WipEout Pulse For Playstation Portable Review

Like many aging gamers I can recall with complete clarity the first time I saw Wipe Out. It was in a new game store in my hometown of Liverpool which I was drawn into because of the huge crowd of people surrounding the newly installed, big screen TV. While the visuals were impressive it wasn't just that which made everyone sit up and pay attention but rather the fact that this was the actual game and NOT some looping FMV constructed for the passing public. This arguably launched the dawn of a new gaming age and it certainly went on to help Sony shift a significant number of Playstation units. It's still a valuable license and this second outing on the PSP promises everything you always loved about the franchise plus a few surprises.

It goes without saying that the PSP is hardly short of racers but an excess of choice can lead to a pile of mediocre titles so it was somewhat refreshing when the first Wipe Out was released for the PSP, which was not only technically impressive but also very enjoyable to play. Pulse delivers much of the same with everything elevated to the next level. The layout is similar to the past releases with the single game play focused on clearing areas with a mix of Time Trials, Competitions and Races. These can be a little daunting at first but once you've fully grasped the controls, found out where all the speed ramps are and decided to use your weapons sparingly, and at just the right moment, you'll find yourself finishing in the top three. These are then rewarded with medals, dependent on your placing, and once you've acquired enough points, more tracks and extras will open up.

Once you've tired of the single player experience there are some excellent Multiplayer options to extend the game’s life. These include a wireless LAN option that supports up to eight players and the new on-line function that runs surprisingly well given that this is PSP hardware. There's even a game sharing option should your friends find themselves without a copy of the game.

Visually the game is just about as good as it gets and it's not until you've finished a game and watched the replay that you'll actually get the chance to marvel at the track layout and environments. There's also a great deal going on and, unlike some games with static backgrounds, you'll see futuristic craft of all descriptions flying around. There's also the ability to design your own skins on-line to make competing a truly personal experience.

The audio elements are equally as impressive and once again bring the very best of contemporary DJ cuts to the gaming world along with a futuristic voice over which counts down the races. There's even an option to add your own soundtrack should your memory card handle it. Elsewhere the sound effects round off a game, which really should be enjoyed through headphones to fully immerse you in action.

Getting the first Wipe Out onto the PSP was impressive enough but Pure manages to take the original and make it that much better. It still has all the elements that you've come to expect from this franchise including a brilliantly pitched learning curve as well as that elusive 'just one more go' quality. In addition there is absolutely loads of gameplay so you'll be guaranteed to be playing this for considerably longer than your average racer and that's before you even begin to download tracks from the official site. Overall Wipe Out delivers in almost every department and, as a result, belongs in every PSP owner’s collection.