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Wipeout Omega Collection

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Wipeout Omega Collection
Developer(s)XDev
Clever Beans
EPOS Game Studios
Publisher(s)Sony Interactive Entertainment
SeriesWipeout
Platform(s)PlayStation 4
Release
  • NA: 6 June 2017
  • EU: 7 June 2017
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Wipeout Omega Collection (stylised as WipE′out Omega Collection) is a 2017 racing video game compilation developed by XDev, Clever Beans and EPOS Game Studios and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 4. It was first released in North America on June 6 2017 and in Europe a day later.

The compilation includes remasters of two entries in the series: Wipeout HD (2008), along with its Wipeout HD Fury expansion (2009), and Wipeout 2048 (2012). Both games revolve around players competing in anti-gravity racing leagues. Wipeout Omega Collection is the first title in the Wipeout series not to be developed by franchise creators Studio Liverpool, following its closure in 2012. It received positive reviews upon release, with many critics welcoming the series' return and the upgraded visuals, as well as the preservation of its ubiquitous techno soundtrack.

Contents

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Screenshot from the remastered Wipeout HD. From left to right clockwise, the interface displays the lap and time, shield strength, current position, speedometer, and lap time.

Wipeout Omega Collection is a remaster of the previous two titles in the Wipeout series: Wipeout HD (with its Wipeout HD Fury expansion) and Wipeout 2048. Wipeout HD itself contains content from the PlayStation Portable titles Wipeout Pure and Wipeout Pulse.[1][2] In all games, players control anti-gravity ships which are owned by racing corporations (effectively referred to as 'teams' in-game). Every ship has different characteristics; for example, each ship's statistics vary in handling, thrust, top speed and shield strength. Each ship is equipped with an energy shield which absorbs damage sustained during a race; energy is lost whenever the player's ship collides with the trackside barrier, other ships, or is hit by weapon fire. If the shield runs out, the player's ship will explode and is consequently eliminated from the race. The player may replenish energy by absorbing unwanted weapon pick-ups.[2]

Nine game modes appear in Omega Collection: from HD; tournament, speed lap, time trial and single races return, as does the "Zone" mode, in which the player must survive as their ship increasingly accelerates to extreme speeds.[3] From the Fury expansion; "Zone Battle", Eliminator and Detonator features in the compilation, in addition the entire campaign from 2048. The games contain a total of 26 unique tracks and 46 unique ship models, and include local split-screen and online multiplayer.[4] The campaigns for both games are split into three groups, in a similar manner to how the HD and Fury campaigns were separated in Wipeout HD Fury.[5] The compilation is capable of running at a native resolution of 1080p on the PlayStation 4 and 4K on the PlayStation 4 Pro, both at 60 frames per second.[6] In addition to new special effects and upgraded textures,[7] it also has an optional HDR-compatibility mode which is supported on both consoles. An update to the game added support for PlayStation VR. [2] The Omega Collection features 28 licensed soundtracks; if the PlayStation Music app is installed, players can use the "Best of WipEout" Spotify playlist to play tracks from older Wipeout games.[8][9]

Development and release

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The original developers of the Wipeout series, Studio Liverpool, was closed by Sony Worldwide Studios in August 2012.[10] It was reported that around the time of its close the studio was developing a "dramatically different" Wipeout launch title for the then-upcoming PlayStation 4.[11] Despite the studio's closure, its Liverpool campus at Wavertree Technology Park still houses Sony's External Development Studio Europe (XDev) among other departments.[12]

In 2015, Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida hinted towards a possible Wipeout title for the PlayStation 4, saying that the company would like to "balance" the number of games in their franchises.[13] The following year Nick Burcombe, co-creator of the original Wipeout, affirmed that enthusiasm towards developing a new instalment remained high among his team, should Sony decide to commission one. When asked about the potential revival of the Wipeout brand, Burcombe commented that any new title would be wholly contingent on demand and Sony's willingness to relinquish the franchise.[14]

Wipeout Omega Collection was formally announced by Sony Interactive Entertainment during the annual PlayStation Experience expo on 4 December 2016, with a slated release date in the summer of 2017.[15][4] The game was available both via digital and retail format on 6 June for North America and 7 June for Europe.[16][17] A virtual reality version of the game was released through a free patch in March 2018.[18] Those who pre-ordered the game digitally were gifted a dynamic theme for their PlayStation 4 as well as access to an exclusive ship called the Van-Uber. Those who buy the game digitally after release also gain access to the Van-Uber ship.[19] Those who pre-ordered the disc version in Europe were given an exclusive steelbook as well as customisable themes for the PlayStation 4.[20]

Reception

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Wipeout Omega Collection received positive reviews upon release. It holds an average score of 85 percent at Metacritic, based on an aggregate of 53 reviews,[21] and also appeared among Metacritic's top 30 highest ranked PlayStation 4 games of 2017.[26]

The upgraded visuals of both Wipeout HD and 2048 received unanimous praise among critics. Martin Robinson from Eurogamer lauded the game's improved lighting, textures, and HDR-compatibility while remarking that the game "never looked better" despite its "greying roots".[27] GameSpot's Miguel Concepcion asserted that game was Wipeout "in its prettiest form", commenting that the visual fidelity of HD and 2048 demonstrated that it was not merely a direct port.[22] David Meikleham of GamesRadar+ likewise praised its "pristine" 4K visuals and heralded the compilation as a perfect illustrator for HDR gaming.[23] Sammy Barker from Push Square noted that the exceptional presentation epitomised the appeal of the wider Wipeout franchise, concluding that the Omega Collection was a visually impressive remaster[24] Frédéric Goyon from Jeuxvideo.com commended the compilation's "charismatic" aesthetic design and was enthralled over the remastered graphics.[25] Wired UK's Matt Kamen praised the visuals of both games and the intricate details of its textures, cementing that the whole experience was "glorious to behold",[7] while Jordan Devore from Destructoid reckoned that the compilation's visual polish alone made it a worthwhile purchase, regardless of a 4K setup.[6]

