Wipeout HD

Platform: PS3
Razor sharp racing
With the coincidental demise of The Designers Republic last week, WipEout HD has been burning my retinas lately with its polarised and purified vision of futuristic anti-grav racing.
Essentially a compilation of the previous two games on the PSP, WipEout HD picks the best tracks and re-renders then into a sublime and beautiful looking next-gen racer, available to download over the PSN network. Running at 60fps at 1080p, it's a HD TV owners dream, and at a price around £10 it's a must for any PS3 owner with even the vaguest interest in racing.
Those unfamiliar with the series can expect a series of futuristic race tracks, looping and bending their way to ridiculous extremes as your AG craft speeds through at insane speeds, dodging mines and firing missiles at other racers.
Races are split over standard modes such as time trial and tournament, unlocking new ships and colours along the way, but the real gem is Zone mode.
Replacing the rich cityscape and track textures for classic, virtual reality style vectors, Zone mode is a visual explosion of sharp lines and laser edges where the aim is to survive for as long as possible. Speed accelerates gradually through each 10 second zone and shifting colours and textures blend until the world becomes a hyperkinetic, kaleidoscopic, digital dream.
The tDR style design is still evident too, as the iconic racing team logos such as Feisar and AG Systems bring back hazy memories of late 90's post-club sessions round the PS1 as the ground breaking 3D graphics fused with the sounds of real bands like Orbital and Prodigy.
WipEout HD's music is still spot-on, with driving electro and drum n' bass from the likes of Noisia and Stanton Warriors coaxing you along through the gleaming cityscapes, while the ability to rip tunes to the hard drive and create your own custom soundtrack is a welcome feature for those with more guitar based tastes.
WipEout HD might not be the fully fledged update people have been waiting for, but with the polish and perfection on show, along with the never ending draw of online racing and Zone mode, it's hardly a bitter pill to swallow.
9/10