Rating: - The reason I bought a PlayStation
Ok, quite simply, this game is the single reason that I bought a PlayStation back in the day. I recently moved and decided to plug in my PlayStation on my new big screen just for old time sake. Wow. The graphics are horrible compared to current gen systems. I mean they really, really suck. In fact, the graphics weren't even that great back in the 90's either. But the game play is still the best! You can't beat the electric crackle as you skid your ship through a tight corner at insane speeds, constantly on the verge of slamming into a wall. The reaction times and shear dedication it takes to be an expert at this game is fantastic. It's more of an art form in concentration than a simple video game. I wish more games were built with such high standards that make this a modern classic.
Rating: - Easily One of the Funnest/Best Racing Games of My Life
This game is a bit different than the popular racing games now, but it's like Burnout 3 but faster and with better gameplay. If you don't like techno you'll hate the soundtrack, but no matter who you are the weapon system in this game makes this wayyy better than any other racing game I've played. Everyone likes making/winning sweet cars in Gran Turismo, which has much better career options and top notch graphics, but there is NOTHING as good as Wipeout XL's phantom class when it comes to racing.
I get the feeling that people who rate this game low haven't learned to play it, and I completely disagree that Wipeout 3 is at all better than XL. Some other good titles are Rollcage and even better Rollcage 2, but the awesome gameplay of XL just isn't there. SNES also has a much more primitive version of Wipeout XL called Top Gear 3000, which is simple but fun and fast too.
Rating: - A fan favorite
Wipeout XL - Circa 1998
GOOD:
- A better version of a great and original game
- Good/Tight controls
- Really good techno soundtrack
BAD:
- To todays gamer these graphics look dated, but at the time they looked state of the art
- Gameplay is not as fluid when compared to today's racing games
- If you hate futuristic racing, techno, or racing while shooting games
WILL IT FIT YOUR TASTE:
- A futuristic racing game, with hovering cars
- Cars can shoot at each other
- Techno soundtrack
GAME ITS MOST ASSOCATED TOO:
- Wipeout
- Wipeout 2
- Mario Cart 64 (for the driving and shooting bit)
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- All the music is from real and somewhat known American/British techno bands
- This game is basically a remake of Wipeout, with more unlockable
- There is a version of this game for the P.C.
Rating: - Slow to fast in a heartbeat..
There's been a lot both good and bad said about this game. When I first popped it in, this thing was slow. I said "how is this such a good game if it's slow"? Well, my question was answered. Win some races and the game gradually gets faster and faster and faster, and, well, faster. With all the mayhem going on around you slowing down isn't much of an option. Once you combine the speed with all the other special weapons available this is where the game starts to shine. When your palm starts to sweat. When you realize just how fast your heart can beat. Think that's an excessive description? You won't think so once you get a hold of this adrenaline rush!
Rating: - a real wipe out
I don't get the appeal of the Wipeout games. They're terrible. Wipeout 3 and XL are no different. The music is good enough (for a bunch of techno beats... yeah, I'm not a techno fan) and the graphics are slick and futuristic-looking, but the actual racing part has one BIG problem: you keep hitting the side of the track as you go around a turn and for some reason that means you have to make a complete stop. It wouldn't be so bad if you just slowed down, but the fact that your vehicle stops *immediately* is the worst thing ever.
How are you supposed to enjoy a racing game if you keep hitting the side of the track and STOPPING every couple seconds? There's so many turns in any one of the races, that the problem is unavoidable. I don't understand when people say you need skill to enjoy these racing games. If I can't increase speed, then what ELSE is there to enjoy? If the appeal lies in playing each race over and over so you can memorize the track to avoid hitting the side, then count me out. Doing that would be WAY too tedious of a task. You need a lot of space to freely drive around or else a racing game won't work.
Sure, I can go around shooting other vehicles, but who cares about that when I can't ever catch up to them. Too many sharp turns in the Wipeout series make it difficult to build up speed. Right when I think I've got a good race going, I hit the side and my car stops and there goes the momentum. What a way to kill the fun.
- The reason I bought a PlayStation
- A fan favorite
- a real wipe out
