Driver: San Francisco

Overview

Driver: San Francisco is the fifth console title in the Driver series. 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. 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.

Story

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. Jericho is secured in a maximum security penitentiary, but has a plan for breaking out as he is taken to court. 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. A news helicopter is also sabotaged, and an RPG-7 is used from the moving helicopter to take out part of the police escort. Tanner and Jones pursue the prison van, now controlled by Jericho, though are eventually ambushed in an alleyway by Jericho. 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.

Initially, Tanner himself is not aware that he is in a coma, believing he has simply gained some incredible abilities. 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. The game takes place in Tanner's mind, and he pursues Jericho's syndicate as they perform various criminal actions. This ranges from the theft of a large amount of platinum to a small number of classic automobiles.

It is shown at the end of the game that Tanner has regained consciousness, and that the world he saw in his mind was based on the news reports he heard from the television in his hospital ward.

Gameplay

As was mentioned in the story, Tanner ends up in a coma. This has given him an ability called "Shift," which slows time and allow the player to select a nearby car, which they then take over. The developers wanted to bring the game back to its roots, and this meant removing the on-foot gameplay in order to focus on the driving. As Tanner shifts into different cars he will be able to take on different missions. NPCs who might be passengers in the car all have thousands of recorded lines of dialogue. Missions vary from ones related to the story, to humorous side missions such as helping a troubled teenager with their angry driving school teacher.

The Shift ability upgrades during the game, from initially allowing a street view, to a block view and eventually allowing them to teleport to the other side of town. Shift is limited to certain missions, and will need to be charged. As to how it will be charged is unknown.

In addition, this is the first title in the series to feature officially licensed cars, roughly 140 of them. Unlike most games featuring real cars, they are fully destructible.

The San Francisco game area is approximately over 200 square kilometers of driving space. The city of 'Frisco was made famous in the film Bullitt, and like the early games in the series, Driver San Francisco is based on the same premise as '70s car chase movies. The proprietary engine for San Francisco has been developed to allow realistic physics, heavy vehicle handling and cinematic driving, like that of the original Driver.

Car list

A full list of both licensed and unlicensed vehicles.

Licensed:

Abarth:

• 500 (2008)
• Fiat 695 ss Assetto Corse (1970)

Alfa Romeo:

• 159 Ti (2009)
• 8C Competizione (2007)
• Giulia TZ2 (1965)
• Giulietta (2010)
• Mito (2009)
• Spider Duetto (1966)

AMC:

• Pacer (1980)

Aston Martin:

• Cygnet (2011)
• DB5 (1964)
• DB9 Volante (2010)
• Rapide (2010)
• V12 Vantage (2010)

Audi:

• A4 2.0 TFSI (2010)
• Q7 4.2 FSI quattro (2010)
• R8 5.2 FSI quattro (2010)
• RS 6 Avant (2008)
• S5 Coupe (2010)
• Sport quattro S1 - Rally (1985)
• TT RS Coupe (2010)

Bentley:

• Arnage T (2005)
• Continental Supersports (2010)

Cadillac:

• CTS-V (2010)
• DTS (2010)
• Eldorado (1959)
• Escalade (2007)
• Escalade - Cop (2007)
• XLR-V (2009)

Chevrolet:

• Bel Air (1957)
• Blazer (2001)
• C10 (1965)
• C10 - Tow-Truck (1965)
• Camaro SS (1968)
• Camaro SS - Jones’ car (2010)
• Camaro Z28 (1986)
• Chevelle SS (1970)
• Corvette (1960)
• Corvette Z06 - Drift (2009)
• Corvette ZR1 (2010)
• Corvette ZR1 - Cop (2010)
• El Camino (1973)
• Impala (2006)
• Impala - Taxi (2006)
• Volt (2011)

DMC:

• DeLorean DMC-12 (1983) [ Wiki Page]

Dodge:

• Challenger R/T - Tanner’s car (1970)
• Challenger SRT8 (2009)
• Charger R/T (1969)
• Charger SRT8 (2009)
• Charger SRT8 - Cop (2009)
• Grand Caravan (2009)
• Grand Caravan - Taxi (2009)
• Monaco (1974)
• Monaco - Cop (1974)
• Neon (2002)
• Ram 3500 Laramie (2010)
• Ram SRT10 - Jericho’s car (2006)
• Viper SRT10 ACR (2009)

