What Happened to Pacer? - A 2024 Review

[@AGRacingCentral]

There are definitely many things I like about Pacer and also quite a few things that leaves a bit to be desired in my opinion. Feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts about the game and thank you for watching!

[@crintondux]

You hit the nail on the head with your review, I have nothing to add really. Pacer was so close, yet so far away. It’s actually quite frustrating, I really wanted to like it, mainly because the graphics are really great. The handling was the worst aspect for me though, with the dreaded ‘floor hugger’ physics. I could’ve forgiven its other shortcomings if it wasn’t for that. But as it is, it just doesn’t feel enjoyable racing in these ships.

[@AGRacingCentral]

@@crintondux I might agree with you there in that the physics is what held the game back the most. It just doesn't feel quite as good to play as Wipeout does even though Pacer had a lot of other stuff going for it. Thanks for your comment and for checking out the video!

[@FRANKMUSIKOFFICIAL]

100%’ed this game. Loved it. Even though I’m a massive Wipeout fan. I think people who keep comparing things to Wipoeut should just play wipeout. It’s a pretty game and despite some short comings was very enjoyable. Grip was another fun game.

[@darkridearts]

Oh man I love Grip. I still go back and play it a lot

[@FRANKMUSIKOFFICIAL]

@@darkridearts yay I’m not the only one! I’m glad someone else gets it.

[@AGRacingCentral]

Very impressive having completed this game to 100%. Getting gold medals on every race seems achievable but completing all the team side missions must have been very challenging! I agree that this game shouldn't be compared to Wipeout but at the same time it's hard not too. I do however think that if you stop viewing Pacer as a "Wipeout clone" which it clearly isn't, you enjoy the game a lot more.

[@HankBaxter]

Even though I was insanely hyped for Pacer, after completing the campaign and going back to Formula Fusion, I realized I much preferred the earlier build. Their decision to basically abandon the physics (hovering/floating/flying basically no longer exists in Pacer, you just slide around like an air hockey puck) as well as the viewing angle and effects of Formula Fusion ultimately ruined it for me. Formula Fusion felt fast, and the ships felt big. Meanwhile, no matter how fast you go in Pacer, it doesn't feel fast, the ships feel small, and certain effects, while pretty enough, ruined immersion (I'm looking at you, gently flowing afterburners!) It's unfortunate. I uninstalled Pacer long ago, but still play FF every now and then. Man, if I could only find a way to mod all of Pacer's new tracks into Formula Fusion...

[@AGRacingCentral]

I didn't foloow the development back in the Formula Fusion days but it must be fun to compare the two different builds. I'm not a fan of the physics in Pacer when compared to other similar games but at least the gameplay feel is different som Wipeout for example. Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity to play the Formula Fusion build some day :) Thanks a lot for your comment!

[@GamerAlexVideos]

Nice to see an in-depth review from you on a very mixed game in the genre. I can definitely see a bit more of its shortcomings now watching this video.

[@AGRacingCentral]

Hello there, GamerAlex, thank you for checking out the video! :) I've been wanting to do a "XX years later review"-style video for a while and Pacer was the game that first came to mind since I had quite a few things I wanted to say about it. Keep up the good work, love your content!

[@akaunderdog4223]

Were there any developers from Wipeout that helped bringing this racing game to life? It's soo similar to Wipeout

[@AGRacingCentral]

Allegedly, former Psygnosis employees started the kickstarter campaign but it's unclear how many that were still around when the game finally released. From a visual standpoint, it does look a lot like Wipeout. As far as AG racing games goes, Pacer and Wipeout plays a bit differently though.

[@akaunderdog4223]

@@AGRacingCentral Race tracks are kinda dull and gameplay repetitive. I'll pass.

[@TheNixxus]

To add a little more to the game's history, Long before the kickstarter the game was first announced on the WipEoutZone forums. It was also heavily implied that the R8 games team were ex-studio liverpool. They sold Pre-kickstarter bundles called the "Test Pilot Program" with a large number of rewards in three different tiers, however after a restructure within the R8 games team, anything from before the kickstarter was abandoned and anyone bringing it up was ignored. All that's left of it is a DLC pack on steam for a single Test Pilot skin.

