A New Step in the Series
Where I have to give props to the game for, is the fact that the game is presented in 16:9 (widescreen aspect ratio) which makes it look like a movie (if the blips and huds were'nt on the screen.) This gives the game a more realistic cinema like look. As well, the 'thrill cam' you can activate by pressing down on the digitial pad, gives you a 3rd person camera view, from outside your car showing it drive in slow-motion. You can speed it up or give it an 'adrenaline rush' by holding down L2 or R2 (I can't remember)
The graphics are fabulous, besides the accasional glitch here or there, the game visually looks great. The only problem I have with the game is driving. The game feels like Driver 1 (if your used to that, its not a problem) and the fact that they use alot of the same sound-effects, makes it look like they had no money when producing the game. When you crash into a car or something on the street (a screwed down mail-box) your car damages intensily, not to mention, slowing down to turtle speed. When racing this is really bad, because if you crash, theres no help in catching up.
Another flaw in the game is no other camera angles besides chase view and bumper view. I would like to see a free-roam camera. As well it would be neat to see flashing left-right signals on the cars, when you turn a certain direction, like in Driver 1. One problem I had with was no Director Mode. I was really looking forward to making my own stunt movie replays, with crazy camera-angles and such, but was disappointed when I didn't see anything suggesting it.
The music in the game is amazing. Like GTA, they really made a great soundtrack (at least in the 70s part.) It really made you feel like you were actually in that era, as well with the old cars, it made it look realistic. Alot of 70s songs were disco-funk songs which were all hits when they were released. The 2006 section was good too, but not the music I would have chosen if I was soundtrack editor.
So in conclusion, if you thought Driver 3 was bad (hell it was) then you might want to try out this game for a whole new look on the series. For one, there is no sideway strafing like there was in Driver 3. Now if you push left on the left analog he'll turn left and walk that way. Not side step in that direction.
I recommend this game to anyone who got tired of the series, or thought it could never get better. Well...It did. And It turned out great.