Trying BallisticNG - Best AG Racer on PC?

[@AGRacingCentral]

I can understand the hype and overwhelmingly positive reviews for BallisticNG. So glad I have a Steamdeck so I can finally sink some hours into it! If you've tried the game out, what do you think about it?

[@MatthewBester]

Ahh the Steamdeck, yes I'd imagine it would look pretty good on that.

[@viciousyeen6644]

I Love the Mod tracks and custom ships for it from the workshop!

[@AGRacingCentral]

@@viciousyeen6644 I've heard and seen that people have created som really cool stuff!

[@KnjazNazrath]

Best racing game ever. You haven't lived until you've played the DOOM version of Rainbow Road whilst flying a pizza against an alien ship and some guy in an 86.

[@OptifexMusic]

its quite good

[@PhantomPlaysYT]

There is a very steep learning curve to this game, but when you learn the ins-and-outs of the mechanics, it proves itself as one of the best racers ever

[@AGRacingCentral]

I can certainly see that being the case. The developers chose a very niche audience but the game itself seems very polished in the right places. The controls are super tight and getting into the groove on higher speed classes must be very satisfying.

[@trappist-x]

I found out about WipEout and really wanted to play it, but without a PS4 BNG was my option. Definitely worth the price, I've over 100 hours in it now! It gives me that meditative feeling of practicing the same thing over and over again like with the piano, trying to get perfect laps and best the AI.

[@AGRacingCentral]

I can definitely see that! It's funny how you can sink as many hours into an arcade racers as you can with a triple A RPG :) The culture BNG has surrounding it really speaks volumes about how good the game is.

[@kabelsalat2039]

None of the music in ballisticNG is prone to getting copyright striked, its all "stream safe" so to say!

[@AGRacingCentral]

Thanks a lot for the info, that's very good to know! Licensed music can be such a minefield on KZbin :)

[@pythonxz]

Vonsnake is a cool person. I picked his brain about how he implemented the hover mechanics in BallisticNG. Mine will be more like Wipeout 2048 era though.

[@AGRacingCentral]

I see, so you are making your own game?

[@gerardodaw9768]

I play since 0.8 (few years ago) or some version close to that and I must say it's my favourite AG racer on PC, and second place on the "any system" category. The first place is Wipeout 3. You can mod BNG with hundreds of tracks and ships, so you never get bored!

[@AGRacingCentral]

I've heard that if you start looking into the mods for BNG, the content quickly gets overwhelming :) I certainly like the game too, I can definitely see what all the hype is about.

[@rapidemboar4625]

Having followed the project since 2017, this is legitimately my favorite game on Steam, period. The handling is tough, but once you get the hang of it it's very tight and rewarding. There's so many different modes to choose from, and I personally can't get enough of survival mode with its virtual "music visualizer" environments syncing up to my custom playlists. And with the continued addition of new tracks, modes, and ships, this game always has something new to discover every time I hop back in after a long break. And that's all before the cheat options and all the modded content adding even more to play with. I'm really sad the Switch port got cancelled amidst the Unity debacle, this is a hidden gem that I'm always happy to see more people discover for the first time.

[@AGRacingCentral]

Yes, the cancellation of,the Switch version was really bad news. Just like you described, this game seem to provide heap loads of content. From what I’ve played, I really like the controls too. If you’re not used the old school wipeout games, the drifty nature of the crafts takes some getting used to but the game is really rewarding to play!

[@KnjazNazrath]

If I had a dime for errytime I told someone how to pronounce "Wyvern" properly, I'd at least have enough to buy BNG again. I'm glad you actually pronounced it properly.

[@AGRacingCentral]

What a random thing to be complimented about :) I work as a teacher so I try to put an effort into keeping my grammar correctly, even though english isn't my first language.

[@nicky_mir]

Besides the pretty large (and still increasing with each update) amount of vanilla tracks, there are so many great ones in the Steam Workshop, even some ported classics like Korodera, Manor Top and Stanza Inter. And also... Because of BallisticNG I got the VR set! The implementation of this technology in the game is kinda outstanding to enjoy the gameplay from quite another POV.

