Previews

Back To Futuristic Racing

Sony goes for cool as WipeOut is re-ignited for PSP

Back To Futuristic Racing
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PSP
| WipEout Pure

It’s perhaps the most anticipated launch title for PSP and it seems that WipeOut Pure is living up to all our expectations. The high-speed anti-gravity racer/shooter was one of the games that ignited the original PlayStation generation by mixing cutting-edge graphics, zen-like gameplay as well as riding the wave of emerging dance bands such as The Prodigy and the Chemical Brothers.

Almost a decade on and history seems to be repeating. WipeOut Pure, is an all-new version. Developed by Sony’s Liverpool studio, it features 12 new race tracks and four updated classic circuits as well as a selection of modes including tournament, pure racing zones and multiplayer for up to eight players via Wi-Fi. Controls are as expected - you can use the d-pad or analogue stick to manoeuvre - while tapping the airbrakes gives a lateral strafing movement which is useful for avoiding mines. One change is that the recharge pitlanes at the end of circuit have been removed. Instead you recharge your shield by absorbing the energy from your weapon.

Perhaps more exciting however is the way WipeOut Pure is using the PSP’s download capabilities. Four free download packs will be made available via the in-game browser, including new music, new ships, new skins and new tracks. These packs will be released at regular intervals and be organised by themes. The Gamma and Delta packages expand the tournament in the game’s core league mode and offer new ten high-performance ships and 16 new circuits. The Classic pack will offer the opportunity to race on the old circuits with a re-imagined retro graphical look. And exclusively for UK and European players is the Omega pack. This contains more tracks and ships designed by four cutting-edge artists.

If that wasn’t enough, the music's sounding great too with the likes of Royksopp, Aphex Twin, Photek, LFO and Orbital’s Paul Hartnoll, amongst others, writing and performing exclusive tunes for the soundtrack.

The full band line-up is: Rennie Pilgrem & Roxiller - Bug, Ming + FS - Hellion, Paul Hartnoll - Boot Up, DrumAttic Twins - TWISTER, Plump DJs - Black Jack 3, Photek - C Note, Aphex Twin - Naks Acid, Friendly - We Got Juice, Elite Force - Cross The Line, Themroc - Mean Red, Cosmos - Kinection, LFO - Flu-Shot, T Power - The System, Jay Tripwire - Room 2, Stanton Warriors - Night Mover, Tiesto - Goldrush, Cold Storage - Onyx, Tayo Meets Acid Rockers Uptown - Crafty Youth, Fred Nasty - Grand Theft and Royksopp - Curves.

Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.