This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ======WipEout HD====== [{{ wipeout_series:wohd_cover_art.jpg?200vh|WipEout HD Fury (Retail cover art)}}] **WipEout HD** is an original anti-gravity combat racing video game developed by [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psygnosis|Studio Liverpool]] for the PlayStation®3. It iterates on the gameplay established in [[wipeout_series:wipeout_pure|WipEout Pure]] and [[wipeout_series:wipeout_pulse|WipEout Pulse]], and features remade circuits and ship designs from both of these games. It is the seventh mainline installment in [[:wipeout_series|the WipEout series]], and was well-received when it first released. The player competes in the [[#Lore|FX350 Racing League]], piloting anti-gravity racing ships that float above the circuits at high speeds. These anti-gravity racing ships are able to obtain and use various [[#Pickups]] to disrupt other players or assist the pilot. Like all [[:wipeout_series|WipEout games]], **WipEout HD** focuses on delivering high-speed, high-thrills combat racing action. The [[#Gameplay]], rules and the objective differ based on the [[#Game Modes|Game Mode]] that the player chooses: **WipEout HD** offers 5 different modes, while the [[#Fury expansion]] adds an additional 3. Both **WipEout HD** and the [[#Fury expansion]] have their respective [[#Campaign|Campaigns]]. It was released on //September 25th, 2008//<sup>[[#References / Sources|[1]]]</sup> exclusively on PlayStation®Store in North America and Europe. The Japanese digital release came out on //October 29th, 2008//<sup>[[#References / Sources|[1]]]</sup>. On //July 23rd, 2009//<sup>[[#References / Sources|[1]]]</sup>, it received [[#Fury expansion|the Fury expansion pack]].\\ The game, bundled with the **Fury** DLC, was also released on Blu-Ray: * Europe: //July 23rd, 2009//<sup>[[#References / Sources|[1]]]</sup>, the same date as the **Fury** DLC; * Australia: //October 15th, 2009//<sup>[[#References / Sources|[1]]]</sup>; * Korea: //October 16th, 2009//<sup>[[#References / Sources|[1]]]</sup>. * The game was never physically released in North America. ---- =====Gameplay===== [{{ wipeout_series:wipeout_hd_cinematic.gif?350vh|High-skill piloting in WipEout HD}}] **WipEout HD** is fast and precise; it requires strategy and resource management with [[#Pickups]] and [[#Shield Energy]]; it rewards track knowledge and acquired skill. 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. This section focuses on these common features and traits, while the [[#Game Modes]] section has links to articles about individual experiences to be had in **WipEout HD**. ====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 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|[2]]]</sup> Ultimately, though, the best way to get an idea of **WipEout HD**'s physics is to play the game. There are several inputs that allow the pilot to control their craft quite precisely. ===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). 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. 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. ===Pitch and Steering=== Control your ship through //D-Pad// or //Analog Stick// inputs - **Steer** it left and right, and **Pitch** it up and down. * **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** 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. ===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** 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. ---- ====Pickups==== **Pickups**, also known as //Items// or //Weapons// (despite the category not being limited to them), are helpful power-ups that a pilot can obtain by going over a [[#Weapon Pads|Weapon Pad]]. Only one can be held by a pilot at a time; when equipped, they get the choice to either **Absorb** it (ditch it in exchange for some [[#Shield Energy]]), or to use it. **WipEout HD** has **11 Pickups**. Each one is unique - having their own use cases, varying degrees of usefulness, and even **Absorbing** for different amounts of [[#Shield Energy]]. They are split into categories based on their nature. ---- <WRAP half column> **Red Items**, **Offensive Items** or **Weapons** are fired at other pilots with the intent to damage or disrupt them. > **[[pickups:rockets#In WipEout HD|Rockets]]**\\ Three rockets that are fired forward from the ship - classic, simple and effective. > **[[pickups:missile#In WipEout HD|Missile]]**\\ Twin gyroscopically-stabilized homing projectiles that lock onto a pilot and bounce off and around walls during their chase. > **[[pickups:cannon#In WipEout HD|Cannon]]**\\ 30 rounds of precise, bite-sized punishment fired at the wielder's leisure. > **[[pickups:plasma#In WipEout HD|Plasma]]**\\ A very mean, heavy hitter that's tricky to aim, but pays off with dividends on a hit. > **[[pickups:quake#In WipEout HD|Quake]]**\\ A seismic wave that will go down the track from where it was fired. Tricky for recipients to escape. > **[[pickups:leech_beam#In WipEout HD|Leech Beam]]**\\ Lock onto another ship and steal its [[#Shield Energy]] for yourself. </WRAP> <WRAP half column> **Green Items**, or simply **Items**, assist