contains three forms of gameplay that include "Drive - Story Mode", where you must control the main character and engage in a variety of different missions in order to complete the game, "Take a Ride" that is basically a free-for-all mode that lets you drive around the city and do just about anything you want and also a "Challenge" mode that lets you engage in a variety of challenges from races to stunts that also unlocks a plethora of new additions to the game. The control system of Driver 3 is rather straightforward but I must admit that the car does handle a little poorly when the frame rate starts to chug but fortunately it doesn't hinder the gameplay too much. Sometimes it feels like your car floats a little too much and when you hit an inanimate object, it becomes rather frustrating because either you have to find a new car or start the mission again. The left analog stick is used to control your vehicle in the gaming world with the right analog stick is used to accelerate the car but fortunately the X button can also be used which is my preferred format. Apart from driving a variety of vehicles around, you can also walk around in the gaming environment and interact with cars, characters and also engage the enemy in some of the deadliest fire fights of this side of Los Angeles. When you are walking around in the game, the left analog stick is used to walk around in the gaming environment with the right analog stick used to look or aim your weapon.

Tanner also performs a variety of other manoeuvres like crouches, rolls, holstering weapons and of course reloading weapons. Tanner even has access to a variety of military type weapons that include grenades, shotguns, pistols and of course submachine guns.

Graphically, Driver 3 looks impressive (in some instances) but unfortunately it is littered with a variety of glitches that include poor collision detection, variable frame-rate issues and my personal pet peeve, objects that appear out of nowhere in the distance. However on a side note, the backgrounds are quite detailed and when you running or driving around Miami or Nice, you actually feel like you are really there. It should also be mentioned that the characters and car models in the game are also well detailed and move with added realism to give the player that added gaming enjoyment.

The voice acting of Driver 3 has also been professionally done and nothing sounds too contrived or forces and each voice suits the character perfectly. The game also contains a plethora of celebrity voices that include Michelle Rodriguez, Mickey Rourke, Iggy Pop and Ving Rhames who help the game by lending their talents to the characters. The musical score of Driver 3, although nothing spectacular suits the game and add some background noises and you almost feel like you actually in Miami or Nice itself.

Driver 3 (or Driv3r) is an interesting game that I would recommend to all GTA fans because this game is almost that. Graphically, the game is a mixed bag as is the gameplay of the title but it's not as bad as they say. Rent or Buy? That is a tough one but I do suggest that you give this title a shot because it may be the gem that you are looking for.

- Andrew B