WipEout has always kinda been a "nonfans need not apply" type of thing.
I tried picking it up and I couldn't like it at all. I didn't find it poorly designed, I just didn't find it interesting. I can see why it has a fanbase but for everyone else it isn't exactly lending you a helping hand. Not that that's a bad thing, franchises like Armored Core, Street Fighter, and Dynasty Warriors have kinda been doing the same thing, appealing really only to their fanbases (which are rather dedicated and/or large).
Hate to bring it a bit off topic but this screenshot option looks so cool. It can make any game review seem so much easier. Why describe the graphics when I can give you a direct screenshot without worrying about the typical "Sony filter" of doctoring the images to make them look a little more shiny? Now all we need is a video option...