Wipeout 2048

Wipeout 2048
European Cover Art
Developer(s)	Studio Liverpool
Publisher(s)	Sony Computer Entertainment
Series	Wipeout
Platform(s)	PlayStation Vita
Release date(s)	JP 19 January 2012 EU 22 February 2012[1] NA 22 February 2012
Genre(s)	Racing game
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Wipeout 2048 (usually styled as WipEout 2048) is a 2012 futuristic racing video game for the PlayStation Vita, released as a launch title. It is the last of the Wipeout series to be developed by SCE Studio Liverpool prior to its closure.^[2]

Gameplay

The city environment of Wipeout 2048.

First demonstrated to the press before E3 2011, Wipeout 2048 is one of the first games released for the PlayStation Vita. While conventional control schemes are still available, the game makes optional use of the new input methods of the console, with the touch-sensitive screen used for firing and absorbing weapons, and the rear touchpad used for acceleration; it also features optional tilt control improved from Wipeout HD using the Vita's accelerometers and gyroscopes.^[3] The microphones can also be used for voice-activated weapons.^[3]

Wipeout 2048 is set in the near future, and relative to previous games, takes place much earlier in the Wipeout timeline, as the new sport of anti-gravity racing is beginning to emerge, making it a prequel. As such, dedicated racing tracks are yet to be built, and so races take place in city streets.^[4] Set in Studio Liverpool's interpretation of New York City in the near future, races are three-tiered; lower levels show off architectural details, while higher levels show off the modern, futuristic elements of the city. Tracks are also wider than previous entries, which the team hopes will allow for greater use of combat.^[3]

The single-player campaign progresses through the first three years of the A.G.R.C. (Anti-Gravity Racing Championships): 2048, 2049, and 2050. All events have pass and elite pass targets. Unless the elite pass criteria is met unknowingly, it will only be displayed after a player passes an event. If the player fails to complete an event multiple times in a row, the event can be skipped. Skipping an event will allow the player to move on to the next available event; a player can return to a skipped event at any time in order to try it again.

There are normal races, which are basically no different than in previous Wipeout titles - the player races to the finish line against other A.I. ships, can pick up weapons along the track to attack other ships, and can use speed pads for extra bursts of speed. Unlike previous titles, Wipeout 2048 has two types of weapon pads for two categories of weapons- yellow-colored pads offer offensive weapons, and green-colored pads offer defensive weapons. Speed pads remain unchanged.

Also featured in the single player campaign are combat events: a new event type where instead of racing, the player attacks other ships to earn points, passing if the player reaches a set amount. There are zone events (as in previous Wipeout titles) where the player's ship constantly accelerates around a track, and the player must use steering and air brakes to survive for as long as possible. Finally, there are time trials, where a player must complete a certain number of laps around a track within a set time in order to pass.

Each event has a different speed class. Speed classes are (from slowest to fastest) D class, C class, B class, A class, A+ class, and Mach classes (which are only attainable in zone events after a player reaches zone 40). The single player campaign includes A+ challenges, where players complete ten laps on a course in the A+ speed class, and prototype ship challenges: each team has a prototype ship with experimental changes made to its abilities. Passing each prototype challenge unlocks the ship in question.

Online multiplayer is similar to the campaign structure, featuring missions that each player must undertake, such as sticking to the top tier of the course or finishing in the top half of the leaderboard; these missions allow novice players to progress as well as unlock new content.^[4]

Additionally, the game features cross-platform online racing, allowing players from the PlayStation 3 version of Wipeout HD Fury to play the Fury tracks against those on the handheld console.^[5] Before the downloadable content was released, only four tracks and five ships from Wipeout HD were available to use in cross-play racing on the Vita.

Downloadable content - such as more tracks and ships for cross play, had been slated for release sometime in the spring of 2012. The HD/Fury DLC feature the HD and Fury campaign from Wipeout HD, with some modifications.

Music

The final soundtrack for Wipeout 2048 consists of a total of 14 tracks by international artists.^[6] Many of the tracks are remixes or reworks of tracks found on previous Wipeout games.

Reception

Wipeout 2048 received generally positive reviews, with a Metacritic average of 79 out of 100.^[7]

References

External links

• Wipeout 2048 - PlayStation UK
• Wipeout 2048 - PlayStation (North America)