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Feel the Pulse, the WipEout Pulse
If you read our hands-on impressions, you'd know that we're in love with WipEout Pulse. Looks like IGN is quite enamored too -- and they have videos to show you. Unfortunately, these videos don't quite capture how intense the game really feels when it's in your hands. The silky smooth framerate adds a lot to the experience. New modes, like Elimination (our favorite), are a welcome addition to the franchise. And, the experience "loyalty" points you get after each race has us trying to grind for more unlockables. It's just a better game than Pure, and that's saying a lot. Check out all of IGN's videos here.
PSP Fanboy hands-on: Wipeout Pulse
What could possibly be better than Wipeout Pure? Simple: a sequel. It may be hard to tell from the videos, but Pulse is a vastly improved sequel in almost every way possible. Visually, the graphics have come quite a long way. With the full 333MHz of PSP's power unlocked, it appears Studio Liverpool has doubled the framerate. Yes, Pulse appears to run at a silky smooth 60fps. This is almost unprecedented in a handheld game, especially one that looks as good as this. The new HUD and announcer is intense, adding a lot of tension to the already-exhilarating gameplay. Weapons are much more important in this iteration of the franchise, as it appears that ships are far less durable than before. Just after a few nicks on the wall, you'll see significant damage accumulate on your shields. Thankfully, you can absorb items by pressing O. We expect the increased power of the weapons to cause far more ships to explode during a race -- and that's just cool. Another significant change is the way ships control. Even though we're familiar with the teams from Pulse, we were surprised to see how differently they control in this sequel. The ships are much more responsive, and the over-compensation we typically used in the previous game actually had us crashing into walls more often. Obviously, the easier controls will be better for those that found Pure a bit too difficult. With better graphics, better presentation, better controls, a brand new screenshot mode that lets you capture images in-game all add up to an experience that betters its predecessors in every possible way. We're insanely jealous of our European friends that can play the game now. For the rest of us, we'll have to wait until next year. %Gallery-4074%
Wipeout Pulse demo to hit PC Store today
It's Thursday. You know what that means. The PC PLAYSTATION Store will be updated later today, and it looks to carry a nice treat. A downloadable demo of Wipeout Pulse will be available on the Store -- at least in Europe. According to Eurogamer, players can expect one track and one team from the FX400 League, playable in either Single Race or Time Trial modes. Stay tuned for today's PSN updates to see if this exciting demo makes it way to our neck of the woods. %Gallery-4074%
Wipeout Pulse website opens with skin editor
For those of you lucky enough to enjoy Wipeout Pulse right now, you may want to pay attention. The official Wipeout website has opened, and it features a skin editor so you can create your very own ship designs and import them into the game. You'll need a PLAYSTATION Network ID in order to get started. We're going to join the others that are going to play with this fun new tool -- even though we don't have the game yet! We're confident that a lot of PSP Fanboys are going to do the same. [Via NeoGAF]
Wipeout Pulse looks good (even in German)
Here's the German trailer for Wipeout Pulse. The German text that narrates the video doesn't bother us a single bit. For all we care, it can just be saying "this is awesome" over and over again (not that it does). We were particularly impressed by the lighting and weather effects we saw in this hotly anticipated sequel. Thankfully, it isn't too long until its launch later this year.
Wipeout HD looking sharp, fast, furious
Playable for the very first time at Leipzig, the downloadable hyper-fast racer Wipeout HD has finally emerged from the shadows of head scratching and shrugs to show off how it's coming along. The first thing the fellows over at 1UP noticed was how nice and smooth the 1080p visuals were, then realized the controller, as opposed to the PSP control scheme, felt so much more natural. We'd have to agree, since the Sixaxis analogs just feel a bit better than the PSP's nub. Even though the game is essentially a spiced up port of the PSP titles, the visuals are really sharp. There are a few hiccups in the graphics department, though -- apparently the explosions are quite pixelated, which is understandable for a port. But if you can get over that kind of small detail, you'll thoroughly enjoy the action Wipeout HD has to offer. We'll keep you posted until the PSN title gets a solid release date this Fall.
