GC '07: Wipeout HD Hands-On

LEIPZIG, Germany--The Wipeout series more or less defined the sci-fi console racing genre on the original PlayStation and has since become something of a legend on different Sony platforms--a sci-fi Ridge Racer of sorts that's got as loyal a fan base as any other racing series around. The upcoming Wipeout HD is set to bring the futuristic racing series into the high-def era with a game that matches its high-tech look with throwback gameplay that will be familiar to anyone who's ever played a Wipeout game. We had a chance to spend some time with the game on the show floor of the Leipzig Games Convention to get a feel for how this futuristic racing game is coming along.

With two tracks and two different classes of speedy hovercraft to pilot around the courses, the demo wasn't the most in-depth thing we played today. However, it did a good job of showing what to expect from this game; namely, stunning HD visuals and tight controls that definitely take some getting used to. The game's environments are razor sharp. Both of the tracks in the game--Chenghou Project and Analupha Pass--feature snaking, twisting courses winding their way through buildings that look to be straight out of a science-fiction movie. As with older games in the series, the courses will periodically split into two distinct routes you can choose from, with one usually being more difficult (yet faster) than the other.

As attractive as the track visuals are, Wipeout's ships are no slouch, either. The craft available in the game ranged from the sleek and nimble to bulkier and less agile, and moving from one craft to the next sometimes took a few laps to acclimate. Knowing your ship's capabilities proves to be a huge advantage in the game, as trying to maneuver a bulkier ship through some of the tighter corners in the game takes a good deal of planning and positioning, not to mention some nimble thumbs.

Controls in the game are straightforward as can be: You press the X button to accelerate, the left stick to steer, and the R2 and L2 buttons to use your airbrakes (giving you some extra steering ability during those tightest of turns. Also in keeping with the series, you'll be able to make liberal use of weapons you pick up on the track as you race, including machine guns, rocket launchers, and missiles, as well as nonweaponized items such as shield and turbo boosts. To fire a weapon, you push the square button; if your ship is low on energy you can choose to absorb a loaded weapon by pressing the circle button, providing you with a quick repair of any accumulated damage.

After our first few races in Wipeout HD, we found it tough to get back into the sci-fi swing of things, particularly when bumping into the walls that line the course, which subsequently slows your craft to a halt. Once we found our footing again--and remembered that half of the challenge in Wipeout is figuring out when you need to use, and when to ignore your airbrakes--and we found winning races, or at least keeping things close, to be a much easier prospect. Along the way we were impressed with the game's sound effects, particularly the variety of different weapon effects and the sounds employed when your craft uses its airbrakes.

News of Wipeout HD's release later this year is good news for a fan base that's been eagerly awaiting the return of the series. From what we've seen so far, the game's cutting-edge visuals and classic gameplay could be just what the fans have been clamoring for. Expect to see more on Wipeout HD from Leipzig, as well as updates in the coming months as we get closer to its release.

[UPDATE] After spending some time with the demo version of the game during day one of the Leipzig Games Conference, yesterday we met with game designer Colin Berry and gleaned a few more details on the game. First of all, Berry confirmed that the track, vehicles, and weapons in the game will be a mixture of content from previous Wipeout games, along with brand new content. The two tracks in the demo were from previous Wipeout iterations (Anulpha Pass from a Wipeout Pure download pack, and Chenghou Project from the shipped version of Wipeout Pure).

Berry pointed out a couple of HUD elements that are new for Wipeout HD, including a proximity meter that will show you where enemy ships are behind you. In addition, an "incoming" gauge will warn you when weapon fire is coming your way. Berry, who admitted he loved tinkering with the handling of the different ships in the game, says the team is currently concentrating on the analog acceleration and braking features in the game.

Details are still slim on downloadable content for Wipeout HD, though Berry did say the team is planning for additional content to ship after the game is released. In addition, we're still waiting to hear on the online multiplayer aspects of the game, and will be bringing you this information as soon as it becomes available.