Driver 2, published by Infogrames

THE sequel to the best-selling game of 1999 has hit the streets, and it's as addictive as ever.

Putting you once more in the role of undercover cop Tanner, only this time the horizons are much wider.

Not only will you travel round more than just one city, each with its own individual character (check out the classic car styles in Havana), but you aren't limited to staying inside a single car. You can climb out, go running the streets and steal cars from others.

Getting out of the car isn't just a gimmick. Sometimes it's a vital tactic to throw the police off your trail or to get a less-damaged car to carry out the rest of your mission with.

Many people struggled with the original Driver, as it wasn't by any means an easy game to play. Driver 2 is equally tough, but at least this time the missions aren't impossibly hard from the very outset. A couple of simpler missions help you get into the groove before you have to really hone your abilities.

There are a couple of flaws with Driver 2, the most noticeable being the pop-up graphics. What that means is that you can be driving along, looking at a distant horizon, when all of a sudden buildings appear in the near distance as if from nowhere.

This is particularly awkward if you're driving around the inside of a parking complex. You can see what looks like an exit, gun the engines and suddenly find a dead end appear and have to slam on the brakes.

Graphics-problems aside, Driver 2 is still a heap of fun, and really catches a Starsky and Hutch-style mood.

Get in the car, you won't be disappointed.

Graphics 3/5

Sound 4/5

Gameplay 4/5

Gamespan 4/5

Overall 4/5