Speed through this new Wipeout Pulse video
Okay, so we're in love with Wipeout Pulse. Can you blame us? Its silky smooth gameplay, beautiful graphics, and sweet new tracks are seriously tempting us ... and we can't take it anymore. This video highlights everything we love about Wipeout, and the one thing we don't -- it's not out yet. Please, Sony! Get it to us faster!
Hands-on: Wipeout Pulse
Franchises rarely improve this much over time. Wipeout Pulse, the newest addition to the long revered Wipeout series, somehow manages to improve upon the already-sublime PSP launch title, Wipeout Pure. It isn't a revolutionary change from previous iterations -- but significant tweaks can be immediately noticed within a few seconds of play. Of most importance must be the game's altered controls. Ships handle tighter than ever before, something that casual gamers will certainly appreciate. Using the analog nub feels even more precise than before (although we still prefer driving with the D-Pad). Ships still can't do hairpin turns like in F-Zero GX, but the Wipeout series always did have a different flavor than Nintendo's racing classic. The updated HUD looks sleek -- we love seeing it shake every time we scratch the car. Weapons feel even better in Pulse: they feel more damaging, and look especially good. The ability to absorb power-ups returns, which adds a welcome layer of strategy to each of the races. Pulse adds custom soundtracks, Infrastructure gameplay, and an in-game photo capture tool to make this one of PSP's most features-packed games yet. Pure still looks incredible on PSP ... and somehow Pulse looks even better. Futuristic racing fans will find almost nothing to complain about: Pulse is easily on its way to becoming the definitive Wipeout experience. %Gallery-4074%
Joystiq impressions: Wipeout Pulse (PSP)
Franchises rarely improve this much over time. Wipeout Pulse, the newest addition to the long revered Wipeout series, somehow manages to improve upon the already-sublime PSP launch title, Wipeout Pure. It isn't a revolutionary change from previous iterations -- but significant tweaks can be immediately noticed within a few seconds of play. Of most importance must be the game's altered controls. Ships handle tighter than ever before, something that casual gamers will certainly appreciate. Using the analog nub feels even more precise than before (although we still prefer driving with the D-Pad). Ships still can't do hairpin turns like in F-Zero GX, but the Wipeout series always did have a different flavor than Nintendo's racing classic. The updated HUD looks sleek -- we love seeing it shake every time we scratch the car. Weapons feel even better in Pulse: they feel more damaging, and look especially good. The ability to absorb power-ups returns, which adds a welcome layer of strategy to each of the races. Pulse adds custom soundtracks, Infrastructure gameplay, and an in-game photo capture tool to make this one of PSP's most features-packed games yet. Pure still looks incredible on PSP ... and somehow Pulse looks even better. Futuristic racing fans will find almost nothing to complain about: Pulse is easily on its way to becoming the definitive Wipeout experience. %Gallery-5017%
Wipeout HD on PS3 in 2007
Wipeout's a pretty slick portable game (and easily one of the best racers on PSP), but remember when it was a console title? Sony does, which is why they're planning not one, but two Wipeout releases for the Playstation 3, 1UP reports. The first isn't a completely new game, but rather an HD upgrade (think: Gran Turismo HD); likely cribbing from Wipeout Pulse, the upcoming PSP sequel. The Sony team will also be working on a brand-new PS3 Wipeout sequel, tentatively due in 2008. Wipeout HD, which is planned for release on PSN later this year, will feature an online multiplayer mode. Further details will come when the game is officially announced, which might happen as early as E3.
WipEout HD coming to a PSN near you before the year's end
With E3 only a couple of weeks away, we generally don't expect to come across revelations like this. Developers are keeping their cards very close to their chests so that they can make some huge announcements when the games show comes around. Sony's Studio Liverpool, it appears, is the exception to the rule. 1Up spent some time with them recently, during a showing of WipEout Pulse for the PSP in London (our invite must have got lost in the mail) and managed to get some information out of the game's director Tony Buckley. Buckley confirmed that Studio Liverpool will be releasing WipEout HD on the PSN before the end of the year. An official announcement will be coming in August (as was previously announced), or possibly at E3. As well as high definition graphics, the game will feature an online multiplayer mode. Whether this will be a remake of the PS1 classic or not is unclear. However, this is only the beginning of Studio Liverpool's plans for the series on the PS3. They have their eye on a 2008 release date for a "major" Wipeout release on the console. After hearing so little about possible PS3 outings for the series for so long, it's great to see the recent torrent of news coming out of Studio Liverpool. We look forward to hearing more from them in the near future.
