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Wipeout Omega Collection (stylised as WipE'out" Omega Collection) is a futuristic racing video game developed by Sony XDev Europe, Clever Beans  and EPOS Game Studios for the PlayStation 4. It is the ninth standalone title in the Wipeout series and the first not developed by original developers Studio Liverpool, following the studio's closure in 2012. It is a remaster of the previous two entries in the series: Wipeout HD, its Wipeout HD Fury expansion and Wipeout 2048. The game was released on 6 June 2017.

Overview[]

VanUber-Tigron Omega Mashup

Van-Über and Tigron make an appearance for the first time since Wipeout Pure

Wipeout Omega Collection is a remaster of the previous two titles in the Wipeout series: Wipeout HD, its Fury expansion and Wipeout 2048. Wipeout HD itself contained content from Wipeout Pure and Wipeout Pulse. Players control anti-gravity ships which are owned racing corporations (effectively referred to as 'teams' in-game). Each ship has different characteristics, for example each ship has variations in handling, thrust, maximum speed and shield strength. Each ship is also equipped with an energy shield which absorbs damage sustained during a race; energy is lost whenever the player's ship collides or is hit by weapons fire. If the shield runs out, the player's ship will explode and is consequently eliminated from the race. However, the player may replenish energy by absorbing weapon pick-ups.

Nine games modes appear in Omega Collection: Zone, Tournament, Speed Lap, Time Trial and Single Race from HD; Zone Battle, Eliminator and Detonator from Fury; and the Career Mode from 2048. The game contains 26 unique track layouts and 48 unique ship models, as well as split-screen and online multiplayer.[1] Also, Racebox has been included for all tracks, including 2048 mode.[2] The campaigns are split into 3 groups, in a similar manner to how the HD and Fury campaigns were separated in Wipeout HD Fury.

Omega Collection was designed to be run at 1080p on the PlayStation 4, and 4K on the PlayStation 4 Pro, both at 60 frames-per-second. Van-Über and Tigron officially return for the first time since Wipeout Pure.[3][4][5]

Development[]

Studio Liverpool, the original developers of the Wipeout series, announced its closure by Sony Worldwide Studios. However, Sony stressed that the only part of the Liverpool campus no longer operational was Studio Liverpool. The campus will in fact continue to house Sony's External Development Studio Europe (XDev), among other departments.[6]

In 2015, Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida stated on a possible Wipeout for the PS4 "Never say never. From my standpoint I try to balance the number of games in a franchise. In the future there might be a chance to come back to a game like Wipeout."[7] In 2016, Nick Burcombe, co-creator of the original Wipeout, commented "If (my latest project) Table Top Racing is successful, I know I can put a team together for it as I get asked every week if we're making a new Wipeout. If there's demand there, we'd love to meet it. But as it stands right now, without the Wipeout brand on it – which I doubt Sony is about to relinquish anytime soon – it's kind of out of the question without Sony's blessing."[8]

The game was announced by Sony Interactive Entertainment on 4 December 2016, during the annual PlayStation Experience expo for a Summer 2017 release.[1][9][10] On 30 March 2017, Sony announced that the game would be available on 6 June for North America and 7 June for Europe. [11][12]

Pre-Order Bonus[]

Those who pre-ordered the game digitally were gifted a dynamic theme for their PS4 UI as well as access to the Van-Über ship. [13] Those who pre-ordered the disc version were given an exclusive steelbook (not available in North America) as well as static themes for their PS4 UI.[14]

PlayStation VR Support[]

On December 2017, Sony announced a new game update that would add support for the PlayStation VR. This announcement marked the first time a Wipeout game would feature virtual reality support.[15] The VR support would eventually be added on 28 March 2018 via Update 1.04, which also added support for the PS VR's 3D audio feature.[16][17]

Update 1.04 includes eight all-new ship models, all of which are available exclusively for use with the PlayStation VR. These models are as follows – HD and Fury ship models for all HD teams (including Tigron and Van-Über), slightly modified Zone and Detonator ship models for all HD teams (excluding Tigron and Van-Über), and Speed, Fighter, Agility and Prototype ship models for all 2048 teams.

Game Modes[]

Campaign[]

Further information: Campaign in Wipeout HD and Single Player Campaign in Wipeout 2048

The single player campaigns in Omega Collection are taken directly from 2048 and HD/Fury and have almost the same specifications and objectives as they would in their original games, with some changes.

