If you like this video and would like to see more like it, make sure to subscribe to Eurogamer on YouTube. As PlayStation turns 30 (again), we look back at WipeOut 2097 (WipeOut XL), the game that perfectly captured a moment at the height of youth optimism in 90s UK and gave the PlayStation a grown-up swagger that SEGA and Nintendo just couldn’t compete with. But why has the anti-gravity racing genre been a bit of a non-event ever since? Well, Jim thinks it peaked too early: WipeOut 2097 was so stratospherically good that the only way left to go was down. WipeOut 2097 would be followed up by Wip3Out, WipeOut Fusion, WipeOut HD, and various handheld spin-offs, but the magic just never quite came together in the same way. It also inspired dozens of tribute acts: the likes of Redout and Pacer, while not exactly direct copies of WipeOut, are clearly influenced by the king. These days, the best modern take on WipeOut 2097 happens to be a small, fan-led passion project in the form of BallisticNG: a highly moddable WipeOut-style antigrav racer that absolutely nails the brief, from ship movement and track design to its incredible era-appropriate soundtrack. It’s a special kind of retro gaming that doesn’t seek to preserve the content of an original classic game, but perfectly restore its vibe. This is why WipeOut 2097 being so good ruined everything. This video was created by Jim Trinca and was originally featured on Eurogamer.
WipeOut 2097 Was So Good It Ruined Everything
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Great post! It’s interesting to hear how WipeOut 2097 had such a strong impact on the gaming community. Looking forward to more content like this!
Thanks for your comment! It really is fascinating how WipeOut 2097 not only set a high bar for racing games but also influenced the aesthetics and soundtracks of many titles that followed. Its blend of futuristic design and electrifying music created a unique atmosphere that still resonates today.
Absolutely, it’s impressive how WipeOut 2097 influenced not just racing games, but also the overall aesthetic of gaming in the late ’90s. The combination of its futuristic design and electronic soundtrack really created a unique experience that many still reminisce about today!
Absolutely! WipeOut 2097’s impact on the aesthetics and sound design of games is often overlooked. Its futuristic visuals and iconic soundtrack set a standard that many developers still aspire to today.
I completely agree! The combination of its futuristic visuals and iconic soundtrack really set a new standard for racing games. It’s fascinating how those elements still influence game design today, even in genres beyond racing.