wipeout
Latest
Wipeout Pulse videos are so much better than screenshots
If a picture can say a thousand words, what does a video say? Jeuxvideo has some incredible new videos of the game in motion, and it's clear how the visuals have been improved. The new lighting, the new HUD all look quite sexy. Add Infrastructure support, and you have a worthy successor to the already-incredible Wipeout Pure.Check out another video at Jeuxvideo.
PSP Fanboy review: Wipeout Pure
Nearly three years since the game was first released at the PSP launch, Wipeout Pure makes yet another debut. This time, it's downloadable on the PLAYSTATION Store for a mere $15. Even with its age, Pure remains one of the best games on the system, thanks to its great level designs, fantastic music, balanced weapons system, and tight controls. By going downloadable, the game has also shed most of its load times, making this re-release of Pure the best Wipeout to date.Wipeout is instantly recognizable to any fan of futuristic racing. It's gone through many changes since the original PS1 title, and Pure is easily the most refined game in the series so far. It's no surprise you'll be rushing through futuristic environments in a race to the goal. However, what you can do while on the tracks is what makes Wipeout so appealing. The weapons system in Pure is the best the franchise has offered. The varied effects of each weapon are devastating, but not overly so to make the game too combat-heavy. Targeting is much more intuitive than it ever has before, and players will find themselves scoring more hits than ever. Players must constantly watch out for their ship health, and this is one of Pure's most clever design choices: allowing players to absorb weapons to regain health. Instead of using a rocket, for example, you can absorb it and gain some of your health back. This forces players to think about their priorities every time they receive a weapon: to use, to save or to absorb?%Gallery-11053%
PlayStation Store now live, grab PSP content from your PC
The PlayStation 3 no longer exclusively acts as the eerily quiet middleman for your purchases from Sony's PlayStation Store. The PC-based online store (store.playstation.com) has gone live for the US and is ready to absorb your munnies in exchange for PSP games, demos, themes and PlayStation 1 games. Everything you need to get started is right on the front page -- software for transferring the downloaded content from your PC to your PSP, and the ability to create a free PSN account (your PS3 login will work too). Be sure to check out PSP Fanboy's step-by-step guide if Flash-based interfaces flummox you.The store currently boasts an exclusive PSP game, Syphon Filter: Combat Ops, along with downloadable versions of some UMD-based games (we spy WipEout Pure), several familiar PlayStation 1 titles (also compatible with PS3) and some new themes, demos and trailers, all of which you'll find listed after the break. The amount of content doesn't yet prompt the use of words like "glut" and "avalanche", but it's a solid start. Let's hope Sony keeps the store updated and the content fresh in the coming months.
Retro Reviews round-up: Spyro & Twisted Metal
PSP Fanboy has been reviewing all of the PS1 re-releases from the PS Store. They recently added three more games, all of which are playable (upscaled!) on the PS3. Here are a few excerpts, but to check them all out, visit PSP Fanboy.Wipeout - Ultimately, the game's true shortcoming is well ... how short it is. With so few tracks and ships to choose from, one can't help but think that $6 is the absolute most you should pay for this trip down memory lane. A solid game -- but there's far better options. 6.5Spyro the Dragon - With frequent save points, fast load times, and generally solid gameplay, Insomniac's early platformer still manages to impress. The gameplay is admittedly on the simplistic side, but there is no doubt that nearly a decade ago, Insomniac was pushing some truly impressive tech. The graphics are silky smooth, and the Sypro character lives with animation akin to that of the Ratchet series. The game looks as good as an average PSP game (albeit running in 4:3). 7.5Twisted Metal 2 - There's a reason why Twisted Metal was so beloved: it had a lot of personality, with its apocalyptic levels and crazed vehicle designs. The relentless difficulty of the game and simplistic presentation take a lot away from this re-release, but at $6, it's still a fairly solid retread to invest in, especially for portable gamers. 6.0
Retro Review: Wipeout
WipeoutPrice: $5.99Original Release Date: November 21, 1995Recommended. There's very little reason to pick up Wipeout from the PS Store, especially with Wipeout Pure already available on the console (at a budget price as well!). Regardless, the original PlayStation Wipeout still manages to entertain, withstanding the test of time. The presentation is certainly not as sleek as that found in Pure, but the easy-to-navigate menus and brisk load times (when disc acceleration is used) are quite appreciated. The game has aged well visually: the framerate is smooth and the art style does a lot to compensate for the lack of polygons. The draw distance might not be what players expect from a modern game, and in a game that moves this quickly, that can be a problem. On both the PSP and PS3, the game still looks quite nice, with the PS3's upscaling doing a miraculous job.The controls are a bit too loose in this first iteration of the franchise, and hitting walls is unforgiving. However, with a pretty undemanding AI to compete against, the only racer you should really consider is yourself. That's a shame, considering it makes the plethora of weapons rather useless.Ultimately, the game's true shortcoming is well ... how short it is. With so few tracks and ships to choose from, one can't help but think that $6 is the absolute most you should pay for this trip down memory lane. A solid game -- but there's far better options (at least for PSP owners).Retro Review: 6.5
A teeny tiny Wipeout Pulse trailer
The original PSP Wipeout Pure remains one of the best games on the system, and Pulse looks to improve upon an already impressive foundation. This new trailer is unfortunately sized for this web window. However, go to GameTrailers, download the HD version and you'll see the game in the full visual splendor it deserves. [Thanks, Hashbrown_Hunter!]
