Wipeout Pulse (PS2)

Remember the good old days of the PlayStation? Remember the first Wipeout? If you do, you're going to love this one, it's got everything we love about Wipeout, all remixed for the naughties. Better graphics, high-octane racing and just good fun.Everything from the old series on the PS1 is here, except now we have more ships to choose from. The gameplay is still easy and fun, you can absorb the weapons to improve your shields, use them against your enemies, or just race around at breakneck speeds in the time trail - there's some great variety here. The best thing about it is the tech-house soundtrack, tracks like Aero-Dynamik by Krafwerk pulsate along while you try and win the race.This game was all about the music, fast racing and beautiful graphics, and none of them are a let down. A wide variety of genres are covered, from trancy tech house, to drum n bass. The tracks are still very futuristic, and there's even transparent tracks now where you can see below you. For me Japan's track is breath taking, and is always fun to race on.The weapons are still fun, mines are one of the best so far, and the quake really looks impressive. There are also some really good power ups like speed up, auto-pilot and leech - which allows you to steal power from another racer! Cheeky!This is good fun for all ages, and is still as good today as it was 15 years ago when it first came onto the PS1.Get this, you won't regret it, it's not easy, but it's good fun trying to beat it.

Wipeout Fusion, the previous title in this series, had fast smooth gameplay, a thumping techno soundtrack (bang on!), and bright neon graphics on expansive and varied tracks. Wipeout Pulse has none of these. The game never rises about 30fps, which makes, for me at least, very uncomfortable viewing - it's like you're watching a film, and not taking part. The music is simply uninspiring and sounds like it should be playing under the boring moments in a B-movie action flick.About the only improvement they've made is to the weapon effects, but at the cost of 60fps gameplay it's really not worth it.If you don't already own Wipeout Fusion, buy that instead.

Much better to play that the PSP version. People might moan about the dated graphics, but they still look great, not forgetting that the PS2 is over 10 years old now. The Wipeout games (Pure and Pulse) don't seem to work on the PSP, shame that Pure wasn't released on the PS2 also. I'd say Fusion was slightly better, but I'd definetly recommend getting this.

Rememberwhen playing wipeout was fun and fast? well it isnt anymore. The gameplay is horribly sluggish even at higher levels in the game (phantom class) the weapons when you are hit are woefully overpowerd yet when you pop one off it doesnt even slow the cpu down. the leauge format that suited wipeout fusion is now gone as is the abillity to upgrade the various craft which now have no feeling/difference between each craft. The loading times are also so long at first i thought my ps2 was broken. This is a terrible game i regret buying i hope i have saved you from spending your hard earned cash on this rubbish if not good luck your gonna need it.

Has this actually been released? Yes, because I now own it!! There are hardly any REVIEWS ON LINE and Sony have failed to market or distribute this properly (rant over)!!! The game is like Wipeout Fusion and I actually prefer the smoothness of the controls on 'Pulse' and I haven't noticed any frame rate drop as other people have reported. Fusion had a rock hard difficulty level and I think I've only completed 2 cup competitions in the 2 years I've had it! Pulse scraps the traditional cup structure and takes a more 'access all areas' approach. There are still ways to progress/unlock certain challenges but most challenges are open to you from the start with no definable season structure. The graphics look amazing and the sound track seems good! Voice-overs are professional and it even has introductions to the tracks to give you some background which is a nice touch. This could very well be my last PS2 games as new releases are drying up. I'm glad I bought it as it's a slick, vibrant & colourful racer and unless you've got a PS3 and Wipeout HD this is the best way to play the new 'Pulse' tracks! I can't wait to try split screen 2 -player which is available in horizontal or vertical split modes.