Author: John Scalzo

John Scalzo is Warp Zoned's Editor-In-Chief and resident retro gaming expert. You can email him at john AT warpzoned DOT com.

NetEase will unveil Naraka: Bladepoint at the 2019 Game Awards

Posted on December 10, 2019 by John Scalzo

We’re getting closer and closer to the 2019 Game Awards, and host Geoff Keighley continues to tease the World Premiere Trailers he has lined up for this year’s show.

Last night, he revealed that Naraka: Bladepoint, a new game from publisher NetEase Games and developer 24 Entertainment, will be announced during the ceremony.

Naraka: Bladepoint is still shrouded in mystery, but artwork found on the game’s official Twitter account points to a game about warring groups in Ancient China. And though publisher NetEase is famously known for working in the mobile space, they’ve recently provided funding to console developers such as Quantic Dream and Bungie, so we shouldn’t jump to conclusions about Naraka’s destination just yet.

Thankfully, we won’t have much longer to wait, as the 2019 Game Awards will be held this Thursday, December 12.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged

Super Crush KO will bring pastel punches to the PC and Switch on January 16, 2020

Posted on December 9, 2019 by John Scalzo

Vertex Pop has announced that Super Crush KO, their upcoming ultra-colorful brawler, will be released for the PC and Switch on January 16, 2020. If you’re unfamiliar with Super Crush KO, the development team also sent over this handy primer for the game’s pastel post-apocalypse:

Combining beat ’em up and run and gun action, Super Crush KO, has players take control of Karen, a tough and fashionable brawler in a colorful world overrun by frantic robot enemies. Karen must wipe them out using punches, kicks and long-range combat in fluid combos on the way to save her cat Chubbz and (while she’s at it) humanity. Featuring delightful hand-drawn graphics, a pastel color palette and a catchy soundtrack, this is a feel-good action game complemented with bright and stylish aesthetics.

“We are very excited to announce that Super Crush KO will soon be available on Nintendo Switch and Steam, packing fast-paced thrilling fights, intuitive controls and colorful aesthetic,” said Game Designer Mobeen Fikree. ”Super Crush KO is easy to pick up yet hard to master, but no matter the player level, everyone will have a great time smashing hordes of robot enemies in style.”

To celebrate the release date announcement, Vertex Pop also unveiled a brand new Gameplay Trailer, which has been embedded above.

Posted in News, PC, Switch | Tagged

Cloud Chamber is 2K’s newest internal studio and their first project is BioShock 4

Posted on December 9, 2019 by John Scalzo

The best news to arrive in our inbox this morning is that 2K Games has finally confirmed that BioShock 4 is officially in development. However, the bad news is that the project is just getting off the ground and that it’ll likely be in development “for the next several years.”

While we didn’t learn anything substantial about the next entry in the BioShock franchise today, 2K did share that the game is currently in the works at a brand new internal studio known as Cloud Chamber. The Cloud Chamber team will be split across two locations, San Francisco and Montreal, and Kelley Gilmore (formerly of Firaxis) will head up the joint effort from her home base in California.

“We founded Cloud Chamber to create yet-to-be-discovered worlds – and their stories within – that push the boundaries of what is possible in the video game medium,” said Gilmore. “Our team believes in the beauty and strength of diversity, in both the makeup of the studio and the nature of its thinking. We are a deeply experienced group of game makers, including many responsible for BioShock’s principal creation, advancement, and longstanding notoriety, and honored to be part of the 2K family as stewards of this iconic franchise.”

“As we continue growing our product portfolio, we remain inspired by opportunities to invest further in our valuable IP, great people and their collective, long-term potential,” added 2K’s President, David Ismailer. “BioShock is one of the most beloved, critically praised and highest-rated franchises of the last console generation*. We can’t wait to see where its powerful narrative and iconic, first-person shooter gameplay head in the future with our new studio team at Cloud Chamber leading the charge.”

With a multi-year development schedule ahead of it, BioShock 4 is most likely in development for the PC and one or both of the next-generation console platforms.

