DRIVER
Let's start by saying that I'm sure every kid played cops and robbers growing up. Now that we're grown-ups (aka BIG kids), we can do the same using our favourite retro computer. This is thanks to Microïds and their 1989 hit, Chicago 90, which allows us to drive the streets as either the good or bad guys. Easy choice, I say?
As a cop, it's our job to do the chasing, but that role didn't really click with me. It's more fun being the bad guys whenever you get the chance, and it's a good job too because being the bad guy in Chicago 90 is fantastic!! After all, what's better than a car full of swag as you rush to flee the city limits? Gotta earn that freedom!
That's enough reading for the moment, let's take a look at the first screenshot...
You could be a good guy instead of running from the law? Yeah, that's what I thought!!
Read the flipping manual
Initially, the in-game user interface is rather complex and confusing, especially as a copper. It's a cumbersome design - down the left are many icons, most of which I have no idea what they mean. Also, at the bottom of the screen are two windows; the first is an overhead city map displaying the location of the fuzz. The other is a first-person view that should help avoid crashing into law-abiding citizens. Well, in theory!
So, ignoring the complexity of being a copper, let's be a baddie! This is a game of escape. Ie, can you escape the city and break free of their jurisdiction? The cops chasing are a little daft, with naive AI that isn't exactly Einstein-level, but good enough for a chase. If caught, you're presented with a rather dodgy-looking image representing the scene. I shall say no more about this, but you need to see it for yourself.
At first, the controls feel a little flaky, but after a few practice games, you will be ripping around Chicago in no time. Sadly, collision detection is often suspect, and hitting the landscape causes the car to oddly bounce during that bump. That's not a big deal, really, and certainly adds a dollop of silliness to the chase, without stopping you dead in your tracks. This is brilliant, so the game's momentum isn't halted, nor the fun!
Bouncy, crashy, messy, funny... I don't care! So let's see another screenshot...
Success!! We've finally found the way out of this urban jungle. Now, HIT IT!!
The CryptO'pinion?
Chicago 90's downfall is its weak Police role, which is cumbersome and rather boring. So, that left me with the gangster role, which thankfully, is tons of fun! Driving through the city, running from the cops, is surely an early glimpse into an early GTA experience? It's pretty much fantastic, and I've loved every second.
With a little thought for gameplay objectives and a better UI, this could have been a fantastic venture into a life of crime prevention. As it happens, the cops suck, so we're stuck playing the bad guys, and the only objective is to escape the Chicago maze. Regardless, racing from the cops is always going to be a thrill.
All things considered, I really enjoyed this, so I ended up buying it. A superb game!
Visit Chicago - Driver & GTA style!
8bitchip has a hard drive installable version
Atari Greenlog now has a cool gameplay video.