[@AGRacingCentral]

Ok, that's sad to hear but thanks for adding some trivia. I've heard that Pacer went through a bit of a development hell which of course may be the explenation for the game's shortcomings. Still, I think the game came out solid even though I felt like it had more to give.

[@iamthomasjudge]

Brilliant game - absolutely love this.

[@AGRacingCentral]

I agree with you, Pacer does have its shortcomings but it is a solid title. Thank you for checking out the video!

[@eazyrat]

This made me play it again. Its a great game imo. Shoulve called it formula fusion though pacer is an awful name.

[@AGRacingCentral]

Great, glad my video pulled you back to Pacer! I completely agree with you regarding the name, don't know why they changed it to an inferior one :)

[@dandy_is_lion]

Great review! I've wanted to try this for awhile because I liked its rugged look and hearing about its history. I think there's going to be a reboot? You mentioned Redout 2 having failed to meet the player count mark to grow in the competitive scene, despite being critically acclaimed. I'd love to see a deep dive into why that is and your thoughts on it now 2 years since release. Maybe with some dev interviews? Dutchman and Blu' have been more vocal in the discord recently

[@aether_echoes]

Specially since there are official news about a patch being worked on

[@AGRacingCentral]

Thanks! I haven't heard about a reboot but that would be completely awesome :) A deep dive into Redout 2 is a great idea for a video. Great to hear that the developers are more active now, I'll make sure to check into the Discord server and maybe even reach to them to talk about the game. Thank you for your comment!

[@AGRacingCentral]

Nice, I've completely missed that bit of news. Thank you for letting us know!

[@rwentfordable]

Great review. I like the game but I feel it's very slidey with little weight to the craft. I'm struggling with a destruction now.

[@AGRacingCentral]

Thanks a lot! The destructions events are very tedious and unfair, definitely one of the low points of the game (if you ask me). If you feel that the ships doesn't perform the way you want I would actually suggest fiddling with different performance parts if you haven't already. The performance loadout system is confusing to say the least but the different parts really impacts the way the ships perform.

[@RRVCrinale]

I feel like there's such untapped potential with letting you use your custom designs in the campaign. The teams aren't as bespoke as the WipEout teams, so why not lean into that? There's the big...what, ten, twelve teams, but why can't you use your personalized craft to represent a privateer who's only sponsored by one of the big dogs, to have you choose what side objectives you think you can achieve, too?

[@AGRacingCentral]

I completely agree that this might be one of the games biggest flaws. What you suggested sounds like great ideas and I can also see a version of the campaign where you alternate between sponsored team events and events where you fly "your own" ship.

[@ArcadiaCrow]

this game is so peek i wish it was not 40 bucks my friend and me play it occasionally but there is so much aggression with two people

[@AGRacingCentral]

Glad you also like Pacer! I also find it very puzzling that the game is not on sale ever on any platform.

[@iBlendrYaBollocks]

While 40 euros might be worth it for the game, I don't think it's near competitive enough compared to for example the 20 euro price for redout 2, 10 euro on sale! The game will probably see sales too tho, especially after the end of the studio behind it.

[@Totavier]

I have Pacer on my wishlist on the Sony app since it was released on PS4 back on October 2020. Until this days it NEVER went on sale, no even a single time, lol!. And it sucks since I would like to try it but 40$ for a digital-only game is way to much for me, if was 20$ or less then sure.

[@AGRacingCentral]

I agree, the price is slightly steep and Wipeout Omega Collection and Redout 2 are also cheaper and arguably also better games. And like was already mentioned, Pacer has NEVER gone on sale. At least not on the Playstation store.

[@AGRacingCentral]

My situations was the same. Had the game on my wishlist for a year and it never went on sale :) Finally decided to get it anyway though.

[@MrMaiko9892]

I did enjoy playing pacer but it definitely missed the mark with me hoping it be the new ag racer everyone would play, bit I found not many people played this game for very long, I did give it a good go to and had a few online races but not many people around that I know off be glad to be wrong on this point

[@AGRacingCentral]

I agree with your assessment. It's too bad really since the game had a lot going for it. With some extra polish, Pacer might just have been more successful but as it stands now, it's a solid but not a great title. Thanks a lot for your comment!