Wipeout HD is one of the finest gems on PSN, and for only $20 this high-speed thrill ride is an absolute must.
Pure high definition adrenaline
Many PS3 owners have been waiting for Wipeout HD for quite some time. Initially announced during E3 in 2007, gamers were promised to be blazing through Wipeout's futuristic locales by the end of that year. Now, in late 2008, after numerous developmental setbacks, Wipeout HD has finally found its way onto PSN. And the wait was well worth it.
Wipeout HD is beautiful. Playing this game on a standard definition television is a disservice to all the effort Studio Liverpool put into the visuals of the game. The vibrantly-lit, futuristic environments blaze past you in total clarity, even when reaching speeds surpassing 700 km/h. And the 12 different vehicles have been meticulously detailed down to the racers helming the controls.
Gameplay remains as fast paced as ever, providing three different skill levels and four variations of speed. Wipeout HD offers your typical modes. Speed laps, battle and time trials are all here, but the most engaging is the new, epileptic-inducing Zone mode, in which your vehicle gets progressively faster the longer you survive. What is most impressive about the game is the sense of accomplishment it provides after investing some time. At first, the higher speed settings may seem overwhelmingly chaotic, but once you've had enough practice the lower speed variants that you started out on will seem boring in comparison, making the player feel like he/she has come a long way.
Multiplayer is here as well, and the online experience is every bit as visceral and rewarding as the single player campaign. Gamers can compete against up to seven other opponents in either single race or tournament style settings. Even with the maximum amount of players present, slowdown was virtually non-existent. However, if there is one noticeable area where Wipeout HD falls behind, it is in the lack of online modes. While online play never becomes boring, it would have been nice to see the inclusion of modes Studio Liverpool promised back when the game was first announced.
The sound is on par with the rest of the game. While it may not be the best soundtrack to grace the franchise the music fits well within the game's futuristic setting. Wipeout HD also makes use of custom soundtracks, something PS3 gamers are not treated to nearly enough.
The Wipeout series has always been about introducing gamers to an unmatched futuristic, adrenaline-inducing, racing experience, and Wipeout HD continues that trend. But what makes Wipeout HD tower over its predecessors (besides its price tag) is that it takes every element the franchise is known for and improves upon them. Wipeout HD is one of the finest gems on PSN, and it delivers one of the fastest, high-speed thrills this generation of consoles has seen, and for only $20 you'd be foolish to not take it our for a spin.