Driver: Parallel Lines is the fourth installment in the Driver series and marks a bold departure from its predecessors.

Released on the PlayStation 2 in 2006, the game blends high-speed car chases, gritty narrative, and open-world freedom. Unlike earlier entries that leaned heavily into mission-based driving with limited exploration, Parallel Lines embraces a more sandbox-style experience — one that echoes the spirit of Grand Theft Auto but retains its own identity through a heavy focus on cars, chases, and crime.

A Tale of Two Eras

The story follows TK (The Kid), a talented young wheelman navigating the criminal underworld of New York City.

The narrative is split between two drastically different time periods: 1978 and 2006. In the first half, players experience the disco-era NYC with muscle cars, bell-bottoms, and vinyl tracks. But after a betrayal and a 28-year prison sentence, TK returns to the city in 2006 — older, harder, and ready for revenge.

This time-jump mechanic is more than just a narrative twist. It reshapes the game world, with the 1970s offering a retro, grime-stained New York, while 2006 is sleeker, more high-tech, and more dangerous.

The contrast between eras is one of the game’s biggest strengths, affecting everything from the vehicles to the soundtrack.