Wipeout HD 'coming soon,' loses features
Back at TGS, we gave you all the details on all the features the upcoming downloadable Wipeout HD would have. However, a new fact sheet reveals that a few of the game's features are being axed, quite possibly to make its "coming soon" release date. Some of the features missing include a community website, which would've allowed players to create profiles and see stats of other players. Various online and offline racing modes have been eliminated. The previously announced seven race modes have been whittled down to five -- Elimination and Head to Head modes are now gone.In addition, Photo Mode, which will allow players to take in-game pictures, is also missing. Customizable race rules are also missing from this newly-shrunken release.So what happened? It looks like this game is simply being pushed up, hopefully to release before the year ends. It seems that many of the community features promised in the game simply aren't possible using the current PS3 firmware. Certainly, "Game 3.0" features have played a vital role in the slowing down the release of Home, LittleBigPlanet and SingStar.[Via NeoGAF]
Tons of new Wipeout Pulse screenshots
The problem with Wipeout Pulse screenshots is that they always fail to capture the true beauty of the game. Here's a helpful ProTip: imagine this scene above, but sixty times a second. The upcoming PSP sequel adds Infrastructure mode, 60 fps rendering, and even prettier graphics. With a slew of downloadable content also in the works, Pulse may keep you glued to your PSP all winter long.%Gallery-4074%
Wipeout Pulse site opens, showcases four game expansions
The Wipeout Pulse European website is open, and it is filled with a ton of goodies to download, such as screensavers (for both Mac and PC) and wallpapers (for your PSP and computer). Most exciting are the placeholders for the upcoming game's expansion packs. There are four packs planned, it appears, all adding new tracks to what looks like an already-impressive game.[Thanks, Damian!]
TGS07: The new (and old) features of Wipeout HD
Wipeout HD is hitting the PLAYSTATION Store later this year, and although it's just a remix of tracks from previous games, there's a lot to look forward to. In addition to the obviously improved graphics, the game takes a few key features from previous Wipeout titles, and adds a few of its own: SIXAXIS support - "Wipeout HD provides full support of the SIXAXIS wireless controller." Tilt-ready racing, perhaps? Mag-Strips - From the upcoming Wipeout Pulse game on PSP, this feature allows players to defy gravity through tracks that feature loops, vertical drops, and 90 degree sections. Teams - Like any Wipeout game, this iteration features eight teams from Wipeout Pulse. Seven Race Modes, including Zone - Single Race, Tournament, Time Trial, Speed Lap, Zone Mode, Elimination and Head-2-Head. Zone Mode, from Wipeout Pure, will make your craft go progressively faster throughout a race until your ship explodes. It's one of the best additions to the franchise in recent memory. Three New Weapons - The Repulser, Shuriken and Leach Beam. Photo Mode - Like Wipeout Pulse, players will be able to take screenshots from within the game. 8 Eight Player Online Multiplayer - With "Team vs Team" mode, which allows teams of two to compete in larger races. Community Website - Lets players create their own profiles and see stats and data for other players. Downloadable Content - The game will continue to expand through more downloadable packs. Music - Nine fully-licensed music tracks, remixed in 5.1. Expect Wipeout HD to hit the Store later this year. Until then, check out our new screenshots.%Gallery-7754%
New WipEout, Pursuit Force themes available
So you've updated your PSP to firmware 3.70, and you've checked out Joystiq's guide to installing themes. Now you're saying to yourself, "that was fun, but I wish I could have a theme that wasn't bright pink". Well your wish has been granted by the UK Playstation site. Click here for your choice of Lemmings, WipEout, or 6 different Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice themes, as well as Cookies or Classy Pink.[Thanks Random!]
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 on PS3 may let you create your own ship to share
With the advent of WipEout Pulse approaching for the PSP, and an old trailer to get you pumped for trippy-fast action, buzz has been accumulating for the PS3 edition of WipEout. While it has been off the map for a long time, we've at least got some words from developers at SCEE that could carry over into the PS3 game. It's the hot topic for games to exploit online functionality and downloadable, user-created content. With that in mind, we have to wonder what is planned for the WipEout series once it makes its next-gen debut.WipEout on the PS3 plans to exploit the PSN, naturally. The devs want it to be a place where you can "download and learn anything and everything about WipEout." In addition to that, they're allowing you to go online and come up with what you think a true WipEout ship should look like. Why does that matter? Well, " I think anything we do on the PS3 will incorporate this sort of functionality because its not always all about playing the game, it's about getting involved in the game." So, what this means to us is full customization of our very own WipEout ships for any of the games coming out. It's speculation, but who knows. We'd go for it.
European PSN releases for June 22nd
We told you it was coming, and today it all finally arrived. Calling All Cars, PS1 games and a little added bonus. Check out the list below for the full release info. Calling All Cars (£4.99) Rampage: World Tour (£1.99) WipEout (£3.49) PS1 game Jumping Flash (£3.49) PS1 game Crash Bandicoot (£3.49) PS1 game So there you have it, not a trailer in sight. Yet, ironically, we kind of miss them. Where are the other two PS1 games, though? You know, the ones we actually want to buy. Syphon Filter and Medievil. Perhaps we'll see them arrive next week, along with Super Stardust HD.What do you make of this update? Pleased, or not? Let us know.
