Let's face it: there are no surprises here. The title alone should tell you all you need to know about this, namely the Marmite of games running at 60 frames per second in 1080p.
It looks rather glossy and plays exactly like all the other WipEout games, especially since the tracks are taken from previous versions and the teams are nicked from WipEout Pulse. And it'll do very nicely indeed until PS3 gets a true, new next-gen WipEout game.
If you already have Pulse on PSP then there's very little reason to splash the cash on this, other than the chunkier analogue stick being easier on your thumb than the handheld's awkward nubbin.
For an even greater challenge, you can also control your ship by tilting the Sixaxis, but at the speeds these ships fly around the narrow tracks, it isn't something I'd recommend. In fact, ditch it right away. The Sixaxis isn't your friend here. Stick to the old-school set-up where the sticks and shoulder buttons are the only things you need to worry about.
Take a brake It's still an obnoxiously tricky game to get to grips with of course, hence the Marmite comment. The curves and bends are frustratingly tight, forcing you to be best buds with your ship's airbrakes and the boost pads that litter each track. If you haven't played a WipEout before (hang your head in shame now) the airbrakes allow you to take corners without losing speed. If you don't master them, you won't get anywhere.
The first few races are fairly forgiving, even when you're recklessly slamming into the barriers at every corner, but it isn't long before one or two mistakes end your chances of getting among the medals. It's harsh and uncompromising, and that's the main reason why we all love it after all these years.
Playing through the Campaign mode is a test of skill and endurance like no other racing game - and in that respect it even kicks dirt in the face of intense racer MotorStorm. Your seven rivals in the actual race events are nothing short of evil, taking every opportunity to unleash their weapons on you (usually from behind, so you have little chance of seeing them let alone getting out of the way) and seizing on every mistake to nip in and steal a weapon pick-up from under your nose.
The number of times I was either blasted by a rocket out of nowhere or emerged from a corner into a chain of mines would have been enough to make me throw the controller against the wall - if I wasn't giving them the same brutal treatment, of course.
In fact, every mode presents its own challenges that require either searing concentration or a slight shift in your racing style. Speed Lap gives you seven laps to beat a highly competitive lap time, and the trick here is to know when to use your one free turbo charge per lap. Time Trial is slightly different in that you have to beat the ticking clock over a number of laps, so a balance must be found between driving aggressively and getting the airbrakes right on every single corner. The truly hardcore racer will favour the fast and furious Zone mode.
Ship wreck Choosing the right craft for the right event is important too, if pretty obvious. For instance, there's no point worrying about shield power in a solo Speed Lap or Time Trial event, just as it's foolish to rely on speed and thrust alone in a race. Picking the right one isn't exactly brain surgery. During races, you'll also need to decide whether to use a pick-up or absorb it for a little extra ship energy.
Where WipEout HD scores big is in putting your skills to the test against up to seven other players online. With a large number of highly skilled racers present and everyone firing weapons every few seconds, these fast and furious online battles aren't for the fainthearted or the easily discouraged. And for all the barrage of rockets, shocking explosions and nitro effects lighting up the screen, the game never slows, shudders, jerks or tears and remains at a steady 1080p throughout.
So, while the circuits and gameplay are the same, you simply won't care as it looks so ruddy brilliant. The action remains as deeply entrenched in speed and thrills as ever it did, and just to play online in high definition is worth the entrance fee alone.
Jonathan Todd
// Overview
Verdict
Though it's not a new WipEout, this retread in new clothes is one of the best PS3 downloads. These classic circuits will remind you how great the series was and still is.
A fair review, in a universal sense. I'd have given the game a 9/10 because I absolutely love it and never got into the PSP versions, so it's pretty new to me.
My favourite mode has got to be 'Zone' mode. The way that the backgrounds jump to the beat is brilliant and it works with your own music as well. I've just added 'In Yer Face' by 808 State and 'Blue Monday' by New Order. Mint.
A fair review, in a universal sense. I'd have given the game a 9/10 because I absolutely love it and never got into the PSP versions, so it's pretty new to me.
My favourite mode has got to be 'Zone' mode. The way that the backgrounds jump to the beat is brilliant and it works with your own music as well. I've just added 'In Yer Face' by 808 State and 'Blue Monday' by New Order. Mint.
