Driver: Parallel Lines Review (no fat)

Game Description

The developers of the Driver series are back and better than ever in the fourth installment of the game. Driver: Parallel Lines makes up for the lackluster performance of Driver 3 with enhanced game play and graphics. Don’t get too excited just yet though, as Parallel Lines still has the standard missions as any other driving/action based game. Think Grand Theft Auto.

Driver: Parallel Lines Gameplay

T.K. is the persona you’ll take up. The role puts you in the shoes of the most popularly known driver in the Big Apple. T.K.’s life is filled with fast cars, beautiful women, lots of cash and drugs. Eventually all good things must come to an end, and T.K. is caught by the cops in a double crossing that takes place with a few shady characters. How long is T.K. in the slammer? Oh, a good twenty-eight years.

The first thing on T.K.’s mind after he emerges from prison? Revenge, and lots of it. T.K is destined to kill each and every person that put him behind bars. Granted, in a new era filled with new cars, new clothes, and new scenery in a familiar town.

Over eighty different kinds of vehicles are available to T.K throughout the game. As an added plus, the time around gamers are actually able to customize their vehicles. The easy handling and driving of the vehicles in the game is also something that the developers of Parallel Lines got right this time.

The same standard missions apply in this game…which is a let-down. It features a storyline that has been played many times before, with mini games built into the gameplay. Driver: Parallel Lines feels a lot like GTA and counting that as good or bad is up to your own discretion.

Driver: Parallel Lines Graphics

The cut-scenes in Parallel Lines are more visually appealing than its predecessor. However, the actual animation in gameplay is just as gruff as in Driver 3. The environments and surroundings of each era that T.K lives in is very reflective of the time, and ties the gameplay and graphics together nicely.

One thing that Parallel Lines does really well are the car crashes. The crashes are realistic, and very graphically enhanced from the games previous version. Also, the game offers a cinematic view of the cars and car crashes when players hold down the d-pad. An added benefit to already great car crash graphics in the game. It makes it feel as if you are actually watching a car crash in a movie. Impressive.

Driver: Parallel Lines Audio

The soundtrack to Parallel Lines reflects on the eras extremely well. Music from bands such as Iggy Pop, Funkadelic and Grandmaster Flash will flood the speakers as gamers set out on their quest in the rise to driving stardom and the plots of revenge. The soundtrack is a huge highlight of the game, and it can suit anyone’s taste in music.

The sounds of the car crashes are realistic also, making wrecking other peoples cars and driving off fun again. You will have to turn their surround sound on to get the full effect of the sound tracks and audio effects of the game though.

Driver: Parallel Lines 2cent

While a good driving and action game, there are many aspects in Driver: Parallel Lines that are very similar to Grand Theft Auto (and the ESRB rating is one of those aspects). With the success of GTA, its hardly a surprise that others are following suit, however a little originality doesn’t hurt.

The graphics in some parts of the game are awesome, as well as all of the music incorporated into the sound track. If you are into games like Grand Theft Auto then this one is a must for you. If you are looking for fresh content in a driving/Action game I suggest you elsewhere. The title is every bit worth the US $39.99 price tag, as it does feature a lot of content and gameplay.