Driver vs Driver: Parallel Lines
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Driver puts you behind the wheel of classic muscle cars as an undercover cop chasing criminals across sprawling cityscapes. With a blend of cinematic missions and realistic vehicle handling, the game delivers a thrilling blend of action and racing for solo players.
Set in a single sprawling city, Driver: Parallel Lines lets you experience the gritty streets of New York in two eras – 1978 and 2006. You play as 18‑year‑old T.K., a countryside kid turned wheelman, navigating the criminal underworld while mastering high‑speed chases and on‑foot gunplay. The game returns to the series’ classic driving focus, offering open‑world exploration, vehicle combat, and a story that weaves heists, betrayals, and a final showdown that lands T.K. in Sing‑Sing prison. It blends racing thrills with shooter elements for a uniquely cinematic experience.
- Immersive open‑world environments
- Tight, responsive driving mechanics
- Engaging undercover storyline
- Varied vehicle selection
- Rich dual‑era setting
- Strong focus on driving mechanics
- Varied vehicle roster
- Engaging crime‑filled storyline
- Limited multiplayer options
- Aged graphics compared to modern titles
- Occasional AI pathfinding glitches
- On‑foot sections feel dated
- Occasional AI traffic glitches
- Limited multiplayer options
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High‑speed police chases and exotic supercars collide in an adrenaline‑fueled race.
Alternatives to Driver: Parallel Lines
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataDriver (1999) offers superior critical reception, richer city variety, and tighter driving at a higher price, while Driver: Parallel Lines is cheaper but scores lower and has dated on‑foot sections.
Key differences
- •Critic scores: 95/100 for Driver vs 66/100 for Parallel Lines.
- •Price: $49.99 for Driver, $19.99 for Parallel Lines.
- •City scope: Driver features three U.S. cities; Parallel Lines focuses on a single city (NYC) across two eras.
- •Age rating: Driver is ESRB T/PEGI 7, Parallel Lines is ESRB M/PEGI 18.
- •Gameplay focus: Driver emphasizes realistic physics and undercover driving; Parallel Lines adds on‑foot shooting but those sections feel dated.
Gameplay & fun factor
Driver praised for tight, responsive driving and realistic physics; Parallel Lines' on‑foot sections feel dated.
Platform availability
Both listed as single‑player only; no platform specifics provided.
Price & value
Parallel Lines costs $19.99 versus Driver's $49.99, offering lower upfront cost.
Multiplayer / co-op
Both are single‑player only.
Content & replayability
Driver offers three major cities, day‑night cycle, weather, and more vehicle upgrades.
Difficulty & accessibility
Parallel Lines' lower age rating (M) suggests mature content; Driver's T rating is more accessible.
Graphics & performance
Driver noted as having aged graphics but still better received than Parallel Lines' occasional AI glitches.
Choose Driver if…
Buyers seeking higher critical quality, multiple city environments, and tighter driving mechanics, willing to pay more.
Choose Driver: Parallel Lines if…
Buyers on a tight budget who prefer a single‑city, narrative‑driven experience and don’t mind mature content.
Common questions
Is the higher price of Driver justified?
Yes; it has a 95/100 critic score, three cities, realistic physics, and better overall reception.
Can I play either game with friends?
No; both are single‑player only.
Which game is suitable for younger players?
Driver, rated ESRB T/PEGI 7, is appropriate for younger audiences; Parallel Lines is ESRB M/PEGI 18.