[@AGRacingCentral]

I've never been a VR fan but I SO want to try it in Wipeout and BallisticNG. I can definitely see that you can loose yourself for hours in BNG.

[@TCrag]

This is the best AG racing sim by a long way. I recommend using the cockpit view with all assesability settings turned off. The Rad Racer minimal HUD add on is also highly recommended.

[@AGRacingCentral]

Sorry for the late reply and thanks a lot for the tips. If I don't get instant motion sickness, I'll make sure to try the cockpit view out :)

[@TCrag]

@@AGRacingCentral it's well worth trying. I have a BNG playlist on my channel if you're interested in what it looks like with these settings. It is very immersive and takes some getting used to.

[@theangrymilitant]

@@AGRacingCentralAs a man who does not suffer from motion sickness, BNG in VR is an experience unlike any other.

[@AGRacingCentral]

@@theangrymilitant I wish I'll get to try it one day :)

[@MewMewMakeVideo]

Their UI got so much better over the years! Subtle and smaller UI has looked good ever since wipeout Pure, I don't know why they ever went for the oversized aesthetic

[@AGRacingCentral]

I did not know that! It must have been a blast to have followed BNG from the beginning to see how the game has evolved over the years. Thanks for your comment!

[@Gulfo1000]

I love the following : 1.Pacer 1. BallisticNG 2. Redout2

[@AGRacingCentral]

Great list! Pacer might have its flaws but it's still a solid alternative if you're hungry for more games similar to WipeOut.

[@rwentfordable]

I love all of those games too.

[@pythonxz]

Pacer got better then? I have it so I'll need to give it another try.

[@crintondux]

Actually, just to be ‘that guy’😂, the afterburner IS from the original PS1 Wipeout games, it was featured in Wipeout 3 and was called Hyperthrust. It drains shield in exactly the same way. Hey if you’ve never played Wipeout 3 I’d highly recommend it. Especially the Special Edition. It’s the best one, even better than 2097 imo.

[@AGRacingCentral]

You are always welcome to correct me, the last thing I want to do is to spread incorrect information. I did actually play Wipeout 1 and 2097 growing up but not a lot of Wipeout 3 which is the reason why I forgot the after burner mechanic from that game even though the fact has come to my attention since making this video. Thank you for your comment!

[@SAN-cd1px]

Una grata sorpresa este juego para los fanáticos de los AG Games ❤️

[@AGRacingCentral]

It sure is! Super solid gameplay if you don't mind the retro styled looks.

[@SAN-cd1px]

@@AGRacingCentral The retro style gives it a special touch. A nostalgic feeling, like when you return to your childhood and everything is just as you remembered it (Wipeout 3 🙂)

[@adriansumner1412]

Wow fantastic. Has this game got a series going on, what about the soundtrack I hope they've done the same thing as the wipEout series be good to discover some new electronica, looks great.

[@AGRacingCentral]

If you're a fan of the older style of Wipeout games, BallisticNG is really where it's at. The music is great too, really following the style what we have come to expect from AG racing games.

[@adriansumner1412]

@@AGRacingCentral Yeah cool I'll check it out thanks for the upload.

[@carljonsongamer2186]

Bro you need to try the redout games, they're pretty cool, and unique

[@AGRacingCentral]

Great suggestions! I have actually played my fair share of Redout 2. I really like it, it's certainly a unique experience.

[@nooobateverything]

in my opinion... This is the best time trial game EVER... for me at least. I have over 1K hours on this game (just in time trials alone) on steam since i downloaded it in 2018. Lot's of great tracks to master in full speed, Also Zen mode is my shit.

[@AGRacingCentral]

I think I see what you mean. I haven't gotten to that level of gameplay myself but I can imagine it being a great feeling to know all tracks by heart and be able to take them on at super sonic speeds. Thank you for checking out the video!

[@jedijon1976]

Where is the announced Switch version announced in 2020, maybe they are saving it for Switch2?

[@AGRacingCentral]

Sorry, I have no inside info yet :) Super cool that they are making it though, the Switch could definitely handle the minimalistic style of this game.

[@rapidemboar4625]

Unfortunately, it was cancelled this week due to Unity's rather disastrous policy changes. There's a news article explaining in more detail on the Steam page.