the pilot that uses them. > **[[pickups:autopilot#In WipEout HD|Autopilot]]**\\ Let a computer take control of your craft for a moment. Take a breather, or take advantage of this state's supernatural agility. > **[[pickups:shield#In WipEout HD|Shield]]**\\ Protect yourself from any harm coming your way within the next few seconds. > **[[pickups:turbo#In WipEout HD|Turbo]]**\\ Get a temporary, immediate speed boost upon use. Overtake someone, or go to places you couldn't go before... **Blue Items** place unpleasant surprises for other pilots to find on the track. > **[[pickups:mines#In WipEout HD|Mines]]**\\ Deploy 5 small obstacles onto the track behind your ship. Hitting one is manageable, but hitting many will hurt. > **[[pickups:bomb#In WipEout HD|Bomb]]**\\ A singular, more powerful obstacle that will also deal splash damage to nearby pilots when triggered. </WRAP> ---- ====Shield Energy==== [[#Teams|Ships]] in **WipEout HD** have **Shield Energy**. It is a resource that represents the structural integrity of your ship. The starting point is //100% Energy//, and when it gets below //0%//, the ship fucking explodes lmao. **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 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. ====Barrel Rolls==== [{{ wipeout_series:wipeout_hd_barrel_roll.png:?250x250|Spin!}}] **Barrel Rolls** are tricks that you can perform while your ship is mid-air, awarding a speed boost if done correctly. By pressing //Left-Right-Left// or //Right-Left-Right// on your steering input when mid-air, you can attempt a **Barrel Roll** for **15% of your [[#Shield Energy]]**. Your ship will attempt a 360° barrel roll, and if it completes before you land, you will get a quick burst of speed, not unlike a [[#Speed Pads|Speed Pad]] or a [[pickups:turbo#In WipEout HD|Turbo]] boost. If the ship lands before that happens, you will get disappointment, and your [[#Shield Energy]] will be taken anyway. So you should probably be careful with that. It doesn't feel very nice, you know. You kind of just feel bad about your life when that happens. **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 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==== These blue arrow-shaped panels on the track's floor will give the ship a burst of speed when flown over. The speed boost is gained rapidly and will decrease back to cruise velocity over a few moments. In [[game_modes:zone_battle|Zone Battle]], they're substituted by similarly-functioning **Zone Pads** (FIXME add link). **Speed Pads** can be placed alone or in series, stacked horizontally or vertically, placed in challenging spots or next to [[#Weapon Pads]]. Hitting one likely won't change the outcome of the race, but hunting them reliably will give the skilled pilot a competitive edge. Combined with their [[#Weapon Pads|red counterpart]], **Speed Pads** also introduce an element of split-second strategy to the race. ====Weapon Pads==== When flown over, **Weapon Pads** give the player a random [[#Pickups|Pickup]]. They are red-colored and cross-shaped. In [[game_modes:single_race#In WipEout HD|Single Race]] and [[game_modes:tournament#In WipEout HD|Tournament]], they will be disabled for a few seconds after someone flies over them; in [[game_modes:eliminator#In WipEout HD|Eliminator]], there is no cooldown. **Weapon Pads** also introduce strategy to the race, along with elements of resource management and randomness. A lucky [[#Pickups|Pickup]] could single-handedly change the outcome of the race in a split second; neglecting them in favor of going faster will compromise the pilot's [[#Shield Energy]]. ====Mag-Strips==== These sections of the circuit use **Mag-Lock** technology to keep ships on the track, and enable pilots to fly along the walls, loops and bumpy track sections without falling or detaching. When locked onto a **Mag-Strip**, the ship is effectively pinned to the track surface without negatively affecting speed, acceleration or steering. All gravity effects from tilted track orientation are negated; also, both cornering drift when turning and pitch control are heavily reduced. Overall, though, the ships' handling feels largely the same on a **Mag-Strip**. **Mag-Strips** debuted in [[wipeout_series:wipeout_pulse|WipEout Pulse]] and have been largely unchanged in **WipEout HD**. They mostly serve an aesthetic purpose, however they have real gameplay implications: the inability to detach from these sections prevents barrel rolls and potentially enables blind spots for strategic [[#Pickups|Pickup]] use. **Mag-Strip** sections are pretty common in the track roster of **WipEout HD/Fury**. ---- =====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> **WipEout HD** offers 5 **game modes**. > **[[game_modes:single_race#In WipEout HD|Single Race]]**\\ Out-speed, out-smart and out-gun your opponents in the classic WipEout experience. > **[[game_modes:time_trial#In WipEout HD|Time Trial]]**\\ A full-length race against the clock. > **[[game_modes:speed_lap#In WipEout HD|Speed Lap]]**\\ Prove your skill by attaining the fastest single lap time you can. > **[[game_modes:zone#In WipEout HD|Zone]]**\\ Your