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Nintendo to add Star Fox 2, Super Punch-Out!!, and more to Switch Online’s retro catalog

Posted on December 5, 2019 by John Scalzo

After a short hiatus, Nintendo has announced plans to add more games to the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo Entertainment System apps available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

The big news is that Star Fox 2 is coming to the Switch after making its worldwide debut as part of the Super NES Classic Edition microconsole in 2017. Development on Star Fox 2 was originally completed back in 1995, but the game was shelved due to Nintendo’s worry that it’s “primitive graphics” would reflect poorly on the then-upcoming Nintendo 64. Thankfully, the consolemaker came to their senses and now more Nintendo fans will be able to try out the long-lost sequel to Star Fox. Three other Super NES games will also be added to the app (bringing the total to 24), including Super Punch-Out!!, Kirby Super Star, and Breath of Fire II.

The Nintendo Entertainment System app will receive its 73rd and 74th games, as Nintendo confirmed that Switch Online subscribers will be able to play Crystalis (which is also available as part of the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection) and Journey to Silius next week.

More information about the latest additions can be found right here:

Super NES

  • Star Fox 2 – This 3D rail-shooter and second installment of the Star Fox series was first designed for Super NES, but went unreleased until it appeared on the Super NES Classic Edition system in 2017. This time, Emperor Andross is on a crusade to conquer the Lylat system and the Star Fox team itself. After a long wait, Star Fox is back in action.
  • Super Punch-Out!! – Featuring the tight gameplay and humor the series is known for, this sequel to the NES classic sees Little Mac return to the ring with the World Video Boxing Association belt once again at stake.
  • Kirby Super Star – That awful King Dedede is at it again – he’s stolen all the food in Dream Land. It’s up to Kirby to get it back and ultimately save Popstar from being taken over. There’s never a dull moment as Kirby dashes, flies, and fights!
  • Breath of Fire II – Set 500 years after the original, take on the role of Ryu, the last member of the Dragon Clan. A cast of unusual and exciting companions join you in your adventures across a wondrous land full of magic and mystery.

NES

  • Crystalis – An epic story for action-RPG fans is ready to unfold. Set in a world where civilization lies in ruins, the young protagonist awakes from cryogenic sleep and the adventure begins. Collect the Sword of Wind and venture into the unknown.
  • Journey to Silius – Join Jay on his run-and-gun mission to take down the mechanical army responsible for his father’s death. Defeat endless waves of attack robots and fulfill his father’s dream of developing a space colony in the Silius Solar System.

A short trailer featuring all six games has been embedded above, and they’ll be available to play beginning on December 12.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Next Super Mario Maker 2 update will add Link as a playable character

Posted on December 2, 2019 by John Scalzo

Nintendo is pushing out the next major update (Version 2.0.0) for Super Mario Maker 2 later this week, and it’ll add a huge number of new features to the game… including the ability to play as Link. The new Master Sword powerup will give players the chance to to play as an 8-bit Link, and he’s also bringing all of his wonderful toys to the Mushroom Kingdom:

Transforming into Link using the Master Sword opens up a whole new world of design possibilities for creators. Using his arrows, Link can shoot far off switches that Mario would normally not be able to hit. His new down thrust move with the sword will defeat usually protected enemies like spike-covered Spinies. And with bombs, some walls that would normally be impassable by Mario and friends can easily be blown up.

Other new Course Parts and enemies will make their way into Super Mario Maker 2 for the first time thanks to the Version 2.0.0 update, including Frozen Coins and Pokey the Cactus:

New Course Parts and Enemies Coming to Super Mario Maker 2 in Version 2.0.0

  • Dash Block: Available in the Super Mario 3D World style, the Dash Block course part gives Mario a major speed burst when stepped on.
  • Frozen Coin: These coins are surrounded by a block of ice and can only be released if melted by fireballs or other fire elements, including a certain angry sun.
  • P Block: When a P Switch is hit in the course, invisible P Blocks temporarily turn into hard platforms, or vice-versa.
  • Spike: This classic enemy coughs up massive spike balls and launches them at Mario. If used in the snow environment, Spike will toss snowballs instead!
  • Pokey: The iconic stacked cactus from multiple Super Mario games joins Super Mario Maker 2 for the first time. Players can even edit the height of each Pokey.

