Official Website

Platform: Playstation 2

Genre: Futuristic Racing

Number of Players: 1 - 2

This is one of those snazzy little titles that was announced before the PS2 even hit the shelves in Japan. So, fans have had to endure screen shots and teasers as well as Internet video clips. At times, it seemed like Wipeout Fusion was just a dream that would never happen. Finally though, after what seems like an eternity of waiting, the game has at long last been released in North America.

Wipeout Fusion is a high-tech racer unlike any other. When the first installment game was released on the original Playstation, it was almost instantly a hit. The follow-ups to the original have proved to be just as successful, if not more so in many cases. Fusion however marks the series debut on the Playstation 2,

The concept is incredibly simple to grasp. Players chose a futuristic anti-gravity racer and pilot it in a series of race circuits. Of course, you have other opponents you’re in competition with, but Wipeout isn’t just about racing. In fact, if it were, it might be an incredibly boring game. Each course has numerous pads scattered through it. These do everything from giving you a temporary burst of speed to providing the player with various weapons.

As one would expect, all your favorite weapons are back, and with some nice improvements to some of them.  Additionally, there are some new weapons added in to make the competition heat up a bit. The classic missiles, rockets, and ever popular plasma bolt are all present as are the mines; however players can drop them individually this time around instead of all in one quick burst. New this time around are the flame thrower, the gravstinger which slows ships to a crawl once they pass over it, and the gravity bomb which acts much like the stinger but effects all ships in the given radius. Also new to the weapon archive are the super weapons that are unique to their respective team. These weapons may sound like their lesser cousins, but the results are a bit more extreme. Super missiles for instance target not just one ship, but three allowing you to take out more of the competition.

Instead of being stuck with the same ship through the game as with the previous installments, this time around you have the option to upgrade your craft. Successfully finishing a race will award the player with prize money, which can be used to upgrade weapon strength, shields, and armor. Ships also will evolve to better craft as more enhancements are made

For those that have played the previous Wipeout games and though they were fact, you haven’t seen anything yet. Fusion definitely shows what the Playstation 2 is capable of.  At times the action is insanely fast. Add in some interesting effects like track rotation as well as some nicely placed loops and you’ve got yourself a jaw dropper. At times the sonic speeds are almost too fast, but once you become accustomed to it, everything becomes academic.

The tracks this time around are equally astounding. Before, as players moved into new circuits, the tracks stayed exactly the same with a added touch of speed and additional laps. This time around, the tracks change as you progress to each new circuit. The turn you hit the first time around may lead to a whole new section, and there are also break away sections that lead players to short cuts to giving them a jump on the competition. There are also some incredible weather and terrain effects to add to the already outstanding graphics. The tracks this time around are huge, and definitely put ones from the older games to shame due to their massive length.

The only real downside to Wipeout Fusion is that at times the graphics do have a slight tendency to become a little buggy. However, it doesn’t happen too terribly often and most of the time, it does tend to fly by so quickly that it’s hard to notice. It also isn’t bad enough to detract from the game. Additionally, there are occasional level bugs especially if you fall off the course into a ravine. One particular instance of this sent me form the closing in on the finish line in the final lap to right back at the start of the level. Again however, this is a rare occurrence and is definitely not a deterrent.

What Wipeout has is plenty to offer. With six different modes of play as well as a two player option, several hidden and unlockable features, and a pulsing techno soundtrack by the likes of Orbital, Future Sound of London, and BT, Wipeout Fusion is sure to keep away those summer blues. Although fans of true racing fans will undoubtedly find great destine do the title breaking tradition, long time Wipeout fans and those seeking something a little different will definitely have their hands full with this one.

-mike-