ship will conveniently accelerate for you, perpetually. Survive for as long as you can. > **[[game_modes:tournament#In WipEout HD|Tournament]]**\\ Play multiple [[game_modes:single_race#In WipEout HD|Single Races]] in a row and get awarded points for finishing high. </WRAP> <WRAP half column> The [[#Fury expansion|Fury expansion pack]] adds 3 new game modes. > **[[game_modes:eliminator#In WipEout HD|Eliminator]]**\\ Take out your fury on other pilots, wreaking havoc and getting points for inflicting damage. > **[[game_modes:zone_battle|Zone Battle]]**\\ A multi-pilot take on the [[game_modes:zone|Zone]] mode. Hunt for pads and speed yourself up more and more, leaving nasty surprises for others and yourself, until you're on the podium. > **[[game_modes:detonator|Detonator]]**\\ Drive for up to 14 laps on a circuit, shooting through clusters of obstacles to score points and survive. </WRAP> ---- =====Teams===== [{{ teams:fx350_team_collage.svg?200x200|FX350's participants}}] **WipEout HD** features 12 **racing teams** competing in the [[#Lore|FX350 Racing League]]. Each participating **Team** has one ship in the base game (//HD ships//); [[#Fury expansion|the Fury expansion]] adds another ship to each team's roster (//Fury ships//). When picking a ship, the game's menu presents you with four of the ship's stats: **Speed**, **Handling**, **Thrust** and **Shield**. Though these //frontend stats// represent the ship somewhat, they are strong simplifications of the ships' //actual// (or, as the community dubbed them, //secret//) //stats//. //Actual stats// are more complex and precisely dictate how each ship handles and feels. This distinction is mildly confusing and introduces amusing situations: **Harimau**'s //HD ship// has the exact same //frontend stats// as **Assegai**'s //HD ship//, except for a 10 point reduction in **Thrust**, with no apparent gain; in reality, **Harimau**'s ship isn't inherently inferior to **Assegai**. In the same vein, //Fury ships// aren't inherently superior to //HD ships//, despite apparently having flat-out superior stats if judged by the //frontend stats//. Below is a list of the participating teams. Each title links to the section that describes the **WipEout HD/Fury** ships. <WRAP half column> > **[[teams:feisar#In WipEout HD|FEISAR]]**\\ The iconic team enters the FX350 with solid, reliable ships. > **[[teams:qirex#In WipEout HD|Qirex-RD]]**\\ The Russians' ships are heavily shielded, but no less nimble this season. > **[[teams:piranha#In WipEout HD|Piranha Advancements]]**\\ Once again entering the track with one of the meanest engines, Piranha also brings an added bite this season. > **[[teams:ag_systems#In WipEout HD|AG Systems]]**\\ This time, Japan's focus fell on thrust and maneuverability. > **[[teams:triakis#In WipEout HD|Triakis Industries]]**\\ With their rule-breaking reverse acceleration system banned by the committee, will the Australian tank hold up? > **[[teams:goteki_45#In WipEout HD|Goteki 45]]**\\ Makana's thrustiest enters the FX350 season with high hopes. </WRAP> <WRAP half column> > **[[teams:eg-x#In WipEout HD|EG-X Technologies]]**\\ The Chino-Finnish team will have to make up for their lack of experience in the FX300 this season. > **[[teams:assegai#In WipEout HD|Assegai Developments]]**\\ With their signature handling and the newly-bought Triakis shield tech, the Assegai HQ is expecting pilots to return with medals. > **[[teams:mirage#In WipEout HD|Mirage]]**\\ The Excellence Centre has developed perfectly balanced solutions to the tracks' challenges. > **[[teams:harimau#In WipEout HD|Harimau]]**\\ Now powered only by biofuel, Harimau will have to prove the force of nature to the world. > **[[teams:auricom#In WipEout HD|Auricom Industries]]**\\ In the FX350 season, speed and combat is the Auricom way. > **[[teams:icaras#In WipEout HD|Icaras]]**\\ You can't break the glass cannon if you can't catch it. </WRAP> ---- =====Campaign===== ... ---- =====Fury expansion===== ... ---- =====Lore===== The game takes place in the **FX350 Racing League**. Around the time of the final //2206// season of the [[wipeout_games:wipeout_pure#Lore|FX300 Racing League]]<sup>[[#References / Sources|[3]]]</sup>, the **FX350** held its first event<sup>[[#References / Sources|[4]]]</sup>. This transitional league was to get pilots accustomed to the upcoming [[wipeout_games:wipeout_pulse#Lore|FX400 Racing League]], allow the teams to test out their new craft designs in the field, and capture the audience's attention while the preparations were in progress. Aside from the fact that the **FX350** is the first globally-held professional AG racing league since the fall of the [[wipeout_games:wipeout_fusion#Lore|F9000]] in 2170, it is quite unremarkable due to its nature as a gap-filler. ---- =====Extras===== mention the community tab, badges, online ranks, music... ---- =====Development===== ... ---- ===== References / Sources ===== - According to [[https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps3/938148-wipeout-hd/media|GameFAQs]]. - 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/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.