The Psygnosis legacy

Goodbye to all thatDestruction Derby, G-Police, wipEout, Colony Wars, Rollcage…. I can’t believe the company that basically brought me up as a gamer is no more. I guess they haven’t really been allowed to do much since those PS one glory days but I for one want to salute them and let everyone that’s lost their job, or moved away previously, that they did make a difference to the industry and to the people playing their games.I don’t know the politics of the situation but it does seem pretty weird to close the company if they’ve been working on two new PlayStation 4 games for over a year. Maybe they weren’t turning out that great, but if one of them was a wipEout game it’s hard to imagine that. Oh well, I guess we’ll never know now, but it’s another nail in the coffin for British made games.Cyborg1All good things…Really upset to hear about Studio Liverpool/Psygnosis closing. I know they haven’t really done much in the last few years but on the Amiga and PS one they were one of the best companies in the world. In fact the PlayStation might never have been the success it was if not for them, not just because of games like wipEout and Destruction Derby but because I understand they invented a lot of under the hood technology and shared it with other companies.I know the obvious thing to do in this situation is just blame Sony and say they’re fools for shutting them down but… nothing lasts for ever. If we’re honest they never did anything worthwhile in the last 10 years or so beyond the wipEout games and it’s pretty obvious that they just aren’t big sellers anymore.I’m sure all the talented people there will get new jobs in the industry and I look forward to playing their new games. I’ll be said to see the end of the studio, and presumably of wipEout, but anyone fooling themselves that we’d ever get another G-Police or Colony Wars should’ve given up years ago.BadgermanSo long, and thanks for all the gamesAbsolutely gutted to hear about the end of Psygnosis. I grew up playing games like Shadow Of The Beast, Walker, Lemmings, Armour-Geddon, Barbarian, Agony, Hired Guns, Killing Game Show, Leander… I’m listing them all now and I can’t believe they’re all from the same publisher. Those were the days when the same firm would release just about anything if they thought it was interesting. Sure, not all of Psygnosis’ games were great but they all had some sort of style or attitude to them and I miss that.The great graphics and music from Shadows Of The Beast, the amazing Roger Dean artwork on most of the boxes, the first games from DMA Design/Rockstar North. We’ve got so much to thank Psygnosis for and that’s without even getting into their PS one stuff.It’s hard to imagine any of those old games coming back (apart from Lemmings I guess) so it’s really just thanks for the memories and I hope everyone gets a new job okay.Combo Brian