its well worth 9/10. especially when it only costs £11.99. when the 360 broke down on saturday i though i'd have bugger all to play but a few hours playing wipeout online with the prodigy bursting out the speakers and i'd almost forgot that my xbox was busted. 808 State though, classic
Its finally here and its brilliant! As good as I remember 2097 was. Who knew the PS3 was a gaming machine? I had to remove a lot of dust of the PS3 before I dared to turn it on
Its finally here and its brilliant! As good as I remember 2097 was. Who knew the PS3 was a gaming machine? I had to remove a lot of dust of the PS3 before I dared to turn it on
Its finally here and its brilliant! As good as I remember 2097 was. Who knew the PS3 was a gaming machine? I had to remove a lot of dust of the PS3 before I dared to turn it on
Yeah Great game for a low price! put your money on this instead of Megaman 9 ! support good dev making good game sold for a low price, or support lazy dev unsupporting PS3 doing 8-bit game trying to make quick and easy money.. your choice
Yeah Great game for a low price! put your money on this instead of Megaman 9 ! support good dev making good game sold for a low price, or support lazy dev unsupporting PS3 doing 8-bit game trying to make quick and easy money.. your choice
Haha, I have to agree. I was as close to gaming nirvana as you could get last night, playing Wipeout. After 2 hours of eyebleeding, zen like concentration, I managed to get my 20 perfect zones trophy. Let's just say my eyes are still bouncing to the beat this morning!
Congratulations on that trophy!! It's a toughy and one i'm yet to even get close to!! Btw the 240473 isn't a phone number is it?
Why, are you asking me on a date?
Seriously though, I completed the challenge using only my airbrakes. With practice it is actually easier doing it that way, rather than trying to steer with the stick. Still tough as nails though...
Oh, and that number is my date of birth, so I'm probably too old for you anyway!!
Does anyone else have occasional glitches in the music while playing? the music drops out every 20 seconds or so when I'm playing (game tunes and my own music).
I have a 160Gb HDD in mine and I think it may be to blame. Ah well it's about time I stuck in a 320Gb one for all my play TV recordings.
With DLC adding online gaming modes and features, custom skins for even more teams, more tracks (incl. 2097 & originals) and more weapons, the CVG reviewer is wrong to dock marks because the game 'only' comes with 8 HD renditions of WipEout Pure / Pulse tracks by default.
For WipEout aficionados, Tim Wright (of CoLD SToRAGE fame - WipEout and 2097 - on PC / Sega Saturn) is working on a complementary music album, to be listened to whilst playing WipEout HD. Keep an eye on his website - http://www.coldstorage.org.uk/
WipEout HD is the definitive version of WipEout and it isn't through with you yet, there's more to come - think Warhawk... If you have WipEout HD, you have all you need.
Hmmm, another review elsewhere says it looks great in single player, but suffers a frame-rate hit and lots of slow-down in (offline) two player split screen mode.
If true, then why did they include split-screen mode? It rather negates all the '1080p 60 frames per second' stuff, and means that either 1) the programmers aren't that good or 2) the PS3 can't handle it.
I prefer to believe 1), but surely Sony can't really be happy about it either way - this is, after all, a Sony-produced game!
Hmmm, another review elsewhere says it looks great in single player, but suffers a frame-rate hit and lots of slow-down in (offline) two player split screen mode.
If true, then why did they include split-screen mode? It rather negates all the '1080p 60 frames per second' stuff, and means that either 1) the programmers aren't that good or 2) the PS3 can't handle it.
I prefer to believe 1), but surely Sony can't really be happy about it either way - this is, after all, a Sony-produced game!
Only a sad tosser would look for negative articles because they hate a console so much. Oh.
With DLC adding online gaming modes and features, custom skins for even more teams, more tracks (incl. 2097 & originals) and more weapons, the CVG reviewer is wrong to dock marks because the game 'only' comes with 8 HD renditions of WipEout Pure / Pulse tracks by default.
For WipEout aficionados, Tim Wright (of CoLD SToRAGE fame - WipEout and 2097 - on PC / Sega Saturn) is working on a complementary music album, to be listened to whilst playing WipEout HD. Keep an eye on his website - http://www.coldstorage.org.uk/
WipEout HD is the definitive version of WipEout and it isn't through with you yet, there's more to come - think Warhawk... If you have WipEout HD, you have all you need.
Start AG racing today - buy this game!
Thanks for the Cold Storage Link dude. Now I can play it with the old soundtracks!
Its finally here and its brilliant! As good as I remember 2097 was. Who knew the PS3 was a gaming machine? I had to remove a lot of dust of the PS3 before I dared to turn it on
dust on your ps3?? thats a shame cos its a cracking bluray player , which is all i got it for . i have a pc for games
Downloaded this last night, what a cracker. I especially liked the warning you have click through to get started first time in my many years of gaming I have had to press a button to get past the epilepsy warning.
Only a sad tosser would look for negative articles because they hate a console so much. Oh.
Really? Well only a moronic fanboy would ignore the negative because they love a console so much!
Obviously, it's a minor issue, and I would never play it in split-screen. However, AS A PS3 OWNER MYSELF (as well as 360 & PC, so don't jump to conclusions) I would like to see Sony get everything right for once, and minor problems like this don't help to convince the world that the Cell PS3 is incredibly powerful.
This is one of the best downloads on the PSN no playstation is complete with out this title and the option to play your own musicin game is great big thumbs up.
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, UK BA1 2BW England and Wales company registration number 2008885
