• Show page
  • Old revisions
  • Backlinks
  • Back to top

    • Page tools

  • Show page
  • Old revisions
  • Backlinks
  • Back to top

    • User tools
    You are here: start » wipeout_series » wipeout_hd

    Differences

    This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

    Link to this comparison view

    Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
    Next revision    		Previous revision
    wipeout_series:wipeout_hd [2025/11/23 22:12] – add handling section ThatOneBonkwipeout_series:wipeout_hd [2026/01/10 10:11] (current) – implement Dandy's suggestions ThatOneBonk
    Line 19: Line 19:
     =====Gameplay===== =====Gameplay=====
     [{{ wipeout_series:wipeout_hd_cinematic.gif?350vh|High-skill piloting in WipEout HD}}] [{{ wipeout_series:wipeout_hd_cinematic.gif?350vh|High-skill piloting in WipEout HD}}]
    -While **WipEout HD**'s gameplay differs based on the [[#Game Modes]], there are common elements and traits that make up the WipEout experience in this entry. These elements are similar to previous games of the series - [[wipeout_series:wipeout_pure|WipEout Pure]] and [[wipeout_series:wipeout_pulse|WipEout Pulse]], with the latter having been [[#Development|developed]] alongside **WipEout HD**.+**WipEout HD** is fast and precise; it requires strategy and resource management with [[#Pickups]] and [[#Shield Energy]], and it rewards track knowledge with piloting skills.
      
    -When starting the game, **WipEout HD** presents a choice between different ways to get into a race: +While **WipEout HD**'s gameplay differs based on the [[#Game Modes]], there are common elements that make up the WipEout experience in this entry. This section focuses on these common elements.
    -   * [[#Campaign]] mode, with a series of pre-configured events;\\ +
    -   * **Racebox**, a way to configure a custom single player event;\\ +
    -   * [[#Online]] mode, taking **Racebox** to PlayStation Network with the limitation of only the multiplayer modes being available. +
    - +
    -**Racebox** and [[#Online]] allow the player to pick a track, while [[#Campaign]]'s tracks are preset. Regardless, the player gets to pick their [[#Teams|Ship]] and start the race. +
    - +
    -Once in-game and the 3-2-1-GO countdown is over, you're off to the races. Expect speed, precision, combat, or all of the above. There are some common mechanics and traits that can be found in the game modes:+
      
     ====Ship Handling==== ====Ship Handling====
    -Regardless of the [[#Game Modes|Game Mode]], ships float in **WipEout HD**. This is an important distinction to make for anyone coming over from car racing games. A simple way to describe the way **WipEout HD** handles is to say that it feels like an aircraft with ground grip.+Ships float in **WipEout HD**. This is an important distinction to make for anyone coming over from car racing games. A simple way to describe how **WipEout HD** handles is to say that it feels like an aircraft with ground grip.
      
    -A more precise way to describe it is to say that ships behave like a box that's attached to a slightly bouncy spring, gliding along the track with little friction. The nose is angled in the direction that the pilot wants to go. There is a lot of focus on momentum, and maintaining an angle, rather than trying to micro-adjust the craft.<sup>[[#References / Sources|[5]]]</sup> Ultimately, though, the best way to get an idea of **WipEout HD**'s physics is to play the game.+More specifically, ships behave like a box that's attached to a slightly bouncy spring, gliding along the track with little friction. There is a lot of focus on momentum and maintaining an angle, rather than micro-adjusting the craft.<sup>[[#References / Sources|[2]]]</sup>
      
    -There are several inputs that allow the pilot to control their craft quite precisely.+The handling consists of the following mechanics:
      
     ===Thrust=== ===Thrust===
     Press and hold the **Accelerate** button (mapped by default to //Cross//) to speed up. Pressure-sensitive buttons are supported for fine throttle control. The sensitivity of this feature can be adjusted in the **Controls** section of the settings menu by changing the **Acceleration Sensitivity** slider (from 10%, where throttle is binary, to 100%, where throttle is fully analog). Press and hold the **Accelerate** button (mapped by default to //Cross//) to speed up. Pressure-sensitive buttons are supported for fine throttle control. The sensitivity of this feature can be adjusted in the **Controls** section of the settings menu by changing the **Acceleration Sensitivity** slider (from 10%, where throttle is binary, to 100%, where throttle is fully analog).
      