Tracks[]

Wipeout HD[]

Wipeout 2048[]

Teams[]

Wipeout HD[]

Wipeout 2048[]

Weapons[]

Wipeout HD[]

  • Offensive
    • Missile
    • Rockets
    • Cannon
    • Plasma
    • Quake
    • Leech Beam
  • Miscellaneous
    • Zone Barrier (Zone Battle only)
    • Cannon (Detonator only)
    • EMP (Detonator only)
  • Defensive
    • Mines
    • Bomb
    • Shield
  • Assistive
    • Turbo
    • Autopilot

Wipeout 2048[]

  • Offensive (Yellow weapon pads)
    • Missile
    • Rockets
    • Cannon
    • Plasma
    • Quake
  • Miscellaneous
    • Miniguns (Qirex Prototype only)
  • Defensive/Assistive (Green weapon pads)
    • Mines
    • Bomb
    • Leech Beam
    • Shield
    • Turbo
    • Autopilot

Music[]

Wipeout Omega Collection features 28 licensed soundtracks. If the PlayStation Music app is installed, players can add the "Best of WipEout" Spotify playlist to their personal playlists and play tracks from earlier Wipeout games. With the integration of Spotify into PlayStation Music, players can listen to any of their favourite Spotify playlists while playing, but only in countries where both PlayStation Music and Spotify are supported.[18][19][20]

On July 2017, Sony announced a music competition for all players, where they would remix "Shake It (Wipeout Omega Instrumental Edit)" by ADDIKTION. The winning remix would be added to the game, along with the prize of a PlayStation 4 Pro with a free physical copy of Wipeout Omega Collection for the winner.[21] On November 2017, Vieille Griffe was announced as the winner of the competition. As a result, his remix of Shake It was added to ADDIKTION's YouTube channel and the Wipeout Omega Soundtrack Spotify playlist, and later became available in the game via Update 1.04.[22][15]

  1. ADDIKTION – "Shake It (Wipeout Omega Instrumental Edit)"
  2. Airwolf – "Talking Bass feat. Stace Cadet (Taiki Nulight Edit)"
  3. Black Sun Empire & State of Mind – "Kill That Noise (Wipeout Omega Edit)"
  4. Boys Noize – "XTC (The Chemical Brothers Remix)"
  5. Brodinski feat Louisahhh – "Let The Beat Control Your Body"
  6. Carbon Community vs. Burufunk – "Community Funk (Deadmau5 Remix)"
  7. David Tort & Danielle Simeone – "You Got To (Wipeout Omega Edit)"
  8. DC Breaks – "Breathe (Instrumental VIP Mix)"
  9. CODE:MANTA – "DFCK" - Menu music
  10. Dillon Francis & NGHTMRE – "Need You (DJ Hanzel & Drezo Remix)"
  11. DJ Kentaro feat. Matrix & Futurebound – "North South East West (Tha New Team Remix)"
  12. Emika – "Double Edge (GeRM Remix)"
  13. James Talk – "Remote (Deadmau5 Remix)"
  14. Jerome Isma-Ae & Paul Thomas – "Tomorrow (Luke Chable Remix)"
  15. Krakota – "Lust Thrust"
  16. Matrix & Futurebound – "Glow Worm"
  17. Matt Anthony – "Headlights"
  18. Memtrix – "IC YR PAIN"
  19. Metrik – "Bring It Like That"
  20. Movement Machina & Timo Vaittinen – "Upsides Have Downsides (Wipeout Omega Edit)"
  21. Noisia & The Upbeats – "Dead Limit"
  22. Red One – "Born Free"
  23. Soundprank – "Obsidian"
  24. Swanky Tunes – "Give It"
  25. Swedish House Mafia vs Knife Party – "Antidote (Swedish House Mafia Dub)"
  26. The Chemical Brothers – "C-h-e-m-i-c-a-l"
  27. The Prodigy – "Invaders Must Die"
  28. Warden – "Get Down"
  29. ADDIKTION – "Shake It (Vieille Griffe Remix)" - Added in Update 1.04

Trophies[]

Main articles: Trophies in Wipeout HD and Trophies in Wipeout 2048

Wipeout Omega Collection doesn't feature a unique set of trophies, unlike HD or 2048, but instead features a mixture of both games' trophies. One of the trophies from the original games, namely Beat Zico: 2048, has its task altered, while others, such as Bling Brigade and Perfect Pir-hana, are notably missing and nowhere to be found in the game.

Reception[]

Wipeout Omega Collection has been met with generally favourable reviews, with a Metacritic aggregate score of 85% and a Game Rankings score of 87%.

