WO HD Reviews

[Colin Berry]

First one I've seen so far

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=238638

[kz_]

i. cannot. fecking. wait.

It's a good thing this is a PSN-only title with no BD release, else I'd be waiting out behind my local retailer with a crowbar and a box lunch to get a copy before the 25th.

[Nadia Elenova]

They didn't tell anything about online team-play or the voice chat

[Egg]

... or Zone mode, for that matter.

[ZenDJiNN]

I really enjoyed that review, and it just makes me want to get my PS3 even more. Can't wait! :)

[Axel]

Not a very good review when they are missing out a lot of parts :(. But hey least the score is good lol.

[eLhabib]

Yeah, they are also babbling about replays after races, but I guess that's just a misinterpretation... :frown:

[BaldyCurly]

Yeah but this line sums things up nice if you ask me...



Sackboy may be the new face of PlayStation, but the console just hasn't been the same without WipEout. It's great to have it back.


Happy Days in 10 days time!

[infoxicated]

... or Zone mode, for that matter.
Or that the game is meant to include all of the content previously intended for download. :?

Or has that now changed?

I sincerely hope not, 'cos - PR-wise - that has the same potential for self-inflicted disaster as Edward Scissorhands watching porn in the nude.

[Kb0nEZ]

Well, Zone, 8 player online races and reversible tracks are confirmed in this Sep. 12 preview, but Eliminator and replays are confirmed out:

http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3/wipeout-ps3-untitled/909799p1.html

What else was supposed to be DLC?

[Yome NetSan]

My prefered part :
In other words, WipEout HD looks f**king phenomenal.

[eLhabib]

I'm all for a challenging title but I just cannot understand for the life of me why the Wipeout developers insist on making the higher racing classes so fast they are practically unplayable.

Best compliment you can pay wipEout HD :D

[Axel]

Love that quote, and also about the one of PA being useless in the higher classes as well. Roll on the release. I am ready!!

[Frances_Penfold]

Yeah, they are also babbling about replays after races, but I guess that's just a misinterpretation... :frown:

I am trying to figure this out as well.

Here's what the article says:

Then there's Photo Mode, which can be activated during the automatic replay at the end of each race. Tap the square button and you can skip from one ship to another, and save your own screenshots. The options are numerous - you change the exposure, saturation, lens focus and add effects such as depth of field or add motion blur to the track or ships. Shots are automatically saved at full 1920x1080 resolution in your console's Photo folder for easy sharing. The only downside is there's no way of rewinding or forwarding the replay from within the Photo Mode itself, so finding a specific moment to capture involves too much trial and error.

That sounds awfully explicit-- is there any chance that this is correct?

[kanar]

Wow just read the eurogamer review... wow. I'm sure the hype will continue till' the release date... Sony please prepare psn servers for HUGE traffic...(not like konami you know)

[Sausehuhn]

Frances, it sounds that detailed because the game features all this, except for the reply.

[Lance]

..that has the same potential for self-inflicted disaster as Edward Scissorhands watching porn in the nude.

LOL
I do believe you should add that to the rotating quotation list. :)

[Egg]

blah blah ... replay ... blah blah

That sounds awfully explicit-- is there any chance that this is correct?

No. Just a figure of speech.

[Frances_Penfold]

Figure of speech? I'd call that a big ****ing error! Do reviewers even play games that they rate? Sheesh ;)

Then there's Photo Mode, which can be activated during the automatic replay at the end of each race... the only downside is there's no way of rewinding or forwarding the replay from within the Photo Mode itself, so finding a specific moment to capture involves too much trial and error.

Pretty much all wrong.

[Flashback Jack]

No. Just a figure of speech.

No superships this time around, I hope? Your Pulse recipe was spot on.

- F

[Rubix42]

Lawdy lawdy! Can't wait to play this. F the people with the nice clean Wipeout preview case and disc. I would pay $60 to buy the disc with that packaging, even though the game is only $20 online.

[Egg]

blah blah .. replay .. blah blah
Pretty much all wrong.

Yeah, but I think 'replay' has become a general word for 'watching AI ships noodling around the track before or after a race'. We certainly use the term 'replay cameras' in the studio - meaning the fixed and dynamic viewpoints around the track - despite there being no actual recorded replays.

He's certainly wrong in one respect though - you can enter Photo Mode anytime. You don't have to wait for a race to finish.

[Sausehuhn]

Btw: do the cradts fire weapons after the race has finished? They don't in WOPulse and it's really more logical (why would they damage each other when the race is over?) but with photomode it's nicer to have some nice explosions going on.

[Rapier Racer]

Why would they damage each other after the race? Well because maybe someone is a bad looser and feels like blasting the winner? I would certainly be tempted......lol

[cybrpnk]

and now i am extra super psyched for this game even more!!! job well done colin, egg, all at SL...

[bothamliam]

The review posted saddens me. Not because Wipeout HD is undoubtably an amazing game, but becasue its coming out on the one console i cant afford to pay for...i want this game so much =[

[taqili]

congrats on the positive review, guys ! =)

[Jambo]

Great review guys well done, am really excited for this now!

Rock on!

BTW Reviewers never seem to pick up on certain points do they?

[HydrogLox]

... despite there being no actual recorded replays. ... you can enter Photo Mode anytime. You don't have to wait for a race to finish.

Which is exactly what confused me about photo mode in Pulse. When I'm racing, I'm jockeying for position, not looking for a photo op. Once the race is over I might be calm enough to recognize a picture perfect moment in a Ridge Racer/Race Driver: Grid style recorded replay of the race but Pulse doesn't have one. So to me photo mode felt like wasted effort in the absence a race replay. (not that it exactly detracted from the enjoyment of the game - it just struck me as a curious decision).

