Wipeout Pure Review

Wipeout Pure is a futuristic racer and represents the first portable installment to what is a well known franchise. Piloting a hovercraft, you race through a multitude of tracks and tournaments, and race modes including Single Race, Tournament, Time Trial, Free Play, and Zone Mode (single-player only). Also included is Ad Hoc multiplayer for up to 8 people and the now famous "hidden" web browser. Fresh downloadable content will also become available that can be saved to a Memory Stick Duo, such as new tracks, ships, skins and music.

Our Impressions:

As we have mentioned before, we love racing games. Although definitely not a typical racer, Wipeout Pure is the best in it's genre. Featuring more than 15 different tracks, eight different ships, and five difficultly levels and race models, the game has enough depth to keep you going for quite a while. Add to that wireless multiplayer, and a little thing called a web browser, and Wipeout Pure becomes quite a package.

If you are looking for a game with a really in-depth story, this isn't it. The game-play and sensation of speed are enough to keep you coming back, and apparently Sony knew it because there is no story to speak of in this game. That said, the quick, fast-paced races translate into a great portable gaming experience — since there is no story, you don't have to stay in the game to keep track of goings-on like you would in an RPG.

Controls on the game are loose yet precise, if that's even possible. It feels like you actually are in control of a hovering speeder. Not long into your game-play, you begin to use the directional airbrakes without thinking. The AI is intelligent but not impossible to overcome — in fact, it's one of the things makes the game so addicting. The higher the difficulty the more accurate your opponents are with their weapons and the higher the speed, so much so that at the highest levels you really need to know the tracks to be able to stay competitive.

Graphically, the game is a showcase for the PSP's graphical power. The particle effects when a weapon is used are really impressive, as are the futuristic backgrounds for some of the tracks. The futuristic feel of the racing extends off the track and into the menus. The game's audio is also very well done, with the hum of the ships always seeming to be at the right volume in comparison to the excellent, upbeat techno soundtrack.

Futuristic hovercraft racing games hold a little niche in my gaming legacy as I played endless hours of F-Zero. I wish that Wipeout Pure could have had a stronger (or any, for that matter) story-line, but it makes up for it with it's unique style and its promise of downloadable content. While not the only racing game in town, Wipeout Pure stands out as one of the best PSP games thus far for its excellent graphics, game-play, and overall presentation.

Review Round-Up:

GameSpot Review: 8.8 (of 10)
"This is really one of the best PSP launch titles. Wipeout Pure is a joy to look at, and it's viscerally satisfying enough to please fans of the series and new players alike."

IGN Review: 9.3 (of 10)
"Wipeout Pure is easily one of the finest launch titles available for PSP. The package comes complete with beautiful visuals, outstandingly polished game-play, a thumping score, Wi-Fi multiplayer, and the promise of additional downloadable content in the future."

GamePro Review: 4.5 (of 5)
"It (multiplayer) is a unique blend of online anonymity and face-to-face social interaction, spawning visions of PSP bars and cafes sprouting throughout the urban landscape."

GameSpy Review: 5 (of 5)
"For racing fans who want a perfect mix of compelling game-play, unequalled excellence of presentation, and a few sore thumbs, WipEout Pure will not disappoint. Ready? Go...."

Aggregate Rating: 9.2 (out of 10)