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PS3 Fanboy review: WipEout HD
There's been a lot of buzz around WipEout HD. The headlines of the game's epilepsy-inducing delay, combined with its genuinely good looks have created the perfect environment for hype to thrive. The long-delayed futuristic racer is the PlayStation franchise's first foray into the current generation, and it looks absolutely stunning. The bargain basement price point of $20 makes it an easy purchase, especially for those on the fence.However, we wonder who WipEout HD is trying to target. There are three types of people in this world: those that love WipEout, those that are horrible at it, and those that simply haven't tried it yet. For those that love the franchise (us included), WipEout HD is perhaps, a bit too familiar. True devotees of the franchise have already played the sublime PSP games, Pure and Pulse. To find that every single track and every single song in the game comes from these two titles is a little disappointing. They're certainly great choices, but the wondrous effect of nostalgia doesn't kick in so soon -- Pulse came out less than a year ago. Instead, we're left with the feeling of "haven't we been here before?"The second group of people -- those that are horrible at futuristic racing games -- won't find WipEout HD any different than previous iterations of the franchise. And the third group of people -- those that haven't ever played a WipEout game -- may very well find themselves displaced to the second group once they get their hands on this ferociously fast and relentlessly difficult racer. Sure, the new Pilot Assist feature will help beginner players steer away from the walls, but without the honed reflexes of a veteran, the game's learning curve is surprisingly steep.%Gallery-7754%
Trophies: WipEout HD
Read more 'WipEout HD' stories In spite of its budget price, there are a lot of Trophies for you to obtain in the download-exclusive WipEout HD. Here's a list of all the standard Trophies, with a few hidden ones we managed to find so far. View Trophy List | Visit Trophy Portal
WipEout dev questions validity of epilepsy test
The folks at Studio Liverpool have been quiet about the long delay of WipEout HD. While all signs pointed to failed epilepsy tests, the team has been incredibly silent about the issue. Until now. Game director Tony Buckley said that "a lot of games" fail the epilepsy test. However, he questions the validity of the exams. "The hardware that actually does the test, it's quite ... subjective," he told GI.biz. "So, you know, it's difficult to pinpoint what the actual issues are, and whether they are actually issues, to be honest."In spite of that, the team took the issue to heart and worked on it very seriously. "We certainly weren't going to take it lightly," he noted. The team was going to be uncompromising in the look they were going for and ultimately, it appears they've succeeded. "That was our worry, that the game would suddenly look poorer as a result of it, but no, it's all gone really well."
WipEout HD hits PSN SEpt. 25, still fEaturEs thE capital E
Annoying, isn't it? E-noying. Okay, despite that particularly loathsome, mid-title capitalization, it's fair to say that we love just about everything in Sony's hover-racing remix, WipEout HD. The 1080p, 60 frames-per-second visuals, the 5.1 soundtrack, the custom tunes support, the five game modes, the eight reversible tracks, the eight-player multiplayer and -- here's a new one -- the fact that it becomes available on the North American and European PSN next week on September 25th. Defying gravity and evading epilepsy will cost you $19.99.
WipEout HD brings hyper racing home on September 25
The circle is now complete. After finding out the price for WipEout HD, and learning of the slick new details, there was only one piece of key information that was left missing; that would be a solid release date. However, now we know it: Thursday, September 25 for North America.That's next week's PSN Thursday. Dropping a 20 note for the game shouldn't be too difficult to do. After all, you'll be foaming from the mouth to play this -- not from epilepsy mind you, but from the sheer gorgeousness of it. Go on, wipe that chin ... you're staining the carpet.[UPDATE] Europeans, don't fret. SCEE have told us that WipEout HD will be available on the European PSN on the same day, September 25th.%Gallery-7754%
You'd be foolish not to buy WipEout HD at $20
One last piece of information has snuck out of the recent WipEout HD event in San Francisco. It's a small detail, but one that make or break your decision to buy the game: the price. You can stop holding your breath now, the price is almost ridiculously low. $20 is nothing when you consider what you'll be getting in the game. Don't forget, Europeans, you also get it nice and cheap too. For only $20/£11.99 you'd be mad not to pick it up once it arrives -- whenever that might be (judging from the amount of press the game is getting, we're betting it's soon!).