So it seems that the reviewer had the expectation of watching a replay after conclusion of the race based on the various precedents in other racing games, not realizing that in fact the ships were merely cruising about the track.

[eLhabib]

^That.

[Skvall]

New review out:
9/10

http://www.videogamer.com/ps3/wipeout_hd/review.html

[Axel]

Lag free online is very good to know. But I knew it would almost be lag free as I found Pulse online to be very good.

[Amon]

Lag free online is very good to know. But I knew it would almost be lag free as I found Pulse online to be very good.

I find it strange instead. Coming from years of PC Online racing i've always imagined that porting wipeout online would be a difficult task.

I will be really surprised if the online experience will be good. Wipeout imho is too fast to permit good racing online, latency is always present no matter how good is your code.

So developers always write "prediction" code to cope with latency. But it's much easier to have this kind of stuff work with something like Motorstorm, for example where speeds are much slower.

[Flashback Jack]

WipEout HD includes some superbly integrated custom soundtrack support, trophies and optional DLC in the future (the PSP games received tons of support post release).

Pardon me a moment -- as a neglected North American still waiting for the Wipeout Pulse DLC, guffaw!

- F

[eLhabib]

I will be really surprised if the online experience will be good. Wipeout imho is too fast to permit good racing online, latency is always present no matter how good is your code.

So developers always write "prediction" code to cope with latency. But it's much easier to have this kind of stuff work with something like Motorstorm, for example where speeds are much slower.

AFAIK, wipEout HD online runs on dedicated servers, which helps a lot in this regard.

[Jambo]

Good to hear about dedicated servers. It really helps in games like Warhawk and Burnout. I wish Gran Turismo had this facility.

OT:How come Sony, on a free service can provide these, and microsoft can't?

[Darkdrium777]

Because Microsoft is cheap?

[Jambo]

Hmmm, that could be the case, though I have to admit the last thing I want to do is start a flame war!

Dedicated servers provide such a stable platform compared to user servers. I rally am quite excited about this, I see the use of sixaxis for pitch was noted, I think this may be my first use of the sixaxis controls!

[KIGO1987]

Wow just read the eurogamer review... wow. I'm sure the hype will continue till' the release date... Sony please prepare psn servers for HUGE traffic...(not like konami you know)

Yes, yes. Be on defcon 2 for this one Sony. I dont want see disconnection from server and timed out ****. I hope my net provider cleans there **** up by then.

[Frances_Penfold]

IGN review... 9.2 out of 10!

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/910/910419p1.html

(sorry if old-- didn't find it elsewhere in this thread!)

Edit no. 1-- reviewers are sure convinced their will be DLC support for this game.

Edit no. 2-- quick response to previous post about latency...


I find it strange instead. Coming from years of PC Online racing i've always imagined that porting wipeout online would be a difficult task. I will be really surprised if the online experience will be good. Wipeout imho is too fast to permit good racing online, latency is always present no matter how good is your code. So developers always write "prediction" code to cope with latency. But it's much easier to have this kind of stuff work with something like Motorstorm, for example where speeds are much slower.

I agree with Amon that latency is ALWAYS a problem, regardless of code or servers, because you have to deal with the least common denominator for internet connection speeds. And as Amon says, racing games always have prediction code to deal with latency. It'll be interesting to see how well Wipeout HD does with lag once we have worldwide matches going. I was pleasantly surprised with how well Wipeout Pulse worked online, and am hoping for the same with WOHD :)

[Rubix42]

The bad news about dedicated servers to support the online means that once Sony doesn't want to pay for them anymore, the online portion of the game ceases to exist.

Not an issue for casual joe gamer who will play this for a while and then move onto to the next game, but for people like us becomes an issue down the line.

Otherwise, great reviews all around. I'm sure d'ling this on the 25th is going to be all kinds of annoying.

[Task]

I was pleasantly surprised with how well Wipeout Pulse worked online, and am hoping for the same with WOHD :)Indeed, they did a great job with Pulse's online capabilities; that's really the best feature of the game I'd say.

You'll be happy to hear that if they develop software in Liverpool anything like it's done over here, the online capabilities in HD will be based directly on the code from Pulse. Somewhere from 70-90% the same code would be my guess. With modifications based on what they learned after Pulse was released.

So bright skies for HD online!

[Rapier Racer]

Oh look another 9/10. INJUSTICE! They should have called it Wipeout GTA an instant 10 would have been awarded before they even played the game even if it was an over hyped pile of ****.

On another note I see some spank thinks that Zone mode was introduced in Wipeout 3, yes.

[lunar]

developers always write "prediction" code to cope with latency.

So long as it predicts that I will win and the code executes that outcome efficiently there`ll be no complaints from me. ;)

LOL Stephen. The EG review was a bit odd - attention to detail it wasn`t, but a 9 is what matters I suppose.

I`m sure the online will be as good as it can be when playing people far away. Pulse ran very well, even Pure ran very well adhoc on Kai.

Congratulations to SL for the great reviews. The IGN review is really glowing, but I didn`t like the part where he mentioned a Zone 75 trophy :eek :cold

[eLhabib]

Worry not, I got to Zone 45 on my first try on Vineta K, and I'm a rather crappy Zone pilot. Vineta K is one of the harder tracks in HD for Zone, too (very bumpy and narrow), so I think Zone 75 should be doable. Hard, but not impossible by any means.

[Frances_Penfold]

The whole trophy thing will be interesting-- given my compulsions about time trialing (which most people here share), I can only imagine many of us racing over and over and over again trying to get every last trophy.

[Amon]

AFAIK, wipEout HD online runs on dedicated servers, which helps a lot in this regard.

I beg to disagree ... Dedicated servers are good because all the work is made by then and the clients don't have any cpu overhehead. Put speaking of latency only there's no gain that i know of.