Catch up on every previous Games Inbox here

AudiophobeFellow GC readers: I’m after a surround sound system for gaming and the odd bit of film watching, but the choice and all the terminology is just baffling and I could really do with some help… LPCM, DTS decoding… I just want to plug my Xbox 360 and telly into it and enjoy cool audio.I’m not really an audiophile (as you have probably guessed), so I don’t need amazing quality, but I do want ‘proper’ surround sound rather than just stereo coming out of a lot of speakers. This seems to entail amplifiers and receivers rather than just some speakers plugged into my Xbox (which was news to me – told you I don’t know much about this stuff).What would you recommend as a suitable option in the £50-£180 price bracket? I was looking at the Sony HT-AS5 for £180, which seems to include the necessary amplifier gubbins within the subwoofer and the ability to just hook it up to whatever I want with HDMI cables, although if I can spend less and still get acceptable surround sound I would appreciate any suggestions.I’ve noticed that most systems seem to be based around a DVD or Blu-ray player, which doesn’t really appeal as I would like to be able to change this kind of thing while keeping hold of my surround sound system in the future. Someone also recommended getting a digital system (which I think the Sony HT-AS5 is) but I don’t really understand why this would or wouldn’t be better than a system that wasn’t.The TV I use is a Sony Bravia LCD (not 3D) and I’ve got a Humax PVR and a cheap LG Blu-ray player if that makes any difference. Any advice on suitable surround sound options gratefully received.blueherringGC:It’s really called a Hit Ass?! Anyway, we’re sure a reader can help.I’m #1 so why try harderRE: Bentley464. I was with you all the way up until your final paragraph: ‘I bet Rockstar doesn’t change anything though, they’re too arrogant to admit when they’ve got something wrong’. I did have to have a little chuckle. You can almost image the Rockstar board meeting:Rockstar CEO: Okay, sales of Grand Theft Auto IV have now reached 22 million units bringing the franchise total to 114 million.  Any ideas on how we can take the series forward?Work experience boy in the corner:  How about ripping up the multi million pound, award-winning blueprint and starting from scratch!Rockstar CEO: I like it.I really don’t think arrogance comes into it when you have shareholders and profits to think about. If it works it works.HoopermanShadow EffectFinally decided to start the Mass Effect series; wow, what have I been missing? I am 35 hours into Mass Effect 2 and I really can’t get enough, the storytelling is superb with such good voice-acting. Having invested over 60 hours into the original on the Xbox 360 I bought the Mass Effect 2 on PlayStation 3 as both versions were priced the same but I was informed all the downloadable content bar Arrival is on the disc as well as a code for the mercenary character and the Genesis comic where I could make all the important decisions from the original.I thought it was a pretty good deal and so far I am not regretting it at all as Lair Of The Shadow Broker was a very unexpected surprise as an actually deep piece of downloadable content with a great twist ending. I just have one question I was hoping GC or and readers could answer: without any spoilers, at the end of the Shadow Broker Liara is a changed person, does this have any effect or consequence when I start Mass Effect 3 with an imported save? Thanks in advance.Bilal RangzebPS: Very sorry to hear about Studio Liverpool, wipEout was one of the very few games I really enjoyed on PS one.GC:We don’t know to be honest, because we played Shadow Broker and Mass Effect 3 seemed to follow on directly from our perspective.Formal apologyI gather from the comments on the news story that I’m not the only one thinking this but…. Final Fantasy XIII-3? Really?! I don’t think anyone wanted a XIII-2 and that was before it turned out to be even worse than the first one and probably my least favourite role-player of all time. Who on Earth is asking for these games? And more importantly why does Square Enix not care that everyone on the Internet hates them?The graphics and battle system are okay but the story and characters are beyond redemption. Even Lightning doesn’t appeal now, after they made her a soppy wuss. She was much better when she was grumpy and treating everyone else like an idiot (for the good reason that they were).The thought of another game with a story that makes zero sense and whiny, tween characters that I want to see die horribly the second they open their mouths… I just can’t do it. Whatever this announcement is I hope it’s just an apology for the last two games and a promise there’ll never be any more XIII again.GadflyRegional problemsJust found out that Persona 4 Arena has been delayed in Europe and now has no release date. Will Atlus please just set-up a UK office so we can avoid this nonsense? Or at least sell their games online. This is 2012, I shouldn’t be having the games I can play limited by where I happen to live in the world. I feel like someone in Soviet Russia trying to scrounge up jeans and Beatles records.If slapping a DVD in a case is too difficult just sell the game as a download via the consoles. There’s plenty of obscure downloadable stuff on their already, so I don’t see what the problem is. Sometimes I really think games companies don’t want our money…RangoInbox also-ransHave to agree I don’t think Tearaway is going to change the PS Vita’s fortunes, but I for one am glad that Sony are giving it a go. At least it’s not just a port of PlayStation 3 game.Simon SaysSo I’m guessing now there’s zero chance of the Wii U changing its name to something sensible? I really hope Nintendo know what they’re doing…Greg CooperJust want to add to the Sleeping Dogs love. It’s not original but it’s good, and that’s enough in my book.Admiral BirdseyeI know everyone else has said it already but excellent interviews lately GC. Particularly enjoyed the Puppeteer one, some very interesting stuff about Japan in particular.FrankyThis week’s Hot TopicThe subject for this weekend’s Inbox was suggested by reader KiloK, who asks whether you are, or ever have been, a lapsed gamer?Has there been a period of your life where you just stopped playing video games completely or almost completely? If so why and what got you back into them, if at all? If you know a friend or relative that’s had a similar experience did you try to get them interested in games again, and if so using what?How much did the prevailing quality or fashions in games influence your losing interest in them, and how much was due to new console hardware (or an aging PC)? What other reasons have there been for you to give up on gaming and can you imagine yourself ever leaving it behind for good?

E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk The small printNew Inbox updates appear twice daily, every weekday morning and afternoon. Letters are used on merit and may be edited for length.You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word 4Player viewer features at any time, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

As some of you may have heard Sony have chosen to close Studio Liverpool as of today. 

This page will no longer be maintained by the WipEout Team.We have loved making every game, every minute and every one of you. Keep the faith, keep loving WipEout.

Thank you for everything, Pilots. It’s been an amazing journey and we’ll miss you.
x

Psygnosis/Studio Liverpool were for me one of those studios that would be around forever. They’ve been making games since before I was born. I feel like crying finding out that they’ve been shut down. Wipeout and MGS4 were why I bought a PS3. Despite all the bad press the PS3 was getting, I decided to get one because I wanted to own the latest, greatest, most awesome and most shiny version of one of my favourite games, Wipeout. I even listen to the soundtracks while I work sometimes. It would have been one of the only things that could have convinced me to get a PS4 – and now it’s gone. A sad sad day indeed. Even if the Wipeout franchise continues, it just won’t be the same. It was the graphical standard by which post-launch games on Sony consoles were judged, and they stood up against some of the best games even late in the life of their respective consoles. What an absolutely batshit crazy decision.