    -It is recommended to set throttle to binary. There is not a practical use for this feature; in fact, in **WipEout HD**, a good pilot has no reason to ever release the **Accelerate** button at all.+It is recommended to set **Acceleration Sensitivity** to 10%, as it improves throttle responsiveness, and a good pilot has no reason to ever release the **Accelerate** button.
      
     The player can also get a speed boost at the start of the race by performing a **Perfect Start**. The moment the countdown reaches "GO", press and hold the **Accelerate** button. The player can also get a speed boost at the start of the race by performing a **Perfect Start**. The moment the countdown reaches "GO", press and hold the **Accelerate** button.
      
    -===Steering=== +===Pitch and Steering=== 
    -Turn your ship left and right through //D-Pad// or //Analog Stick// inputs. **Steering** is the basic way to control the direction of your craft.+Control your ship through //D-Pad// or //Analog Stick// inputs - **Steer** it left and right, and **Pitch** it up and down. 
      
    -**WipEout HD** also offers the option to **Steer** using DualShock®3's SIXAXIS® motion controls. This is controlled with the **Motion Sensor** option of the **Controls** section of the settings menu - choosing between **Off**, **[[#Pitch]]** and **[[#Pitch]] and Steering**. This is not recommended.+   * **Steering** is the basic way to control the direction of your craft. 
     +   * **Pitching** is useful for getting more airtime or reducing it. More airtime may enable some [[#Barrel Rolls]], but excessive airtime loses speed. 
     + 
     +**WipEout HD** also offers the option to **Pitch and Steer** using DualShock®3's SIXAXIS® motion controls. This is controlled with the **Motion Sensor** option of the **Controls** section of the settings menu: 
     +   * **Off**, where motion controls aren't used; 
     +   * **Pitch**, which some players may enjoy, as it gives more freedom for [[#Barrel Roll]] inputs; 
     +   * **Pitch and Steering**, which is not recommended for serious use due to its impracticality.
      
     ===Airbrakes=== ===Airbrakes===
     **Airbrakes** are a way to turn more aggressively. When an airbrake is engaged, a flap is raised on one side of the ship, increasing that side's air resistance, which helps steer the craft in that direction. They are activated by holding down the **Left Airbrake** and **Right Airbrake** buttons (mapped by default to //L2// and //R2// respectively). **Airbrakes** are a way to turn more aggressively. When an airbrake is engaged, a flap is raised on one side of the ship, increasing that side's air resistance, which helps steer the craft in that direction. They are activated by holding down the **Left Airbrake** and **Right Airbrake** buttons (mapped by default to //L2// and //R2// respectively).
      
    -On higher speeds, **Airbrakes** are essential to complete most turns. Ignoring them is a big mistake, but so is overusing them. Using both at the same time will slow the ship down like a normal brake; however, despite their nature, in **WipEout HD**, using them to simply turn doesn't drop the craft's speed very much.+At higher speeds, **Airbrakes** are essential to complete most turns. Ignoring them is a big mistake, but so is overusing them. Using both at the same time will slow the ship down like a normal brake; however, using them to simply turn doesn't drop the craft's speed much.
      