The big gain is that there is no "hosting advantage", In a game like Metal Gear Online where one of the clients is hosting the match, for example, you see that.

Dedicated servers resolve that problem.

However, it's nice too hear so many people pleased by the multiplayer experience provided by Psp's wipeouts.

This is a good sign :lol

[Skvall]

The "best" solution (no solution is perfect though) is to have dedicated servers run by the community, like with Quake. :P

The community dies when it wants to die and the servers are stable and noone(usually) has ping advantage over the others.

Maybe this and official servers at the same time would be best.

[zerojay]

Good to hear about dedicated servers. It really helps in games like Warhawk and Burnout. I wish Gran Turismo had this facility.

OT:How come Sony, on a free service can provide these, and microsoft can't?

You don't know what you're talking about. Every game on Xbox Live has a dedicated server. Hell, there's still servers up for many Xbox 1 games. (And I'm not a Microsoft fan by any means.)

[Lance]

.
"You don't know what you're talking about."

I'd prefer not to hear that sort of inflammatory phrase in the forums.
.

[Darkdrium777]

Ok, so the game finding and all online features run on a dedicated server. Yay.
And then the real games (ie you playing) happens on someone else's X-Box. This sucks when the other guy's connection is bad. We're just glad WipEout will have actual game dedicated servers. Lance spoke and I agree.

[Jambo]

You don't know what you're talking about. Every game on Xbox Live has a dedicated server. Hell, there's still servers up for many Xbox 1 games. (And I'm not a Microsoft fan by any means.)

Sorry for my not putting my point across properly. Just want to point out I have a 360 as well!

[Shozovulnai]

Observe the GameSpot's natural ability to be a bunch of dummies: http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/driving/wipeout/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review

So yeah, a 7.5. First thing listed as "Bad" is kinda obvious if you ask me. Nevermind, that site hasn't been credible since the dawn of time anyway.

[G'Kyl]

So yeah, a 7.5. First thing listed as "Bad" is kinda obvious if you ask me.

Which doesn't mean it must never be mentioned. I consider myself a seasoned Pure and Pulse pilot - and for that simple reason the appeal of HD is reduced significantly.

There is a reason to why EA doesn't get enthusiastic reviews as long as they deliver little more than their annual graphical sports game update, wouldn't you agree? And honestly, HD, for all its greatness, is hardly more than a Pure/Pulse remix. I'm not exactly thrilled by thinking about racing the same courses... yet again. I love it, but it's not THE next WipEout thing.

To be more precise on a personal level: I couldn't care less about graphics, high-def and 60 frames. I dig games for either gameplay or story - and in that regard WHO is mostly old news.


Yes, I DO love HD!


Nevermind, that site hasn't been credible since the dawn of time anyway.

Why is that?

Ben

[Rapier Racer]

Did Gamespot not fire that editor for his harsh words towards Kane & Lynch, was Edios not lining whoever owns GS's pockets with cash hence the reason why Gamespot was caked in Kane & Lynch adverts? I wonder why the guys bad review didn't go down well.

I also heard they were totally bias towards the 360 at one point, probably being payed off by Micorsoft. I know many peoples who don't believe GS has any credabililty.

[Nadia Elenova]

When it says that all ships were in the previous games as a "bad thing" I thought in Street Fighter without Ryu and Ken. :banzai
Someone must explain this guys the meaning of "repackaging" as they use it too naively.

Ok, wipeout is no piece of cake for newcomers, but "Incredible steep difficulty curve"? "Even seasoned players will struggle from the fifth tier onward"? I'd like to see the "seasoned player" who told that.

And my favourite: "a game that's obviously meant for fans, but one that paradoxically gives them nothing they don't already have. If you're a fan of the series but missed the PSP games then HD is a must-buy, but Wipeout stalwarts could rightfully look at this director's cut as a bit of a cash-in. "
I already have introduced four of my friends into wipeout thanks to WOHD, and no wipeout fan (who had a PSP) would have ever missed Pure and Pulse, hilariously out of logic! :lol

[RJ O'Connell]

So yeah, a 7.5.
Blasphemous, but IGN UK gave it a 9.2 so it evens out. "The Big Two" have their moments of inconsistency when it comes to reviewing games with any common sense (see NASCAR 09).

In my opinion, nobody's evaulation of a game is valid except one's own. :+

[Lance]

Every review is truly valid only for the reviewer. And only if they're not getting paid for it. :D

[DawnFireDragoon]

the guy they fired, Jeff Gerstmann, was a huge wipeout fan as well!

[Rubix42]

My biggest beed with reviews and review sites in general is about 95% of them all issue the same review with a different coat of paint. They all make points regarding the bullet points on the game box, and they all seem to come in with roughly the same scores (with a few higher or lower) and they all seem to read the same.

[Kscorps]

While games such as F-Zero had come before it,

How dare they compare this with F-Zero...!

[Darkdrium777]

Yeah I think they should start comparing it to Unreal or Call of Duty. :x

[Frances_Penfold]

IMO the Gamespot review has valid points-- in particularly, that the tracks are re-designs from the PSP games-- but the final score seems inflammatory and inconsistent with the text of the review.

Really? A 7.5 for a polished $20 PSN title with 1080p, 60FPS and "strikingly artistic visuals that are gorgeous to see in motion." That sounds like an 8.3 or 8.5 or 8.7.

Ah well, WOHD seems to be getting lots of gamer attention, from what I have seen at other sites. I think the low price point was a smart move on Sony's part.

[Nadia Elenova]

In 5 days I wont't give a :turd about reviews like this!

[eLhabib]

I am sick of reviewers (and internet people) downplaying HD because it's 'just a quick graphical overhaul of old stuff'. Those people understand nothing.

