Wipeout by Activision (review)

Wipeout by Activision is a terrific universal iOS game for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. It is based on the hit ABC television series, Wipeout. Wipeout is an obstacle course themed, time trial based, action game. Wipeout is highly addictive and rather nerve-racking at the same time. The obstacle courses presents an extremely tough challenge when racing against the clock, especially those pesky Big Balls. That is the addictive part, even though I wanted to smash my iPad into 20 pieces, I also wanted to keep trying to get past each level as they are very challenging.

Gameplay

Wipeout is similar to Pitfall, another Activision title that also appears on iOS devices. In Pitfall, the game moves forward for you, but in Wipeout you control the players forward and backward movements. In Wipeout, you compete against computer players in a race against the clock to make it through the obstacle course with the quickest time. If you get knocked on your fanny during the game, the game is not over. In fact, you get rewarded with Style Points as long as your player doesn’t take a splash in the water below. If you do get knocked in the pool, you will start from where you took a dive at. Once out of the pool your player will be dripping wet ready to take the course head on again. When you get wiped-out into the pool, below you have the option of watching the super slow motion replay of your worst nightmare. Reach the end of the course in record time and receive the game coins that can be used to purchase unlocks and new courses. There is also a Time Trial mode in Wipeout where you can compete to finish courses in record time and earn some Ballsy Bucks to purchase even more unlocks.

The Controls

I have never been a huge fan of the on screen controls of the iPad to move the players forward or backwards.  It always feels like my thumbs are sliding over way too far and sometimes it makes the iPad uncomfortable to hold because of that. So when I first downloaded Wipeout and watched the tutorial on how to play, I was skeptical of the controls. After playing 5 or 6 rounds of Wipeout though the controls started to feel natural and I realized that the controls didn’t require much thinking at all, and the maneuvers performed fairly easily. To control your player, you use the lower left portion of the screen to move your player forward or backwards. Push your thumb slightly forward to move forward and slide your thumb backwards to move backwards or to stop running. You can also slide your left thumb down to get your player to duck under obstacles. Your right thumb is used for jumping and diving. You can swipe upward with your thumb to perform a jump or slide down to perform a diving maneuver to get under obstacles that appear in your way.

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The Players

Wipeout features 5 unlockable characters that you can purchase using either Ballsy Bucks or Smallsy Coins earned from playing the game. When you first start Wipeout, you have 1 character already unlocked bringing the total number of characters to 6. You start off with Josie Burton (a female character).  Out of the 6 characters, 3 are female and 3 are male. Each of the characters feature a different skill set that will help you depending on which course you are running, so choose wisely. You can also purchase helmets for your characters using either Ballsy Bucks or Smallsy Coins, the same as buying new characters. The helmets can be used in-game to give you an added boost, helping you score better times and giving an upper hand against the clock. Some of the hats will put you into slo-mo mode or give you super jumping powers to help you soar like an eagle, if you activate them during the game.

Tidbits

You earn coins during the game that help you unlock new characters and allow the purchase of helmets to boost your player. There are also In-App purchases in the game if you do not feel like earning the coins and want to immediately get an advantage in the game. You can also purchase a 2x Smallsy Coin pack that will give you twice as many coins for Style points. Wipeout also connects with Game Center so you can view your scores versus your Game Center friends, or compete against them for the ultimate bragging rights. Unlock badges for pulling off neck-breaking wipeouts and completing courses in record times. Wipeout also features some social network integration which includes Twitter and Facebook. Tweet your high scores or brag about them by posting them on your Facebook wall.

The In-App Purchases are as followed:

• $1.99 for 20 Ballsy Bucks


• $4.99 for 60 Ballsy Bucks


• $9.99 for 150 Ballsy Bucks


• $2.99 for the 2x Smallsy Coins for Style Points

Final Thoughts

Overall Wipeout is a fantastic game, and if you have the patience for the Big Balls you will love it. The physics engine of Wipeout is superb, it feels very realistic and when you get wiped out it almost feels as if you are in the game. Wipeout is fun for the entire family and I highly recommend you check it out. Wipeout is currently rated 4 1/2 stars in the App Store. I have thoroughly enjoyed Wipeout these last couple days and I am sure I will enjoy Wipeout the months ahead, well if my iPad remains in 1 piece.

Wipeout is available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch and can be purchased in the iOS App Store for only $1.99


Wipeout - Activision Publishing, Inc. (iPad)

Wipeout - Activision Publishing, Inc. (iPhone/iPod)

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