Rollcage

Super-fast, no-brainer, techno-driven futuristic racing games are what Psygnosis do best, so it's no surprise that Rollcage is a blistering new addition to their critically acclaimed software catalogue. Taking up from where WipEout left off, Rollcage features dizzying 360-degree courses that roll and spin before your very eyes, at speeds and frame rates so far unseen in a game of its type. At first the highly responsive four-wheeled buggies do cartwheels galore as you try your best to g find which way is up.

Practice a few times Jand it all clicks into place: super-fast, precise motoring with a few unobtrusive power-ups thrown in to spice things up a bit is the order of the day.

Racing is exhilarating, and crashes are spectacular. Winning a league is very satisfying too, for a change. In fact the whole thing feels good to play, as well as looking and sounding like an absolute peach. If anything lets Rollcage down, it's the fact that the single-player side of the game is too easy. There are ten league tracks in all - every one of them beautifully drawn and rendered - but they're not difficult to crack, revealing additional hidden tracks and a few other extras on the way. The multiplayer gamer is catered for heavily, whether you're one of up to four surly men huddling around the same keyboard (remember: no touching), or part of an impromptu office LAN party. The bonus 'deathmatch' arenas, where you attempt to knock each other off a cliff for points, is the icing on the cake.

Overall, Rollcage is a stunning racing game - it's fast, furious and fun. It's just a pity the buzz doesn't last forever.