This is a great game and fans of the Driver series will enjoy it, along with many others.
Graphics: 7/10 -While the graphics aren't too bad, they are of lower quality than Driver: Parallel Lines' last installment, Driv3r. The explosions are quite as pretty, and the cars looks rather bland. Not too mention that many pedestrians look the same, and to my knowledge there is only about 2 different looking cops. The color scheme is just about the best thing when it comes to the graphics in this game.
Bright, vibrant colors are used for the 1970's period of the game, while more dull, cool colors are used for 2006. It definitely helps make it feel like you have switched time periods.
Gameplay: 9/10 -Many will say this game is just a knockoff of GTA, but in my opinion this is hardly like it. While there are guns and motorcycles, and even similar missions, this game is based purely on what it's name is, driving. The cars have looser handling in this game than it's predecessor, which is good since traffic is far from scarce. It's New York and there are taxi's everywhere. Traffic is hard to dodge, but you'll get used to the intense police chases.
Driver: Parallel Lines has introduced a new lock on feature to help on foot combat. Press L1 to lock on and R1 to shoot makes guns actually worth using. A quick tap of the right analog stick and you will change your target, simple as that.
Since the game is free-roaming now, there are different missions you can choose from, of course they all lead to the same storyline, but in a different order of missions. You have a total of three garages, and one safehouse. Practically every car in the game can be saved in these garages, and they are universal, meaning you can teleport from one to the other and they all carry all your cars. This means any 70's cars you have when you go to 06' will still be there in your garage waiting for you.
There are also different performance upgrades, which makes it kind of like a mini Gran Turismo. You can add suspension, shocks, engine upgrades, Nitro, and more. As well as bullet-proof windows and tires, along with tinted windows.
Many of the game's longer missions feature a mid-mission checkpoint. You don't hear or see anything pop-up but it happens. This makes a lot of the more fustrating missions a lot easier.
Sound: 8/10 - The music in this game, atleast in the 70's, is incredible. Lots of hit songs that many people will know and enjoy. It really adds a good atmopshere to the game. The sounds of the cars is what brings the score down to an eight. Almost every car sounds the same. A motorcycle sounds like a pickup truck, a pickup truck sounds like a sports car, theres just no diversity in the engine sounds. It can make the game bland after a while.
The CGI cutscenes in the game are where voices shine. They use great dialog and the voices sound very good. Out of the CGI cutscenes is where the problems occur. The voices sound gritty and you sometimes won't even realize it was the same guy talking that just played in a cutscene. TK's voice is really the only one that stays the same throughout the game.
Storyline: 8/10 - The storyline is basically TK, an 18-year-old wheelman, is having the time of his life. Drugs, money, and girls. Tk gets set up and put in jail for 28 years. Now hes out and only wants one thing, revenge. It doesn't sound all too complicated, but to my knowledge this type of storyline hasn't really been played out this way before. Where the city and cars actually change depending on what time period your in. It adds flavor, if you will, to the storyline. It makes it much more interesting.
Value: 8.2/10 - I definitely feel it's worth the money to buy it. It's only $39.99 in stores and it's a great game with lots of things to do. The driving doesn't seem to get old and the game is just flatout fun.
Overall: 8/10 - If your a fan of the Driver series you will love this game, if not then you might begin to like it. It's a fantastic game with lots of intense police chases and reckless driving. It's almost guaranteed a fun time.