Warp Zoned Presents
Author: John Scalzo
Evil Dead: The Game is a co-op game that pits Ash (and friends) versus the Deadites
Bruce Campbell, the legendary actor who has given wild-eyed life to Ash for more than 40 years, has been teasing the existence of a brand-new game based on the Evil Dead franchise for a few years now. Last night, we finally got our first peek at Evil Dead: The Game during the 2020 Game Awards.
While Ash normally battles the forces of evil alone, Evil Dead: The Game is set to be a co-op brawler that pits a team of survivors against an onslaught of Deadites. The Announcement Trailer shows Kelly (from Ash Vs Evil Dead), Arthur (from Army of Darkness), and Scotty (from The Evil Dead) fighting alongside Campbell, though we don’t yet know if Dana DeLorenzo, Marcus Gilbert, or Richard DeManincor will reprise their roles for the game.
Players will also get the chance to possess survivors as the unseen force behind the Kandarian Demon in a PvP multiplayer mode:
Work together as a team of four survivors, exploring, looting, crafting, managing your fear, and finding key artifacts to seal the breach between worlds. Or take control of the powerful Kandarian Demon to hunt Ash and his friends while possessing Deadites, the environment, and even the survivors themselves as you seek to swallow their souls!
Plenty of surprises await in this gore-filled battle against evil that captures the characters, horror, humor, and action from the franchise. Battle across memorable locations including the infamous cabin in the woods, brought to life with tons of terrifying visuals and all-new dialogue from Bruce Campbell. Discover more than 25 weapons, including Ash’s Gauntlet, Boomstick, and chainsaw, and advance in a variety of skill trees to grow stronger and survive in this fun co-op and PvP experience.
Evil Dead: The Game is currently in development at Saber Interactive, and it’ll be published by Boss Team Games in 2021 for the PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S|X.
IO Interactive announces James Bond origin story Project 007
IO Interactive, the creative force behind the wildly-successful Hitman franchise, has found a new espionage-adjacent sandbox to play in. This morning, the developer announced that they’ve reached an agreement with MGM and Eon Productions to create Project 007, the next video game starring James Bond.
James Bond has a long and (mostly) storied legacy when it comes to game adaptations, but Activision bowed out of the spy game in 2012 after the release of 007 Legends, which resigned the Bond license to a state of semi-retirement (much like the character himself in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, License to Kill, Skyfall, and the upcoming No Time To Die).
However, IO Interactive isn’t interested in the end of Bond’s career, but rather the beginning. Project 007 will serve as a “James Bond origin story,” and it won’t just follow the beats of Daniel Craig’s Casino Royale either. The game is said to be “a wholly original Bond story” that will be told “exclusively” as a video game.
“It’s true that once in a while, the stars do align in our industry,” said Hakan Abrak, the CEO of IO Interactive, “Creating an original Bond game is a monumental undertaking and I truly believe that IO Interactive, working closely with our creative partners at EON and MGM, can deliver something extremely special for our players and communities. Our passionate team is excited to unleash their creativity into the iconic James Bond universe and craft the most ambitious game in the history of our studio.”
Project 007 is currently in development for “consoles and computer screens,” and a Teaser Trailer has been embedded above.
Posted in News
Tagged Project 007
Jeopardy! PlayShow is now available for PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Smart TVs
You can admit it. You’re among friends here. You scream the answers back at host Alex Trebek when Jeopardy! comes on, don’t you?
It’s OK, I do it too. But it looks like the producers at Sony Pictures are finally listening to us. With Jeopardy! PlayShow, you too can get a semi-sarcastic “Good for you!” from everyone’s favorite game show host.
Jeopardy! PlayShow is now available to download for the PC, PS4, Xbox One, and various Smart TVs platforms, and it’ll transform your living room into Jeopardy’s famous blue-and-white set after pairing it with the companion mobile app. From there, players can use their mobile device to ring in… but don’t forget to put your answer in the form of the question:
Become a Jeopardy! Champion
Now entering the studio is YOU. Compete against your friends and test your knowledge using actual TV episodes hosted by Alex Trebek. Jeopardy! PlayShow combines your voice, video, and a mobile device for the most realistic game show experience you’ll ever have.Win in Prime Time
Once you have Jeopardy! PlayShow on your compatible console or smart TV, download the PlayShow Controller App to your mobile device to complete the experience with a buzzer and microphone. Simply buzz in and say your answer from your sofa to be a part of the game like never before. And with Party Mode you can host head-to-head, multiplayer competitions in your living room. It’s everything you love about the show: categories, clues, wagering, Daily Doubles and even signing your name to the podium.Play from Over 30 years of Historical Episodes
Want more? Purchase game packs to get even more of Alex and play episodes thematically by season, tournament type and famous champions. If Teen Tournament is your speed, we’ve got it. Want to travel back in time and match wits with legendary contestants? No problem! The true Jeopardy! experience has never been easier to be a part of.
