Driver: San Francisco was definitely last year’s ‘Best Game No One Played’ winner. It is a spectacular game with clever game mechanics, sharp and witty writing, and some style to boot. Its soundtrack is primarily just licensed tracks from artists, but when it does show off its creative muscles, it’s pretty damn good and entertaining music. Not the greatest, mind you. But really good nonetheless.
In this game, you play as John Tanner – the best cop in the business. After getting hit by a truck driven by the nefarious Charles Jericho, you are put into a coma. And because of this, you begin to solve the case with your partner Jones within the confines of your comatose mind.
…It’s the most ridiculous set up for a driving game. But at the heart of it all, this game is essentially a buddy-cop movie, with some crazy psychological twists and really wacky scenarios happening at the same time. It also pays homage to all the great cop car chases of the 1970s, the classic American muscle cars, and their tacky but awfully catchy music. The menu music helps establish this feeling of retro awesomeness right from the get-go:
Right off the bat, you hear the familiar instruments and cues often used for old school cop shows – the low piano setting the mood, the hi-hat rhythms creating the tempo, and the good ol’ rotary organ for increased retro style. I’m also digging the main theme they have for the game – it is instantly recognizable, especially when the brass back it up, and makes for a good victory cue for the entire game.
This song must have struck a chord (pun fully intended) with fans of these old retro movies. In this case, the music here is emulating the main theme from the movie Bullit, and is only heard when you activate something called a ‘Movie Challenge’, where you jump into a classic car chase and relive it in the game. It’s a fantastic idea, and having a remixed version of the theme playing in the background only adds to the awesome.
Despite the strong retro sensibilities, there are times when it uses more modern sounds and techniques for their music. With this track, you can hear a lot of dissonant guitar chords, and quiet, eerie woodwinds in the background. At the same time, the relentless rhythm of the 70’s is there, with the big brass to back it up.
Seriously. You are doing yourself a humongous disservice not picking up this game. Driving/vehicle games rarely excite me these days, but Driver: San Francisco surprised me with its tight driving, solid mechanics, sharp writing, and its great music. It’s for cheap too! Go pick it up soon.
-FoA
Fins Of Air 