A press release, reproduced below, was issued confirming the closure.

“As part of SCE Worldwide Studios, we do regular reviews to ensure that the resources we have can create and produce high quality, innovative and commercially viable projects in an increasingly competitive market place. As part of this process, we have reviewed and assessed all current and planned projects for the short and medium term and have decided to make some changes to our European Studios.

“It has been decided that Liverpool Studio should be closed. Liverpool Studio has been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios since the outset of PlayStation, and have contributed greatly to PlayStation over the years. Everyone connected with Liverpool Studio, past and present, can be very proud of their achievements.

“However, it was felt that by focusing our investment plans on other Studios that are currently working on exciting new projects, we would be in a stronger position to offer the best possible content for our consumers.

“Our Liverpool Facility will continue to operate, housing a number of other vital WWS and SCEE Departments.

This should not take anything away from the great work WWS are doing and the incredible games and services that we have made, and continue to make, both for this coming year and further in the future.”

I can’t imagine anyone saw this coming. This gen, we’ve had the critically acclaimed WipEout HD and its Fury add-on pack, and the well-received Vita launch title WipEout 2048, which also received the HD and Fury tracks recently. Granted, they’ve worked on nothing but WipEout for the past four years, but Sony owns the studio; if they wanted the team to create something new, it was surely in their power to make that happen.

Instead, we’ve now lost yet another long-running British development house – one with 28 years of history behind it, beginning as Psygnosis in 1984, before being acquired by Sony in 1993.

It has not been made clear whether the staff will be absorbed into other SCE studios.

The end of an era

Update:

According to sources speaking to website Eurogamer , Studio Liverpool was working on two PlayStation 4 games before its closure, one a new wipEout title that was described as ‘dramatically different’, and which had been underway for between 12 and 18 months.

The other was a new franchise similar to Splinter Cell, and used motion capture technology that was compared to Rockstar’s L.A. Noire. Both projects have now presumably been cancelled.

Original story:

News of the closure first began to appear on social media such as Twitter this morning, with wipEout 2048 programmer Sandy Lobban commenting: ‘End of an era today for Studio Liverpool. Honoured to have been a part of it.’

Sony quickly confirmed that the stories were true, after European PlayStation boss Michael Denny broke the bad news to staff on Wednesday morning. No other UK studios have been affected and Sony is attempting to relocate employees where possible.A number of other Sony departments are based at the same location in Liverpool, including a large QA department, third party producer team XDEV, and various localisation teams. None of these are affected by the closures though.The following statement has been released:As part of SCE Worldwide Studios, we do regular reviews to ensure that the resources we have can create and produce high quality, innovative and commercially viable projects in an increasingly competitive market place.  As part of this process, we have reviewed and assessed all current and planned projects for the short and medium term and have decided to make some changes to our European Studios.It has been decided that Liverpool Studio should be closed.  Liverpool Studio has been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios since the outset of PlayStation, and have contributed greatly to PlayStation over the years. Everyone connected with Liverpool Studio, past and present, can be very proud of their achievements.However, it was felt that by focusing our investment plans on other Studios that are currently working on exciting new projects, we would be in a stronger position to offer the best possible content for our consumers.Our Liverpool Facility will continue to operate, housing a number of other vital WWS!E and SCEE Departments.This should not take anything away from the great work WWS are doing and the incredible games and services that we have made, and continue to make, both for this coming year and further in the future.The studio is one of the longest-running in the UK and started life as Psygnosis in 1984, creating cutting edge Amiga and Atari ST games such as Shadow Of The Beast and publishing classics such as DMA Design’s (now Rockstar North) Lemmings.At the time Psygnosis were one of the most technically accomplished developers in the world, particularly in terms of working with the then new CD-ROM technology. This brought them to the attention of Sony, who acquired them in 1993 – making them instrumental to the PS one’s early success.The Psygnosis name was dropped but the studio went on to create popular hits such as wipEout, G-Police, and Colony Wars. They struggled to remain relevant in the PlayStation 2 era though and after Sony lost the Formula 1 license they were reduced to only making new WipEout titles, primarily on the PSP and PS Vita.GameCentral extends its sympathies to all those affected by the closure, and salutes the studio’s contributions to video gaming.Video:Check out the wipEout 2048 trailer

Thoughts? Email gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk or leave a comment below

This is a review of Studio Liverpool’s futuristic racer WipEout 2048 for the PlayStation Vita.

