Wipeout 2048

UPC: 711719220039

Platform: PlayStation Vita

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc.

Developer: SCE Studio Liverpool

Category: Racing

Style(s): Futuristic Racing

Synopsis: Sony's futuristic racing series makes its PlayStation Vita debut with motion-sensing controls and support for up to eight racers. Players can guide their sleek hovercraft by tilting the handheld and using both front and rear touch-controls. The action takes place on ten all-new tracks as players compete simultaneously against seven rivals. Wipeout 2048 supports the system's Crossplay feature, enabling handheld owners to challenge PlayStation 3 players as they attempt to move up the online leaderboards. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

Sony's futuristic racing series makes its PlayStation Vita debut with the same gameplay and design as previous versions. You'll pilot the same types of vehicles, fire the same weapons, and compete in the same play modes. So Wipeout 2048 is more an incremental step in the series than a jump. The handheld version supports cross-platform play, allowing Vita owners to compete against owners of Wipeout HD on PlayStation 3. This means Vita owners have a larger pool of players to challenge, but only on the tracks shared between the two games. In Wipeout 2048, you'll participate in four different race types across three progressively challenging seasons. Each event has you trying to fulfill certain requirements, such as finishing in the top three, which will unlock the next event when completed. Be prepared to wait an unusually long time before each race -- as long as 40 seconds -- while the course loads. In addition to standard races, you'll participate in time trials, combat races, and "zone" races. The latter has you trying to reach a specific part of the course without crashing. No matter which type of race you participate in, you'll earn experience points to level up your profile, gradually unlocking new vehicle types as you progress. Wipeout 2048 offers a choice of control schemes, including the ability to steer your ship by holding the system like a steering wheel and tilting it left and right. You can also touch the front screen to activate weapons or even issue voice commands, but the traditional analog controls are more accurate. The game's main play mode involves advancing through the 2048, 2049, and 2050 "seasons," and a great feature is that you can play them by yourself against the computer AI or with up to seven other human opponents, significantly enhancing the game's replay value. The computer will resort to some cheap tactics to stay close on the harder difficulties, so be prepared for some teeth-gnashing moments of frustration. Wipeout 2048 is a highly polished, highly playable game that's easy to recommend for arcade-style racing fans. The courses offer branching routes and plenty of difficult-to-reach speed boosts, requiring some technique to hit them all. The lanes are wide enough to allow for more interaction with rival racers, and there's plenty of challenge on the higher class types. Factor in smooth multiplayer support, cross-platform play with the PS3 version, and the fast, anti-gravity action, and Wipeout 2048 earns a top-three finish for best launch title on PlayStation Vita. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.