Wipeout Pulse

BY Taimoor Hafeez | POSTED: 31 October 2007

Still going strong!



We recently got our hands on Wipeout Pulse, the long awaited sequel to one of the PSP’s finest racing games to date, Wipeout Pure. After going through the single player mode here’s what we think: it still kicks ass!

There are many things being introduced for the new version, least of which is the inclusion of 12 brand new tracks (reversible). Also we’re getting an 8 player online and Ad-Hoc (via sharing) multiplayer mode! Not to mention 8 new teams including Mirage, a new team from the United Arab Emirates, making the most well rounded ship available. Yes we’re getting our very own team (finally some recognition!), albeit this will be a downloadable extra once the game ships.

As far as downloadable content is concerned, we will have 3 other teams and some more new circuits available once the game is shipped. Another new is taking snapshots of your ship once a race ends. You can then upload these pictures online and share your good and bad moments with others. Also rumoured, is vehicle skin customisation which you can do on the game’s website and then take it over to your PSP (similar in concept to Forza 2).

It’s nice to see all these features being included, but has Sony’s Liverpool studio changed the gameplay as well? Thankfully not, as the original Wipeout Pure felt right at home on the PSP. The controls are still the same, with the shoulder triggers acting as airbrakes and face buttons for various power-ups, etc. providing an intuitive control scheme. You will still have to memorise each circuit’s turn and have to take every boost pad in order to come first nonetheless. Of course the various weapons also help along the way, including a new one which draws the energy from a nearby enemy; a sneaky, yet excellent way of getting that podium finish.

The game of course still looks as beautiful as, if not more than, Pure; a very sublime experience every time you play it. The soundtrack is just as pumping as it ever was with custom tracks from some of the most talented British Techno artists.

Wipeout Pulse is looking to be yet another excellent game with superb community and online features promised by Sony. Let’s hope it delivers all these and more come early December.