Like a horse in a high-visability jacket Wipeout HD burst onto the gaming scene as a PSN exclusive download on 25th September, 2008 also later as a demo. The game, despite it's humble store-only status, still packs a considerable punch and sports full 1080p support at 60 (fps) frames per second, full single player campaign, upto 8 player multiplayer, 5.1 surround with custom soundtracks, trophies and a nifty little photo mode to boot. It was developed by Studio Liverpool and published by Sony.
Features
Wipeout HD brings with it some new features to the series whilst retaining some that already have made an appearance in previous installments.
Pilot assist
Pilot assist will help you navigate the tracks by adjusting your steering should you get too close to the sides of the track. This feature is available from the main menu by going to 'Options', 'Game', or from the in-game pause menu.
Barrel roles
Performing a barrel role uses a small amount of the ships energy but if performed sucessfully will gain you a brief burst of speed. You cannot perform a barrell role if your ship is low on energy.
To perform a barrel role, wait until your ship is in mid air then move either the analogue or direction buttons left-right-left, right-left-right.
Air Brakes
Each ship is fitted with custom-tuned airbrakes for maximum cornering ability at high speeds. Activating the left or right airbrakes when taking a tight corner (using the shoulder trigger buttons) will maintain your speed but increase your turning ability. Master the airbrakes to improve your laptimes and outrun the compitition.
Side Shift
A shide shift will move your ship sideways to avoid a collision with objects directly in front of you. To perform a sideshift double tap the left or right airbrake button.
Absorbing
Instead of firing a weapon or activating a pickup, you can chose to absorb it and regain some of your ship energy. Different items and weapons give different amounts of energy. Knowing when to use or absorb pickups is a key strategy that can make all the difference between winning and losing races.
Ship Loyalty
Each race you take part in will credit you with loyalty points for the ship you use in that race. Build up your loyalty points for each team for rewards (new skins, trophies and HUD's). More loyalty points are given for perfect laps and a bonus is given if you race in a higher difficulty than Novice.
Photo mode
During any race, pause the game and select the photo mode option. You can choose which ship will be the focus of the camera, adjust the camera angle, zoom level, and so on. When you take a photo, it is saved as a JPEG format to your PS3's photo folder. The photo will be saved at the resolution the game is played at.
Speed Classes
The game offers four speed classes; venom, flash, rapier and phantom. Basically each class has a different top speed and the number of laps is also increased.
Controls
 -Left Airbrake |  -Right Airbrake |
 -Accelerate |  -Fire/use pickup |
 -Absorb |  -Look back |
 -camera |  -voice chat |
Game modes
There's essentially 3 modes that confront you at the main menu; Campaign, Racebox and Online. I'd strongly recommend getting to grips with the campaign as effectively it's a set of challenges based on the various race modes you'll find throughout the game that push your ability to the limits.
Campaign
Campaign is split into three difficulty levels across 8 different events. The aim is to complete 'cells' by acheiving medals (either gold, silver, or bronze on either difficulty setting) and progressing to the next event. You can only progress to the next event once you've collected a set amount of cells. You are awarded three cells for each gold, two for a silver and one for bronze. As you progress through the events they'll be more cells needed to progress, more laps and races and a higher zones level.
Unlocking a new event will also unlock new tracks and vehicles. Get a medal for every cell in campaign and you'll be awarded chrome skins for all the craft in the game.
Racebox
Racebox is effectively Wipeout HD's arcade mode where you can set up your own races and alter the settings, tracks etc. Let's use this oppurtunity to focus at the five race types available; Single Race, Tournament, Time Trial, Speed Lap, and Zone mode.
Single Race
Race against AI opponents for first place in a one off race. Opponent AI is adjustable and you can select whether weapons are on or off. You also have the freedom of any vehicles or tracks you've unlocked.
Tournament
A series of races in which points are awarded for each finishing position with the winner being the competitor with the most points at the end of all the races. Consistency is key here.
Time Trial
You are your only opponent in this one as you race against your own best time. It's a combined total over three laps so agin, consistency is paramount. Theres no weapons pad but each lap you're given a free turbo boost. You cannot horde turbos though so make sure you use it at least once every lap.
Speed Lap
Similiar to time trial but this time you've got 99 attempts maximum to put in one blistering lap time. The trick to this is to use your boost just before the finish line so it gives you a head start in the next lap. Then, in that lap, use it before you hit the finish line for maximum effect.
Zones
Zones sees the player's initially slow craft become progressively faster throughout the race, passing through different numbered zones, or categories of speed; the player must continue to navigate the course until their energy runs out and the ship explodes. Visuals also differ greatly in this mode, with environments stripped of texture, replaced with a single colour that changes continuously in waves, whilst graphic equalizers on the track and scenery display the waveform for the currently playing audio track. Loyalty Points still count for your chosen team despite the craft used always being the same.
Online
In addition to offline-play, Wipeout HD offers an eight-player online mode. A lobby system allows players to find races to join, which can comprise either single races, or twelve-race competitions. Should a player's ship explode due to loss of energy, unlike the single-player mode, the player's craft will reappear on the track some moments later. Voice chat is also supported for online racing.
