The year is 2132 and the earth’s remaining resources have been mined to create Space Ribbon, a reality TV racing platform set in the far reaches of the galaxy. Giant space creatures roam... extraterrestrial pandas and tigers that spew illuminated ribbons of solid space junk from their mouths (space ribbons.) Humans compete by racing on these platforms, using the beaten up cars left strewn across dystopian Earth. This hedonistic pass-time has become the fastest growing sport in the galaxy. The aim of the game is to chase down a giant space beast and race to enter the creature’s mouth as it spews out a series of different psychedelic racetracks. Slipstream to the extreme and beat your opponents to the finish line...

Space Ribbon: Slipstream to the Extreme is a futuristic racing game

Space Ribbon: Slipstream to the Extreme is a futuristic racing game in a similar vain to Wipeout, Grip and Gravity Chase. While, obviously it was never going to hold a candle to Wipeout, it does carve a niche out for itself. The ability to play in VR (something not overly publicised on the Playstation Store) means this has quite an edge on the other Wipeout inspired racers. Plus, for the ridiculously low RRP, this has to be worth a gamble.

You start off with one car and one event in which to compete. There are several events to unlock and work your way through and each has a variation of number of races, race lengths, straight out racing or weapons mode. Win a race and you'll unlock an extra item for your car (engine, wheels, paint colour or ariel accessory). Win an event and you'll unlock a new vehicle or event.

Some events are open to all vehicles, whilst others are only accessible to vehicles that meet a set criteria. In the early stages, when you're getting used to the game, you might find it a little frustrating. Competitors have a nasty habit of driving into you, causing you to spin, come off the track or slow down - which is particularly annoying if you were doing well.

The tracks emerge from the mouth of a giant space creature

It's easy to go from first place to last if you're target by an opponents rockets, because you can be hit by a succession in a short period of time. Staying in the lead is not a simple task, as you gain additional speed by driving in the slipstream of cars in front, as you speed up you can easily overtake them, shooting off into the lead. But, if you head off into the lead too soon there is no slipstream to take advantage off and you'll soon slow down to your natural top speed, giving any following vehicles the ability to use your slipstream in order to sail past you.

The tracks are slowly built in front of you, twisting and turning, emerging from the mouth of a giant space creature (which look suspiciously like a panda, a bear or on the special Halloween events, a giant pumpkin). The game likes to tease too. On occasion you'll get so close to the giant space creature (once you touch it it's the end of the race). And just when you can almost grasp success it will quickly zoom away from you.

Staying on the tracks can be, at times, challenging and frustrating. But, stick with it and you'll soon be navigating the turns like a pro... Of course, just to up the anti, the game then throws additional obstacles your way, including random barrier that you must avoid.

The inclusion of a VR mode is welcomed

More should have been made of the VR mode. I wasn't aware there was one until I sat down to write the review. So, I had to stop and go back to experience the game in VR. While you can race in VR there are only two camera angles (close behind the vehicle and slightly further away). It's a real shame that a cockpit view wasn't available as playing a VR game in third person distracts from the immersion somewhat. Still, for a budget game the fact there is a VR option is impressive.

A fun, if somewhat limited space age racer. For under £6 it's certainly worth picking up.

7

Darren Rea