Wipeout 2097
Developer - Psygnosis
Publisher - Psygnosis
Players - 1-2
Extras - Memory card
The bit on the box
"8 fearsome new race circuits. 11
Deadly weapons. 4 racing classes suit beginners up to anti-grav professionals.
Up to 15 fiendish craft on track."
Graphics
For a first generation Playstation title Wipeout 2097's
graphics are superb. Everything is incredibly detailed and it all moves
along at a blinding speed, very smoothly. If there is a game that sets
a precedent for graphical excellence in a racing game then this is it.
The vehicles are all hovercraft type ships and the tracks they race on
are futuristic type affairs with Red Bull advertisements spattered around
here and there. It's a wonder if you ever get a good look at the scenery
though as everything moves so fast that your eyes must remain firmly on
the track in order to stay on course, with sharp corners and glorious tunnels
whizzing by at breakneck speed. There is even a neat vapour trail that
comes from the back of your ship as you tear about the course like a lunatic.
Sound
As with the graphics, the sound effects and music stay
in the futuristic feel to the game, with a mechanical computer voice announcing
pick ups and the music done in techno (featuring bands such as Chemical
Brothers). The craft's engine hums along but makes no major change of pitch
when accelerating, which detracts from the feel of speed (such as the thrill
you feel in a racing game that uses cars when your engine is maxed out)
but still doesn't spoil it overall. The sound of the weapons that you can
pick up are your standard zapping sounds and are nothing particularly special.
Gameplay
Let me say this right away, be under no illusions, Wipeout
2097 is HARD. The control system takes some getting used to and even
when you have got the basics right there are plenty of air brake moves
to learn to get the best lap times. I have to also say I found the winning
of races in the cunning usage of weapons and other pick ups rather than
just pure speed, so normal racing junkies may have to get used to this
fact. This actually adds to gameplay rather than detract from it (well
for me anyway) as enemies can use weapons against you too, so even if you
are consistently the fastest on the track you can still be destroyed and
rammed out of the running. All in all though, after much practice it is
a very enjoyable challenge.
I feel a verdict coming on
There aren't that many games out there that can stand
alongside Wipeout 2097 as a futuristic racer, and those that do
pale in comparison. Psygnosis have done it again with this game, that while
showing its age is still one of the best around. Great graphics, a steep
learning curve and some really fast action and great soundtrack will keep
any racing fanatic busy for many days and nights, though whether you will
ever beat the entire game could always be in question (it really is that
hard), and if you do ever get good enough to win all the races, you can
always link up Playstations for a two player game. Overall, another great
title from a very consistant company.
Review by D.R.T.Barrett
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