WipEout HD: 8 tracks, 38 Trophies, 1080p, 60fps, 100% awesome
You should know how excited we are for WipEout HD. The long-delayed futuristic racer is coming out in the next few weeks, and will come at a budget price sure to make us all rather pleased. Although its a budget downloadable title, it's production values speak otherwise. There's going to be a lot of content, as this intial release already features 8 tracks (6 from WipEout Pure, 2 from WipEout Pulse) -- and there are variations of the same track as well, with mirroring and Zone mode.Obviously, many people will be speaking about the game's incredible visuals: 1080p, 60fps -- almost unheard of in this generation of games. Yet, somehow the guys at Studio Liverpool have been able to pull it off while making the game look as good as it does.Yes, there are also Trophies in the game (including a Platinum Trophy, as mentioned earlier). There will be 38 Trophies in all, some which are ridiculously easy (such as simply taking a picture in Photo Mode). Obviously, there will be some eye-bleeding Trophies to be caught in harder, faster difficulties.For more on the game, check out Joystiq's latest hands-on preview. Gallery: WipeEout HD (09/12/08)
Zone mode edited in final version of WipEout HD
If you read our preview, we said that WipEout HD's Zone mode was one of the most intense experiences we had the pleasure of racing through. Unfortunately, it appears the mode has been seriously toned down, most likely to pass epilepsy tests. In our preview, we said that the floor textures would respond to the music playing in the background, changing color suddenly when appropriate. The reactive floor textures have been removed for the final version of the game, and now Zone mode looks much more sterile. In fact, it reminds us a lot of the Zone mode found in the PSP games, WipEout Pure and Pulse. Granted, it still looks very nice. However, it saddens us to know that we may never have a chance to play a mode notorious for its sensory overload.See a comparison video at D-Pad Magazine.[Via NeoGAF]
WipEout HD is surprisingly cheap (in the UK): 11.99
So, there's a bit of WipEout HD news you should be expecting soon. But for now, feast on this: WipEout HD, a PSN download-exclusive, will be available in the UK for only £11.99. (Conversion rates put that at €15.11, $21.01)Even better, the release is supposed to be before the end of this month, according to CVG. Stay tuned, as US release info is coming very soon. Don't blink! Check out our WipEout HD page to catch up on all the game's news and previews.
WipEout HD has Platinum Trophy, should be over $30
Although WipEout HD is a PSN download-exclusive game, it looks like it may be priced like a standard retail game. A snapshot of the game's Trophy screen shows a Platinum Trophy for the game -- one that's reserved for full retail games. Shorter, cheaper games on PSN, such as PixelJunk Eden, Super Stardust HD and PAIN, do not feature a Platinum Medal. However, full-priced retail games, such as Uncharted, do grant Platinum Trophies.With this evidence, we can postulate that WipEout HD will be available for download for at least $30 (the cost of Warhawk, downloaded from the PLAYSTATION Store). SCEA still hasn't announced an official release date or price for the game, but rest assured that the news is forthcoming.[Via NeoGAF] Don't blink! Check out our WipEout HD page to catch up on all the game's news and previews.
Wipeout HD still set for Fall release
For a game featuring futuristic and unfeasibly fast vehicles, Wipeout HD is taking an awful lot of time to make it across the "finished" line. The last release window we received was a somewhat vague "coming soon," which is why we're pleased that SCEA producer Daimion Pinnock has hurled a brick through it, along with an attached note promising a slightly more specific Fall release date.Despite becoming victim to technical foibles and rumored audio-visual assaults, Wipeout HD still looks to be a fully featured return to form for the beloved hoverfest. The PSN-exclusive game will not only boast the usual 1080p/60fps visuals, but a two-player splitscreen mode, Trophy support, 8-player online play, optional (the best kind!) SIXAXIS support, Dolby 5.1 surround sound and in-game custom soundtrack support.
See split-screen in action in new WipEout HD trailer
Finally! We were teased by a recent hands-on test of WipEout HD, but it finally looks like the hype machine is rolling out for this upcoming PSN-exclusive version of the high-speed racing franchise. This new trailer is the first time we've seen split-screen in action ... and it looks good. Don't blink! Check out our WipEout HD page to catch up on all the game's news and previews.