Miguel Conception gave the game 9 out of 10 concluding that "While each of the three games exude style and stimulation in their own distinct ways, they collectively showcase the best elements of franchise's engrossing racing and silky smooth visuals. And even though it doesn't completely scratch the itch that only a completely new PS4 sequel can offer, this collection is easily the next best thing."[23] Timothy Nunes of PlayStation Universe gave it 8.5 and heavily praises the updated graphics, saying "It's brilliant to see WipEout back. It looked great back in the day, but thanks to the power of PS4 it now looks incredible, and captures with style the adrenaline-pumping action that we so fondly remember."[24] Martin Robinson of Eurogamer also comments "When WipEout clicks...there's nothing else like it, and given the premature demise of Studio Liverpool it's quite likely there'll never be anything like it again. There may well be other, better futuristic racers out there - but there are none that can boast this much style."[25]

The main criticism of the game was due to the lack of new content.[26] Sammy Barker of Push Square laments "Despite being boosted all the way up to 4K on the PS4 Pro, some of the tracks are returning for the fourth time, and while WipEout 2048’s contemporary layouts look luxurious on the big screen, it can be hard to shake the feeling of familiarity on occasion." James Coles of Impulse Gamer further comments "It’s fair to say, if you’re a Wipeout veteran, you’ve probably played these three games and their modes until your eyes have melted, but that doesn’t mean that WipEout: Omega Collection isn’t worth your time."[27] Dominic Leighton of TheSixthAxis also criticises the choice of music, saying "...the emphasis is on modern electronica, and though its heart-pumpingly intense beats fit perfectly with the action and with the series’ outlook, it seems a shame that there aren’t a few more nods to where the series has come from. Of course, you can just fire up a Spotify soundtrack and listen to as much Leftfield and Orbital as you like, but there needs to be some CoLD SToRAGE to really hit the spot." [28]

On June 10, 2017, Wipeout Omega Collection became the first game in the series to gain the UK All Formats No.1. [29][30]

Gallery[]

Videos[]

Trivia[]

