Warp Zoned Presents
Author: Brittney Williams
Dying: Reborn “Ultimate Edition” is now available for PS4, PS VR, and PS Vita
Dying: Reborn is a horror puzzle game that’s previously been released for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR. Today, Dying: Reborn is getting a third chance at life by releasing on the PlayStation Vita in a special Ultimate Edition Bundle.
Dying: Reborn players will find themselves in the shoes of the stranded protagonist, Matthew. Lost in a strange hostel and in search of his missing sister, they’ll help Matthew solve puzzles and search for clues in order to progress to the next room.
For those interested in saving a bit of money, and experiencing Dying: Reborn in all its forms, the new Ultimate Edition Bundle might be the best choice. At $24.99, the Ultimate Edition Bundle offers a 40% discount over the combined purchase price of the game on the PS4 ($19.99), PS VR ($9.99), and PS Vita ($14.99).
Phantom Halls launches on Steam with special appearance by Ash from Evil Dead 2
Yesterday, Incendium debuted their first game for the PC with the Steam Early Access launch of Phantom Halls.
Phantom Halls is a horror-comedy that takes place in a haunted mansion, and follows a group of teens who attempt to survive the night against the evil undead creatures that lurk in the shadows. Players will simultaneously take on the role of multiple characters, with each character’s abilities assigned to a different button.
The Early Access launch of Phantom Halls currently features ten playable characters, 12 enemy types, and six environment types. The mansion setting is procedurally-generated, but Incendium will continuously expand upon the game, adding additional features such as narrative elements, new enemies, and new game types.
And in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Evil Dead 2’s theatrical opening (March 13, 1987), Incendium also teamed up Stuido Canal and the Creative Licensing Corporation to bring Bruce Campbell’s Ash (along with his trusty boomstick and chainsaw) to early Phantom Halls adopters in the Ash Williams Evil Dead 2 Character Pack.
Players who pick up Phantom Halls during its launch week (until March 20) will be able to snag the game for 13% off, and receive the Ash Williams Evil Dead 2 Character Pack for free. Players who download the bonus content will also be treated to a special set of Evil Dead-themed quests.
Sonic Mania gets new gameplay footage at PAX East 2017
Sega just dropped some new gameplay footage for the highly anticipated Sonic Mania at PAX East and it looks great.
If you were “Team Sega” during the great console wars of the 1990s, then you’re likely pretty familiar with the original Sonic games. Sonic Mania captures the charm of those games, and puts a high definition spin on them, bumping the graphics from their original 30 FPS to a whopping 60 FPS.
But that’s not the only new thing Sonic Mania has going for it. The game also introduces new enemies, new levels, new game mechanics, new item boxes, alternate routes, and much more. And in Sonic Mania, players are now immediately transitioned to the brand new “Green Hill Zone Act 2” after “Act 1,” trading in the fade-to-black for uninterrupted gameplay and speedy traversal across the playfield via zip-line.
Sonic Mania is not a remake of any of the original Sonic games from the Sega Genesis era. Instead, it’s an entirely new game that uses prettier, high definition visuals to create a reimagining of the originals. The reimagining attempts to encapsulate all of the things that made the 16-bit versions great, while also refitting them for new and old audiences alike.
Sonic Mania will be available for the PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch in Spring 2017. In the meantime, check out the above trailer and some awesome new screenshots after the break. (more…)
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Tagged PAX East 2017, Sonic Mania
A new trailer confirms World to the West will be released on May 5
World to the West publisher Soedesco announced today that the game will be released on May 5 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, and PC. The company also revealed that World to the West will be available in a special Retail Edition for all platforms except the Wii U.
World to the West is a top-down action-adventure with cartoonish visuals and four unique playable characters. Set in the same universe as Teslagrad, players will meet a few familiar faces from its critically-acclaimed predecessor, along with a multitude of characters with their own helpful (and sometimes, detrimental) agendas.
Each of the game’s four characters are native to different nations, while possessing different skill sets and motivations… but all of them seek to escape the outcome of an evil prophecy. Each character sports a unique style, allowing players to use a combination of force, stealth, and their skills of persuasion to deal with potential enemies.
Another key component of World to the West is exploration, necessary in order to uncover the many mysteries of the in-game world, which will take players to frozen tundras, colonies, and jungle settings. Additionally, World to the West’s will boast diversified gameplay with a seamless transition between puzzle-solving and intense combat.
In the meantime, why not check out World to the West’s brand new trailer above…
Developer Boomfire Games goes for nostalgia with Furwind
A surefire way to grab the attention of a retro gaming enthusiast is by presenting them with either a new way to play their classic games, or a new game designed with old school graphics and gameplay in mind. Development studio Boomfire Games attempted to do the latter when they announced Furwind, their latest game.
Furwind was recently added to Steam Greenlight, and Boomfire described the game as “a very classic approach, with colorful pixel art and a gameplay for everyone.”
Inspired by Rayman and Super Mario Bros., Furwind has an interesting premise, with a cute fox protagonist on a quest to defeat an evil menace who has been awakened by a diabolical cult that aims to disrupt the balance of nature. Along the way, Furwind must appease his ancestors in order to unlock additional powers that he can use on his journey to restore the worlds balance.