Seeing as WipEout has been a longstanding Playstation franchise from the launch of the original Playstation, it’s expected that Studio Liverpool deliver high caliber content to the latest sony format around. 2048 is no exception.

To find out why, read the review in full HERE

As a prequel to all previous entries in Sony’s long-running anti-gravity racing series, Wipeout 2048 immediately piques your interest with its opening cinematic. The short intro visually dissects the evolution of racing from classic open-wheel roadsters to futuristic hovercrafts. Unfortunately, that’s roughly where the innovation stops, as Wipeout 2048 is virtually identical to its predecessors in all the ways that matter.

The developers do not explore the birth of the Anti-Gravity Racing Championships a single step further; instead, Wipeout 2048 succumbs to the Phantom Menace aberration where technology in the prequel is somehow just as good — if not better — as what’s seen much later in the timeline (i.e., Wipeout Pulse, which takes place in the year 2207).

The setting is a missed opportunity, though the gameplay remains top-notch. Studio Liverpool nearly perfected the Wipeout formula somewhere between the PlayStation Portable versions and Wipeout HD for the PlayStation 3, so it doesn’t seem entirely motivated to venture out of its comfort zone. This is fine, as the fast-paced racing and combat are still expertly executed and enjoyable, but how many more entries can players withstand before things become stale? I certainly hope Sony doesn’t intend to find out.

Campaign
The offline campaign is spread out over three race seasons (2048-2050), though that doesn’t really mean anything since it’s all just a bunch of event tabs in a single touchscreen hub. You’ll partake in a handful of different event types, including Races, Combat, Time Trials, Speed Laps, and Zone Events.

You can either Pass an event by meeting the easier minimum requirements, or you can Elite Pass it, usually by coming in first place. I found Elite Passes surprisingly easy to obtain on a first try, though there are a few that gave me some trouble. As you progress through the seasons and earn passes, you’ll gain experience points and level up, unlocking new ships and secret events.

Ships come in three different classes: Speed, Agility, and Fighter. Speed ships can outrun any other type of ship but at the sacrifice of shields and weapon power. Agility ships fall somewhere in the middle, providing excellent maneuverability without excelling in speed or firepower. Fighter ships may be slower and clunkier, but they can take more damage and open up new weapon types. For example, if a Speed class ship picks up a Rocket weapon, it will only fire one explosive. If a Fighter ship picks up a Rocket, however, it will fire three rockets simultaneously. You can discover and earn prototype ships as well (five prototype challenges unlock every 10 player levels). These ships have unique attributes such as starting with a lower max speed that increases each time you hit a Speed Pad during a race. The class system is a nice way to diversify the usual roster of team-based vehicles, especially with the addition of variable weapons and prototypes.

Technically, Wipeout 2048 conforms to the familiar-but-high standard set by previous titles. The visuals are crisp, though the courses would benefit from some slightly braver level design. I feel like I’ve been racing on the same freaking tracks for years (and in some cases, I have been). Each event does suffer from some pretty hefty loading times though, a reoccurring theme with Vita launch titles.

The music selection has your usual lineup of licensed electronica. It’s not a bad set at all, but it’s no Wipeout XL either. Still, when an instrumental version of The Prodigy’s Invaders Must Die peaks just as you’re flying into a shootout in a Combat Event, it’s hard not to get amped up by the soundtrack.

Zone
Yes, Zone Events get their own section in this review! First introduced in Wipeout Fusion, the unique mode really shined in Wipeout HD’s 1080p format. Zone Events simplify the gameplay down to one objective: survive. Your hovercraft accelerates automatically, so all you need to do is steer. The longer you survive, the faster your ship gets. Hitting walls shaves points off your health, and eventually you’ll be screaming along so quickly that one wrong move can pinball you into obliteration.

While the dynamic gameplay keeps Zone mode exponentially exciting, the psychedelic visuals play an even bigger role in the experience. Environments have been stripped of textures, instead replaced with vivid monochromatic colors. Wipeout 2048’s Zone seems to be the most aesthetically brilliant yet, truly taking advantage of the Vita’s OLED display. With techno music pounding away and the track’s color scheme reinventing itself each time the speed class is increased, Zone is a lot like what I imagine Lumines would be like if it had a F5000 anti-gravity engine strapped to it.

Online Pass
Wipeout 2048 has some interesting multiplayer features, but you’ll need to redeem an online pass to access them. Every new copy of the game comes with a redeemable code, or you can purchase one from the PlayStation Store for an additional fee. If you prefer to skip going online but still want to multiplayer, ad-hoc connectivity is available.