[@beardalaxy]

You have probably found this out by now, but you don't absorb power ups in BNG. You just discard them. I personally find the game way easier to play with the rear cam as opposed to the track cam.

[@AGRacingCentral]

Thanks a lot for the tips, I'll make sure to try the different camera options out!

[@pythonxz]

The only other AG racer I would recommend is Redout 1/2.

[@AGRacingCentral]

I see what you mean, those games are great. In my personal opinion though, there are a couple of other titles that are worth checking out too. Thank you for your comment!

[@beanut7759]

By the way, the game is DRM free, so u caN probably play the music.

[@AGRacingCentral]

Thanks for the info! That's very good to know.

[@gradeaclassholes7814]

I just got a steam deck too! Buying this

[@AGRacingCentral]

Great choice! It's probably the best Steam exclusive AG racig game out there.

[@gradeaclassholes7814]

I’m liking it. Great vibe. Little fzero 99 alternative haha

[@VestedUTuber]

I lean more towards the F-Zero side of AG racing, but BallisticNG is pretty fun. It's just that the weapons usually found in WipeOut-style games are a turn-off for me.

[@AGRacingCentral]

F-Zero and Wipeout are relatively different so it alls comes down to preference. Since you like F-Zero I'm guessing you prefer no weapons at all then :)

[@pythonxz]

I would recommend you try Redout then. It gets F-Zero GX fast.

[@DiscoMouse]

Upcoming game on Steam called XF Xtreme Formula should be up your alley

[@Poppa-H]

Cool video!!! Wipeout has a good pedigree, and this is remarkably similar to PS2 era Wipeout. Man, you got a Steam Deck!!! Did you get it purely for AG racing games?

[@AGRacingCentral]

It was a big part of it, I really wanted to give BallisticNG a try. But PC is in many cases the main gaming platform nowadays so to stay up to date for YouTubing purposes it can be important to own one. I just didn’t want a big bulky tower for 1500 Euros so the Steam Deck seemed perfect.

[@Poppa-H]

@@AGRacingCentral I could never get to grips with PC controls. Steam deck seems like a great idea for ppl like me!!!

[@spoonhanz]

Hud looks like wipeout 3

[@AGRacingCentral]

For sure, this game is VERY inspired by the early WipEout games.

[@SAN-cd1px]

Amigo juegas muy bien 💪

[@AGRacingCentral]

Thanks :)

[@joebryant5722]

Sadly , I bought this for Steam and all it did was get me back into Wipeout 3 (one of the last PS1 releases) and HD Fury (PS3) which is stunning. This looks and feels like one of those tribute acts by fans, it LOOKS like the original but does'nt quite feel like the originals. 2 main problems, 1) it's early skill level is almost rapier class by comparison, too quick to soon. 2) The menu screens and tournament layouts are a complete mess not helped by awful text print. Shame, could have been but not. 6/10 for effort.

[@AGRacingCentral]

Felt kind of fresh to have someone criticize BallisticNG for a change :) I agree that the pace of the game was quite fast, even in the very beginning which I also think is not that beginner friendly. Personally though, I feel like the game is a continuation of the excellent original Wipeout games and that the devs does a solid job of expanding on that concept. Thank you for your comment!

[@angelpacheco1608]

I like Redout 2... but it doesnt quite have the style this game BallisticNG has. Wipeout 3 had a very unique aesthetic with the designers republic helping with the art and top tier soundtrack and I feel like BallisticNG does an amazing job at capturing that feel. Redout 2 has significantly better graphical fidelity... but BallisticNG has better style. And im very much a style over raw graphics person... Not to mention BallisticNGs soundtrack is also full of real jams as well. Its a game that creates a very specific atmosphere and takes you to a certain time and place and I love it for that. That said, Redout 2 is very fun and definitely worth playing... but I just wanted to give another perspective on why I tend to prefer BallisticNG more.

[@AGRacingCentral]

Thank you for sharing your perspective! BallisticNG certainly has a target audience in mind and commits to it 100%, at the same time risking of not attracting people who aren't old time WipeOut fans. I like Redout 2 but I also prefer the style and atmosphere in WipeOut/BNG. That being said, I definitely think that 34BigThings has brought Redout 2 it's own identity and a unique look and feel.

