I can agree wholeheartedly that many games are emotionally driven through evolving characters and done successfully well; example: most Final Fantasy games. Let's take another perspective through and then touch base with the Driver series.
The Legend of Zelda series supplied me and millions of others with some of the best gameplay, musical score, and story. I even had a tear drop for the ending of Ocarina of Time. The quirk? Link never says one word through any of Nintendo liscensed games, unless you count "YAHHH!", "EYYEEHH!", or "HHAAHH!". They're beautiful and the story is beautiful; An overwhelming emotional experience.
Now, I can respect the debate between TK and Tanner. I am just throwing the bone that there's a large stylistic difference between both and that Tanner hasn't even retained a permanent figure; he has changed throughout all the games. Anyways, I want to make a point...
We must NOT forget that some games are character driven and some are gameplay driven. I am certain Driver and its followers were gameplay driven. Fully enveloped characters spilling their life story and special moments would be awkward and take away from this main idea. Personally, I believe the best story is told in Driver 2. It's dark, gritty, to-the-point, and damn't, drive Tanner. THAT'S what it's about. I even loved Driver (1) for it's simple character nature. Every other character is leaving phone messages for you to do and you just follow, you drive.
In games such as these that provide so much freedom, it's a hard swallow when you have huge egos and permanent personality trademarks like in Driver 3 and Driver: PL. It becomes stiff and restrained. I really don't look at either Tanner in D3 or TK, although I've played them both. No offense, but I was laughing hysterically when in D3 Tanner, being voiced by hotshot Madsen, and Jones, voiced by hotshot Rhames, were just chuggin' on Sobe together, whoring out the series "Driver what? We LOVE our Sobe!". Many have stated D3 and PL have failed because of their neglect of gameplay and investing of all funding in music titles from artists, celebrity voicing, advertising, and promotion, but hey, I will remain neutral there. I can see where it's coming from but I really think it just takes away from the experience of, just driving. Driver and Driver 2 are still my favorite and part of the reason is the delivery of the characters. It's not about THEM, it's about the action and the driving! And for THAT reason, it's Tanner in Driver 2 that wins my vote for his unrelenting pursuit of the goal with little emotional display; he's a complete badass! (Other badasses that do not show emotion; Solid Snake, Dirty Harry, Michael Myers, etc). It could've been Driver (1) just as easily, which falls second, but the story was better written and had more elements to it in Driver 2. They played Tanner's character to just the right amount.
Just thinking with an open mind...sorry about the length
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