Once you’re connected (or more like “if,” in my experience), a separate multiplayer campaign awaits. The online campaign differs from the single-player equivalent in that you’ll be competing against random players while attempting to achieve various goals. Early on, simply surviving an event will reward you with a Pass, with Elite Passes not being much more difficult either.

The multiplayer campaign is much longer than the single-player and is ideally where customers will derive the greatest value from Wipeout 2048. It’s not all fun and games though. The Combat Events in particular are not a great fit for the Wipeout formula. Rather than the various race modes native to the franchise, Combat requires you to attack players with weapon pick-ups to earn points. Whoever reaches the score cap first wins, but you’re not placed in specialized arenas suited for direct skirmishes (as you would be in Mario Kart, for example). Rather, you’re left to hunt each other down on the standard race courses, meaning it’s entirely likely you’ll find yourself driving in circles looking for targets while they’re on the opposite end of the track doing the same. You can turn around to go back the way you came or chase down an enemy, but I typically found these matches to be long and dull.

Wipeout 2048 flexes the Vita’s intriguing Cross-Play functionality by allowing you to race Wipeout HD players. There’s definitely a bit of lag, and the HD tracks seem strangely low-res on the Vita, but it’s an interesting feature nonetheless — though I personally would have liked to have seen the Cross-Play races worked into the multiplayer campaign for a more cohesive online experience.

Sadly, I’ve had continuous issues with the multiplayer campaign that prevent the game from realizing its potential. Most commonly, when attempting to access it, I will be booted back to the main menu without any explanation. Then, after finally being able to connect again, I somehow had my entire multiplayer campaign progress erased. These online issues greatly detract from my ability to recommend an otherwise solid package.

Conclusion
If you’ve been enjoying the quality PlayStation Network and PlayStation Portable offerings over the past few years, you’ll find more of the same in Wipeout 2048. The online features should have been a selling point, but technical issues cause them to be more of a sizable defect. While Zone mode is damn near worth the price of admission alone, it’s time for Studio Liverpool to refresh the franchise with some big ideas or hand it over to someone who will. Score: 65/100

Wipeout 2048 was released for the PlayStation Vita on February 15, 2012. A copy of the game was provided by the publisher for the purpose of this review.

Having had a hands on session with the upcoming Sony handheld, Playstation Vita, we got a chance to play through four demo tracks of Studio Liverpool’s latest entry into the WipEout franchise, WipEout 2048.

To read the preview click HERE

Does nobody use Google these days to verify things?

Searching for the Japan Institute of Science and Technology turns up the JAIST, the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, a very real and very not-doing-much-with-quantum-levitation scientific institution based in Ishikawa. The logos of the fictional and genuine Insitutes are remarkably similar. 

There’s not much homework to do here but when people are fooled that easily…y’know.

this is bonkers –> RT @gamecity: Real life Wipeout using Quantum Levitation youtu.be/Zqmdv5iyIOY

— Brandon Boyer (@brandonnn) January 3, 2012

Still, the video’s fun. WipEout 2048 is out soon on PlayStation Vita, and that’s exactly what Sony probably wanted me to mention here when they had this video produced.

This is an article about the music of videogames. Inspired by the music of Bristol dubstep artist Joker, I decided to have a look at where music of videogames comes from. Some are licenced tracks, whilst others are original scores. I also suppose as to why these choices have been made, and I put forward the notion that neither method is inferior to the other as they both suit their audience as intended.

You can read the full article HERE

This feature article is a look over the entire Sony Playstation futuristic racer series, Wipeout. It looks at why it was so successful and how it differs and offers something new to the race genre and how its intrinsic to the success of the Playstation brand in Europe.

Read the retrospective HERE

Now read my thoughts:

So it has a number of cool, social features as well. I love the way it shows a gloat video at the end of the race, thats a nice touch. You know what else will be a nice touch at the end of races? People pointing the camera at their dicks. Its gonna happen and its really not gonna be cool. But the idea really is cool, and as long as people stay mature and don’t abuse it, should stay that way. I also like its cool use of near, showing you people in the area with the game and allowing you to challenge them. Seems neat-o to me. In terms of control and use of Vita’s unique methods, they offer you a variety of ways to use it.

• You can play the buttons way, with triggers and face buttons and analog sticks.
• You can play as if it was an iPhone, tilting it and touching the panels to attack and what not.
• You can mix it up.

Click each image to see a higher resolution version.

Nintendo 3DS – are you sold?

