Sodium 2: Project Velocity was a massively multiplayer online racing game in PlayStation Home. It released on 16 June 2011 as the follow-up to Sodium One.
Background[]
Sodium 2 was first teased in an interview that occurred on 18 December 2009 with the CEO of Outso Halli Bjornsson, the Chief of Operations of Outso Joel Kemp, and the Director of Home for SCEA Jack Buser. It was officially unveiled by Buser on the PlayStation Blog on 10 December 2010. According to Outso, they were "looking to expand on every area of the original game with heavily customizable jet racers, supersonic speeds and a pounding soundtrack." The Sodium 2 beta was tested by select members of the PlayStation Home community.
Gameplay[]
Unlike the first game, Sodium 2 was completely free to play. It was a high-speed extreme racing game, similar to the WipEout series of games, and featured single and multiplayer player modes.
In single player mode, users honed their skills and progress through the XP system. Users could build XP, complete objectives, earn Sodium Credits, and compete on the world-wide leaderboard. Based on the player's best time per track, the game automatically included a replay of two other racers with a time that was slightly better than the player, which promoted further improvement.
In real-time multiplayer mode, players could race against friends or strangers. To maintain even competition, vehicle upgrades were rated on a 1 to 5 star system. Multiplayer races were also rated the same way. Users had to downgrade upgraded vehicles to compete in multiplayer races that were of a lower rating.
In either mode, there were four tracks to race. Each of the four tracks could be raced from the finish line to the start line (reverse) for a total of eight races to choose from. Some tracks included more straight runs for higher top speeds while others included more turns for a test of steering.
Upgrades[]
The jet racers, or Velocity Racers, could be upgraded through the Sodium 2 Garage. Users could upgrade their craft, equip explosive rocket-boosters, and choose different paint schemes. Users could purchase upgrades both with Sodium Credits earned in game, and through purchases from the PlayStation Store. Users could upgrade their jet racers' engine, afterburner, airfoils, flight computer, rocket boosters, paint schemes, hover engine, air brakes, chassis and fuel. Some upgrades required the user to gain enough XP to reach a certain XP level.
Rewards[]
Rewards were given as players reached new XP levels. At the end of each single player race, the player was awarded XP based on achievements such as breaking a personal top speed record or never using the air brakes. Many of the rewards were simply the ability to access upgrades for the jet racer, while others were items for decorating a personal space.
XP levels with reward unlocked | |
01 Sodium 2 Touchstone DX Rocket Booster ornament | 20 Velocity Racer - Level 20 Accolade ornament |
02 Sodium 2 Trackside lamp | 21 Sodium Tripod table - red |
03 Sodium Poster wall hanging | 23 Sodium 2 Industrial Quadrapod Crane Replica ornament |
04 Sodium Sentry chair - yellow | 25 Sodium Sentry chair - red |
05 Sodium 2 Personal Wind Farm Fan ornament | 26 Sodium 2 Whooosh! Graphic wall art |
07 Sodium 2 Firecracker DX Rocket Booster ornament | 28 Sodium 2 Industrial Heavy Arm Crane Replica ornament |
08 Sodium 2 Industrial Counterweight Crane Replica ornament | 30 Velocity Racer - Level 30 Accolade ornament |
10 Velocity Racer - Level 10 Accolade ornament | 31 Sodium Quintepede table - yellow |
11 Sodium 2 Turbulence DX Rocket Booster ornament | 32 Sodium 2 Zoooom! Graphic wall art |
12 Sodium 2 Blam! Graphic Wall Art wall hanging | 35 Sodium 2 Industrial Buzz Saw Replica ornament |
14 Sodium Quintepede table - red | 37 Sodium Tripod table - yellow |
16 Sodium 2 Sideline lamp | 39 Sodium 2 Whizzz! Graphic wall art |
17 Sodium 2 Terrapin DX Rocket Booster ornament | 40 Velocity Racer - Level 40 Accolade ornament |
19 Cold Storage Head Logo wall hanging |