BallisticNG

It's WipeOut, my dudes. Rejoice, for at least one developer "gets it."
The difficulty is high, the controls are tight, and the ships are heavy.
Oh, also, there's a single-player career mode, custom ships/tracks through Steam Workshop, and the Devs actually still maintain the game (monthly updates after... 7 YEARS)

In its current state, the philosophy behind BallisticNG is perfect: The (2) developers created a Wipeout inspired base game, with a handful of vehicles/tracks/modes, and gave modding tools to the community to do with it as they please.
Suggestions:
Trail of smoke for ships that are near death.
Pros:
Still supported by the (2!) developers.
Mod support.
Can be played on a toaster oven (low spec requirement).
Plays like the Wipeout of old.
Cons:
Can't use the toaster oven while playing.
*Special thanks to the modding community for creating some pretty amazing things.

One day, I was feeling nostalgic. So I typed "Wipeout" into the Steam store search bar and came across this game. I quickly found out that it was the closest thing on Steam to the classic Wipeout series and that it is worth the price especially when on sale. So I bought it, I forget if it was on sale when I did. I played a good amount and had lots of fun messing around with custom races, and completing the campaign.
It's been a while since I last played, and I hopped on recently only to be surprised with a massive update that completely revamps the game, and gives a more modern feel to the gameplay for those who wanted that. They also give you the option to play with the old graphics, for those who like the retro style. The menu has been re-done I'm pretty sure, and it looks great, At the time of this review, BallisticNG is on sale for $9.74. This Game is a must have for those who loved the wipeout games. The sale price is a steal.

I installed the game, I started a race, was overwhelmed by the speed and "ding, donged around"...
But then...suddenly...I remembered my training at the wipeout academy. Now I am locked and loaded, pin pointing razor sharp turns, scratching edges with the tip of my wings, while electronic infinity sounds get my adrenaline pumping.

Thank you guys! How could I miss this game on steam?
Its excelent gaming for all wipeout bangers and racing enthusiasts.

Probably the most fun I've had playing a game since I was a kid.
I play in VR with a racing sim rig. Wheel steers left/right, gear shift paddles airbrake left/right, clutch and gas pedals pitch up/down.
With all that in cockpit view, this is one of the most immersive and adrenaline-pumping racing games you can play. Being so viscerally connected to the movement of your ship while firing on enemies and watching the track sprawl out ABOVE you, all at breakneck pace, is insane.
(Bonus points if you add the music from the original WipEout games into the custom soundtrack manager, on top of the already excellent OST)

Intro
BallisticNG is a must-have arcade racer. If you are bored of being spoon-fed this constant stream of creatively bankrupt and bland live-service racers from the likes of EA, Ubisoft, Sony and Microsoft then this game is the definitive indie racer to try. If you have played Wipeout, then you are doing yourself a disservice by not playing this game. It builds upon the classic games and refines them far beyond what Sony could ever do themselves.
This is a truly generational indie racer success story.
Positives
This game is truly unmatched. Its core gameplay is so refined that I challenge you to find another racer as meticulously crafted as this (genuinely comment them, I want to play them). The interplay between the ships, tracks, speed classes and airbrakes all mesh to create an initially challenging, but incredibly rewarding gameplay loop that eventually leads to you gliding your way effortlessly through beautifully crafted tracks at insane speeds. Nothing comes close, not even the Wipeout series this game built its roots upon.
The multiple physics modes mean that whether you want to enjoy the game with its intended default physics mode, or experiment with interpretations of the Wipeout Fusion (Floorhugger) and Wipeout Pulse/HD/2048/Omega (2280) physics. I need to stress that if you are a fan of those latter Wipeout games - particularly Omega - do not boot this up and just launch 2280 mode. Play the intended way, learn the physics, you will be rewarded a thousand times over for opening your mind to a new challenge.
There is so much content that I wont even bother trying to list it, just know that whatever price you purchase this game at, you will get your money's worth. The campaign is lengthy (but not drawn out), and the addition of several modes like the drag ships, karts, bikes and even drift ships, ON-TOP of the physics mentioned above mean there is functionally limitless ways to play. The ship roster is large and carefully curated to ensure each ship fulfils a key role, rather than being bloated with hundreds of pointless granular options. It keeps it simple, sweet, and lets you find your favourite team fast.
The graphics are perfect - If you don't like the PSX style, then unfortunately you are the problem.
Not only does the art ooze style and personality, but it is backed up by an incredible soundtrack that comes together to create the kind of 90s/2000s nostalgia that other game companies couldnt achieve with a thousand times the budget. Vonsnake truly knows how to create a feel - the ships, track environments and music are all some of the best you can find anywhere.
The last key point to discuss is the modding support. Supposing you are the kind of child to look at the PSX art style and ask yourself "but I wish it had 100x the polygons, everything was shiny like it was an RTX demo, and ran like ♥♥♥♥ on my 5090?" the amazing thing is somehow BallisticNG IS STILL FOR YOU. Because you can mod this game limitlessly - you have access to effectively the same tools as the developer and can import ships, tracks, sound effects, HUD and even code-mods to alter the game. Everything is laid bare for you to race with anything, anywhere, without limitation. You can import high-poly assets should you desire, and you can write codemods to alter every aspect.
Of course though, those of you who are reading this wishing it had high poly Wipeout Omega style ships/tracks aren't actually going to make any of that though, are you? Prove me wrong.
Negatives
I practically have nothing to write here.
A common complaint people make is the challenge of this game and its handling - I feel that whilst it may come across as abrasive to learn, you will pick it up fast with some perseverance. Embrace the challenge, steer early, and try not to overuse the airbrakes.
Conclusion
Its almost surreal that this game exists. Its a true example of a passion project made for the love of the game. If you enjoy arcade racers whatsoever, or are interested in trying something unlike most other racers, then this game is an easy recommend. If you are a fan of any futuristic racer, whether it be Redout, F-Zero or indeed Wipeout, then this is an absolute must-have game.
To call this a successor to Wipeout truly does a disservice to how much this game has evolved beyond those games. It is so far ahead of what anyone could even imagine a successor to Wipeout looking like that the entire series is a speck in the rear-view.
BallisticNG is not Wipeout, and you will be so glad it isn't.

This game, few cans of Dr. pepper, pizza and a tighjob