This ranges from the theft of a large amount of platinum to a small number of classic automobiles. The game takes place in Tanner's mind, and he pursues Jericho's syndicate as they perform various criminal actions. He does not realise that he is in a coma for a large amount of the story, though in this dream world he is able to manipulate cars in a manner that other people could not. Initially, Tanner himself is not aware that he is in a coma, believing he has simply gained some incredible abilities. Using the superior bulk of the prison van, he slams into Tanner's Dodge Challenger, and forces it into a road, where it suffers severe damage and Tanner is put into a coma. Tanner and Jones pursue the prison van, now controlled by Jericho, though are eventually ambushed in an alleyway by Jericho. A news helicopter is also sabotaged, and an RPG-7 is used from the moving helicopter to take out part of the police escort.
Using some of his underworld contacts, he has a guard plant an acid pill in his mouth, so that he can break free of his handcuffs. Jericho is secured in a maximum security penitentiary, but has a plan for breaking out as he is taken to court. Starting six months after the events of Driv3r, Tanner has managed to successfully apprehend Jericho, whereupon he has been extradited back to the United States to face trial.
Also making a comeback are Tanner's partner from Driver 2 and 3: Tobias Jones, and arch-nemesis Jericho (also from Driver 2 and Driv3r) who returns as the villain. The game returns to something of a past styling, as it brings the action to San Francisco, which was featured in the first game, as well as restoring the character Tanner, who was the protagonist in the first three games. That especially is a hell of a trick.Driver: San Francisco is the fifth console title in the Driver series. Gimmicky or not, there's a gleeful purity to Driver's action, from its lack of gun battles and on-foot action, to the way it soon convinces you that magically weaponising oncoming traffic can be as natural as a handbrake turn. With shifting, it's one of the most enjoyable racing games in a very long time. Without its shifting element, Driver: San Francisco would be enjoyable enough mediocrity, but nothing special next to other driving games. This keeps the story humming along, but makes the occasional spikes all the more noticeable when they do show up.
Rarely do you come across a particularly difficult mission.
You're also stuck with Ubisoft's DRM, which demands an online check when you fire the game up, though at least it lets you play offline after that.Įven with a controller, the actual driving is usually mediocre, with poor handling in most vehicles, and very rubber-banded races. The biggest annoyance, however, is that the controls are designed for a controller with analogue sticks, and trying to play with keyboard and mouse is a recipe for insanity. Graphically, it's unimpressive, and with no real options beyond switching antialiasing on or off. This isn't a great port, starting with the fact that it quite obviously is one. It can be a bumpy one though, especially on PC.