WipEout 2048 Review

One of the more favoured games in my PS Vita launch arsenal, WipEout 2048 has proven to be an awesome game in the first 30 minutes of my racing experience. 

The game looks and feels a lot different to the old favourite WipEout HD (Fury) in a number of ways.  The weapons look different in icons and when fired, ships all have different designs within one team depending on its specialty, tracks are obviously different.  the list goes on.

I am going to miss that British lady telling me what weapons I had and giving me warnings, as a deep voiced male has stepped up to the mic, and does so for pretty much every single tiny event and feature in the game.  If this bothers you, too bad, you must give in to this deep voiced mans girth for the duration of your AG career.

I'll say personally I think the PS Vita joysticks are way to responsive.  Even the slightest turn in steering sends you shooting off through the corner, and then into the direction of the nearest wall.  Fast reflexes are a must in the later speed classes.  Speaking of speed classes, another change has been made.  The old Venom, Flash, Rapier and Phantom (they were such cool names!) have been replaced with ever so mediocre letterings.  A+ being the highest in standard races untl you get to Zone tracks, which by the way look just as stunning on the Vita as they do on the PS3.

In terms of racing modes, single races, elimination races, time trials, speed laps and zone are all that I have come across.  Hoepfully later in the games lifetime they add on the zombies game mode.  That looked awesome.

As stated before, ships are now organised into teams, and then specific variations for each team.  So far I have unlocked different ships in Agility, Speed and Fighter.  Prototype ships are available later in the game.  Stats are also now broken down into Speed, Handling, Health and Firepower.

The old hexagonal progression through a series is still evident in the game, now with a pearl white look.  As you go through the main races, much like LittleBigPlanet other levels branch off to catch your attention.  As you complete branched races, the final piece will reward you with either a new ship or a trophy, essential for all trophy whores out there.  I like the way this is done, and it certainly leaves two paths open for the casual game on the bus player, and the hardcore AG racer.

The biggest thing I've noticed in the game, and my final point before you go out and buy the game, is the entire sound of the game.  With the ships year of racing being much earlier, everything about the ships and the tracks sound different.  Turbo pads now give out a kind of bang when you travel over them, and side shifting with air brakes creates a very mechanical sound.  The other noticeable sound changes are in the turbo sound, barrel rolls and the general sound of the ships engine.  Play the game, or even watch some gameplay.  I really like the way the game sounds though, and the PS Vita's stereo speakers definitely do it justice.

The rest I leave to you.  This game is already my favourite Vita title, though I will say that the campaign seems to be very short.  I have already finished the 2048 series 100% Elite and am starting 2049 in the first hour of playing.  Newbies however will take longer of course.

Now go forth to 2048 and enjoy!

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