[Egg]

A nice 5 stars from Yahoo Games...

http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/9e/wipeout-hd-94909e.html

That should help boost us back up the Metacritic rankings. ^_,^

[DawnFireDragoon]

How dare they compare this with F-Zero...!

in fairness they're a similar style of game, granted they play and feel differently but pulse and HD have a lot more in common with the 'look' of f-zero than previous wipeout's. it's not an insult, i think it's an accurate comparison on a certain level.

[Rapier Racer]

Uh huh, another good review, really who needs anymore proof that Gamespot have little credibility and is full of crap.

[cybrpnk]

Sucks how there's a lack of reviews...didn't SL give out 'review copies' in the press kits to a whole bunch of press people to write reviews on???

I reckon they've sold the kits on Ebay and didn't even bother to review the game...

Hanging for a gametrailers video review on youtube...just love seeing the game in motion...absolutely style in 1gb of downloadable content...(I think it was around 1gb)

[eLhabib]

I'm sure we are gonna see tons of reviews this week.

[Kscorps]

I still can't get over how Gamespot compared this to F-Zero.

[cybrpnk]

They are pretty similar games...and I believe F-Zero was out before WipEout...F-Zero had all the ingredients for a futuristic racer...speed...I believe they were anti-gravity crafts too...pit lanes...

Only thing F-Zero didn't have was weapons...but rather they had some kind of spin move that you could spin your craft to attack opponents with...

I tried it out on the Nintendo Gamecube...sure it had the ingredients, but they just didn't know how to cook...(weird analogy)...with WipEout, it just has so much more going for it...graphical style, flawless gameplay, music, and most importantly, speed, speed and more speed...

On a more random note...anyone here knows how I can get into trying my hand at writing game reviews online??? I figured...it might be a fun exercise...

[Kscorps]

F-Zero DID have the speed, yes. But what it lacks is that floaty feeling that Wipeout has.

[eLhabib]

it also lacks art direction. while the speed is definitely there, and the driving physics, while not as cool as wipEout's, are certainly enjoyable, the one thing that always turned me off was the fact that F-Zero looks like wacky racers in space...

[Atom6x!]

I still can't get over how Gamespot compared this to F-Zero.
"I still can't get over how X compared Call of Duty to Medal of Honor."

[Sausehuhn]

But, eL, as said before, Pulse and HD look a lot more like F-Zero than the previous games did.

[eLhabib]

Sorry but no, they don't. Just take a look at all the design that's in Pure/Pulse/HD. Team logos, ship design, other brands to make it feel like a complete world.
Now look at F-Zero with it's cartooney pilots, fisher-price colors and racecraft that don't really look like they follow any rule of physics or aerodynamics.
You can compare them gameplay-wise, if you must (even though I find that pretty generalising, like comparing F1 to Nascar), but in terms of design and overall feel, they are worlds apart.
And I am NOT saying that as a wipEout fanboy and F-Zero hater. F-Zero is a great franchise, I enjoyed it both on the SNES and the Gamecube, for a time even more than the wipEout franchise (blame Fusion :P), but in terms of sophisticated, precise, believeable fururistic racing there is no other choice than wipEout.

[cybrpnk]

Not even Fatal Inertia...(I'll probably get flamed...)

Anyone ever try Quantum Redshift??? I nearly bought an XBOX just to try Quantum...but got mixed reviews on it...

Anyway...back on topic *looks around for Lance*

Cmon...gametrailers video review...

[Wip3ou7]

wipeout > fzero, and i dont think theyre visual design is that similar

quantom redshift was pretty awesome but overall its not a that great of a game, especially when compaired to wipeout

[Amon]

Ok, wipeout is no piece of cake for newcomers, but "Incredible steep difficulty curve"? "Even seasoned players will struggle from the fifth tier onward"

I can't understand this thread in the gaming industry. New generation of gamers must have some kind of problems ... Games nowadays are becoming slideshows where there is no skil required, no learning curve.

These casuals should stay with their casual games and don't ruin long time running series like wipeout and many others. :frown:

[Skvall]

The feeling of flying in Wipeout got more like f-zero with Fusion and I still think Pulse is to close to f-zero in that regard.

I hope HD is more floaty, but judging from videos its not enough. That is what im missing most from the old games. Sure I would happily "get rid of the BR's" (or some other popular opinion) but mainly I want to FLY, not drive. =P

[Sumimasen]

Ah, Quantum Redshift...

I remember when that came out, I wasn't really that impressed with it. It kinda tries to bridge the style gap between F-Zero and Wipeout, but with a quite funky weapon system. The characters were a bit bland though, and quite stereotypical.

I played it again recently though, and really enjoyed it! I'm glad that I kept my original Xbox disk, as the 360 plays it in upscaled HD - and it still looks pretty good today!

[Axel]

Erm back in the day F-zero was completely different from Wipeout. Now that gap has gone a lot closer. To be honest, as a racing game, F-zero on the GC was a awesome game. The speeds were crazy. Yes it may not be serious but I can appreciate a good game when I see one. I'm a fan of both so :P

But the less floatier Wipeout becomes, the more the gap closes.

[cybrpnk]

I can't understand this thread in the gaming industry. New generation of gamers must have some kind of problems ... Games nowadays are becoming slideshows where there is no skil required, no learning curve.

These casuals should stay with their casual games and don't ruin long time running series like wipeout and many others. :frown:

The dumbing down of games is a truly sad and highly prevalent trend in todays gaming industry...i blame it on publishers trying to push unit numbers rather than quality games...

That being said...I don't believe HD has been dumbed down at all with the Pilot Assist (this probably belongs in the Pilot Assist thread)...I htink the main reason for its introduction is to capture a new audience...and retain a new set of gamers who have never played WipEout...you have to admit, WipEout is a hardcore game at heart and some gamers might be turned off by the difficulty and simply just leave and not give the game a chance...Pilot Assist is a pretty smart move on SL's part...whether it breaks the game...remains to be seen...but I doubt it will...