PS3 Fanboy hands-on: WipEout HD
After a months-long delay supposedly caused by failing seizure tests, it seems like WipEout HD is finally ready to debut on the PSN. The long-awaited HD follow-up to the PSP games, WipEout Pure and WipEout Pulse have many excited. One quick look at the game reveals exactly why: it is gorgeous, fast and absolutely breathtaking. We got a chance to play the upcoming downloadable title, and we limped away, impressed by the presentation and the absolutely visceral racing experience.Yes, the game runs at a silky smooth 60fps. Yes, the texture work is fantastic. However, the technical achievements shouldn't overlook the game's great sense of style. While many of these tracks will familiar to PSP owners, they come to life with a brand new level of detail that the handheld simply couldn't pull off. There are all sorts of visual treats scattered across the tracks, and in your ship's HUD as well. The newly redesigned HUD is more dynamic than ever, distorting from nearby attacks, shaking during collisions, etc. Entering first-person mode will increase the sensation of really being in a supersonic vehicle even further.One mode we're particularly impressed with this time around is the newly revamped HD Zone mode. Zone was one of the best modes from the PSP games, and this time it's back with a few enhancements. While Pure featured high-contrast tracks, Pulse added a bit more color to make it more visually appealing. HD takes it a step further with music synchronized textures on the tracks themselves. The music you're listening to will dynamically change the look of the track as you race along it, and as your ship gets progressively faster with each zone you enter, the color scheme of the entire world may suddenly morph all around you. It's stunning and absolutely must be experienced. Speed freaks will be glad to hear that speeds in Zone now reach "Zen," a level far beyond the Phantom levels offered in previous games.%Gallery-7754%
WipEout HD getting Trophies, coming 'very soon'
Sony's European arm has issued an official statement regarding WipEout HD's chronic PSN tardiness, and while the company failed to comment specifically concerning racer's reported tendency to leave players with the shakes, SCEE did reveal that the game is being updated to include a number of tweaks under the hood.According to Sony, WipEout HD's continued delay is the result of "many improvements" and "numerous" additional features, including support for 2-player offline split screen and Trophies, as well as 8 reverse tracks, 4 extra ships, and a pair of alternative HUDS. As for when we'll be able to enjoy any of this from the comfort of our living rooms, Sony was less specific, saying only that it hopes to release the game "very soon."[Thanks, Kyrul] Gallery: WipEout HD
WipEout HD delay means more tracks, ships and Trophies
Yes, we're all bummed by WipEout HD's epilepsy-related delay. However, we're reminded of the old adage, "good things come to those who wait." It appears that the team at Liverpool isn't just sitting around. They've taken this time to add a number of new features to WipEout HD, most exciting of which must be Trophies. A SCEE representative told TVG that the delay has added "8 reverse tracks, 4 extra ships, 2 alternative HUDS, 2 Player offline split screen and XMB Trophy support."Wow, that's a lot of added content. We're excited for WipEout HD, and we're glad to see more being added to the upcoming racer. Now, we all have to do just one thing: wait.[Via NeoGAF]%Gallery-7754%
Rumor: WipEout HD held up by epilepsy tests
ACCORDING TO CVG, WIPEOUT HD'S DELAY CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO MORE THAN JUST TECHNICAL ISSUES AND "EXTRA FEATURES." THE GAME HAS REPORTEDLY FAILED EPILEPSY TESTING, REQUIRING IT TO BE "RE-ENGINEERED" BEFORE BEING RELEASED. IF ONLY THERE WAS SOMETHING WE COULD DO TO HELP SPEED UP THE PROCESS.%Gallery-17035%
WipEout HD delayed due to epilepsy test failure
When SCEE president David Reeves said there were technical problems with WipEout HD, we really didn't know back then what that incurred. Now, according to CVG, the reason as to why the futuristic racer was slightly delayed is because it failed epilepsy testing. Apparently, the dazzling flashes of ships rocketing at sub-light speeds is too much for those with the medical condition, and the game will be undergoing "re-engineering." It's unknown exactly how long a fix of this nature would take but, as Mr. Reeves had previously said, the game should "come out before the end of the year."
Missing@E3: WipEout HD
We noticed a lot of you asking about WipEout HD's whereabouts, so we corned SCEE's Charlotte Panther in the Sony room and demanded an explanation. Apparently, WipEout is still in development to add "extra features." Satisfied?%Gallery-17035%
Rumor: Daxter and Wipeout Pulse porting to PS2
French site Jeuxvideo.fr states that PSP games Daxter and Wipeout Pulse are being ported to the PS2. The story seems probable considering how many PSP to PS2 ports there have been, but at this time it's an unconfirmed rumor. Given the history of high-profile PSP games like R&C: Size Matters and the GTAs being ported to the the PS2, we have to wonder if GoW: Chains of Olympus and Secret Agent Clank will make the leap at some point; the Chains of Olympus port rumor is already old news. [Via PSP Fanboy]
These new WipEout HD screens make waiting even more torturous
Click for higher resolution We can never get enough WipEout HD media and we're certain you're the same. New assets from PlayStation Day show off some of the vehicles in their full HD detail as well as some very snazzy artwork and screenshots from the game. We've been drooling over WipEout HD for almost a year now and we can't wait for its release, sometime in the next two months. In the meantime, grab a bib and start leering at our gallery, below. %Gallery-7754%
