Pacer (video game)
Pacer, originally titled Formula Fusion, is a futuristic racing video game developed by British independent studio R8 Games for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It was initially set to release on September 17, 2020. However, it was delayed until the end of September 2020. On October 19, R8 announced that the game would be released on October 29. A kickstarter campaign by R8 Games was successful in securing over £79,000 to begin development on the game which was released as an early access version through Steam in August 2015. The game was re-branded  from "Formula Fusion" to "Pacer" in early 2019. The game started as a spiritual successor to the "Wipeout" series with some of the early R8 Games staff having worked on Wipeout 3 for Psygnosis Leeds. R8 Games founder Andrew Walker was part of the team that were awarded a BAFTA for best design on "Wipeout 3" in 1999. The Designers Republic, the graphic design studio that designed visual assets and marketing for the first three "Wipeout" games, has also contributed to the game. The game uses the Unreal 4 game engine with modifications to the open source code to enhance  the feeling of speed. Reception. "Formula Fusion" received very mixed reviews upon exiting early access. Critics praised the graphics, the sound, and claimed that the game felt very true to the "Wipeout" series, while heavily criticizing the insubstantial amount of content as well as unforeseen bugs. Many critics claimed that the game felt unfinished and not ready for full release outside of early access. "Pacer" opened to more positive reception, receiving "mixed or average" reviews for PC and "generally positive" reviews for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. "CGM" lamented the game's lack of accessibility, online player-base, and controls , while praising the game's soundtrack, graphics, customization, and its ability to live up to the legacy of "Wipeout". "Hardcore Gamer" wrote positively about the game, stating, "Fans of either F-Zero or Wipeout will undeniably and thoroughly enjoy "PACER"...The game is fast and beautiful and offers more depth with a variety of racing" while criticizing the lack of online functionality and purchasable in-game content. "Push Square" praised the wide variety of modes and content, and speedy gameplay while criticizing the forgettable racing teams and the UI, calling it "clumsy".