If you've played any of the Wipeout games on the PSP, then you'll have a pretty good idea of what to expect from Wipeout HD. In fact, you'll know exactly what to expect. Wipeout HD gets its ships, tracks, and gameplay straight out of Wipeout Pure and Wipeout Pulse, so as its name states, it really is Wipeout, but in HD.

For the uninitiated, Wipeout HD is a futuristic racing game in which spaceship-like race vehicles speed along tracks suspended in the air at rocket speeds to a pulsing techno sound track. Think Star Wars Episode 1 pod racers on the tracks from the Speed Racer movie and you'll get the idea. If it sounds like a cool idea, it's because it is. The individual ships are rated in several categories, such as acceleration and handling, but one thing they share in common no matter how they're rated is that they are all extremely fast. The controls are tight and responsive, but since the ships float slightly above the tracks there's no friction and it will feel as if you're racing on a wet or icy road. Bumping the side of the track will slow you down (and in some types of races damage your ship), so smart handling of your racer is as important as flat out speed in the game For those who have some trouble avoiding banging the track sideboards, the game provides a pilot assist feature that will help you to concentrate more on the other drivers than the track itself.

The game's campaign mode features eight progressively more difficult tiers, and to advance to the next tier you must collect enough points through the races on the current tier. There are five different race types: single race, multi race, time trials, speed laps, and zone. Zone races are solo events in which your speed constantly increases and your challenge is to race as long as possible before accumulating too much damage from hitting the sides of the track. Most gamers will be able to make their way through the lower tiers relatively quickly, but reaching the top tier can be challenging. You can run races outside of the campaign mode through creating events of your choosing to race against the AI or other gamers online.

The game looks great in HD, and the tracks and surrounding environments have a unique, futuristic look to them and make it appear that everything is made from glass and chrome. The game does a fantastic job of conveying a sense of speed without any slowdowns or frame rate hiccups. The techno soundtrack is a perfect match for the game, both in style and in mood. This is a racing game with plenty of style, and that style is uniquely its own.

Owners of the Wipeout games on the PSP will appreciate the chance to play the game on a large screen, but other than that, Wipeout HD is more like the PSP games than it is different. If you're among this group you'll need to decide for yourself whether or not it is worth it to you to buy what is essentially a game that you already own, just for the privilege of playing it in HD. If you're new to Wipeout and enjoy high speed, arcade racing, then it is easy to recommend that you take Wipeout HD out for a run. Just watch out for those side walls...

In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated: 90%. Sometimes you can have both style and substance.