Truth be told, developers latching onto the nostalgia of those who grew up during the 8-bit and 16-bit eras are a-dime-a-dozen these days. A developer who creates a retro-styled game has to find that certain… hook… that reels the prospective player in, and converts them to a paying and playing customer.
Furwind is currently in development, and Boomfire expects to release it for the PC later this year. In the meantime, check out some adorable screenshots after the break. (more…)
Atlus released a new “Sizzle Trailer” today for Persona 5
Persona 5, the first numbered entry in the series since the PlayStation 2 era, is less than a month away from its arrival on the shelves of your local game retailer. To celebrate the impending launch, Atlus released a brand new trailer for the game today.
The “Sizzle Trailer,” as Atlus is calling it, provides prospective players with a bit more insight than previous trailers have, as fans will get the chance to see additional combat, classroom scenes, cutscenes, and skill building. Those who watch the trailer will even learn a little more about Persona 5’s storyline.
From what we’re able to gather, the game’s Protagonist will be a high school transfer student with a troubled reputation. Distancing itself from the countryside setting of Persona 4, Persona 5 takes place in the vibrant and bustling city of Tokyo, where the troubled youths form a group called the Phantom Thieves in an effort to change the world. However, stepping away from previous narratives, we can conclude that the incidents unfolding throughout the game will have a greater impact on things outside of Japan. What that will be, and how it will impact the storyline, remains to be seen.
But like previous entries in the Persona franchise, we know for certain that Persona 5 centers around a group of Japanese students who unlock the powers of their Persona by removing their social masks and embracing their true “self.”
Atlus has announced that they have more promotional material slated for release ahead of Persona 5’s launch for the PS4 and PS3 on April 4th. But for now, you can enjoy the above trailer and focus on finishing up Persona 4… if you haven’t already.
“12 In 1” Retro Freak console launches exclusively throughout Europe
Those of us big on retro gaming had many consoles to play with before today including the RetroN 5, the RetroDuo, the SupaBoy, and the NES Classic Edition. But now, the retro gaming community can add another console to the list, the Retro Freak.
Sold exclusively throughout Europe at FunStock, the Retro Freak is a “12 In 1” retro gaming console that allows you to play all of your favorite classic video games from the PC Engine, TurboGrafx-16, Super Grafx, NES, Famicom, SNES, Super Famicom, Sega Genesis, Sega Mega Drive, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance. This is a big step up from other competing retro consoles, which tend to offer support for just the big three (NES, SNES, and Sega Genesis).
While that list doesn’t quite include all of the consoles from the 80s and 90s, it does account for the major players and a few of the lesser known, but equally fun, ones.
Adding to the Retro Freak’s cool factor is the ability to play emulated games stored on an SD card. So if you don’t have a physical version of the game, you can still play it so long as the (often less-than-legally-obtained) file is present on an SD card. With that same SD card, you can save your game’s progress, and pick up where you left off later.
The Retro Freak comes with a SNES style controller, a three pin UK plug and an EU two pin plug. The Retro Freak also features an HDMI output with HD upscaling capability, advanced emulation options such as cheats and multiple save states, and upgradeable firmware.
Sleeping Dogs lives on with a film adaptation starring Donnie Yen
Remember Sleeping Dogs? Sure you do… it’s that game that spent years in development hell. You know, the one that initially started off as the third installment in the short-lived True Crime franchise. It was that game that eventually got picked up by Square Enix and turned out to be one of the most amazing games of 2012. Well, apparently I’m not the only one who loved Sleeping Dogs, because Neil Mortiz of Fast and the Furious fame has opted to produce a movie based on the game.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, or have simply, for whatever reason, chosen to avoid playing Sleeping Dogs, here’s the rundown. Sleeping Dogs was a game released in August 2012 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows PC. And it was later ported to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as one of the first Definitive Editions for the current generation of consoles.
The game centers around protagonist Wei Shen (played by Will Yun Lee), a Chinese-American cop who goes undercover for the Hong Kong Police Department to take down the local Triad organization. Shen finds his loyalties tested as he’s reunited with old friends and finds himself deeper drawn into the Triad underworld.
A free-to-play spinoff known as Triad Wars was scheduled to be release in 2015, however, it was canceled by developer United Front Games, which has since closed down. Square Enix retains the rights to Sleeping Dogs, but as far as the future of the franchise is concerned, the publisher has kept silent since the release of the Definitive Edition.
According to Deadline, the Sleeping Dogs movie will star Donnie Yen, a rather famous actor and martial artist in his native China. If you’re not familiar with Yen’s name, you certainly know some of his recent roles. The actor began to break into Hollywood features this year, and had memorable appearances in both Rogue One: Star Wars Story and XXX: The Return of Xander Cage.
Yen is an excellent choice for the lead, especially given the heavy use of hand-to-hand and martial arts combat featured throughout the game. And here’s hoping that an international interest in the upcoming Sleeping Dogs movie will generate a renewed enthusiasm for the game, perhaps compelling Square Enix to start working on a much-desired sequel.