Wipeout HD
Wipeout HD is a 2008 futuristic anti-gravity racing video game developed by Studio Liverpool and published by Sony Computer Entertainment as a digital download for the PlayStation 3 via the PlayStation Network.[1][2] It features high-speed hovercraft races on tracks remastered from earlier entries in the Wipeout series, emphasizing intense competition with weapon pickups, team-based pilots, and electronic music soundtracks.[3] The game supports resolutions up to 1080p at 60 frames per second, Dolby 5.1 surround sound, and includes single-player campaigns, split-screen multiplayer, and online races for up to eight players.[1][4] As the eighth main installment in the Wipeout franchise, which originated in 1995, Wipeout HD revitalized the series by leveraging the PlayStation 3's hardware for enhanced visuals and performance, drawing from classic tracks across prior games while introducing modern features like SIXAXIS motion controls and Trophy support.[3] Released on September 25, 2008, in North America and Europe for $19.99, it was praised for its blistering speed and accessible yet challenging gameplay modes, including single races, tournaments, and the high-risk Zone mode where pilots race indefinitely until their shields deplete.[5][4] An expansion pack, Wipeout HD Fury, followed in 2009, adding eight new tracks, additional ships, and modes such as Eliminator, Zone Battle, and Detonator.[6] Critically acclaimed upon release, Wipeout HD holds a Metacritic score of 87/100 based on 52 reviews, with outlets lauding its fluid handling, stunning graphics, and addictive multiplayer, though some noted a steep learning curve for newcomers.[2] It became one of the PlayStation Network's standout titles, contributing to the series' legacy of influential arcade-style racers that blended techno culture with competitive gameplay, and was later included in compilations like WipEout: Omega Collection for PlayStation 4 in 2017.[3][7]Gameplay
Core mechanics
Wipeout HD is set in the fictional FX350 anti-gravity racing league, where players pilot high-performance craft on futuristic tracks featuring looping sections, banked turns, and environmental hazards such as tight corners and elevation changes that demand precise navigation at extreme speeds.[8] The core racing mechanic emphasizes maintaining momentum through turbo pads and jumps while avoiding collisions, with ships capable of reaching velocities exceeding 900 kph in higher speed classes like Venom.[9] Players select from 12 ships carried over from Wipeout Pure and Wipeout Pulse, each affiliated with a racing team and characterized by distinct stat balances across speed, thrust (acceleration), handling, and shields on a 0-100 scale. These attributes influence performance: high speed enables rapid straight-line travel but often compromises cornering, while strong thrust aids quick recovery from impacts or weapon hits. Additional ships and liveries for teams are unlocked by earning loyalty points through repeated racing with that team. For example, the Auricom FE-501 boasts a top speed of 905 kph, prioritizing velocity and handling over thrust and shields. The full roster includes balanced designs like the Mirage (even stats of 80 across categories) and specialized ones like the Piranha (100 speed but only 60 handling and thrust), encouraging strategic selection based on track layout and playstyle. Balancing ensures no single ship dominates all scenarios, with trade-offs promoting skill in adaptation.[10][10][11] Combat integrates seamlessly with racing via weapon systems acquired from blue power-up pads scattered along tracks, which randomly dispense one of several armaments limited to a single active weapon per ship at a time. Key weapons include homing missiles that lock onto the nearest opponent for targeted disruption (15 damage points), deployable mines that trail behind the user to ensnare pursuers (5 damage each from a cluster of five), quakes that emit a forward energy wave to destabilize multiple foes in an area (15 damage), and bombs that explode on impact or timer for broad-area denial (15 damage). Firing occurs via a dedicated button, with targeting prioritizing the leading ship or manual aim; defensive play involves absorbing incoming weapons with a shield mechanic to redirect energy back to the player's shield bar. Shields, visualized as an on-screen energy meter, deplete from collisions or hits (triggering warnings at 10% remaining and destruction at 0%) and recharge via yellow shield pick-ups or by successfully absorbing enemy fire, adding a layer of risk-reward to aggressive positioning.[9][9] Controls support analog stick steering for pitch and yaw, with air-braking on left/right triggers to navigate turns without losing speed, and barrel rolls executed mid-jump for temporary shields or boosts. The game introduces optional Sixaxis motion controls, allowing tilt-based pitch and full steering for immersive handling, adjustable in sensitivity from 0-100%. A Pilot Assist feature aids novices by automatically nudging the craft away from walls during near-crashes, toggleable in options to ease entry without overriding manual input.[12][13] Visually, Wipeout HD renders at native 1080p resolution locked at 60 frames per second, incorporating dynamic lighting, reflective surfaces, and particle effects for speed lines and explosions that enhance the sense of velocity on HD tracks. This performance holds steady even in multiplayer, distinguishing the remake's technical fidelity.[12][3]| Team | Ship Model | Speed | Thrust | Handling | Shields |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auricom | FE-501 | 90 | 70 | 90 | 70 |
| Assegai | AX-77 | 80 | 80 | 90 | 70 |
| EG-X | EGX-7 | 80 | 90 | 70 | 70 |
| Feisar | FR500 | 70 | 80 | 100 | 80 |
| Goteki 45 | G45 | 70 | 100 | 70 | 80 |
| Harimau | FE-22 | 80 | 70 | 90 | 70 |
| Icaras | I-9 | 100 | 70 | 70 | 60 |
| Mirage | SR | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Piranha | X20 | 100 | 60 | 60 | 90 |
| Qirex | QRX | 80 | 70 | 80 | 90 |
| Triakis | TR-27 | 90 | 60 | 60 | 90 |
| AG Systems | MX400 | 70 | 90 | 90 | 80 |