Wipeout 2 Review

If there's one thing Wipeout fans like to see, it's people getting KO'd by large obstacles. So they'll be pleased to discover that there's plenty of that in the sequel to the game based on the TV show. They'll instantly feel at home with this iteration, with the same gesture controls as before, but also with the newly introduced competitive element of a ghostly rival racing for the best time possible.

Fans will notice that Wipeout 2 has implemented a new energy system in lieu of a premium price tag. Though gifts and prizes from power-ups to coins (which ironically can only be spent on power-ups) are generously distributed throughout, the only way to recharge the energy of the contestants is to wait it out. The more characters they unlock, the more collected energy they'll have, but obviously they cost slowly-gained "Ballsy Bucks" - which of are, of course, for sale as an in-app purchase.

Gameplay-wise Wipeout 2 feels like the previous game, albeit with some of the life sucked out of it. Gone are the ragdoll physics that added a sense of suspense to things as the contestants were tripped up or flung into the air, reacting to each collision accordingly. There are no tense moments in which a character hangs half off, half on to a platform, only to hoist themselves up at the last second. While the original Wipeout may have had its flaws, Wipeout 2 just feels clinical and rigid in comparison, and that's a shame. Getting hit by any obstacle, no matter the size or motion, will pulverize any contestant in its way and prompt a drawn out checkpoint restart. It borders on frustrating more often than not.

With 135 levels spanning 15 seasons and zany themes aplenty, Wipeout 2 has a lot of longevity. However, while the themes may change the actual obstacles stay the same. They're simply presented in a different package, which means that most courses feel rehashed and predictable.

Wipeout 2 is a decent runner but it doesn't stand up to the first game, and that's down to the stiffness of the whole experience. It lacks the individuality and charm of the original, and soon becomes a bit of a chore more than anything.