Finally, Nintendo will add a speedrunning mode to Super Mario Maker 2 as part of Ninji Speedruns, which will also give players the chance to unlock special Mii Costumes in a series of Nintendo-created courses that’ll be available for a limited time:

In the new Ninji Speedruns mode, players can take on a timed challenge in courses created by Nintendo exclusively for this mode. Other players’ Ninji Ghosts will run alongside players as they compete against rivals from around the world. The Ninji Ghosts that appear are selected from player data at a similar performance level, so players can gradually improve their performance by running the course alongside other players’ Ninji Ghosts. Players can also collect stamps by clearing courses and redeem them in-game to get special Mii costumes.

Whew! For more information about everything included with Super Mario Maker’s Version 2.0.0 update, you should definitely check out the new trailer for the game that’s been embedded above.

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged

Valve officially unveils Half-Life: Alyx… and a March 2020 release date

Posted on November 21, 2019 by John Scalzo

Rise and shine, Valve, rise and shine.

The operators of Steam have finally returned to large-scale game development… and to the Half-Life franchise. The developer unveiled the first trailer for Half-Life: Alyx earlier today, along with confirmation that we won’t have to wait very long to play the VR-focused title. According to Valve, Half-Life: Alyx will launch in March of 2020, making an already-packed month for new releases even more crowded.

Set between the events of Half-Life and Half-Life 2, Half-Life: Alyx puts players into the literal gloves of Alyx Vance as she searches for something known as “The Vault”:

Valve’s return to the Half-Life universe that started it all was built from the ground up for virtual reality. VR was built to enable the gameplay that sits at the heart of Half-Life.

Immerse yourself in deep environmental interactions, puzzle solving, world exploration, and visceral combat.

Lean to aim around a broken wall and under a Barnacle to make an impossible shot. Rummage through shelves to find a healing syringe and some shotgun shells. Manipulate tools to hack alien interfaces. Toss a bottle through a window to distract an enemy. Rip a Headcrab off your face and throw it out the window.

Half-Life: Alyx will be compatible with all major VR headsets, including the Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and Windows Mixed Reality. But all Valve Index owners will receive a copy of the game for free when it’s ready.

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Geoff Keighley has announced the nominees for the 2019 Game Awards

Posted on November 19, 2019 by John Scalzo

We’re getting closer and closer to the end of the year, and that’s means that it’s finally time for the Game Awards. The nominations for the annual awards show were announced earlier today, and Remedy’s Control, Kojima Productions’s Death Stranding, Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds, Capcom’s Resident Evil 2, From Software’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, and Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will all be competing for “Game of the Year.”

Host Geoff Keighley isn’t involved in the nominating process, but it still feels strange to realize that he actually appears as a non-player character in Death Stranding. Hideo Kojima’s latest game, and first as an independent developer, ultimately received nine nominations across eight categories (both Norman Reedus and Mads Mikkelsen were nominated for “Best Performance”).

Fans are once again encouraged to vote for their favorite games at the award show’s official website, and fan votes will have a real effect on the outcome, as they’ll count for a 10% share of the voting jury.

The 2019 Game Awards will be held on Thursday, December 12. In addition to all the winners, we can also expect to see a lot of World Premiere Trailers for upcoming games, some of which will be announced in the coming days.

In the meantime, you can find a complete list of all the nominees after the break. (more…)

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One | Tagged , , , , , ,

Valve will unveil Half-Life: Alyx this Thursday

Posted on November 19, 2019 by John Scalzo

Half-Life.

Even saying those words is enough to conjur a variety of emotions in your average. Awe at the first two games in the franchise. Disgust at Valve for their decision to drop the almost-mythical Half-Life 2: Episode 3. And a wistful sense of longing that maybe someday the developer will bring the goateed Gordon Freeman back from the dead.

While that last one is still just wishful thinking, it looks like Valve is finally ready to return to the world of Half-Life:

Meet Half-Life: Alyx… or rather… check back on Thursday at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time) to get your first look at Valve’s “flagship VR game” for the PC.

As of now, we don’t know anything about Valve’s mysterious new project, but it more than likely stars Half-Life 2‘s Alyx Vance and, oh yeah, it’s the first new entry in the Half-Life saga in over ten years.

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