Vehicles
The vehicles or AG (Anti-Gravity) craft are split into different teams with each team having their own unique design and set of stats. Twelve teams are featured in Wipeout HD, and their ship designs are inspired by those featured in Wipeout Pulse:
AG Systems
Speed:70
Thrust:90
Handling:90
Shield:80
Assegai Developments
Speed:80
Thrust:80
Handling:90
Shield:70
Qirex Research and Development
Speed:80
Thrust:70
Handling:80
Shield:90
Piranha Advancements
Speed:100
Thrust:60
Handling:60
Shield:90
EG-X Technologies
Speed:80
Thrust:90
Handling:70
Shield:70
Triakis
Speed:90
Thrust:60
Handling:60
Shield:100
Goteki 45
Speed:70
Thrust:100
Handling:70
Shield:80
Feisar
Speed:70
Thrust:80
Handling:100
Shield:80
Unlockable Craft:
Mirage
Speed:80
Thrust:80
Handling:80
Shield:80
Icaras
Speed:100
Thrust:70
Handling:70
Shield:60
Harimau International
Speed:80
Thrust:70
Handling:90
Shield:70
Auricom Research Industries
Speed:90
Thrust:70
Handling:60
Shield:90
All the vehicles have 4 liveries (paint schemes). You will start off with just one default livery and unlock two more by attaining Loyalty points earned for each lap you race, in any event, with that chosen team. The fourth livery is a chrome skin that is unlocked upon achieving all cells (either bronze, silver or gold) in campaign mode and is unlocked for all teams regardless of which AG craft you used to complete campaign. You'll need to unlock this special livery and compete in an online race with 7 other opponents sporting the same skin to earn yourself the 'bling brigade' trophy.
Weapons & Pickups
It's not just racing round a circuit like a shandy drinker you know. AG pilots have a plethora of weapons at their disposal to use against other opponents. Weapons are awarded whilst racing in the form of pickups. Using your weapons correctly and stragically can often mean the difference between being a worthy winner or being shamefully eliminated on the first lap. To pickup a weapon fly over the glowing red pads and your ship will be randomly equipped with one of the following weapons:
Autopilot
Surrender control of your ship to an automated pilot for a few seconds and admire the scenery. NOTE: This is different from the Pilot assist turned on/off in the settings menu.
Whilst incredibly useful in the higher speed classes it's pretty ineffective at the lower speeds due to some minor drawbacks.
Firstly, you're reduced to 90% thrust although this is countered by the better handling. Whilst in auto-pilot you can't pick up any weapon pads the AI flies over. Finally, te autopilot follows a pre-determined racing line; if an opponent is hit up ahead and slows down in front of you the AI tends to drive into it slowing you down in the process.
Shield
Become Invulnerable to weapons fire or collision damage for a brief period with this protective energy field.
The ultimate defensive pickup. Timing with the shield is paramount to it's sucess. Using in conjuction with your rear view or listen out for your good lady friend to give you the heads up.
Turbo
Activate a Turbo and boost your way through the pack, over a jump, or out of harm's way with a gratifying burst of speed.
A neutral 'weapon' but incredibly important. If you get one of these when you're in the front of the pack keep hold of it until it's needed; whether it's boosting over the finish line or recovering after a rocket attack, turbo will put you back in the race. Combine it with a turbo pad for maximum effect.
Rockets
Dependable and Destructive, the Rockets are three forward-firing projectiles that practically guarantee a hit at close-range.
Powerful and have a wide radius as three rockets are fired, the drawback, is they don't lock on so fire in a straight line. Most effective at close range or on the straights.
Missile
This smart Missile can be fired instantly for a ricochet effect, or locked-on for a more accurate shot at the competition.
Similiar to the rocket but with the ability to lock on. Avoid firing at oponnents around corners to make sure of the hit.
Cannon
Pepper your opponents with this 30 round rapid-fire barrage of high-caliber proton shells. Fire in bursts for best effect.
Forward firing. Each round is relatively weak but when you continually hit an advisary it really slows them down. Its burst fire is also handy and means its more forgiving if you miss the first time.
Plasma
This dark energy weapon surges across the track causing heavy damage to anything that crosses its path.
Tremendously powerful weapon. Hit an opponent with one of these and you'll seriously set them back. Drawback is the beam has to charge for a short time so your timimg is crucial for a hit. The blast radius has good coverage though so its more forgiving than say rocket or cannon fire.
Quake
This high-power seismic shock will blaze its way down the track with a fierce, explosive momentum.
The ultimate leveller. The quake sends a shockwave round the whole of the track effecting all of your opponents as it passes. One of the best weapons in the game.
Leech Beam
The Leech Beam is a pulsating electronic grapple that drains energy from your opponents and transfers it to your ship.
Handy especially if your craft has a low shield stat or you catch a player with a weak shield.
Mine
Drop a quintet of the floating Mines to blindside your opponents with a finely-tuned trail of explosions.
Again, a great defensive weapon. For maximum effect switch from one side of the track to another on the straights and on corners deploy on the racing line.