Ford:

• Crown Victoria (1999)
• Crown Victoria - Cop (1999)
• Crown Victoria - Taxi (1999)
• F-150 XLT SuperCrew (2010)
• F-350 Super Duty (2008)
• Gran Torino (1974) [ Wiki Page]
• GT (2006)
• Mustang Convertible (2008)
• Mustang GT Fastback (1968)
• Mustang Mach 1 (1973)
• RS200 - Rally (1985)
• Shelby GT500 (2010)
• Taurus SHO (2010)

GMC:

• C5500 (2008)
• C5500 - Ambulance (2008)
• Savana - News Van (2005)
• Sierra (1998)
• Sierra - Monster Truck (1998)
• Vandura (1983)

Hudson:

• Hornet (1951)

Hummer:

• H3X (2009)

Jaguar:

• E-Type (1966)
• XFR (2010)
• XKR (2010)

Jeep:

• Wrangler (1988)

Lamborghini:

• Countach LP400S (1978)
• Diablo VT (1994)
• Gallardo LP560-4 (2009)
• Jalpa (1986)
• Miura (1972)
• Murcielago LP640 (2007)
• Murcielago LP670-4 SV (2009)

Lancia:

• Stratos - Rally (1974)

Lincoln:

• Town Car (2010)

Maserati:

• GranTurismo S (2008)

McLaren:

• F1 (1997)
• MP4-12C (2011)

Mercedes-Benz:

• McLaren SLR (2008)

Nissan:

• 370Z (2009)
• 370Z - Drift (2009)
• GT-R (2010)
• Skyline GT-R (R33) - Drift (1998)

Oldsmobile:

• Cutlass 442 (1970)
• Vista Cruiser (1972)

Pagani:

• Zonda Cinque (2009)

Pontiac:

• GTO The Judge (1970)
• Lemans (1971)
• Solstice GXP (2009)
• Solstice GXP - Drift (2009)
• Trans Am (1975)
• Trans Am (1977)
• Trans Am (1980)

Range Rover:

• Sport Supercharged (2010)

Ruf:

• CTR 3 (2010)
• CTR Yellow Bird (1987) [ Wiki Page]
• RK Coupe (2010)
• RK Spyder (2009)
• Rt 12 (2010)

Shelby:

• Cobra 427 (1966)
• GT500 (1967)

Volkswagen:

• Camper (1965)
• Scirocco R (2009)
• Scirocco R - Rally (2009)
• Baja Buggy (1963)
• Beetle (1963)
• Beetle Convertible (2009)

Unlicensed

ASYM:

• Desanne 3.0T (Civilan)
• Desanne LX (Taxi)
• Desanne X/T pursuit (Cop)

Caisson:

• Elementary C (School Bus)
• Fairview (City Bus)
• Whippet (Tour Bus)

Camion:

• HydraMax 505 (Fire Truck)
• HydraMax AERV (Fire Truck – Airport Style)

Dykemann:

• Bison 453 (Garbage Truck)
• Boldius 278 (Old Big Rig – Cab)
• Dolva C-575 (Fixed-Back Rig Truck – Cement)
• Dolva R-575 (Fixed-Back Ramp Truck)
• Dolva S-575 (Fixed-Back Rig Truck – stake/prop)
• Dolva T-575 (Fixed-Back Rig Truck – Tanker)
• Haulier SF (Modern Big Rig - Cab)

Vandoorn:

• Atlus 3.8L (Courie)
• Carson 3.8 (Prison Van)
• Carson 3.8 (Security Van)

Y.A.R.E:

• Buggy (Boxy Buggy)

Soundtrack

The game includes 76 songs. They include:

