When Driver was released in 1999, it introduced gamers to a difficult opening level that has since become legendary. This infamous tutorial was set in an underground car park and required players to perform a series of complex maneuvers within a tight 60-second window.
Inspired by the crime chase thriller “The Driver” (1978), this tutorial demanded precision and skill, setting an incredibly high bar right from the start. However, it left many players frustrated and unable to progress.
The First Level of PlayStation’s Driver Will Never Be Forgotten
According to PC Gamer, Martin Edmondson, the game’s creator, drew inspiration from “The Driver” for this challenging level. The film’s protagonist navigates an underground garage, a feat that players of the game had to replicate.
I could do that garage in just under 25 seconds. So to me, giving you 60 seconds was plenty of time. Well, it wasn’t. If I went back and played it now I probably couldn’t do it.
The tutorial included handbrake turns, reverse 180s, and a tricky slalom, all under a tight 60-second limit.
The difficulty of this first level has left a lasting impression on gamers. On in a reply to an official post on X, one fan compared it to the notorious difficulty of Fromsoftware’s Dark Souls.
That first level was the Dark Souls of driving games istg😂
— Silent Dad Plays Games (@silentdadgaming) June 25, 2024
Comments on forums and posts highlight the shared agony of failing repeatedly at the slalom challenge and other complex moves. The term “slalom” itself became a source of confusion and frustration, leaving many players puzzled about what was required to proceed.
Did anyone ever actually beat this tutorial? 😂😂😂😂😂😂
— Michael Boys (@MichaelBoys4) June 25, 2024
The challenge was so steep that it became a barrier for many young players, with some admitting they never managed to get past it.
It Was So Hard It’s Part of Why the Game is Remembered
The game has come to be regarded as one of the best driving games ever made. In that way it is similar to Dark Souls as well since those games are also considered one of the best of the genre.
Used to spend hours on this game as a kid. Don't think I ever knew what I was doing at all.
— James @ Everyone’s Arcade (@JamesFromEA) June 25, 2024
Originally envisioned as a getaway driver, Tanner’s role was altered due to the publisher’s preference for a more heroic character, shifting his narrative to that of an undercover cop.
The first level was hard in part because the game didn’t tell you what you did wrong. Players had to retry the level multiple times, often without understanding what they were doing wrong.
The difficulty was so notorious that some players admitted they never progressed past the tutorial. This shared struggle became a rite of passage among fans, similar to what you would see in a Soulslike these days.
How about you give games like this a remake 🤷🏻♂️
— SharpshotRoe (@SharpshotRoe) June 25, 2024
Despite this, fans want a remake or remaster of the game, hoping to revisit the game with modern controls and graphics. The original game’s impact is evident in the numerous requests for it to be included in the backward compatibility program.
While some players managed to master the tutorial through sheer persistence or the help of walkthroughs, others never saw past the first level, leaving them with a lingering sense of unfinished business.
Driver’s tutorial has left a mark, a true “Dark Souls of driving games” moment that fans remember even today. Were you one of the players who raged at this level as a kid? Let us know in the comments below!
