Fans or not...this is a difficult game. However, this should have been on a console, not PSP.
After the success of the Wipeout Pure, which was the top launch title for the PSP, Sony decided to take their time on Wipeout Pulse, the newest iteration of the series. And while the time was well spent by implementing a good online component with plenty of potential for downloads, it still feels a little lacking in some areas.
The racing is as explosive and crazy as it's always been. Weapons and power-ups are neatly implemented and provide enough risk/reward in their implementation. Would you launch a missile at an opponent to slow them down a couple of seconds so you can pass him? Or do you absorb the weapon in order to decrease your hull damage?
Tracks are very beautiful, especially on the PSP system, which tends to granulate certain types of lighting and effects. Mind you, the tracks and background are a tad on the general side, using few blended colors, but it looks clean and colorful nonetheless. Animation is very smooth and the controls respond very well with both the system's D-Pad and Analog Nub.
The career system is also very well made. In the game, you are placed in different racing grid, which give you different types of races and classes of craft that vary in speed and control. Different modes tend to be different types of time trials and races, such as Zone which puts you on a continual loop on a track while the craft transforms into a different class after a certain distance is accomodated.
There are problems, however. First, the game is tough. Too tough in some aspects. The racing AI, whether you have it on easy or hard, will constantly be on you. The AI is very aggressive, while you can come to a complete halt if you happen to scrape the side of the walls or get hit my enemy fire.
It does force you to learn the tracks and study the corners, which has a surprisingly simulation like feel to it. So, unless you are a diehard Wipeout player, don't expect to get Gold anytime soon.
This unforgiving difficult is bound to turn some arcade racing fans off to Wipeout Pulse, but if you really work at the game and get better on the tracks, you'll see a game that is well worth the time.
A tip: If you have the new PSP with the video out, you will want to play this on a HDTV. Trust me, the tracks are beautiful and the game is actually easier to play on the screen.