I too am sick of games that holds gamers hands all the way...having grown up in the 80s and playing games like the simple yet difficult yet addictive pac-man for hours on end...I love a good game that promotes the hardest of gameplays...ones that are insanely difficult and promotes replayability through high scores...like Super Stardust HD...and the many shmups I have in my personal collection...

[Egg]

Ah, Quantum Redshift...

I remember when that came out, I wasn't really that impressed with it.
Factoid - a lot of people on the Wipeout HD team also worked on Quantum Redshift.

[cybrpnk]

Factoid - a lot of people on the Wipeout HD team also worked on Quantum Redshift.

Hmmm...might try and find me an XBOX for cheap and a copy of Quantum Redshift...

[G'Kyl]

You'd better! ;) QR is really worth it - I enjoyed it a lot! As a matter of fact, I'm glad I bought an Xbox first and a PS2 much later. QR was better than Fusion, if you ask me.

Ben

[DawnFireDragoon]

with regards to the f-zero comparison. they're hugely different games, this is true, and as a fan of both i rate wipeout highly above f-zero, in fact wipeout is so far up it can't even see f-zero any more...but i still think the two latest incarnations of wipeout have moved away from the style i believed wipeout to hold to.

about games getting easier, i don't think you have to worry about that in HD, i've watched tons of material on the game and your shield energy seems to just vanish even when doing pretty well...your gonna have to play well in this one i think.

also here's a new vid i just found of an assegai racing on the HD Chenghou Project, one of the tracks i think they HD-er-ised without going too f-zero with the art direction!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfdm-y5l1d8


things of note:

1.music dims when your shield is about to go (along with the music dimming during shields and autopilot i'm not sure about this, you may not notice it when playing, but that's an initial thought!)
2.bit of wall grinding at the end: nice.

[Wip3ou7]

I remember that the thing which impressed me the most in Quantom Redshift was the waterdrop effect on the first person view camera when you craft dunked underwater or flew across bodies of water... awesome, even today. I still have Quantom Redshift, but alas I have no x-box at home. I guess I could always bring one home from my store though if I truely had the desire to play it again.

[Sumimasen]

Factoid - a lot of people on the Wipeout HD team also worked on Quantum Redshift.

Well, I knew that quite a few guys that worked on the early WO's either formed or joined Curly Monsters (the team that did QR), but I wasn't aware that they went back to Studio Liverpool.

Hi guys! *waves*

Oh and Egg - thanks for quoting the least flattering part of my post! :redface:

[Flashback Jack]

also here's a new vid i just found of an assegai racing on the HD Chenghou Project..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfdm-y5l1d8

More of the glorious ship sounds in evidence. The Triakis sounds like a UFO. The Assegai passes it after it gets clocked by a bomb at 20 seconds in before it returns to overtake the Assegai going into the first tunnel.

- F

[Amon]

I too am sick of games that holds gamers hands all the way...having grown up in the 80s and playing games like the simple yet difficult yet addictive pac-man for hours on end...I love a good game that promotes the hardest of gameplays...ones that are insanely difficult and promotes replayability through high scores...like Super Stardust HD...

We must have the same gaming culture mate :)

Maybe similar age too.

I'm fond of superstardust HD too.

[Rubix42]

More of the glorious ship sounds in evidence. The Triakis sounds like a UFO. The Assegai passes it after it gets clocked by a bomb at 20 seconds in before it returns to overtake the Assegai going into the first tunnel.

- F


Looks like this will be the game that finally makes me break down and buy a surround sound system.

[Darkdrium777]

The Triakis sounds like a UFO.How come you know what a UFO sounds like? :P

[Egg]

Well, I knew that quite a few guys that worked on the early WO's either formed or joined Curly Monsters (the team that did QR), but I wasn't aware that they went back to Studio Liverpool.

Heh, I've just been sternly corrected. "A lot of..." should read "Two of..." :)

Although two, admittedly, was a lot when the project began. And some of the guys I thought worked at Curly actually didn't ... d'oh

[Flashback Jack]

How come you know what a UFO sounds like? :P

Vicarious experience, well, because there are no UFOs in Toronto -- they all frolick around Calgary and within the bible belt in the U.S. :)

- F

[Lance]

Egg/Jon, what is Nick doing at SL these days. I know he worked on F1 for awhile there after his Curly Monsters died an unfortunate death, but I've not heard anything definite lately. Or is that the way Nick wants it? :D

[Colin Berry]

Nick is still here, working on other projects :D

[Lance]

Thanks, Colin. Very... uh... informative. :D

[Egg]

The Gamespot review is looking more and more like an anomaly:

http://games.kikizo.com/reviews/ps3/wipeout-hd-p1.asp

[eLhabib]

This is the first review I've ever read on kikizo, and it instantly invited me to bookmark this site. Apart from showing that these people really know the game and understood the essence of wipEout as a whole, this review is also extremely well written. :clap

[Skvall]

Don't know if I liked it actually. A little to much blabla, give more straight opinions and facts plz. ^^

[Axel]

I liked this review, it's the bla, bla that keeps me entertained really. I generally find reviews boring and always head to the conclusions lol.

But this guy definately knew what he was talking about.

[Egg]

give more straight opinions and facts plz. ^^

Most reviewers do that by lazily copy/pasting the press release*. I liked the more lyrical style of that review. They also went to the trouble of using only recent screenshots, unlike most sites (looking at you, IGN)

*...a dead giveaway when a review includes early feature lists, including Elimination etc. Busted!

[eLhabib]

It is beyond me, actually, why all reviewers use the same press-screenshots, instead of making their own. Lazy basturds!

