Driver: You Are Wheelman

Driver (known in North America as Driver: You Are the Wheelman) is a fast-paced driving action sim created by Reflections Interactive and published by GT Interactive exclusively for PlayStation. Released in 1999, the game quickly became a hit thanks to its unconventional gameplay approach and cinematic presentation.

The story follows a talented driver working undercover. He receives an offer from a mysterious employer and gets pulled into a chain of high-risk jobs tied to the criminal underworld. The protagonist must prove his driving skills in extreme conditions, balancing duty with dangerous connections.

One of Driver’s key strengths was the freedom to drive around large U.S. cities. Players get access to big-city streets where they must complete time-based missions, evade the police, weave through heavy traffic, and find the best routes. The open-world element and the feeling of a “living” city made the game stand out among other driving sims of its era.

At the time of release, Driver’s visuals were impressive: detailed cars, recognizable city blocks, and smooth animation created the vibe of a real Hollywood-style car chase. The realistic handling model, sharp turns, drifts, and jumps off ramps packed every run with adrenaline.

The soundtrack also deserves a special mention. The music and sound design perfectly match the action and highlight the tension during police pursuits, boosting immersion.

Driver: You Are the Wheelman is rightfully considered a classic that laid the groundwork for later games featuring open cities and crime-driven stories. Its mix of challenging missions, freedom of action, strong atmosphere, and standout gameplay made it a cult favorite and led to sequels—Driver 2 (2000) and Driver 3 (2004)—which expanded on the original’s ideas.