     ===Sideshifts=== ===Sideshifts===
    -**Sideshifts** shift the craft to the side quickly. They are activated by quickly tapping an **Airbrake** button twice (the craft shifts to that **Airbrake**'s side). You can somewhat control the distance of the **Sideshift** by holding the button for longer, or releasing it quickly. +**Sideshifts** push the craft to the side quickly. They are activated by quickly tapping either **Airbrake** button twice (the craft shifts to that **Airbrake**'s side). You can control the distance of the **Sideshift** by holding the button for longer, or releasing it quickly.
    - +
    -**Sideshifts** are used to immediately and radically correct the race line. They're a situational tool that is very handy when it is needed - for example, when undershooting a turn, not quite hitting a [[#Speed Pads|Speed Pad]], or recovering from a [[#Pickups|Weapon]] impact. +
    - +
    -===Pitch=== +
    -**Pitch** your ship up and down through //D-Pad// or //Analog Stick// inputs. **Pitching up** may give you more airtime, while **Pitching down** may reduce it, getting you down onto the track and accelerating again quicker. It is commonly used alongside [[#Barrel Rolls]].+
      
    -**WipEout HD** also offers the option to **Pitch** using DualShock®3's SIXAXIS® motion controls. This is controlled with the **Motion Sensor** option of the **Controls** section of the settings menu - choosing between **Off**, **Pitch** and **Pitch and [[#Steering]]**. Some players may find this option more convenient than using buttons, as it offers more freedom for [[#Barrel Rolls|Barrel Roll]] inputs.+**Sideshifts** are used to immediately and radically correct the race line. They're a situational tool that is often fired when undershooting a turn, missing a [[#Speed Pads|Speed Pad]], or recovering from a [[#Pickups|Weapon]] impact.
      
     ---- ----
    Line 116: Line 110:
     **Shield Energy** is reduced by colliding with walls or other players, getting hit by [[#Pickups|Weapons]], going out-of-bounds, or by performing [[#Barrel Rolls]]. There are also ways to restore the craft's **Shield Energy**: for example, in [[game_modes:single_race#In WipEout HD|Single Races]], it is restored by [[#Pickups|Absorbing Pickups]]. **Shield Energy** is reduced by colliding with walls or other players, getting hit by [[#Pickups|Weapons]], going out-of-bounds, or by performing [[#Barrel Rolls]]. There are also ways to restore the craft's **Shield Energy**: for example, in [[game_modes:single_race#In WipEout HD|Single Races]], it is restored by [[#Pickups|Absorbing Pickups]].
      
    -**Shield Energy** management is an important skill in **WipEout HD**. Getting stingy will get you eliminated, setting you way back in the best case, or even failing the event entirely in the worst case. Having enough **Ship Energy** is also required to successfully perform [[#Barrel Rolls]], which are crucial<sup>[[#References / Sources|[2]]]</sup> for any high-skill pilot.+**Shield Energy** management is an important skill in **WipEout HD**. Getting stingy will get you eliminated, setting you way back in the best case, or even failing the event entirely in the worst case. Having enough **Ship Energy** is also required to successfully perform [[#Barrel Rolls]], which are crucial for any high-skill pilot.
      
     It is displayed in percentage points to the player; however, internally, **Shield Energy** is measured in //units//. Each [[#Teams|Ship]] has a set capacity for energy //units//, with various [[#Pickups]] replenishing set amounts of these //units//. The only thing that relies on energy //percentage// are the [[#Barrel Rolls]], with them always taking **15% of your Shield Energy** when attempted. As such, ships with a lower **Shield Energy** stat are actually better for [[#Barrel Roll]]-heavy gameplay: each [[#Pickups|Pickup]] the player [[#Absorption|Absorbs]] restores a higher //percentage// of these ships' energy. It is displayed in percentage points to the player; however, internally, **Shield Energy** is measured in //units//. Each [[#Teams|Ship]] has a set capacity for energy //units//, with various [[#Pickups]] replenishing set amounts of these //units//. The only thing that relies on energy //percentage// are the [[#Barrel Rolls]], with them always taking **15% of your Shield Energy** when attempted. As such, ships with a lower **Shield Energy** stat are actually better for [[#Barrel Roll]]-heavy gameplay: each [[#Pickups|Pickup]] the player [[#Absorption|Absorbs]] restores a higher //percentage// of these ships' energy.
    Line 128: Line 122:
     **Barrel Rolls** are essential for high-level gameplay. They can be performed in spots other than the obvious drops through precise and clever maneuvers for //just// enough airtime. They enhance the resource management element of [[#Shield Energy]] while testing the pilot's skill and directly rewarding them for good play. **Barrel Rolls** are essential for high-level gameplay. They can be performed in spots other than the obvious drops through precise and clever maneuvers for //just// enough airtime. They enhance the resource management element of [[#Shield Energy]] while testing the pilot's skill and directly rewarding them for good play.
      