[rushin]

PS3 Fanboy review (http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/09/23/ps3-fanboy-review-wipeout-hd/). a bit meh tbh

[Rapier Racer]

Nice review, unfortunately they don't know enough as they think Zone mode was a child of Wipeout Pure.

[Darkdrium777]

I'm surprised it's Andrew Yoon who got the review, because as far as I remember it was Jem Alexander who was apparently the big fan of the game. Well they were all a bit of a fan bunch, but yeah, fair review. Maybe you made things too hard though SL, as it comes back a good number of times :P
How about introducing a 'very easy' level in a patch for those pour souls who won't be able to experience the magnificent seizure that is WipEout HD? :P

[flashbax]

we all read the reviews, but come on people we love Wipeout and no matter what the sites,other forums, even sony say.. We will down load and play this game as we as "hard core gamers" love a game with stunning visuals,sound,playability..And for me its been done down the road...And for me the amiga paved the way for me to love everything Psygnosis did from lemmings to DD on the PS1 i,ve still got a 1200+ in the loft....Cant remember wipeout coming out on the amiga:P

[taqili]

I'm just sick of the generation of sissy-fisted namblies that apparently inhabit our gaming universe. These people would walk into the goomba in Super Mario Bros. and cry foul. I think we need to start a Backbone Installation System with every purchase of a video game console so we can start weaning these babies off of their Katamaris* and their Big Rig Truckin's.

*I have never played Katamari but everyone I know who does doesn't play other video games yet says they are good at it.

[Darkdrium777]

I may be the exception to that rule: I played Katamari too ^^ It's a lot of fun xD

[G'Kyl]

Count me in, Katamari is hilarious (in a good way) and just huge fun. Get the PS2 versions and start rolling!


It is beyond me, actually, why all reviewers use the same press-screenshots, instead of making their own. Lazy basturds!

Yes. There is time, there are technical issues and at the end of the day most people may not even give a... thing. With WO there is hardly an excuse, though, I agree. Since Pulse, anyway. :)

Ben

[Asayyeah]

Cant remember wipeout coming out on the amiga:P

I got the amiga version of Wipeout 2097 ( offered by famous Al Sartwell) that is what i call a pretty rare version of it.

[end off-topic :paperbag ]

[eLhabib]

Don't anyone dare piss on Katamari! :evil

[TearsToShreds]

Katamari is one of the best 2 player games on the Playstation 2! How can you not embrace its weirdness and wacky music... :D

[Egg]

So, anyway! Wipeout, eh?

http://www.gamersyde.com/news_7119_en.html

[Axel]

Oh those vids are really nice.

The menu music and set up is fantastic!!! Able to see the best times for friends and Global is brilliant. Least I wont have to bother checking the website every so often then. I can't wait for Thursday evening :)

[cnmth]

Great videos!

But, ouch really need a heavy pc if u wanna watch those!
or dl them 2 ya ps3, it handles them fine :pc

[Skvall]

Why are you not in the countdown thread?
You need to know there is only 1 day left. ^_^
(link was posted there..)

[loxy]

no 1080p (1080i or 720p only) and less fluid for 2 players mode ?
first french review :
http://www.jeuxvideo.fr/jeux/wipeout-hd/article.html
verdict : very good

[Flashback Jack]

first french review :

Translated (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://www.jeuxvideo.fr/jeux/wipeout-hd/article.html&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=fr&tl=en)

- F

[eLhabib]

I can't read french, but if they are saying it only runs in 1080i or 720p, they are fools. And yes, it does appear less fluid in splitscreen. I say appear because splitscreen actually runs at supersmooth 30 frames, and if splitscreen was the first thing you tried after downloading the game, you would find it perfect. However, after having played for a long time on 60-frames single player, it feels choppy in splitscreen (even though it's not).

EDIT: thanks Jack for the Translation

[loxy]

ambiguity in writting , yes Yome NetSan I think that you are right, we can just suppose that the game is more fluid in 1080p than 720p but all the game run at 1080p (sorry for the fright ;) )…
the critic of the 720p/1080i framerate is certainly intended to the owner of TV hd ready...

[eLhabib]

that would mean that the game switches video output when going to splitscreen mode, which is, of course, nonsense. It's 1080p all the way.

[mclarensmps]

Is it? I believe Gran Turismo HD switches from 60 FPS to 30 FPS (or the other way around), when it switches from races to replays.

[Yome NetSan]

Really odd and the way it's written can also be understood in a different way.
That it's less fluyd in 1080i and 720p but it's not written that there's no 1080p in multiplayer...

The writer don't seams to know a lot about wipEout because he talks about the leech beam (energy drain) as a new weapon that's not in Pulse...

[Skvall]

Same goes for WOHD when switching to splitscreen. (60fps to 30fps)

[Axel]

Yeah I thought it was just the graphics which were toned down? It certainly looks that way. Oh and the FPS drop which is understandable :(

[eLhabib]

Switching framerates is one thing (and quite common in lots of games), switchin resolution another thing completely! It would atually make your screen go blank for a short period, because the screen would need to readjust. Don't worry, this definitely doesn't happen. Splitscreen is full 1080p.

[Axel]

ahhhhh the MGS4 effect which bugs the hell out of me when it loads up. I understand now.

[SouthendRage]

Nice to see a review not written by the english-speaking, it got 4 stars and that is good for a £11.99 game :D

[rushin]

makes my eyes bleed trying to read auto translated stuff :)

[eLhabib]

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/912/912822p1.html

[taqili]

ugh, I cannot STAND ps3 ign's look! the red is so atrocious, especially that shade!

[Rubix42]

Ign is not exactly a good site either. They have a ton of content, but the writing is not professional IMO. Needs a shot of good writers to go along with the huge amount of traffic it receives.

