Want to play "WipEout HD"? You better own an HDTV.
"WipEout HD" is, without a doubt, the best looking futuristic racer to arrive on a console since Sega and Nintendo teamed for "F-Zero GX."
I wanted to deliver impressions on Friday, but technical hiccups meant that didn't happen. The extra time paid off, though; I spent the weekend playing through every available race -- there are 14 on the playable code Sony provided us -- and loved almost every minute of it.
Which minutes didn't I love? I haven't really dug into a "WipEout" game since the PS One days, so "WipEout HD" introduced me to the series' severe learning curve all over again.
After sucking up my pride and switching the difficulty to easy, however, "WipEout HD" opened up and I let the game's "Rez"-like audio visual dance take over.
"WipEout HD"'s difficulty stems from its counter-intuitive controls. Reviewers will often criticize a game by describing the controls as "floaty." In "WipEout," that's the point. Everything about "WipEout HD" is "floaty." It doesn't adhere to the normal physics of everyday racing games. To appreciate it, you have to learn its rules.
Notching down the intensity of the A.I. allows you to do that, and slowly come to grips with the game's air brake mechanics (which allow you execute a hard turn). I recommend choosing vehicles with slower turning speeds, actually. Their tank-like controls help smooth the learning curve. Picking a blazing fast rocket right off the will only result in frustration as you go smashing into walls.
Thankfully, Sony's Liverpool team has plenty to keep your eyes occupied while your hands start to catch up. "WipEout HD" is far more than just a high-resolution version of PSP's "WipEout Pulse" and "Wipout Pure." The timeless aesthetic means there's no reason this couldn't pass for a truly next-generation take on "WipEout," and it maintains a ridiculously fast frame rate.
By far, "Zone" races are my favorite. Your vehicle accelerates automatically and that top speed increases every 10 seconds. The goal is to last as long as possible before the shield dries up. Around you, the environment hypnotically pulsates to the music and colors and textures slip in and out of completely different looks. I imagine much of its soothing nuance is lost on a standard definition TV, though.
That said, I'm convinced it would look gorgeous on any set, HD or not.
Our current demo doesn't have any online capabilities, so we'll have to get a little closer to "WipEout HD"'s release over PlayStation Network in May to get a better idea of where that's at, but if you couldn't already tell, I'm a little excited.
Just make sure your brush up on your skills beforehand.