WipEout HD gameplay footage blow-out

As you can see by heading over to our recent hands-on preview, we’re pretty excited about WipEout HD. The problem is that you can only get so much of what the game is like by reading what we think. In an attempt to give you a better shot at understanding how good a job Sony’s Liverpool Studio is doing with the game, we’ve put together un-cut gameplay footage of the four tracks featured in the most recent build, along with some gameplay from the stunning Zone mode.

Vineta K

Taken from WipEout Pure, this track’s signature feature is the swooping left corner that takes you into a tunnel beneath a mass of water (you can see the boats just before you enter the tunnel). It was one of the best looking tracks in the original PSP game and looks superb in WipEout HD.

Anulpha Pass

Again, taken from WipEout Pure, Anulpha Pass’ most recognisable feature is the jump off the track to another section below and its neon colour scheme. In the video we go crazy with the Quake weapon (one of our personal favourites) and give the auto-pilot a try.

Chenghou Project

The third track from WipEout Pure, Chenghou Project is set in an industrial complex, with tall buildings and dull browns filling the landscape. It’s far from ugly though, with some sweeping corners and spectacular jumps. Be careful early on with the incredibly sharp left that leads to a fast straight that almost begs you to crash into the barrier.

Head to page two for videos of Moa Therma and Zone Mode.

Moa Therma

The only track we’ve played that originated from WipEout Pulse, the most recent PSP release. With the track mostly built above water, it’s certainly a looker, with the clean white buildings being a complete contrast to those seen in Chenghou Project. It features the mag-strips seen in Pulse and showcases the great muffled sound effect when the shield is used.

Zone Mode on Vineta K

The Zone mode in WipEout HD has to be seen to be believed. It was great in the PSP games, but on the PS3 Sony Liverpool has been able to go to town with the graphical effects. As you progress the speed increases, and the entire track is washed with a new colour palette. All the time the music track is made part of the visuals, with a stunning graphic equalizer effect pasted on surfaces all over the track.