    -Additionally, **Barrel Rolls** are closely related to [[#Pitch|Pitch control]]: pitching up can enable **Barrel Rolls** that would otherwise be impossible, and pitching down will decrease unwanted airtime - landing faster, wasting less time in the air and getting the speed boost sooner.+Additionally, **Barrel Rolls** are closely related to [[#Pitch and Steering|Pitch control]]: pitching up can enable **Barrel Rolls** that would otherwise be impossible, and pitching down will decrease unwanted airtime - landing faster, wasting less time in the air and getting the speed boost sooner.
      
     ====Speed Pads==== ====Speed Pads====
    Line 150: Line 144:
      
     =====Game Modes===== =====Game Modes=====
     +**WipEout HD** presents a choice between different ways to pick the **Game Mode**:
     +   * [[#Campaign]] mode, with a series of pre-configured events;\\
     +   * **Racebox**, a way to configure a custom single player event;\\
     +   * [[#Online]] mode, taking **Racebox** to PlayStation®Network with the limitation of only the multiplayer modes being available.
     +
     +**Racebox** and [[#Online]] allow the player to pick a [[#Tracks|Track]], while [[#Campaign]]'s [[#Tracks]] are preset. Regardless, the player gets to pick their [[#Teams|Ship]] and start the race.
     +
     +----
      
     <WRAP half column> <WRAP half column>
    Line 246: Line 248:
      
     =====Development===== =====Development=====
    -put development stuff here+...
      
     ---- ----
    Line 252: Line 254:
     ===== References / Sources ===== ===== References / Sources =====
        - According to [[https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps3/938148-wipeout-hd/media|GameFAQs]].    - According to [[https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps3/938148-wipeout-hd/media|GameFAQs]].
    -   - No, this word wasn't written by ChatGPT.+   - As originally described by Kabelsalat - a BallisticNG modder and contributor.
        - [[https://web.archive.org/web/20110826151235/http://www.wipeout-game.com/html/content/TeamInfo?team=AG_Systems|WipEout-Game.com's AG Systems overview]] mentions "their 2206 FX300 Championship title", implying that 2206 was the final season of the FX300.    - [[https://web.archive.org/web/20110826151235/http://www.wipeout-game.com/html/content/TeamInfo?team=AG_Systems|WipEout-Game.com's AG Systems overview]] mentions "their 2206 FX300 Championship title", implying that 2206 was the final season of the FX300.
        - [[https://web.archive.org/web/20110826151240/http://www.wipeout-game.com/html/content/TeamInfo?team=Assegai|WipEout-Game.com's Assegai team statement]] mentions their "strong performances in the FX350 League" enabling them to "vastly improve their race craft for the 2207 season of FX350 & FX400 Anti-Gravity Racing League events", showing that the FX350 had started by at least the year prior.    - [[https://web.archive.org/web/20110826151240/http://www.wipeout-game.com/html/content/TeamInfo?team=Assegai|WipEout-Game.com's Assegai team statement]] mentions their "strong performances in the FX350 League" enabling them to "vastly improve their race craft for the 2207 season of FX350 & FX400 Anti-Gravity Racing League events", showing that the FX350 had started by at least the year prior.
    -   - As originally described by Kabelsalat - a BallisticNG modder and contributor.