In order to welcome Sony’s latest handheld power house onto the consumer market, it only seems right that Studio Liverpool’s latest iteration of the classic Wipeout franchise arrives at the Vita’s side. Since the days of the original PlayStation, Wipeout has enthralled speed junkies across every generation of Sony consoles, but does the latest entry provide the same thrills as yesteryear? Or has the series finally run its race?

Wipeout 2048 is chronologically the first game set in this futuristic, anti-gravity racing universe, making it a prequel to the previous releases in the franchise. Instead of dedicated tracks for the anti-gravity racing league, 2048 features circuits set in Studio Liverpool’s alternate take on near future New York, which makes for some unforgettable, adrenaline fuelled racing amongst arguably the world’s most famous metropolis.

Upon booting the game up, you’ll immediately notice the vibrancy of the Vita’s beautiful OLED display. Colours pop and details shine in a game which is hands down the best looking portable racer ever released. Make no mistake about it; the Vita is a graphical marvel. It might not look quite as good as its PS3 counterpart, but for a portable device that is a tenth of the size, it’s genuinely hard to not be impressed.

In terms of gameplay there is little navigation from the series’ roots. Handling and controls are practically identical to Wipeout HD, so veterans will have little trouble adjusting to the requirements of this latest entry. The pace of the game is still ferocious on the higher speed settings, and battle races provide some excellent carnage into an already exciting racing package.

Studio Liverpool has made an effort to turn some of the Vita’s technical capabilities into gameplay mechanics, but unfortunately these additions fall flat and fail to elevate the game’s control scheme beyond the accuracy of physical controls. Gyroscopic steering provides infuriating little accuracy and the touch controls generally remain less effective than their physical counterparts. Whilst it is commendable of a developer to try to capitalise on the capabilities of a new system, there is nothing in Wipeout 2048 that is genuinely innovative, instead the alternate control schemes fall firmly into the category of ‘gimmick.’

The dedicated single player campaign offers a variety of racing modes, along with unlockable tracks and vehicles, which have the potential to keep racing enthusiasts busy for several hours. Perfectionists will have content for up to twice as long in order to pass every requirement and challenge that the game can ruthlessly throw at you.

For anyone feeling underwhelmed by the offline content, simply activate your online pass which comes boxed with retail versions of the game, and a new wealth of online content becomes available to you, including an online campaign, where this time you will be racing against real opponents across a multitude of game modes. Wipeout 2048 also allows for online cross-platform play, enabling Vita owners to compete against Playstation 3 owners, which is certainly a novel feature and a welcome addition to online gaming. It also serves to show the faith that Sony has in the Vita’s ability to offer interactive gaming experiences and competitive online multiplayer that can compete with its older sibling, the PS3.

Ultimately Wipeout 2048 is a safe entry as far as Studio Liverpool’s classic racing franchise is concerned. It doesn’t deviate too greatly from previous entries, ensuring that fans of the series have a reason to return to anti-gravity action. Sadly for newcomers or the unconverted, there is simply nothing new to inspire them to make a purchase. 2048 might well be a strong entry into the series, but for anyone other than dedicated fans, it’s certainly difficult to recommend.

Related posts: