Wipeout Fusion

"Possibly the best current PS2 game available"

WipEout has left the ps-one and gone to it's bigger brother the PS2, and I'm pleased to announce, It's every bit as good as the 3 previous games, If not better!

++GRAPHICS++ 8/10
My main concern with Wipeout Fusion is that while the graphics are pretty damn good compared the three previous games; I feel that they aren't really up to PS2 standards (compared with GT3).

Let me tell you why, Firstly, Where is the anti-aliasing? The sheer amount of jagged edges is ridiculous for a PS2 game (Not that you notice in a race going at 800+Mph) and secondly the ships themselves while at a higher resolution and much smoother, they are still flat shaded with practically no reflective surfaces,

I mean come on are we supposed to believe that reflections don't occur on something made out of metal? just look at the cars in Gran Turismo 3, that’s how to do reflective surfaces.

Apart from these two major flaws the rest of the graphics are brilliant with Mist, Fog, Snow and rain effects combined with bright pyrotechnic weapons, your eyes will beg for mercy!

++SOUND/MUSIC++ 9/10
As will all wipeout games the music and sound is spot on,
With music by not too well known artists such as The Future sound of London, Timo Maas, Utah saints and others mixed and picked by DJ Sasha that may not be to everyone’s taste, but for some reason it actually goes really well with the feel of the game and even if that kind of music doesn't really appeal to you, you will still enjoy it.

Right, on to the sound effects, what can I say, Astonishing, I feel is a good way to describe them, with thunderous sound effects from the weapons (Such as the all time favourite Quake Disruptor) and high pitch whistling from the ships engines as you approach 800+Mph, down to the ships onboard computer telling you there is an incoming missile approaching, you really will feel totally immersed in the action especially with the Dolby digital 5.0 support and prologic sound, Hook your PS2 up to an amplifier and feel the sound come alive, ahem, excuse me if I sound a little exited!

++GAMEPLAY/LASTABILITY++ 9/10
This is where Wipeout Fusion really shines, Like all of its predecessors Wipeout Fusion has Playability by the bucketful, You'll find yourself playing it for weeks just to get all of the ships as you start off with only three teams available and have to earn the rest by completing challenges, which in turn have to be unlocked by winning league races.

All of this adds to the lastability of the game, add to this multiplayer support with extra weapons available only in Multiplayer and you have one hell of a game.

My only concern with the gameplay is the free-form areas of the tracks where the player has to decide upon the best route to take, this may seem a good idea, but and this is quite a big but, if you make a mistake on these areas you can often end up losing the race, as you can easily get stuck on the scenery, this of course if very frustrating, however annoying this may be, you still can't dislike the game no matter how much you try.

++OVERALL++ 9/10
Apart from a few complaints about the graphics and occasional glitch with getting put back on the track in the wrong place (only happens on rare occasions) and the free-form areas, the game is still a worthy addition to you growing collection and will still be in your PS2 in many months to come.

++RENT/BUY++
I can’t stress this enough, BUY THE DAMN GAME!!!

TOTAL SCORE 9/10

Pros:
Great gameplay
Large variety of courses
Zone mode
Extremely fast

Cons:
A few glitches
Graphics aren't up to expected standards

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/11/02, Updated 02/11/02