Wipeout HD

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

If you're a Wipeout fan, or just a fan of futurist design, techno music and HD graphics, this is some drool-inducing stuff.

I've enjoyed the Wipeout series since the first Psygnosis release ... and along with Wipeout XL on PS1 and Wipeout Pure on PSP, this is now in my top three, and looks to be fast-tracking to the best version I've ever played.

Like Ridge Racers on PSP, this is essentially a "best of" as far as track selections go, but that's not to say that it feels like the same old same old ... the controls (which have been well tuned for a long time in the series) remain excellent ... and there's even some SixaxiS controls in there for those brave enough to attempt them.

The graphics absolutely rock at 1080p and a solid solid 60fps, and the Dolby audio sounds great.

I've only played a few games online, aaaaaaand while I didn't come in first place, I can't say that the system, the network, or anything software related was responsible ... just other really really good Wipeout players.

This is the second entry in the series to go online (Pulse on PSP was 1st), so it's not surprising that everything works as it should.

There are a few other added features like photo mode (photos taken in-game can be exported to a memory stick), and there are future DLC tracks and cars planned.

And those that have always had trouble with the "unique" style of controlling/turning/air-braking in the series can rejoice - there's a "pilot assist" mode that keeps you from bouncing off of the walls ... it's kind of like invisible training wheels ... or ... Wipeout for dummies.

$20 is a touch on the expensive side as far as DLC goes ... but this is a pretty full-fledged game, and honestly I'd rather this be $20 and DLC only than $30 or $40 on a Blu-Ray disc at brick & mortar.

Wipeout fans should have this on their radar.

[exit]

I downloaded this when I was playing Mega Man 9 and while it did take bit to figure out what was going on, I'm glad there's finally a racing game for PS3 that's worth owning. I played a few games online and there wasn't even the slightest hit of lag, so me coming in second to last was me just sucking.

There also seems to be trophies in the game, which was a complete surprised to me when I unknowingly did an achievement and I was greeted with a Bronze notice in the top right corner of my screen.

[Lord_Magus]

I was playing this a bit at work today, and so far it seems great. The presentation is clean and solid, and the gameplay is nice and fast(although on anything other than Phantom the game just felt a bit slow to me...).

One thing I didn't really appreciate was that maybe the graphics had a bit...too much detail in them, and sometimes it's a little hard to just see the road and tell where you're going. Then again, that's probably a track design issue than a graphical one, and one that many racers seem to suffer from these days.

[Graham Mitchell]

I'm very interested in picking this up. I just wanted to verify with others that it was worth grabbing, and it sounds like it is.

[diskoboy]

I just downloaded it.

WOW!!! If you have a PS3, and a 1080p TV, get ready for a treat. It's so purdy!

And you can't go wrong with the $20 price tag.

[heybtbm]

How's the vehicle handling? I've never been able to play Wipeout because the vehicles are always all over the place. I even ended up selling the PSP version because I couldn't get the hang of it (and I never sell my games).

F-Zero...I can play just fine. Wipeout...not so much.