Futuristic racing franchise Wipeout, which has been a part of the PlayStation library since the first game was launched in 1995, has been notably absent on the PlayStation 4, with the last installment in the series being Wipeout 2048 for the PlayStation Vita handheld console.
When Shuhei Yoshida, the President of Sony Worldwide Studios, was asked in September last year on whether Wipeout will be making a comeback, he simply replied "never say never." His response gave fans of the franchise a glimmer of hope on a Wipeout title for the PlayStation 4.
A Wipeout game for the PlayStation 4 has now been made official, with Wipeout: Omega Collection set to be released in the summer of 2017.
Wipeout: Omega Collection Details
Wipeout: Omega Collection was announced at Sony's PlayStation Experience 2016. The game, however, is not an entirely new one, as it features remastered versions of three past Wipeout games.
Wipeout HD, released in 2008; Wipeout HD Fury, released in 2009 as an expansion; and Wipeout 2048 are the titles that will be remastered to be included in Wipeout: Omega Collection. The games will be rendered in 4K and HDR with a target rate of 60 frames per second, allowing them to look great not just on the PlayStation 4 but also on the more powerful PlayStation 4 Pro.
Wipeout: Omega Collection will feature nine modes, namely the Tournament, Zone, Time Trial, Speed Lap and Single Race modes from Wipeout HD; the Eliminator, Detonator and Zone Battle modes from Wipeout HD Fury; and Career Mode from Wipeout 2048.
Also included in Wipeout: Omega Collection are over 26 racing tracks and 46 futuristic racing vehicles, with multiplayer options available on either split-screen or online with up to eight players at a time in each race.
Is This The Wipeout That Players Wanted?
While fans have clamored for a new Wipeout game on the PlayStation 4, getting remastered versions of past Wipeout games may not be what most players were expecting. While there will be new things to look out for in Wipeout: Omega Collection such as the new soundtrack that the game will be using, some hardcore fans may have wanted an entirely different game than what they have been playing for the past several years.
It remains to be seen, however, if the remastering of the games included in Wipeout: Omega Collection will be executed perfectly to make them feel as entirely new titles. We will all find out when the game is released in the summer of 2017.
Other Announcements At PlayStation Experience 2016
The announcement of Wipeout: Omega Collection is just one of the many new games revealed at PlayStation Experience 2016. Other titles announced at the event include Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite and remastered versions of PaRappa the Rapper, Patapon and Loco Roco.
