Wipeout Review

Shhhhhhhh....

The year is 2052 AD and the sport of choice is anti-gravity racing. The race tracks are reminiscent of a bobsled course, plus jumps. You also have the ability to race uphill, thanks to your trusty rocket engine(s). The vehicle itself looks like a rocket sled and hovers several feet off the ground. Your goal: get around the track ahead of the other guys.

Because the sled ("race craft") doesn't touch the ground, the only friction is air friction. This makes turning very different from car or motorcycle racing games. Its a little like racing a car on a slick surface, in that you have to start your turns a little early and let your engine and airfoils push you in the right direction. This control might be difficult for novices, but once you master it, it's smooth as silk.

The graphics in wipeout are beautiful. The sleds are garishly decorated with emblems and logos from sponsors (anti grav companies?) just like a race car, as well as the personal symbol of the driver. There are several different models to choose from and they are all rendered in 3d. They have different characteristics for turning, mass, acceleration and top-speed. The tracks themselves are smooth and pretty. The scenery makes you want to crane your head around to look out all the windows. There is a little bit of a pop-up problem with some of the billboards and hills, but you can't have everything.

Wipeout also has weapons, just to spice things up. The are missiles, mines, rockets, shields, and some other power-ups that you can pick up on the racetrack. These items only slow down your opponent (or you) when they hit, however, and must be used strategically. This game is not a shooter.

One flaw is that the game is just too short. There aren't enough tracks. There isn't enough variation. Unfortunately, the ride is over all to quickly.

But this whole review began with the sound. It is whisper quiet, and it is perfect. You can just barely hear the thrum of the engines over the low key techno-music. Even the weapons make a pleasant 'whoosh' when they fire or a low rumble when they explode. This 'audio massage' doesn't push you away from the game, it draws you into it. All those other game designers were wrong. How can a video game be this quiet and this exciting at the same time? Wipeout has the answer, and its good news.