Bomb
Unleash this high-grade wide-radius explosive from the rear of your ship and prepare for a satisfying detonation.
Devastating blast for whoever gets caught in it. Will sit there for the whole lap aswell.
In addition you can absorb a weapon which gets rid of it in exchange for a little health. This is incredibly useful if your ships at breaking point or just that the pickup thats been equipped is ineffective at that time. As you can't pick up more than one weapon at a time you might aswell absorb it if it's no use to you.
Tracks
There are eight available tracks in Wipeout HD, all of which are remastered versions of tracks from the two previous PlayStation Portable Wipeout games; six of the tracks are from Wipeout Pure, and two are from Wipeout Pulse. All tracks can be played forward and backwards, much akin to the "black" and "white" modes of Wipeout Pulse, as well as in Zone mode.
Some sections of track also feature Mag Strips, which return from Wipeout Pulse; these stick the player's vehicle to the track, and allow the piloting of sections that would not otherwise be possible due to gravity.
- Chenghou Project
- Sol 2
- Vineta K
- Sebenco Climb
- Anulpha Pass
- Übermall
- Moa Therma
- Metropia
Trophies
The game comes complete with 38 trophies. Some are as simple as taking a photo others will take alot of time and dedication. As not all trophies have an easy fix I won't try and go through them in great detail. Instead here's a list detailing the trophies on offer including the hidden trophies. Make yourself aware of them, most you'll gain just playing through the game at your leisure but some will require you to practice and perservere...
Uplift-Bronze Trophy
Obtain a medal for every cell in Uplift.
Warped-Bronze Trophy
Obtain a medal for every cell in Warped.
Frenzy-Bronze Trophy
Obtain a medal for every cell in Frenzy.
Vertigo-Bronze Trophy
Obtain a medal for every cell in Vertigo.
Head Rush-Bronze Trophy
Obtain a medal for every cell in Head Rush.
Speed Freak-Bronze Trophy
Obtain a medal for every cell in Speed Freak.
Dropzone-Bronze Trophy
Obtain a medal for every cell in Dropzone.
Meltdown-Bronze Trophy
Obtain a medal for every cell in Meltdown.
1 Gold Medal won, 86 to go... -Bronze Trophy
Obtain your first gold medal.
Flatland Flyer-Bronze Trophy
Execute and land a successful barrel roll on Moa Therma.
Own the Zone-Bronze Trophy
Get 20 consecutive perfect zones in a single Zone Mode event.
Double Kill-Bronze Trophy
Eliminate at least two opponents in any race.
Endurance-Bronze Trophy
Finish an online 12 race tournament.
Connected 1-Bronze Trophy
Finish 10 online races.
Campaign Legend-Silver Trophy
Obtain a gold medal for every cell in Race Campaign.
Airbraker-Silver Trophy
Reach Zone 50 (Subsonic) in Zone Mode on any track using only airbrakes and sideshift. Motion sensor controls must be turned off.
Tournament Ace-Silver Trophy
Win every race of an 8 stage Racebox tournament on Skilled or Elite difficulty.
Connected 2-Silver Trophy
Win 10 online races.
Lapped Out-Silver Trophy
Complete 99 laps in a single Racebox, Speed Lap session.
AG Assassin-Silver Trophy
Eliminate 50 online opponents.
WipEout Disciple-Silver Trophy
Obtain 100,000 loyalty points for any team.
Elite Campaign Legend-Gold Trophy
Obtain a gold medal for every cell in Race Campaign on Elite difficulty.
Zone Zeus-Gold Trophy
In Zone Mode, reach Zone 75 on any track.
Arcade Perfect-Gold Trophy
Finish 1st on all 16 tracks in Phantom class Racebox races on Elite difficulty.
Beat Zico-Gold Trophy
Equal or beat the lap time of 30.82 seconds on Anulpha Pass (Forward), Speed Lap, Venom using the Piranha.
Livery Liberation-Gold Trophy
Unlock every ship skin in the game.
Transcendence-Platinum Trophy
Earn all the trophies in the game.
Secret Trophies:
Deadly Momentum-Bronze Trophy
Get eliminated in a race on Novice difficulty.
Smile Please-Bronze Trophy
Use Photo Mode to take a photo.
Rookie Reward-Bronze Trophy
Win any race with Pilot Assist on.
Happy Accident?-Bronze Trophy
Execute your first successful barrel roll.
Thanks for the Memory-Bronze Trophy
Win a Campaign, Racebox or Online race using each HUD style variation.
Motion Master-Bronze Trophy
Win a Campaign or Racebox race with the motion sensor option set to 'pitch and steering'. Directional buttons, Left Stick & Pilot Assist cannot be used to obtain this trophy.
Mercenary-Bronze Trophy
Get at least 500 loyalty points for each team.
Keep Rollin'-Bronze Trophy
Execute 100 successful barrel rolls.
Gemini-Bronze Trophy
Complete 20 two-player, split-screen races.
Sponge-Bronze Trophy
Absorb 500 items.
Bling Brigade-Bronze Trophy
Finish an eight player online race with all players using ships that are displaying Campaign Skins.
No comments:
Post a Comment