[SouthendRage]

It's better than Gamespot, lol, but that's not saying much :lol

[Kscorps]

The download-only title has been garnering plenty of praise and promise for a good while now, but does the final version live up to expectations?

Oh hell yes it does.

For me, this is the quote of the century.

[cybrpnk]

Here's my review in 2 words...

EFFING WICKED!!!

congrats Studio Liverpool on giving us the game of the century...you already have my money for the first installment...now I want to give you guys more for all the DLC that you can come up with...:)

will be playing this for a very long time in the years to come...seeing I don't even need a disc anymore...so no need to remove the game which is permanently on the console...

[DawnFireDragoon]

i've chipped in a few opinions on HD for a while now, i've played every other wipeout game, but don't own a ps3, thus thought i would never play this title. so i came home from work pretty late tonight, er...last night now, and my housemate who'd aquired a free ps3 with his new phone contract had purchased wipeout HD...nice. so we sat down to play it. And my thoughts: the same as my initial reactions to screens and vids of the game, with a couple of exceptions. first up, you fire up the game...no intro, straight into the menu's...very very nice. perfect in fact. easy to navigate, read...e.t.c. the ability to zoom and pan around one's ship, particularly nice. then the gameplay...right it's wipeout, it feels like wipeout...on the psp, it's fine but still not right, both myself and my friend commented that they still haven't matched 2097, i don't know if they want to, but 2097 looking like this would be amazing. now the HUD, i've only played with the default one thus far, but it's not great, i admit i was wrong about my initial thoughts on the blur effects and red damage flash, as when you're playing it's not an issue...at all, but reading the HUD and seeing how much shield energy you have...it's truly atrocious...i was playing with two friends, one who's played some wipeout (his fav is 2097, knows what's what!) the other loves racing games, both hurled massive abuse at said HUD...so cannot wait to unlock the classics. music effects for shields and such aren't as bad as i feared either. my biggest issue with the game is still the art direction...unlocked all but sol 2 and the only track i visually love is chenghou project, the others are way to bright and shiny. anulpha pass and sebenco climb especially, what's with the horrible track surface. and mag-strips look horrible. vinita k and ubermall i loved on the psp, but both suffer from either bad track surface or too much neon...this may be a personal taste thing...but thats what i thought! the game itself play's well however and for 11.99, it's a steal.

[cybrpnk]

true it does not match 2097 in controls...but I think...if I can remember 2097 from 10+ years ago...2097's crafts had a certain lightness to it..which contributed to the float factor...

if SL were to push the realism envelope here...the 2097 controls vs physics just wouldn't match...the vision for AG vehicles back then vs AG vehicles now, I believe have evolved...you can see this evolution from the size of the craft being rendered on track...which has increased significantly over the years, taking into consideration the technology needed to power these babies...as a result..I don't think vehicles of this size and stature can ever achieve that same 'floatiness' of 2097...not unless they were manufactured from carbon fibre and plastic parts...

I think SL has reached a good compromise in the controls...it's tight, yet it has a relistic feeling of anti-gravity...I don't know...I like it...especially cranking around from internal view...

Feels like I've regained control of an anti-gravity craft...so much so I don't think I can ever play Pure or Pulse the same way ever again...

[DawnFireDragoon]

basically, this is the psp games knocked up a gear for the ps3, it's just like playing pulse on a big screen...kinda. that's what it was always going to be, it's what a lot of people wanted and it's what they've achieved. it's amazing really, just not exactly what i personally wanted. (i can hardly expect the SL guys to make the game i want!)

I think they 'could' get the 2097 physics into a new game, with a hell of a lot of testing (sure i read, they don't have the games code anymore) and it would work, hell just 2097, but with this graphics engine, more ships/tracks, no messing with the art style...heaven. it's whether they want to, i think this is the new direction for wipeout...

hat's off to them for making a great show piece for the potential of the psn/ps3.

[Chrono]

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3170202

Here's 1up's review: A.

One thing that upsets me about the game design. I can't change my music while online.

[cal6n]

post deleted

[Axel]

My only grip with the game is the over clean tracks and the standard HUD. The HUD issue is gone now I can use WO3 HUD. That HUD is so user friendly and superior and it baffles me on why SL went with the design of the HD HUD.

[Sausehuhn]

Fully agree with you, Axel.
The tracks are way too clean for my taste. They still look phenominal and damn stunning. But when I look at the ship skins (Icaras's for example) then I may ask: When there are dirty ships (that look so nice), why can't we have that for the track textures as well? :(

[Dogg Thang]

I'm bothered far less by the clean tracks than by the busy textures but the one track where I do think it affects the look is Sebenco Climb. The snowy hills and BG feel more like a postcard stuck in the background because the snow doesn't carry over to anything in the foreground. Of course the track could be heated and you could make all sorts of arguments as to why the snow isn't there but it affects the overall feel of the track.

[Egg]

all sorts of arguments as to why the snow isn't there
No: just one. Constant 60 framerate.

[G-Hob]

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3170202

Here's 1up's review: A.

One thing that upsets me about the game design. I can't change my music while online.

Bit worrying that the reviewer thinks playing with the Pilot Assist on is the way to go.

[captaingrim]

No: just one. Constant 60 framerate.

Given that the game renders at 1080p resolutions, high screen coverage effects like particles are very expensive. Having that extra fixed cost in for the snow effect probably would have meant that some other aspect of that track would have had to be simplified to clear some GPU time.

You never know though, perhaps that might something they might consider doing in the future... Let the mighty Crob work his magic :)

[Dogg Thang]

Oh, I just meant actual snow textures on the sides of the track, or close to the track, rather than the particle effects. I just meant that, in the context of the clean track discussion, the stuff in the background is snow covered but the track is absolutely spotless whether in tunnels or exposed to the elements.

