| Wipeout Fusion | |
|---|---|
 European cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Studio Liverpool |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Designer(s) | Colin Berry |
| Series | Wipeout |
| Engine | Kinetica |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player,multiplayer |
Wipeout Fusion (stylized asWipEout FuSion) is a 2002racingvideo game developed byStudio Liverpool and published bySony Computer Entertainment for thePlayStation 2. The fifth instalment in theWipeout series, followingWipeout 3 (1999), it was the first as well as the only originalWipeout title for PlayStation 2, with a port ofWipeout Pulse in 2009 being the only otherWipeout released on the platform. The game takes place in 2160 and revolves around players competing in the F9000anti-gravity racing league.Wipeout Fusion received positive reviews upon release, with particular praise being directed at itstechno soundtrack, but its graphics and track design received mixed responses from critics.
Wipeout Fusion is a racing game which is set in 2160 and revolves around players competing in the F9000anti-gravity racing league.[1] Players control anti-gravity ships owned by large racing corporations (collectively referred to as "teams"). Overall, the game contains 45 race tracks, 32 ship models, and 26 weapons.[2] There are eight teams inWipeout Fusion, each having a lead pilot and second pilot – players can choose which pilot and team they want to use before a race.[3] Each ship has its characteristics; depending on the team selected, a ship will vary in terms of speed, acceleration, manoeuvrability, shield strength, weapon power, and mass.[4]
The game has four race modes. Arcade mode involves a standard single race, in which the player must race against opponents and finish first to earn a gold medal; securing second or third place will reward the player with a silver or bronze medal, respectively.[5] The AG League contains ten tournaments; each tournament has 3 to 7 races with sixteen competitors. Money is awarded at the end of each tournament as a result of time, damage, and skill bonuses. Players can use money to upgrade the appearance and performance of their ships.[6] The other two race modes are "Zone" mode, which revolves around survival as the player's ship automatically accelerates to extreme speeds, and time trial mode, where the player may record their best lap times.[5]
In addition, the game features a variety of weapons which can be utilized to destroy other opponents or for self-defence. Offensive weapons include rockets, plasma bolts, missiles, and grenades, whilst defensive weapons range from deployable mines to energy shields.[7] Every ship is also equipped with a standard energy shield which will protect the player from damage caused by collisions or weapon fire. If a shield runs out, the ship will explode and the player in question will be eliminated from the race.[2][8]
The game was developed byStudio Liverpool (formerly known as Psygnosis prior to 2001[9]). After the success ofWipeout 2097, the studio wanted to aim their next game at an "older, savvier crowd".[10] Shortly after the release ofWipeout Fusion, chief designer Colin Berry said in a retrospective interview that he became disillusioned with the way theWipeout franchise was trying to emulate games such as Nintendo'sF-Zero GX.[9]Wipeout Fusion was announced to be published in North America byBam! Entertainment in March 2002, after a delay in receiving the publishing licence by Sony's American division.[11][12] The game was ultimately released in Europe on 8 February 2002,[13] and in North America later on 18 June.[14]
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 83%[15] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Edge | 5/10[13] |
| Eurogamer | 7/10[18] |
| GamePro | 9/10[12] |
| GameSpot | 7.3[10] |
| GameSpy | 8.5/10[17] |
| GameZone | 92%[16] |
| IGN | 9/10[2] |
Wipeout Fusion received generally favorable reviews upon release. It holds an average score of 83 percent fromMetacritic based on aggregate of 21 reviews.[15]
The graphics received mixed opinions from critics. Rick Sanchez ofIGN felt disappointed with the game's visuals, opining that its graphics had not changed since he had played it atE3 2001. Sanchez stated that the game looked like an "early first generation PS2 game", and asserted that had it been released a year from writing his review, the graphics would not have looked as dated.[2] Louis Bedigan fromGameZone praised the game's attention to detail, stating that the game's visuals had improved by "110%" sinceWipeout 3 and thought a lot of time was put intoWipeout Fusion's graphics, resulting in "something truly extraordinary".[16] John Kauderer ofGameSpy praised the game's key improvements over its predecessor – in particular its cutting edge graphic design, stating that it "sets [the game] worlds apart from the tired side scrollers and kiddy characters that populated the 16-bit systems".[17] A reviewer fromGamePro enjoyed the game's "slickly renovated" graphics.[12] Ryan Davis ofGameSpot criticized the game's visuals, asserting that although the track designs appear more "flamboyant" overWipeout 2097, the game "keeps its visual flash to a minimum". Additionally, Davis also expressed disappointment in the lack of awe-inspiring tracks, as well as the game's occasional slowdown andgraphical pop-up issues.[10] In contrast, Tom Bramwell fromEurogamer considered thatWipeout Fusion's only improvement from its predecessors was its improved graphics engine.[18]
Critics praised the game's techno soundtrack and recognized that it was an important part of theWipeout series. Sanchez opined that the soundtrack from the previousWipeout games—as well asWipeout Fusion—are "good enough" to buy separately. Sanchez also commended the game's sound effects and music, stating that both aspects are "dead on for a member of theWipeout family".[2] Bedigan enjoyed the soundtrack, saying that every song was "addictive" and "suits the game's 'extreme' feel".[16] Kauderer thought that the game had an exceptional soundtrack, stating that since the use of licensed music inWipeout 2097, the franchise had "changed the face of the industry forever", although he opined thatWipeout Fusion had lost "that cool edge".[17] Davis praised the "hard hitting" techno soundtrack; saying that it was a type of music "you'd want to listen to even when you weren't playing the game".[10] Bramwell, on the other hand, criticized the game's choice of music, stating that the soundtrack feels "like a practical joke" and admitted to muting the music.[18] A reviewer fromEdge lauded the soundtrack, describing it as "excellent, trance-inducing", but also said that the gameplay "has failed to keep up with the times".[13]