WipEout PS3 announcement announced for August
It's the in thing nowadays. Collector's editions, countdowns and announcements for upcoming announcements. Not one to be left out Tony Buckley, in an interview with Kikizo.com, jumped on the bandwagon. When asked about potential HD versions of WipEout he states "I think WipEout in HD would be stonking! ... It's obvious we're doing a WipEout for the PS3 but... well, there will be an announcement in August." Stonking indeed! Having WipEout in 1080p would make our heads explode. WipEout Pulse for the PSP is looking excellent so we are looking forward to finding out exactly what Studio Liverpool has up its sleeves in a couple of months time.
Because we love you: Wipeout Pure downloads
One of our readers, Eric, has been unable to find the downloadable expansions for Wipeout Pure -- they seemingly disappeared off the face of the internet. Don't worry Eric, we got your back. Because we love our readers, we've uploaded all the tracks that were released post-launch. These levels add a significant amount of gameplay to the already-amazing launch title. Download the ZIP file. Extract the contents of the zip file (there should be many folders that start with UCUS). Connect your PSP via USB. Browse the Memory Stick. Save folders in PSP/SAVEDATA. Enjoy!
Complete Wipeout Pulse soundtrack listing
The Wipeout series is known for its incredible techno-heavy soundtrack, and Pulse doesn't look to disappoint. The upcoming racer will have yet another licensed soundtrack, which CVG has unearthed: Flat Out by Dopamine Chemical by MoveYa! & Steve Lavers Tokyo by Stanton Warriors Break ya self - Wipeout mix by B Phreak & Groove Allegiance Slingshot - Wipeout mix by Rennie Pilgrem & BLIM X-Project (100% Pure mix) by DJ Fresh Frontline by EdRush, Optical & Matrix Seven Stitches by Noisia Smart Systems by MIST Exceeder - special mix by Mason Steady Rush by Booka Shade Fenix Funk 5 [wipeout edit] by Aphex Twin Aero Dynamik by Kraftwerk Suspicious Thoughts by Skream Sea of Sound - Wipeout mix by Guy Gerber & Shlomi Aber City Lights (Martin Buttich remix) PSP Cut by Loco Dice Of course, if this doesn't suit your tastes, you have customizable soundtracks as well. With customizable ships, infrastructure multiplayer, and significant gameplay improvements, Pulse sounds like it will almost certainly be a winner. We can't wait to find out more.
WipEout Pulse interview reveals vehicle customisation tool
In an interview with Kikizo.com, Tony Buckley - Director of WipEout Pulse - laid out some more details for the upcoming PSP game. Discussion includes PSP technical limitations, graphical improvements, the Photo mode and custom soundtracks. Have a read, it's good stuff. Also mentioned during the interview is a vehicle customisation tool. This will allow players to produce their own skins for their ships, Forza 2 style. While it is unclear as to how exactly this will work, we assume that the actual designing process will take place on a PC, with the edited texture downloaded onto the memory stick for use in the game. This has never been done before on the PSP and, with the right amount of 'Game 3.0' added, could make for an exciting new dimension in WipEout gaming. Buckley already mentioned his idea for a ship texture contest. Though he might have to come up with a better prize than a date with him, if he wants a decent amount of entries. The only danger with functionality like this is that people will be spending more time designing their vehicles than they will be driving them.