Guaranteed success?Comprehensive preview on the 3DS – I’m completely sold! ‘Best proof that the 3DS’ graphical abilities are almost on par with the Wii’ – technically correct but hardly inspiring. I think it’s pointless comparing the tech inside a home console to a handheld. Let’s be frank about it, all the games will look significantly better on the 3DS than anything we’ve witnessed on the Wii.As for the 3D, it’s outrageous what Nintendo have done with a small screen. Wearing the glasses is a small sacrifice to make for the 3D effect, but I wouldn’t want my photo taken in them! 3D without glasses – pre-ordering a 3DS may be sound advice!Up4BanterPS: What odds would you give me on the fastest selling console of all time? Every record in the book will be broken I reckon.GC:The only question is how quickly they can manufacture them – the main reason why it may not launch in Europe until next year.The new lookI might be stuck in the past but I prefer the old GC Teletext layout and format to the new Metro site. The clean chronological format may be a bit old school visually but is a lot simpler to navigate and sets it apart from other gaming websites (not that I look, that would be unfaithful). Unfortunately for me the Metro look is as generic as all the others, visual overload. In some cases more isn’t always better. I do love that there are screenshots now and possibly even videos in future but I am a believer in form following function. It’s great that GC lives on and I am not knocking the content just the look.Chimpy DGC:We are limited to a degree by the basic design of the rest of the Metro website, but then that was true for Teletext as well. We’ll continue to try and fine tune the design and always welcome constructive criticism. We’ll also be giving comments after every story/feature a trial next week, to see whether people want to use them.As seen on TVRE: Bobbleheaddy. Pokémon Yellow was based on the anime. While it was based on Red and Blue, Pikachu was your starter and you could actually get all three Kanto starters during the game. Also, you battled Jesse, James and Meowth at certain points in the game and the gym leaders had Pokemon squads closer to the show.Leo Kearon

RE: Bobbleheaddy. The Pokémon game came before the anime did, not the other why round, hence why the TV series had to come up with unknown island adventures between games (i.e. the Orange Islands) to fill up the TV series. However, if you’re talking about a third person style adventure for the game instead, that also sounds appealing if they can pull it off.However, I can’t really see any other way for fights by the current random encounters system, probably because the 3DS (assuming Black/White are on the 3DS) wouldn’t have the capacity for a game world big enough for real-time battles.SpudUK10 (Steam/PSN ID)GC:Pokémon Black/White is a DS game, not 3DS. Turn-based battles are a design decision, not a limitation of the hardware.

Catch up on every previous Games Inbox here

Necessity vs. luxuryI’m puzzled about your response to my letter about the number of controllers required for two-player move games. You say no games uses two Move controllers, but your feature a few days ago said there would be some (possibly the boxing game, I can’t remember for sure).Then you also said in response to another letter that ‘You don’t need a navigation controller for anything, least of all two-player games.’  So what were they created for? Even Sony wouldn’t bring out a controller that wasn’t used for anything?!AndiGC:We said no game needs two controllers and only a few (such as The Fight and the archery game from Sports Champions) have the option at all. You don’t need the navigation controller either, it’s just a more ergonomic alternative to using a joypad in more complex games like SOCOM: Special Forces and Sorcery.Virtual house of mouseThis week I hired Split/Second: Velocity and today Toy Story 3, both from Disney, both really good. Can we expect such quality from coming games?zombiekicker (gamertag)GC:They are having a good run at the moment. They’ve a preview day coming up soon for their next few games, but we already saw Epic Mickey on Wednesday and will have a mini-preview for it next week.Psygnosis comebackAlthough I’d love to see a new game from Studio Liverpool, what I really want to see, as I’ve mentioned in a previous letter, is a new G-Police. The original is fantastic even now, and introducing a feature where you could land your Havoc, and chase criminals through alleyways with running gun fights would be immense!FuntimefitzyRefreshing questionIf I may I would like to ask GC and its readers for a little advice. I’m looking to buy a new TV and I see different models feature 50Hz, 100Hz or some even greater. As I understand it games these days can run up to 60 frames per second, am I correct to assume a 50Hz set will not display these images properly and likewise anything over 60Hz will bring no further benefit? Thanks for your help.Ben WillersGC:Our understanding is that the refresh rate for televisions is now irrelevant, for any modern consoles which use a digital video output. This is different from the frame rate (measured in frames per second) of specific games, which is set entirely in software and has nothing to do with the television.Changing teamsI was wondering what games fellow GCers would have wished had been made by other developers. For example, if The Bourne Conspiracy had been made by the team behind Splinter Cell: ConvictionIbhyInbox also-ransIf Nintendo do manage to get the 3DS out this Christmas it’s going to annihilate Kinect.FrankyWhy was there never a Quake 5?Fighterman404GC:Because of Quake 4.I hate getting excited about DC Universe Online, because I know I hate massively multiplayer online games.Rodger RamjetI can’t go into my CEX at the moment in Coventry. A girl who works there really doesn’t like me at the moment.DMRGC:Next time make sure it’s her face you look at when you speak to her.E-mail your comments to: gamecentral@ukmetro.co.uk The small printNew Inbox updates appear twice daily, every weekday morning and afternoon. Letters are used on merit and may be edited for length.You can also submit your own 400 to 500-word 4Player viewer features at any time, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.If you wish to vote in the Readers’ Top of 2010 simply send us an e-mail with a list of your three favourite games of the year so far. Please vote only for games released in the UK during 2010.

