THIS is the future. Wipeout 2097, the I sequel to Wipeout, is about as fast, furious and loud as a game is ever likely to be you are now 45 years ahead in time since its predecessor first grabbed you by the throat. And it's utter mayhem now. More tracks, more classes of racing and a soundtrack which will just blow your mind.
Wipeout 2097 is not for the fainthearted. Super sleek race craft and pulsating tracks that twist and turn like your worst nightmare are set against a colour drenched backdrop that is sure to have the adrenalin pumping. Fantastic 3D landscapes vanish over the horizon and your gravity defying craft is built for nothing but speed.
As a novice you will first want to get a little familiar with how these machines handle and, to accommodate such training, there is the Vector Class. This is a relatively low speed event but as time passes and you become more accomplished you can take on the Venom Class before challenging in the super fast Rapier Class.
It's a dangerous world out there and to survive you need lightning reflexes. These will be most needed when you want to punish the opposition as you speed around the tracks. To pick up weapons, shields etc you've got to fly over weapon grids while, at the same time, trying to keep the craft on course. Some of the new additions in this game's arsenal of weapons are plasma bolts, electro bolts and the quake disruptor.
Wipeout 2097 is, quite simply, one of the best games currently on the market. Superb graphics and music, featuring The Prodigy's Firestarter among others, make the whole package complete.
Graphics: 92%
Sound: 96%
Gameplay: 95%