A trailer for Jeopardy! PlayShow has been embedded above.
Pac-Man is the latest retro icon to get his own battle royale with Pac-Man: Mega Tunnel Battle
Somewhere deep in the heart of Silicon Valley lies the Battle Royale Wheel. However, this metaphorical apparatus doesn’t sit on the stage of any game show. Instead, gaming’s greatest minds periodically spin it and award a new battle royale game to some classic franchise.
We saw it with Tetris 99. We saw it with Super Mario Bros. 35. And now the wheel spins again and lands on Pac-Man: Mega Tunnel Battle.
Announced earlier today by Bandai Namco, Pac-Man: Mega Tunnel Battle will appear “First On Stadia,” and it’ll drop 64 players into a series of interconnected mazes until only one Pac is left standing:
Spread across an interconnected grid of Pac-Man mazes, each player will need to outwit and outlast their competition to be the last Pac-Man standing in this unique take on the battle-royale genre, playable on PCs, laptops, tablets, phones, and TVs through Stadia. In addition to being larger than ever, Pac-Man: Mega Tunnel Battle introduces new power-ups that can change the tide of battle, fun cosmetic unlocks to customize Pac-Man, and a Spectator Mode that allows viewers to become an influential part of the game. Created to celebrate Pac-Man’s 40th anniversary, Pac-Man: Mega Tunnel Battle leverages Google’s cloud gaming platform to create the largest multiplayer Pac-Man game ever developed, enabling up to 64 players to play together.
Pac-Man: Mega Tunnel Battle was developed by Heavy Iron Studios and a free demo is now available to play on Stadia through October 27. The full game will launch for $19.99 on November 17, and will likely make it’s way to additional platforms at a later date.
But first, be sure to chomp down on the Announcement Trailer for Pac-Man: Mega Tunnel Battle that’s been embedded above.
Kombat Pack 2 will add Rambo, Rain, and Mileena to Mortal Kombat 11
“Nothing is over! Nothing! You just don’t turn it off!”
Rambo has been waging his own personal war on the silver screen for almost 40 years, but he’ll take the fight to Mortal Kombat 11 this Fall thanks to his inclusion in the game’s next expansion. Fully voiced by Sylvester Stallone, Rambo’s appearance in Kombat Pack 2 will be flanked by two additional kombatants… franchise favorites Mileena and Rain.
In addition to confirming the existence of a second Kombat Pack, WB Games and NetherRealm Studios also announced that Mortal Kombat 11 is in development for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The new package will be known as Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, and it’ll include all previously-released content, as well as “4K dynamic resolution, enhanced visuals, improved loading times, and cross-generation console compatibility for select mode.” Thankfully, if you already own Mortal Kombat 11 for the PS4 or Xbox One, you’ll receive a free upgrade to the next-gen version of the game.
But if you’re not ready to make the generational jump just yet, Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate will also be available for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
Kombat Pack 2 and Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate will be released on November 17. In the meantime, be sure to check out the DLC’s first trailer, which has been embedded above.
Posted in News
Tagged Mortal Kombat 11, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
First Gameplay Trailer for Transformers: Battlegrounds confirms October 23 launch date
Outright Games has unveiled the first Gameplay Trailer for Transformers: Battlegrounds, giving us our first glimpse at a tactical strategy game that’s more than meets the eye.
Featuring the voice cast and character designs from Transformers: Cyberverse, players will take control of an Autobot squadron and fight to keep Megatron and the Decepticons away from the powerful Allspark:
As evil Megatron closes in on the Allspark, Bumblebee and the Autobots need a new commander to help save Earth – you! Assemble your squad and roll out for a battle that will rage from Central City to Cybertron… and even to the local multiplayer arcade!
