E3: Hands On with WipEout Pulse

Sony Computer Entertainment's Liverpool Studio is in the habit of making crack. The developer responsible for the gorgeous PlayStation Portable launch title Wipeout Pure crafted a futuristic racing experience so addictive that it's questionable whether it should be legally allowed to create a sequel. WipEout Pulse, shown in SCE's suite during E3 2007, immediately grabbed our attention when we got a hands on play.

In taking WipEout Pulse for a spin, we were able to get in a quick race against the computer and explore some of the different gameplay options in the single-player game. The game retains the slick style of the previous game, with colourful digitized venues and blazing speeds. It handles extremely well on the PSP and we didn't notice any issues with the performance as we zipped past opponents to the finish line.

As ever in the series, holding down the X button enables you to accelerate, with the Square button handling the braking. The analogue nub naturally serves to steer your vehicle; additionally, pressing either L or R drifts your craft in the corresponding direction. Finally, pressing the Triangle button switches to a rear view.

You'll need to take advantage of drift to avoid hitting other vehicles and track walls. Vehicles possess a health gauge that depletes as you bump into walls, hit other racers, or get bombarded by an opponent's attack item. It's awfully easy to whittle down your health with a couple poor turns, making it crucial to learn the best racing line for each track and stick to it.

Items will be a minor part of gameplay, taking more of a second seat to the pure racing elements of WipEout Pulse. Driving over highlighted 'X's on the track grants you an item such as a health pack to restore damage, temporary shield, or a homing missile to attack opponents.

Nailing an enemy with a missile can help you gain a place or two, but keeping the lead really requires good racing skills.

The high speeds of WipEout Pulse made it challenging to navigate the introductory track we raced through. Vehicles travel at hundreds of kilometers an hour, boosted to even higher speeds by acceleration arrows drawn at specific spots on the track. Winning demands hitting as many of these boost arrows as possible, as well as keeping a good line to bypass competitors.

Joining the single-player experience is a bevy of new multiplayer options, which we unfortunately were unable to test drive. Infrastructure mode support is now offered for up to six players; of course, you'll still be able to race locally against friends in ad-hoc. Sony plans too on introducing downloadable content to augment the vehicles and tracks shipping with the game, just like it did with the first game post-launch.

A wild sense of speed, stylish visuals, and new online features look sure to make WipEout Pulse a must-have title. Sony hasn't revealed a specific release date for any territory yet, only claiming the game to launch in Europe in September and North America before the end of the year. Click 'Track It!' to stay updated as we learn more about this promising sequel.