  • Besides being the first game in the series not developed by Studio Liverpool, owing to its prior closure, this is the first Wipeout game to be developed by studios outside of PlayStation, with Sony XDev assisting in the development of the game.
  • This, along with 64 and HD, are the only titles in the series not to feature an intro cinematic.
  • While the Van-Über ship was originally a pre-order exclusive, it has since been included in the digital edition of Omega Collection as extra content. In selected regions (such as North America), it was also included in physical copies via a redeemable code.
  • The Wipeout Digital Artbook contains concept art for the Omega Collection, specifically Tigron, Van-Über, and an early version of FEISAR.
    • This artbook also contains a scenario which includes a "good ship", a "bad ship", and flares, none of which have appeared in the Wipeout series, in addition to concept art never seen before from Wipeout 2048 and reused concept art images from Wipeout Pure.
    • This artbook also includes the intro movies for Wipeout Pure and Wipeout 2048.
  • The details of the visuals have been improved to such an extent that previously illegible text and graphics on the ships can now be seen clearly.
  • Despite the user interface being similar to HD, the Fury option for the menu style is no longer available. In addition, the icon colors have been changed to a darker shade of grey (possibly black) and, when highlighted, they become red instead of teal.
  • Wipeout Omega Collection has different sound effects from the original HD and 2048 games, from the weapons (the same in both HD and 2048) to the sounds of ship thrusters, the latter of which are highly distinct from team to team.
    • This is due to the fact that ADDIKTION is the sound designer for Omega Collection.
    • The race countdown line "3... 2... 1... GO!!!" is similar to that of Wipeout 2097, while the race countdown sound effect appears to be reused from the original HD game, minus the beeping sounds that were replaced by the aforementioned spoken line.
  • All ships feature voiceovers announcing which weapon has been picked up and whether a shield or autopilot has been activated, similarly to the classic Wipeout games.
    • The voiceovers for FEISAR, AG Systems, Qirex, Auricom and Piranha are always the same for each of their respective ship models, whether in HD or 2048.
    • Apart from Tigron and Van-Über, who have their own unique voiceovers, all other HD teams simply reuse the voiceover of one of the five teams also appearing in 2048 – Triakis and Mirage share their voiceover with AG Systems; Assegai and Icaras share theirs with FEISAR; Goteki 45, EG-X and Harimau each use the same voiceover as Piranha, Qirex and Auricom respectively.
  • For unknown reasons, the female announcer from HD is used in both 2048 and HD game modes, alerting players on incoming weapons and critical shield energy if their ship takes too much damage.
  • Weapons such as Rockets and Quakes have their damage toned down for balancing purposes, as noted especially in HD mode's Eliminator events.
  • A glitch may occur when selecting FEISAR, Qirex, Piranha, AG Systems or Auricom in HD mode, causing the announcer from 2048 to say the team's name instead of the announcer from HD doing so.
  • There was also a patched glitch that allowed players to race vintage AGRC ships onto the FX350 tracks in HD mode. It is unknown whether this was simply an in-game bug, or that there would have been a cross-chronological feature (i.e. HD ships in 2048 tracks and 2048 ships in HD tracks). This glitch also caused speed classes faster than A-Class to become unplayable (due to the fact that 2048 ships are slightly faster than their HD counterparts), and the weapon pad systems to work like in HD (i.e. offensive and defensive weapons are merged into a single pad).
  • Before Update 1.04, Tigron and Van-Über were unavailable for any of the HD Zone game modes, in part due to the fact that they do not have a Fury model, since their respective HD models already have excellent stats. The aforementioned update, however, introduced VR Fury models for both teams, allowing them to be played in Zone Battle, but only in VR mode.
  • This game, like the vast majority of PlayStation 4 titles, is backwards compatible on the PlayStation 5 and performs almost identically to how it would be on a PS4 Pro with 4K and 60FPS. This also applies to the pre-order-exclusive digital artbook.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 WipEout Omega Collection announced for PS4 at PSX
  2. https://twitter.com/SonyXDevEurope/status/847526879460458497/
  3. https://twitter.com/SonyXDevEurope/status/847748689460248577/
  4. Here’s your first look at WipEout Omega Collection’s new ship: the Tigron K-VSR
  5. WipEout Omega Collection: First Look at New Ship, the Tigron K-VSR
  6. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-22-sony-closes-wipeout-developer-sony-liverpool-report
  7. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/never-say-never-to-a-new-wipeout-game-says-sony-ex/1100-6430937/
  8. http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/wipeout-co-creator-nick-burcombe-wants-the-licence-to-make-another-one/0166587
  9. WipEout Omega Collection Revealed for PS4
  10. http://press-start.com.au/news/playstation/2016/12/04/wipeout-omega-collection-coming-ps4/
  11. http://gematsu.com/2017/03/wipeout-omega-collection-launches-june-6-north-america-june-7-europe
  12. http://www.gamingunion.net/news/2017/03/wipeout-omega-collection-releases-on-ps4-in-june
  13. http://www.siliconera.com/2017/03/31/wipeout-omega-collection-arriving-june/
  14. http://gametransfers.com/wipeout-omega-collection-steelbook-edition-announced/
  15. 15.0 15.1 Blast through WipEout: Omega Collection in PS VR With Free Update
  16. WipEout Omega Collection’s free PS VR update is out today
  17. Wipeout Omega Collection: Free PS VR Update Out Today
  18. WipEout Antigrav Anthems – a Spotify playlist inspired by the iconic PlayStation series
  19. WipEout Omega Collection’s full soundtrack revealed
  20. WipEout Omega Collection: Listen to the Full Soundtrack
  21. Win a spot on the WipEout Omega Collection soundtrack
  22. Announcing the winner of the WipEout Omega Collection music track remix competition
  23. Concepcion, Miguel (6 June 2017). Wipeout: Omega Collection Review GameSpot. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  24. Nunes, Timothy (June 6, 2017). WipEout Omega Collection Review. PlayStation Universe. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  25. Robinson, Martin (June 6, 2017). WipEout Omega Collection review. Eurogamer.net. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  26. Barker, Sammy (June 6, 2017) Review: WipEout Omega Collection. Push Square. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  27. Coles, James (June 7, 2017). WipEout Omega Collection PS4 Review. Impulse Gamer. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  28. Leighton, Dominic (June 5, 2017). WipEout Omega Collection Review. TheSixthAxis. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  29. TOP 40 ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE, WEEK ENDING 10 June 2017. GfK Chart-Track. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  30. Parfitt, Ben (June 12, 2017). Wipeout claims its first ever UK No.1. MCV. Retrieved June 27, 2017.

External Links[]

Wipeout Omega Collection on Clever Beans

Wipeout Omega Collection on RAWG


All Wipeout Games
1990s: WipEout2097/XL64Wip3out
PS2/PSP: FusionPurePulse
PS3/Vita: HD (Fury) • 2048
PS4: Omega Collection
Mobile: Merge
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