Wipeout Pulse gets previewed (we're jealous)
German gamer and long-time Wipeout fan eLhabib has received a preview copy of the upcoming Wipeout Pulse, and has posted a detailed write-up of his experience at the WipeoutZone Forum. A sample blurb is drenched with excitement: "Where do I start? First of all, the art style: as I stated before, a perfect blend of purE and w3o, so pretty much a dream come true for me and many others around here. The HUD is very slick, minimalistic, with a very noticeable w3o touch - cool thing about the new HUD: it blurs with the speed as you activate a turbo or go over a speed pad, it shakes as your ship gets hit or bottoms out!" There are pages of rants available, and as fellow Wipeout fans, we have to admit that the wait for this game is painful. Hey Sony, we're friends, right? Where's our preview copy? Off-screen video is embedded, after the cut. %Gallery-4074%
Separating challenge from speed in Wipeout Pulse
As acclaimed as Wipeout Pure was, many found the game unbalanced in terms of difficulty. In an interview with IGN Australia, lead designer Colin Berry noted: "Some people felt that Pure was perhaps too hard and that they didn't get to enjoy the faster speed classes as they were too fast and also the AI was too hard. We also had the hardcore Wipeout fans saying that the game was a little too easy and they wanted something more challenging to keep them coming back." In an attempt to make the game more accessible to gamers, the team has now separated the difficulty from the speed. "We then have an easier setting which will allow players to play at the higher speed classes against less competitive AI, thus they can enjoy the speed of the game without always feeling they have no chance to compete. Then we have the hard difficulty setting which means that even on the slower speed classes, the hardcore Wipeout fans will face a challenge from the AI, and at the higher speed classes they have something to keep them coming back again and again." Certainly, this will allow novice players to play at faster speeds ... a welcome change from the original. For more details on Pulse, make sure you read IGN's full interview.
Smoking new Wipeout Pulse screens
Spanish language gaming site Meristation seems to have taken a ride on Wipeout Pulse, Sony's long-awaited sequel to the critical hit Wipeout Pure. Pure was easily one of the system's best looking titles at launch, standing up quite well even to this day. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear as though Pulse is adding much to the visuals. While it certainly doesn't look bad, new screenshots on Meristation don't show off significant visual improvements ... besides the rad new smoke effects (pictured, above). We're confident that the gameplay will more than make up for the graphics. Hopefully, we'll be able to give you more once E3 rolls around. [Via NeoGAF]
Wipeout Pulse details bring sexy back to the PSP
If Lumines Live was how not to handle downloadable content, the PSP launch title Wipeout Pure is the poster child of how to. Sony's Studio Liverpool is bringing the hotness back to handhelds this year with Wipeout Pulse and an interview with "designer" (quotes by Eurogamer) Clark Davis shows they haven't exactly been sitting on their hands for the past two years Beyond improved controls and alternative track designs, players will be able to create their own campaigns and use their own MP3s for music. The Disruptor weapon, made famous in Wipeout XL is gone and instead replaced with a few new weapons that affect your game by screwing with your HUD or setting your engine ablaze. Downloadable content will be making a return and if it's anything like Wipeout Pure's, we'll have months worth of content to look forward to past launch. [Via PSP Fanboy] [Image by Jon Burgerman]
Wipeout Pulse interview reveals ambitious upgrades
Wipeout Pure is one of the best, if not the best, entries in the series. The PSP launch title featured brilliant graphics (which hold up to this day), the best handling of a Wipeout title, and a seemingly never-ending amount of content, thanks to brilliantly executed downloadable extensions released months after the game's launch. Eurogamer was able to talk to Clark Davies from Studio Liverpool about their upcoming PSP sequel, Pulse. Some highlights include: Improved controls. "The handling is smoother, the ships are more evenly balanced. We're confident that the control is the best and most accessible the series has seen to date." Grid creator for players to create their own challenges. The ability to absorb weapons remains. However, the Disruptor weapon is gone. In its stead are a few new weapons, some of which will affect your ability to play: "things like smoking engines, fire damage, HUD interference, etc." The adrenaline-pumping Zone mode is back, but this time there are no levels designed specifically for the mode. All levels will be playable in Zone, and all of them will get a visual makeover when playing in Zone. Downloadable content returns. When questioned why content is available at launch (why not put it on disc?), Davies reminded readers that "a game is finished about two months before it hits the shelf ... So it's the case that we've scheduled our time well enough so we can carry on working on extra content once the rest of the game is ready." We have to say this interview got us even more excited for this futuristic racing sequel. Even if the game didn't have improvements (if it were simply Pure with more tracks), we're confident it would still be fantastic. Let's hope to see more footage of the game soon.