I do love effects like rain and snow, of course, but I would certainly applaud the decision to put frame rate first. I hope other developers follow your example.

[captaingrim]

Oh, I just meant actual snow textures on the sides of the track, or close to the track, rather than the particle effects.

My bad... sorry!

[Crob]

Oh, I just meant actual snow textures on the sides of the track, or close to the track ... the stuff in the background is snow covered but the track is absolutely spotless whether in tunnels or exposed to the elements.

Erm ... the anit-grav surface melts any snow instantly of course.
:nod

[lunar]

Quake disruptors do some serious snow melting too. After the first race of the day the snow`s all gone.

Definitely agree that putting framerate above other considerations is a great way to go.

[cal6n]

Quake disrupters keep the track clean, too!

[rdmx]

When technology becomes more advanced, (I mentioned this in a significantly earlier thread), not only would I like to see snow on the track, but the track should start all covered with snow. As AG-Crafts pass over the track, they 'carve' out the snow by melting it, leaving trails in the snow.

[cybrpnk]

Quake disrupters keep the track clean, too!

Ever try cleaning your carpet at home with a quake disruptor???

I haven't but there's a concept you could try...eheheh...

Who needs vaccum cleaners...clean your house instantly with dyson's new quake dirsuptor...


When technology becomes more advanced, (I mentioned this in a significantly earlier thread), not only would I like to see snow on the track, but the track should start all covered with snow. As AG-Crafts pass over the track, they 'carve' out the snow by melting it, leaving trails in the snow.

I'm hoping that will be something a NEW Blu-Ray disc edition of WipEout could intergrate...hint hint at SL...:)

[fusionfrenzy]

Surely the track is infinitely polished up and cleaned before an FX350 raceday - even if it's snowing, you wouldn't see snow settled on a Formula 1 race track would you?

Also, the track could be under-heated to melt off snow.

/VeryActiveImagination

[Lance]

Erm ... the anit-grav surface melts any snow instantly of course.
:nod

Riiiiiiight. ;)

--------

F1 doesn't race in winter, do they? ;) Probably to avoid snow. :D Unlike WipEout!

[HydrogLox]

Having that extra fixed cost in for the snow effect probably would have meant that some other aspect of that track would have had to be simplified to clear some GPU time.
Or creatively remove the burden on the GPU entirely.
You are racing in a heavy snowstorm, you can't see anything but ... drifting snow.
Being a hardcore AG pilot you face the challenge by flying on instruments only, squinting at an optional 480 x 272 virtual representation on your HUD ... which strangely looks like Pure's Classic tracks.
:g

[Sumimasen]

Who needs vaccum cleaners...clean your house instantly with dyson's new quake dirsuptor...

Ah, so that's what they're working on! That would explain all the noise from the RDD labs downstairs! Should be a blast! :redface:


F1 doesn't race in winter, do they? ;) Probably to avoid snow. :D Unlike WipEout!

As far as I'm concerned, F1 doesn't race anymore - period. My wife and I went to our first live Grand Prix a few weeks ago, at Spa in Belgium, and the result was a farce. It won't be long before the FIA are deciding the winner before the season starts. Hell, I'm convinced that they do that already.

[Lance]

~snip~
You are racing in a heavy snowstorm, you can't see anything but ... drifting snow.
Being a hardcore AG pilot you face the challenge by flying on instruments only, squinting at an optional 480 x 272 virtual representation on your HUD ... which strangely looks like Pure's Classic tracks.
:g

lol. }hits the applause button{

---------

Paul, yeah, Bernie and friend have pwned F1 too long.

[Chill]

IGN's Game Of The Month (http://ps3.ign.com/articles/914/914822p1.html)...

Thanx IGN!! ;)

Review and overall ratings. (http://rr.ps3.ign.com/rrview/ps3/wipeout_hd/838996/92079/)

P.S. My ownership of the game has been put off for yet another month... UGH!! :(

[guillaume]

French website GameKult's review (http://www.gamekult.com/tout/jeux/fiches/J000084476_test.html).

And meta rankings from Game Rankings (http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/938148.asp) and Metacritic (http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/wipeouthd).

An overall 87%, bravo! :)

[Flashback Jack]

Translation (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://www.gamekult.com/tout/jeux/fiches/J000084476_test.html&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=auto&tl=en)

- F

[eLhabib]

WipEout HD is featured in this week's 1up Show (http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/21812) - including a nice interview with some of the Liverpool boys ;) lovely stuff!

[Axel]

That is a very cool interview. Loved the part where they are enthusiastic about making more content from the older games. Yes please!!!!

[stin]

Colin!, I don`t want to slag you, but you got a nice beard!:p

Cool interviews!:sonar

stevie:g

[Darkdrium777]

''Race complete! - First Place.''

Good job SL ;)

[taqili]

yeah that was a cool interview -- Colin, you look like my first year roommate from college! :D

[cybrpnk]

and it is official...

Colin Berry looks like Triple H...

...no offence...

[eLhabib]

If you're talking about the wrestler Triple H, I don't really see an similarities... :?

[cybrpnk]

i thought he might bear a slight resemblance...aaaaaaaaaanyway...

[Axel]

LOL he looks nothing like Triple H. Man Kind would be more fitting. No offence Colin :P

[Lance]

You people know way too much about WWE.

Speaking of which, Mr. McMahon seems to have been out of the public eye for quite a long time. I wonder what he's doing. I hope he's writing a new script where Vickie Guerrero will be dumped from the managership of Friday Night Smackdown. :g

[rushin]

loot ninja review (http://loot-ninja.com/2008/10/18/review-wipeout-hd-ps3/)

kinda late but i like the fact they waited until they could play online before reviewing it; integrity and a high score :)