Warp Zoned Presents
Author: Adam Woolcott
State of the Video Game Magazine: 2011 Edition
As a technology-based hobby, it’s not surprising that video game magazines have faded into the shadows of the umpteen billions of gaming-related websites. What might be surprising is despite the move towards online publications, game magazines – once the only way die-hard gamers could get information, reviews, and run-downs of everything that happened at the important trade shows – have reinvented themselves in the 21st century to complement the 24 hour news cycle that runs in your web browser. You might think that print magazines are dead, or at least on life-support… but believe it or not, they might be at a higher quality than they were during the peak of the medium. Shall we take a tour? (more…)
A Eulogy For Guitar Hero: The Day the (Plastic) Music Died
A wise man once said that it’s far better to burn out than fade away. Apparently Activision agreed with the sentiment, as after a bit more than five years of rapid-fire releases, the company has shuttered the Guitar Hero franchise. Just 40 months ago the music gaming business was at its absolute peak – Guitar Hero III sold roughly 2.45 bazillion copies across a half-dozen platforms – but now the series is in complete shambles, what with the latest installment releasing with the authority of a farting ant. This legendary tumble from grace is no doubt why the company canceled the forthcoming Guitar Hero 7 and put the entire series on hold, perhaps permanently. Rather than harp on all that went wrong and led to its untimely demise, let’s discuss what went right – and what the future may hold if Activision dares to bring the music back. (more…)
Posted in DS, Features, Mobile, PS2, PS3, PSP, Top Story, Wii, Xbox 360
Tagged Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Guitar Hero: World Tour
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked hitting 3DS this summer
Released back in the summer of 2009 for the original DS, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor was a unique hybrid of strategy RPG and the classic, challenging turn-based battles the Megaten franchise is known for. Two years later, an enhanced version of the game is coming for the Nintendo 3DS, dubbed Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked. In Atlus tradition, SMTDSOC (if you’re nasty) is not just a cheap cash-in – it also features improved visuals to take advantage of the 3DS capabilities, fully voiced cutscenes, and most importantly, an eighth day of being quarantined inside Tokyo while demons roam free. Otherwise, you get the same great game with the usual demonic tomfoolery and of course, fusing!
For those who don’t know of this interesting title, here’s the original Devil Survivor trailer – the official Overclocked site can be found here, but as of now, there’s nothing to see – so this’ll have to do.
Posted in 3DS, News
Tagged Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked
Fable III Review: This Revolution Will Be Televised
Thanks to the never-ending hubris of Peter Molyneux, the Fable franchise has constantly fought for respect from gamers. Both Fable and Fable II were solid and enjoyable role-playing games, but the quality of the games was greatly overshadowed by pre-release hype – the kind of hype that makes for a game that can never live up to the expectations. This is likely why Fable III seemed to sneak in through the back door in 2010’s busy Q4 – to avoid the same kind of attention that doomed the first two games. Does this more muted release make much of a difference in the long run? Well… (more…)
Rumor: Square-Enix registers domain name for Final Fantasy XIII-2
Even though we know little about the other games in the so-called Fabula Nova Crystallis project, it seems Square-Enix is moving forward with yet another game in the series – a sequel to the polarizing Final Fantasy XIII. According to this tweet, Square’s usual domain registrar acquired “FinalFantasy13-2Game.com” in recent days, signaling that a sequel is potentially in the works.
Of course, this could be domain squatting to keep others from purchasing the domain – you know, just in case! – but given what’s been said about cut content, and a likely need to add some more Yen to the Square-Enix coffers (FFXIII was in development for ages as you might be aware), it’s not out of the question that a direct sequel is on its way.
Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360
Tagged Final Fantasy XIII-2