Fast-paced anti-gravity racing game that is largely a clone of WipEout 3/SE and 2097 from the WipEout series.
In comparison to most games like this there is more focus of the vertical movement of your ship as it gains height from bumps and controlling ship nozzle to match the track or control elevation.
Like WipEout normal race modes have combat elements where you pick up weapons from pods and managing these properly are key to catching up to AI opponents.
While being based on an older game in terms of core gameplay much of the convenience features and additional game modes from modern titles are added. This makes BallisticNG maybe a more comprehensive game and value for money than any of the official series as more content is added.
Things players might dislike about the WipEout series are the same here, punishing narrow tracks that can 'pinball' the player from slight bad control. Somewhat indirect/floaty ship control with heavy use of 'airbrakes'. (still largely depends on ship)
For fans of this type of game the campaigns can be a really fun challenge. Going for all Platinum medals is tougher than anything in the WipEout series but not by too much to be frustrating. The level of polish from the devs on the stages and campaigns is good enough to compete with the bigger studio titles. The soundtrack is also surprisingly solid and fits the game very well, having been polished further since release.
This is mostly a single-player experience with a large campaign and grinding to improve your times on each track in time trial or speed lap. Online multiplayer has been fleshed out in recent patches and works well but with the size of the playerbase don't expect to run into random players.
This game has been in development for a long time and has multiple expansions. At this point with Outer Reaches DLC the game has plenty of unique gimmicks of its own and a ton of content in terms of tracks and ships.
With workshop and mod support there are plenty of quality fan-made tracks and ships that should continue even when official expansions and major updates stop coming out.
Recommended as a very solid racing game that is a lot of value at this price. But being aimed at a hardcore audience (more than WipEout), the punishing nature of tracks and game modes having combat racing elements may be a turnoff to some.
In comparison to most games like this there is more focus of the vertical movement of your ship as it gains height from bumps and controlling ship nozzle to match the track or control elevation.
Like WipEout normal race modes have combat elements where you pick up weapons from pods and managing these properly are key to catching up to AI opponents.
While being based on an older game in terms of core gameplay much of the convenience features and additional game modes from modern titles are added. This makes BallisticNG maybe a more comprehensive game and value for money than any of the official series as more content is added.
Things players might dislike about the WipEout series are the same here, punishing narrow tracks that can 'pinball' the player from slight bad control. Somewhat indirect/floaty ship control with heavy use of 'airbrakes'. (still largely depends on ship)
For fans of this type of game the campaigns can be a really fun challenge. Going for all Platinum medals is tougher than anything in the WipEout series but not by too much to be frustrating. The level of polish from the devs on the stages and campaigns is good enough to compete with the bigger studio titles. The soundtrack is also surprisingly solid and fits the game very well, having been polished further since release.
This is mostly a single-player experience with a large campaign and grinding to improve your times on each track in time trial or speed lap. Online multiplayer has been fleshed out in recent patches and works well but with the size of the playerbase don't expect to run into random players.
This game has been in development for a long time and has multiple expansions. At this point with Outer Reaches DLC the game has plenty of unique gimmicks of its own and a ton of content in terms of tracks and ships.
With workshop and mod support there are plenty of quality fan-made tracks and ships that should continue even when official expansions and major updates stop coming out.
Recommended as a very solid racing game that is a lot of value at this price. But being aimed at a hardcore audience (more than WipEout), the punishing nature of tracks and game modes having combat racing elements may be a turnoff to some.