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WipEout HD Review for PlayStation 3

WipEout HD Review for PlayStation 3

The Speed-Fueled Racer Gets Remixed

The WipEout franchise is synonymous with Sony. Sure, a quick fact check of the series’ history will turn up platform excursions – the futuristic racer made appearances on the SEGA Saturn and Nintendo 64, for example – but ever since the 1995 PlayStation original made a lasting impression, with its super-clean, European aesthetic, memorable techno soundtrack, and weapon-filled racing, gamers have associated it with Sony’s gaming box.

WipEout HD screenshot

Instead of churning out a direct sequel, Sony Liverpool took a different approach: WipEout HD is a download-only remake on the previous two PSP games. It may have met constant delays during its development – ranging from the typical, such as fine tuning code, to strange epilepsy concerns – but it is finally here. So, here’s the question: Does this digital title deliver? At $20 it is easily the best value on the PlayStation Network and a marriage of stellar presentation and addictive gameplay.

Campaign mode is where you’ll spend the majority of your time. Circuits are split up into a series of challenges that range from speed and time trials, to zone mode and single races. Earning medals at each event will net you unlock points that then go toward unlocking the next circuit as well as new ships and tracks. True to WipEout style, you’ll find it smooth sailing at first. Grabbing gold and silver medals over the first two circuits is quite easy, but once you hit the third circuit, you’ll find that the understandably crushing difficulty that marked past entries in the series is still alive and well.

One reason the difficulty is understandable is because it is an outcome of track design. You will play tracks over-and-over again in an attempt to learn every winding curve and boost pad location. Early on you can slam into the occasional wall and even miss several boost pads and still grab the gold. Later on this is unacceptable; the difficulty skews toward the veteran who has invested time in learning the lay of the land. Miss just one boost pad and you’ll sink to the back of the pack.

WipEout HD screenshot

Track memorization is just an aspect of the difficulty equation – putting the proper ship mechanics into play is what separates the pros from the newcomers. Using the airbrakes – which don’t actually “brake” you but rather sharply change your angle of approach – takes some getting used to. To accommodate newcomers the developers included a pilot assist option. If your ship gets too close to a wall the system engages and guides your racer away from dangerous curves. The inclusion of this option, in effect, puts an easy toggle on the racing – at least from a navigation standpoint. Seasoned players will find themselves turning it off, as it removes some difficulty and makes sharp turn approaches an impossibility.

It wouldn’t be a WipEout game without an impressive set of futuristic weapons and HD is no exception. Series staples like autopilot, shields, rockets, and missiles all return. They don’t come across as recycles because if they were taken out, the weapon set would feel incomplete. Plus, they look visually impressive and are part of the overall strategy. Nailing an opponent with a missile right before he jets over the finishing line still is satisfying and firing off a quake, letting it ripple through the track like a tsunami, is an impressive sight. You can absorb weapons and gain shield power and the nice thing is that the system is adaptive, based on your current armament. If you pick up the cannon (which holds 30 rounds), you can fire off 15 and absorb the other half, putting them toward your shield power.

WipEout HD screenshot

Barrel rolling and side shifting can help turn the tables during races. If you hit a high enough jump, you can trade shield power to perform a roll that, once landed, gives your ship a huge boost. Performed at the right time, it can slingshot you past other races. Side shifting, a simple move that quickly slides your ship to the right or left, is actually quite valuable. If you’re neck-and-neck with an opponent you can push them toward a long curve, slamming them to an abrupt stop. Shifting can also be a defensive measure. If you hear a weapon warning, you can shift at the last second to avoid rocket fire or a trail of mines.

WipEout HD screenshot

Time and speed trials help you get the lay of courses, figuring out the best routes, and single races offer an excellent mix of speed and weaponized strategy, but one mode steals the show: Zone. This mode – which debuted in WipEout Fusion on the PlayStation 2 – is easily the most insane of the bunch. The rules are simple: your ship auto accelerates and all you have to do is to steer, trying to survive as long as possible. There’s a catch though. After you pass through each ten-second area, your racer’s speed goes up another notch. It quickly goes from a calm affair to a white knuckle situation. It’s all compounded by a psychedelic visual filter that continually strips away one set of colors and replaces it with another, drenching the entire screen in delirious colors.

Zone mode may pop the most visually, but it doesn’t overshadow the game’s overall presentation. From the meticulous menu design to the 1080p visuals, WipEout HD is one of those titles that you use to show off your system. Probably the greatest visual feat is the framerate never dips below 60, keeping the action silky smooth. HD doesn’t top WipEout XL for best-in-the-series soundtrack, but that doesn’t mean it can’t hold its own. Tracks by artists like Kraftwerk provide thumping bass and intricate layering of digitized instruments. HD includes custom soundtrack support, so you can listen to any music you have stored on your hard drive while you play. So, if you miss tracks from past games, you can rip them and you’ve got the perfect WipEout soundtrack.

Online play provides plenty of frantic action for up to eight players. A nice feature is that players can design tournaments, setting up a custom list of tracks, turning weapons on or off, and tweaking the speed class. Probably the most impressive feature of online play is that, when tested for review, none of the races exhibited any lag. Those with two controllers can do split screen play, so you can get your multiplayer fix offline as well.

WipEout HD is a remix in the most proper sense – it takes what made the series popular, gives it an ample layer of polish, and slaps on a hard-to-resist price tag. Most $60 games don’t provide such a great experience; the fact that HD does so at a third of the price is a testament to Sony Liverpool’s talent.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 4.8 Graphics
From the crisp, streamlined presentation to the psychedelic racing visuals, WipEout HD is astounding. The framerate throttles to 60 and never lets go. 4.7 Control
Like past games, there is a learning curve, but it’s paired with a sense of accomplishment – the first time you whip around a curve without letting go of the gas and barrel roll after an extended jump you realize the finesse of the controls. 4.5 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Not as standout as WipEout XL’s mix of Chemical Brothers, Prodigy, and Underworld, but not a slouch by any means. The racing effects – like weapon fire and jump pad boosts – sound phenomenal on a surround sound system. 4.6 Play Value
The campaign will keep you going for some time. Pair this with the exceptional multiplayer and the standout Zone mode and you’ve got a game that demands your attention. 4.6 Overall Rating – Must Buy
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • Stunning Graphics: Gorgeous colors and detailed tracks fully rendered in 1080p at 60 frames per second.
  • Campaign Mode: Play through the tracks as you complete challenges for Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals.
  • Five Race Modes: Enjoy Single Races, Time Trials, Speed Laps, Tournaments, and Zone mode.
  • Racebox: Play custom races or tournaments offline, single-player or split-screen with a friend.
  • Online Racing: Compete with up to eight players online, with Voice Chat support.
  • Custom Soundtracks: Enjoy the licensed soundtrack featuring top artists, or race to your own tunes with custom soundtrack support.
  • Trophy Support: Earn and unlock up to 38 Trophies for your collection.
  • Screen Resolution: Up to 1080p (Full HDTV, Widescreen).

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