I found that racing at A class speed, or “Phantom speed” in old WipEout money, learning the track layout was essential if I wanted to come first and get the elite passes. The AI-controlled opposition ships don’t shy way from taking advantage of them either, forcing you off the normal racing line and down a tricky skill-cut to keep up. They are essentially short-cuts but a lot narrower and/or twister than the normal racetrack. “Skill-cuts” are interwoven into each track to really mix up the racing. WipEout 2048 is packed full of moments like these. The sheer sensation you get of raw speed when hurtling down a New York street section of track, inches from the ground before powering thousands of feet into the air via an impossibly steep section of track is utterly breathtaking. This is a game that rewards practice, so don’t expect to complete all the events in a few sessions. Conversely, tracks like Subway, with its complex network of interconnecting tunnels, give you very little space to manoeuvre making races a real test of skill. Previously, WipEout 2048’s game director, Stuart Tilley said that they’ve “ made the tracks wider and smoother” so it’s “more about wing to wing combat racing than just surviving the track.” This design ethos can clearly be seen in some of the later tracks which have an embarrassment of space to weave about in. From time trials and combat races to the hidden 10-lap challenges, there is so much to keep you busy.
In the game you race through 10 different tracks using up to 20 different ships from 5 teams across 3 seasons of events.
The ships produce fantastic engine noises too, very reminiscent of the Podracers from the Star Wars: The Phantom Menace film. The video billboards plastered onto the sides of buildings bring the world of anti-gravity racing to life like never before, sucking you into Studio Liverpool’s vision of the future. There are so many intricate details on the ships and scenery and I love the way ships expel all sorts of gases and fumes as they race. The thing that strikes you most about WipEout 2048 is how beautiful it looks and sounds.
0 kommentar(er)