[@angelpacheco1608]

@@AGRacingCentral Yes I agree with that. You basically get the best of both worlds from each game. BallisticNG if you want that WipeOut feel and aesthetic and Redout 2 if you want something that is definitely unique and fresh, while still feeling familiar enough to be appealing.

[@datAero]

it's literally every mechanic from wipeout 3

[@AGRacingCentral]

I guess it is. They aren't exactly shy about where the inspiration for the game came from :)

[@term0s]

BallisticNG is good BUT only in 2280 mode. 2159 sucks (I'm a old 34 y/o WO fan) In my opinion graphics also needs some "modern" upgrade or "modern graphics mode" but BNG fans hysterically don't want it. It's very unnecessarily approach, cause BNG have huge potential for some modern looks by it's good gameplay physics etc.

[@GTCvDeimos]

I'm with you. I love retro as much as the next guy, but IMO, BallisticNG is overly anachronistic. It's always nice to pay homage, but also, technology is a lot more advanced these days, and there's a lot of opportunities to go hog wild instead of just replicating an already minimalistic game. Granted, I've only played vanilla, and should probably check out some of the mods you mentioned.

[@term0s]

@@GTCvDeimos Exactly. I'm a retro fan too (My retro collection in my gaming room speaks for itself...) but on PC we don't have much any games like this (with WO mods ofc.) Unfortunately development was (a little bit) stopped in past few years with SlipStreamGX (BNG but with "modern" graphics) and here is the reason why BNG needs a modern graphics mod. We don't have anything else like this on PC and I think Adam Chivers (VonSnake - BNG creator) is deaf to such ideas. Very sad......

[@angelpacheco1608]

​​​@@term0s Its because this game is capturing the aesthetic of Wipeout 3 and earlier (which im sure youre aware of as a wipeout fan) Wipeout 3 and earlier had a very unique aesthetic and gameplay feel that the newer wipeout games transitioned away from. And so BallisticNG does its job well of feeling like a wipeout 4 that wouldve came out before wipeout fusion. As a result, I quite like the aesthetic and gameplay feel of ballisticNG as is, since wipeout 3 was one of the best in the series, and especially since Wipeout itself... is basically dead

[@term0s]

@@angelpacheco1608 BNG Discord is full of such opinions like your and yeah, BNG recreate feeling from F3600 to 7200. Nothing new...... BUT we talks about some other thing.. Modern graphics mod, that would offer some variation of aestetics in this game, what is easily possible to do but a lot of ppl obsessively don't want it, which is a shame. And in my opinion from F9000 league WipEout got for the first time a real A-G "wings" that I fell in love in it. Earlier WO games was too "arcade" isch and pale in my opinion, without big fat atmosphere of "professional anti-gravity simulator" that older WO games provides. Just I'm a fan o modern WipEout from the beginning, despite passing all the WO games since the first WipEout.

[@angelpacheco1608]

@@term0s I like all eras of wipeout myself. Been having fun with Wipeout Pulse on ps2 emulator (with 60 fps patch and hd texture pack) I just disagree with how you phrased your initial comment. The gameplay in the old wipeouts had a lot of skill and finesse as well, so I appreciate how that also translates over to BallisticNG. I wouldnt be opposed to a "Modern graphics pack" Although BallisticNG looks fine enough to me as is.

[@ryanperrault8174]

My only problem with any of these types of games is the narrow tracks and slamming into walls. It's a poor design feature of this genre that no dev has tried to eliminate. With wider tracks + better air braking = less blaming into walls = more fun. Game looks solid though...not too fast like some others

[@AGRacingCentral]

I think I see what you mean. BallisticNG also almost mimics the gameplay from Wipeout 3 where the ships are relatively drifty meaning you have to start your turn before the actual turn appears which is why track memorization is very important. But yes, I think the speed in the game is very balanced, I don't necessarily think that a game needs to be super fast just because it's an AG racer.

[@tenkrow]

That's kinda like saying soulslikes should have easier enemies, or unlimited stamina. It's all part of the challenge for you to overcome.

[@whateverman9942]

Yes.