• 22-20s - Devil In Me
• Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir - 10,000 Years
• Alan Hawkshaw - Beat Me Till I'm Blue
• All Thieves - Only Of You
• Archie Bronson Outfit - Cherry Lips
• Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady (alt mix)
• Basement Freaks - Gypsy Breaks Tal M Klein Remix
• Beastie Boys - Suco De Tangerina
• Beck - Black Tambourine
• Big Joe Louis - Go Go Train
• Billy Boy on Poison - On My Way
• Black Rebel Motorcycle - Club Weapon Of Choice
• Clarence Wheeler & The Enforcers - Right On
• ColdCut - Everything Is Under Control
• Death in Vegas - Sons of Rother
• Desert Sessions - Subcutaneous Phat
• DJ Shadow - 100 Metre Dash
• DJ Shadow - Dark Days
• Dr John - Everybody Wanna Get Rich Rite Away
• Dr Rubberfunk - Northern Comfort feat. John Turrell
• Edenheight - Peaceboy
• Editors - In This Light And On This Evening
• Elbow - Grounds For Divorce
• Fatal - Tuned up
• Fort Knox Five - Kool It Man
• Funkadelic - As Good As I Can Feel (1969 Version)
• Hound - Dog Taylor Sitting At Home Alone
• Jamiroquai - Whatever it is, I just can’t stop
• Kram - Ridin High
• LCD Soundsystem - No Love Lost (Joy Division cover)
• Leaving the fold - On You
• Liars - Plaster Casts Of Everything
• Maps - Let go of the fear
• Marlena Shaw - California Soul (Diplo Remix)
• Narco - Worth It
• Northern Light - Cocaine
• OC Tolbert - Along came a woman
• Overseer - Pump Action
• Pedro - Fear & Resilience (Cherrystones)
• Presets - Steamworks
• Primal Scream - Kowalski
• Primal Scream - If They Move, Kill 'Em
• Queens of the Stone Age - Lost Art Of Keeping A Secret
• Recoil - Backslider
• Robert Palmer - Sneakin' Sally Thru The Alley
• Seasick Steve - Big Green and Yeller
• Southside Movement - I've Been Watching You
• Span - Baby's Come Back (Radio Edit)
• Stephen Yerkey - Link Wray's Girlfriend
• Sugarman Three - Funky So-And-So
• The Black Keys - Black Door
• The Black Keys - Strange Times
• The Black Keys - Lies
• The Black Keys - Your Touch
• The ChiLites - Are You My Woman Tell Me So
• The Cure - Labyrinth
• The Dirtbombs - Chains of Love
• The Eels - Prizefighter
• The Flaming Lips - The Sparrow Looks Up At The Machine
• The Heavy - Big Bad Wolf
• The Heavy - How You Like Me Now
• The Heavy - The Sleeping Ignoramus instr
• The Heavy Trash - Good Man
• The Herbaliser - On Your Knees
• The Hustlers - Inertia
• The Noisettes - Dont Give Up
• The Prodigy - World's On Fire
• The Stooges - 1969 (Alternate Vocal)
• These New Puritans - We Want War
• TV on the Radio - Wolf Like Me
• Two Fingers - Two Fingers (Instrumental)
• Two Lone Swordsman - Born Bad/Born Beautiful
• UNKLE - Eye For An Eye
• UNKLE - Unreal
• Viva Voce Devotion - Viva Vode
• zZz - Soul

Trivia

• According to information in the E3 2010 presentation, Tanner's first name, which has never been revealed before, is John, while Jericho's first name is Charles.
• In the E3 2010 trailer, it says that Jericho is a crime lord. This is not impossible, but would be unusual due to the fact that in Driver 2 he was Solomon Caine's hitman, until he betrayed him. During Driv3r, he was a contract killer, and was responsible for shooting Tanner after he relented and left him alive in Istanbul, Turkey.
• The game marks not only the return of Tanner after a seven year absence, but also series creator Martin Edmondson, who left Reflections in 2004 due to a dispute with the studio's previous publisher. Tanner did not appear in Driver: Parallel Lines and Edmondson was not involved in its development.
• The yellow and black-striped Dodge Challenger heavily featured in the game and in promotional trailers is a nod to a "mythical" car in the Driver series: a Buick GSX which was featured in an early build demo of the first game, and was a hidden car in Driver 2.

PC System Requirements