Fury

Fury features 8 new race circuits, 13 new ships, 13 new Trophies, 6 new music tracks and most importantly three new game modes.

First up we have Zone Battle. This is similar to the old Zone mode but features competitors and level boosting with you needing to reach a set level first to win. Boosting is built up by filling up a bar by flying over the speed boost pads. You can unleash it at any time or max it out, then release it to propel yourself forward up to eight levels. Or you can re-absorb it to get some health back. There are no weapons, but when you or anyone else does use a boost it creates a ‘barrier’ which is an obstacle on the track that’s a bit wider than your ship. Hitting this takes a large chunk of your health. This mode is quite fun in single player but gets very hectic online and quickly becomes more about dodging the barriers than keeping your vessel on track at speeds exceeding 1000 km/h.

Detonator mode is something very new to the series; it’s more of a target shooting game. Ok, yeah it is WipEout so you’re doing it at thunderous speeds. You have infinite clips of laser ammo fired with square and reloaded by circle. It’s basically Zone mode with shooting stuff. Naturally, hit any of these targets with your ship and you’ll incur damage. There are also mines to avoid that require extra shots to take down. Or you could go for the EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) wave that you build up using the speed pads. It works a lot like the awesomely devastating Quake weapon from the original release. It’s a nice change of pace for the game, that’ll see you return to climb the leaderboards of each track. That’s the only online interaction as it’s a single ship game with no room for extra racers.

Both of these modes look absolutely stunning as they use the Zone templates from the last game. With their simple, luminous colour schemes they really make the most of the 1080p output on HD TVs. You can even see parts of the track pulsing to the music. Frustratingly though all these levels are reserved for Zone, Zone Battle and Detonator, with the different, more floaty handling than the normal tracks. We can only hope that a future update will have races on these versions of the tracks too.

Not to worry though, it’s not like the new ‘normal’ tracks look shabby. Far from it, they’re fantastically designed again with both day and night events. There also seem to be fewer cases of you falling off the track for the slightest mistake

You will spend plenty of time on the new tracks and new life will be breathed into the old ones with the final and possibly the best of the new modes, Eliminator. It’s not rocket science, WipEout finally got a deathmatch mode, and it’s nailed it.

It could have been an epic fail if not for one sensible inclusion, a 180 degree flip option to face the other way. You can fly around the track in any direction, which is great for waiting around a corner waiting to unleash triple rockets.

Matches are won by reaching a point target rather than straight kills. You win the most points for kills, but you can also earn them for inflicting damage and completing laps. All the familiar weapons are included and you’ll quickly learn what work’s best and you can afford to fire at will as weapons pads regenerate straight away. You’re almost guaranteed a kill or two with the Quake weapon, usually after someone else has worn them down. Absorbing weapons gives you a brief shield instead of health. Getting blown up will cost you points but you can regenerate as many times as you want.

You can keep track of how far away your rivals are and which direction they’re facing via a handy, simple line radar at the bottom of the screen. This is essential to catch up or lurk in a dip. You’ll have to master the side-step-like manoeuvre to dodge all the bombs and mines. But soon enough you’ll be loving every second like a deranged, giant metal death-spitting wasp.

The tracks work brilliantly for this new mode and fare better than any sort of new arena style deathmatches that would have been awful. As it is, it’s worked out to be the best thing to happen to the series in years.

The single player campaign mode consists of these events and the ones from the original release (races, tournaments, speed laps). There are 80 in total that’ll last you a while before your confident enough to head online.

Eliminator and Zone Battle make the cut for online matches with no signs of lag. Try and find eliminator matches with at least five racers so you’ve plenty to shoot at. There’s extra badges to be won and the level 50 cap has been updated to 100. Also, your stats can now all be viewed down to the tiniest obsessive detail.

Fury feels more like a sequel than an update and has made a very good game absolutely essential. It would get a perfect ten if we had been given the chance to do proper racing and eliminator on the Zone coloured tracks. Hint: chance for a perfect score next time guys.

