Videogame Reviews

WipEout Pure
Platform: Sony PlayStation Portable
Publisher: SCE
Single player, up to 8 Players online**
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone

Wipeout Pure is a racing game for the PlayStation Portable released in 2005 as a launch title for the PSP in North American territory.

Wipeout Pure is about high-speed, fast-paced futuristic racing. A variety of ships, tracks and speed classes await players in single and multiplayer modes. Their place on the start grid, the conditions of winning, the number of laps and the order of the races all depend on which game type players choose and what speed class they race at.

Wipeout has several difficulty levels or "classes" to choose from. The slowest speed class, Vector, is idea for beginners. The medium speed class, Venom, is suitable for players accustomed with Wipeout. The new fast speed class, Flash, provides a greater challenge for those who have mastered Venom. Rapier is intensely fast, this class is suitable for proficient players who have conquered Flash. (Both Flash and Rapier classes are locked initially).

Players are able to choose from a selection of different modes to play in. Whether they want to play a Single Race, race over a series of tracks in a Tournament, test their skills at a time trial, race in ever increasing speeds in the Zone mode, or explore tracks while their ship's energy is replenished in Free Play mode.

During races, players can run over pads to collect items and weapons or gain temporary boosts of speed during races by running over boost pads. In most game modes, players will have an energy bar which represents their ship's energy. If this is reduced to zero through collisions or weapons fire, their ship will be eliminated from the race. If players are running low on energy, they can absorb a pickup or weapon they are carrying and replenish their ship's energy. Different pickups will recover different amounts of energy. Choosing whether to fire or absorb pickups can sometimes be a tactical decision that can make all the difference at a crucial moment, this is especially true as the game's sophisticated artificial intelligence can make enemies in the game challenging to beat, even on easy difficulty settings. Occasionally players can leave the track via jumps. If players travel too far from the track, a recovery system will replace their ship on the track, but they will lose time in the process.

Winning medals is the basis to progressing in every single player mode except Free Play. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded for a top three position in single race and tournaments. Beating preset times in Time Trial will also reward players with a medal as will beating preset high scores in Zone mode. Medals are awarded per speed class (aside from Zone mode). Players can keep collecting medals to unlock hidden content and features.

The graphics for Wipeout Pure are impressive and still hold out to be one of the best looking PSP games even today. Each track provides a unique design that differs itself from others, providing an engaging course throughout every race. The frame rate is very consistent, only noticeably dropping when explosions occur. Loading times are quick, the longest being only about 13 seconds between races.

A good variety of music is presented in Wipeout Pure, with various electronica artists lending their songs to the soundtrack, providing an immersive atmosphere that will intrigue players while they play.

Wipeout Pure has sold very well and has been out long enough to reach Greatest Hits status, thus making the price of the game to be at $19.99 or less. At this price, it should be hard for anyone who likes racing games and has a PSP to pass on this game.


**Multiplayer mode allows up to 8 players to race together, however, this is a relatively old game so it's difficult (or impossible) to find anyone to play against. This being the case, the online mode is not discussed in this review.

*** - Quote was taken from the WipEout Pure game manual.

Category: PlayStation Portable
Posted by Brukaoru at 11:58 PM |