Transformers: Battlegrounds is currently in development at Coatsink, and will be available on store shelves on October 23 for the PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and as a digital download for the PC through Steam. The developer is also preparing a Digital Deluxe Edition that’ll add four Autobot Skin Packs and the Cube game mode to the standard package.
Square Enix announces Final Fantasy XVI for PS5
It looks the Final Fantasy franchise is returning to a medieval setting, as we got our first look at Final Fantasy XVI during today’s PlayStation 5 Showcase event.
Final Fantasy XVI’s development will be spearheaded by Naoki Yoshida (Producer) and Hiroshi Takai (Director), and a new trailer laid out their vision for the game.
From the brief glimpse we got, it appears that players will protect a young prince from spies and monsters… and himself. A variety of traditional Final Fantasy ingredients (elemental magic, crystals, Chocobos) will be present in these warring kingdoms, and certain humans will be able to summon towering beasts (known as Icons) in battle.
Takai and Yoshida said that further information about the game will be unveiled in 2021.
Square Enix chose not to announce a release date for Final Fantasy XVI at this time, but the publisher confirmed the game will be available for the PS5 for a “limited time” before it eventually makes its way to other platforms. Obviously, we weren’t told what these platforms would be, but a PC and/or Xbox Series X launch for the game appears to be only a matter of time.
Posted in News
Tagged Final Fantasy XVI, PS5
Nintendo confirms Hades will launch for Switch on September 16
It was just three weeks ago when Supergiant Games announced that “Version 1.0” of Hades would launch for the PC and Switch sometime this Fall.
But it looks like that was a bit of a misdirection as Nintendo confirmed today that the Switch launch for Hades will actually happen next week (which is still technically Summer) on Wednesday, September 16. Presumably, the PC launch for “Version 1.0” will happen on the same day or shortly thereafter.
If you missed out on Hades during its Early Access period, the developer describes it as a roguelike dungeon crawler that builds on concepts from their three previous projects. Supergiant further elaborated on exactly what players can expect from the game in its Nintendo eShop listing:
Hades is a god-like roguelike dungeon crawler that combines the best aspects of Supergiant’s critically acclaimed titles, including the fast-paced action of Bastion, the rich atmosphere and depth of Transistor, and the character-driven storytelling of Pyre.
Battle Out of Hell
As the immortal Prince of the Underworld, you’ll wield the powers and mythic weapons of Olympus to break free from the clutches of the god of the dead himself, while growing stronger and unraveling more of the story with each unique escape attempt.Unleash the Fury of Olympus
The Olympians have your back! Meet Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, and many more, and choose from their dozens of powerful Boons that enhance your abilities. There are thousands of viable character builds to discover as you go.Befriend Gods, Ghosts, and Monsters
A fully-voiced cast of colorful, larger-than-life characters is waiting to meet you! Grow your relationships with them, and experience thousands of unique story events as you learn about what’s really at stake for this big, dysfunctional family.Built For Replayability
New surprises await each time you delve into the ever-shifting Underworld, whose guardian bosses will remember you. Use the powerful Mirror of Night to grow permanently stronger, and give yourself a leg up the next time you run away from home.Nothing Is Impossible
Permanent upgrades mean you don’t have to be a god yourself to experience the exciting combat and gripping story. Though, if you happen to be one, crank up the challenge and get ready for some white-knuckle action that will put your well-practiced skills to the test.Signature Supergiant Style
The rich, atmospheric presentation and unique melding of gameplay and narrative that’s been core to Supergiant’s games is here in full force: spectacular hand-painted environments and a blood-pumping original score bring the Underworld to life.
Hades is widely expected to launch for other platforms in the future, though no official announcement has been made by Supergiant as of yet.
UPDATE #1 (September 10 @ 5:00 PM): Nintendo just resent this week’s “Nintendo Download” announcement with a corrected release date for Hades.
The launch date for Supergiant’s procedurally-generated game in the press release is now listed as “Fall 2020.” However, it’s also still included among a list of games that are “new this week” on the Nintendo eShop. So while its inclusion was likely a mistake, I guess we’re just going to have to wait until September 16th and see what happens.
UPDATE #2 (September 17 @ 7:00 AM): September 16th has come and gone, and Hades is currently unavailable on the Nintendo eShop.
UPDATE #3 (September 17 @ 10:15 AM): The latest Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase has confirmed that Hades will launch for the Switch later today (and a quick check of Steam and the Epic Games Store shows that the “Version 1.0” update is now available for PC). I think we’re finally done here!