[review pros="

• Eliminator mode is awesome fun
• Online matches are better than ever
• More time for us on stunning looking Zone type levels
• Value for money at £7.99
• A PS3 Exclusive to be proud of

" cons="
• No racing on Zone tracks
• No new weapons

" score=90]

There was hardly a whisper about Sony’s high-octane futuristic racer, WipEout HD, at E3 2008, but Studio Liverpool wants you to know that they have “Been cranking away at bringing you an awesome anti-gravity racing game in 1080p HD!” The video below shows that the game runing at 1080p and 60 frames per second, looking beautiful the entire time. The tracks are composed of graphically reworked fan-favorites. As for multiplayer, there is two-player split-screen, and up to eight players in online matches. On top of that, this downloadable PSN exclusive will feature trophy support and custom playlists. Be ready to trigger some seizures this fall.

Via Official Playstation Blog

Developer: Studio Liverpool
Publisher: SCEA
Platform: PlayStation Portable
Related Games: WipEout Pure, WipEout HD
Release Date: February 12, 2008
ESRB: Everyone 10+
MSRP: $29.99

Review:

When WipEout Pure debuted on the PSP in 2005, it quickly became a flagship title for the fledgling platform. The fast-paced, futuristic racer proved that the home console experience was viable on a portable machine. Amazing visuals, engaging multiplayer, and tons of downloadable content kept Pure in heavy rotation among early adopters. Nearly three years later, WipEout Pulse improves of nearly every aspect of its predecessor making it a must-own for any racing fan.

In WipEout Pulse, you’ll compete in races against the computer AI, friends, or other players around the world. While getting to the finish line in the fastest time will usually be your goal, you’ll only be able to do so if you stay alive. Racers in Pulse utilize a wide variety of weapons to destroy their opponents, ranging from video game staples like bombs and missiles to signature WipEout power-ups including earthquakes and shurikens. In addition to a shield, defensive players can fend off attackers by using a temporary autopilot, speed boosts, or repulsor blasts.

Previous WipEout titles have relied on the standard tournament mode for their single-player campaigns. Pulse abandons this rigid structure in favor of a grid-based system of progression that gives the player more control over their next event. If you don’t feel like playing a tournament, time trial, or speed lap, you’re free to choose a Zone event in which you must stay away from the walls of the track and survive as long as possible while your ship travels at ever-increasing speeds. New to the PSP series is Eliminator mode, where the object is not to finish first, but rather to destroy the most opponents using a more powerful set of weapons than those available in other events. Though difficult, Eliminator makes for some intense firefights and is one of the standout features in Pulse. If you come across an event that you’re having trouble completing, simply drop the difficulty level down for that race. Unfortunately, this wider variety of event types means you’ll find yourself playing the same tracks over and over as you complete different objectives on each course.

Where WipEout Pulse really shines is in its customization options. As you progress through the single-player campaign, you’ll unlock tracks for use in Racebox. In this mode, you can create your own grids, specifying the race type, speed class, available weapons, and AI difficulty. For those who plow through the single player campaign, Racebox adds significant longevity to the game. You can also design and share your own ship skins online, save in-game screenshots to your memory stick, or, if you’re not a fan of electronica, Pulse lets you import up to thirty mp3s from your memory stick to use seamlessly in the game.

WipEout also raises the bar for its competitors on the PlayStation Portable in a number of other categories. Pulse improves on the amazing visuals of its predecessor, running at a smooth frame rate in even the most hectic battles. Its pulsing (apologies for the pun!) soundtrack from a variety of established artists fits nicely with the gritty style of the game and adds to the sense of speed during races.

The most important precedent set by Pulse, however, is in the online arena. WipEout is the first PSP title to use your PlayStation Network ID as a unifying login for its infrastructure mode. In addition to the standard ad-hoc mode for local multiplayer, Pulse lets you race online worldwide with minimal lag. Within the in-game menu, you can also open the PSP web browser and surf to wipeout-game.com where you’ll be able to access new ship skins, check your leaderboard rankings, and download new content. Although Studio Liverpool nearly doubled the size of WipEout Pure with free, post-release downloadable content, it’s a shame that the content packs for Pulse carry a price tag.

Regardless of minor shortcomings like track repetition or premium downloadable content, your decision to purchase WipEout Pulse should come down to two factors. Do you own a PSP? Do you enjoy racing games? If you answered yes to these two questions, Pulse is a definite must-have. It won’t bring any new fans to the genre, but there is certainly more than enough content to satisfy anyone who likes a good race.