Although the gameplay was mainly well-received, some critics noted a sense of repetition despite the abundance of content. Devore opined that certain long-time players of the franchise may feel fatigued over the tracks that have been used repeatedly over the years, but nevertheless thought the overall experience was entertaining in its own right.[6] Robinson observed that both HD and 2048 offer distinct personalities and offers a "purposely" aggressive and meaningful amount of substance for the player.[27] Concepcion praised the compilation's consistent gameplay and its gradual progression in difficulty,[22] while Meikleham felt that the Omega Collection's recycled content did not matter in light of its quantity.[23] Barker and Goyon found the controls to be fluid and responsive, with Barker commenting that its gameplay was permeated by an "eye-watering" sense of speed.[24] Kamen enjoyed the combined elements of 2048's campaign progression system and HD's more "down to earth" tournament structure, noting that both games contributed to an overall "smoothly" integrated experience.[7]

Wipeout Omega Collection became the first game in the series to gain the UK All Formats physical No. 1,[28][29] and entered the download charts at No. 15.[30] The game was nominated for "Racing Game" at The Independent Game Developers' Association Awards 2017,[31] and for "Music Design" at the 2018 Develop Awards.[32]

References

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  1. ^ Robinson, Martin (16 September 2008). "WipEout HD UK review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Whitehead, Dan (15 September 2008). "WipEout HD review". Eurogamer. Eurogamer Network. Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  3. ^ Cocker, Guy (19 September 2008). "Wipeout HD review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
  4. ^ a b McLaughlin, John (3 December 2016). "WipEout Omega Collection announced for PS4 at PSX". PlayStation Blog. Archived from the original on 5 December 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  5. ^ Buckley, Tony (1 June 2009). "WipEout HD Fury Expansion Pack Details". PlayStation Blog. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d Devore, Jordan (7 June 2017). "Review: WipEout Omega Collection". Destructoid. Archived from the original on 9 October 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d Kamen, Matt. "WipEout Omega Collection review: Sony's remastered racer is as addictive as ever". Wired UK. London: Condé Nast Britain. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  8. ^ McLaughlin, John (9 December 2016). "WipEout Antigrav Anthems – a Spotify playlist inspired by the iconic PlayStation series". PlayStation Blog. Archived from the original on 10 December 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  9. ^ Smith, Duncan (24 May 2017). "WipEout Omega Collection's full soundtrack revealed". PlayStation Blog. Archived from the original on 26 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  10. ^ Brown, Nathan (22 August 2012). "Sony to close Studio Liverpool". Edge-online.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  11. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (22 August 2012). "Sources: Sony Liverpool was working on WipEout PS4 and a Splinter Cell style game for PS4 • News •". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  12. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (22 August 2012). "Sony closes WipEout developer Sony Liverpool". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 23 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  13. ^ Hussein, Tamoor (28 September 2015). ""Never Say Never" to a New Wipeout Game, Says Sony Exec". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 30 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  14. ^ Calvin, Alex (9 May 2016). "Wipeout co-creator Nick Burcombe wants the licence to make another one". MCV. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  15. ^ Grixti, Shannon (4 December 2016). "WipEout Omega Collection Is Coming To PS4". Press Start. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  16. ^ Romano, Sal (30 March 2017). "WipEout Omega Collection launches June 6 in North America, June 7 in Europe". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 30 March 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  17. ^ Sousa, Mike (30 March 2017). "WipEout Omega Collection Releases On PS4 In June". Gaming Union. Archived from the original on 2 April 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  18. ^ Leadbetter, Richard (29 March 2018). "WipEout on PSVR: an upgrade with no compromises?". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  19. ^ Jenni (31 March 2017). "WipEout Omega Collection Arriving In June". Siliconera. Archived from the original on 2 April 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  20. ^ Rajesh (10 April 2017). "Wipeout Omega Collection Steelbook Edition Announced". Gametransfers. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  21. ^ a b "Wipeout: Omega Collection for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 9 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  22. ^ a b c Concepcion, Miguel (6 June 2017). "Wipeout: Omega Collection Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  23. ^ a b c Meikleham, David (5 June 2017). "Wipeout Omega Collection review: "A ferocious blur of sumptuous, searing sights"". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 5 June 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  24. ^ a b c Barker, Sammy (31 July 2019). "WipEout Omega Collection - An Ultra Slick Update to the PlayStation Racing Icon". Push Square. Nlife Media. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  25. ^ a b Goyon, Frederic (5 June 2017). "Test du jeu Wipeout Omega Collection sur PS4". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  26. ^ "Best PlayStation 4 Video Games for 2017". Metacritic. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  27. ^ a b Robinson, Martin (5 June 2017). "WipEout Omega Collection review". Eurogamer. Game Network. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  28. ^ "GFK Chart-Track". GFK Chart-Track. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  29. ^ Parfitt, Ben (12 June 2017). "Wipeout claims its first ever UK No.1". MCV. Archived from the original on 15 June 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  30. ^ Khan, Zarmena (8 July 2017). "Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy Was PS Store UK's June Best-Seller Despite Being on Sale for a Day". PlayStation LifeStyle. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  31. ^ "2017 Winners". The Independent Game Developers' Association. 2 November 2017. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  32. ^ MCV staff (21 May 2018). "Announcing the Develop Awards 2018 nominations shortlist". MCV. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
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