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Most Recent: Features
The Hidden (and Not So Hidden) Secrets of Mortal Kombat
It’s official: NetherRealm Studios’ Mortal Kombat reboot has become one of the most beloved entries in the series. You could drive yourself mad trying to figure out why both critics (the 2011 game has the highest MetaCritic score out of any game in the franchise) and gamers (according to The NPD Group, it sold over a million copies in April) have re-embraced the blood-soaked bruatality that is Mortal Kombat. But the one thing all the reviews keep coming back to is how the game returns to the classic gameplay of what made Mortal Kombat great. And that means secrets… lots and lots of secrets.
While few of these secrets are actually “hidden,” most are very easy to miss. So get over here and take a look at Mortal Kombat’s hidden allusions, jokes and just plain fun stuff. Needless to say, SPOILERS FOLLOW. (more…)
Posted in Features, PS3, Top Story, Xbox 360
Tagged Mortal Kombat
What To Expect From E3 2011
E3 is just three weeks away E3 begins tomorrow! As we gear up for the biggest event on the gaming calendar, it’s easy to forget what exactly it is we’re gearing up to see. So that’s where Warp Zoned’s handy guide of “What To Expect From E3 2011” comes into play. We’ve gathered together a list of every game that’s been confirmed for E3 2011 as well as every game that’s expected to be at E3 2011 along with a few rumored titles that just might make an appearance at the big show.
We’ll update this article regularly as the opening of the E3 Expo grows nearer. Be sure to check back often! (more…)
Truthality: Christina Perri’s “Jar of Hearts” is Really About Mortal Kombat
If you’ve listened to the radio in the last year, you’ve no doubt heard Christina Perri’s “Jar of Hearts” (her album, Lovestrong, is in stores today), an angsty piano rock song that’s supposed to be about Perri’s ex-boyfriend looking to restart their relationship. Except that’s not what it’s about at all.
In reality, it’s about Scorpion and Sub-Zero’s fight to the death in Mortal Kombat! Forget backmasking, Perri has planted a hidden message to Mortal Kombat fans everywhere in a sad song about a cheating boyfriend. Don’t believe me? Just look at the lyrics: (more…)
Posted in Features, PS3, Top Story, Xbox 360
Tagged Mortal Kombat
The Balcony is Closed: Whatever Happened to the Licensed Game?
In case there was any doubt, Thor and his mighty hammer have officially opened the 2011 Summer movie season today. What will follow is four months of blockbusters that will be heavy on action and even heavier on reviews comparing their visuals to video games. But as Hollywood and Redmond trade ideas back and forth, the once great institution that is the licensed game has gone by the wayside.
Okay, “once great institution” might be the nostalgia talking, but licensed games were always plentiful, even if they weren’t always good games. We all know the story of Atari practically bankrupting themselves to produce the woefully bad E.T. game for the Atari 2600. And Acclaim’s history of low review scores (and eventual bankruptcy) could be attributed to the company’s string of licensed games.
But titles like GoldenEye and The Chronicles of Riddick prove that a licensed game doesn’t have to be a cheaply made cash-in. They can be classics. Yet their number is decreasing, even as gamemakers have embraced the trappings of Hollywood during the development process. (more…)
Gears of War 3 Beta Survival Guide
I love Gears of War multiplayer: great action, eye-popping graphics, over-the-top violence, and an overall fun experience. The only problem is I suck at it. A lot. As in turbo-charged Hoover suckage. My kill/death ratio is embarrassingly low, and I sometimes feel like I spend more time waiting to respawn than actually playing the game.
So if you’re a casual player or brand new to the series and are getting your butt handed to you in the beta, I feel your pain. The franchise has attracted a seriously hardcore following and I am constantly amazed (and sometimes frustrated) by how good the players are. It can get bad enough to potentially turn off the average or casual player, which is a shame because they will miss out on a fantastic multiplayer shooter.
However, if you’re one of those people, don’t despair. Take it from me: a little time, patience and smarts will have you holding your own even against the toughest opponents. Hopefully this guide will help you enjoy all the fun the beta has to offer. No, you still may not get the most kills, but at least you won’t feel like cannon fodder either. (more…)
Posted in Features, Top Story, Xbox 360
Tagged Gears of War 3
The Next Level: The Games of May 2011
After a wild April that saw major havoc being wreaked on the PlayStation Network and several high profile releases in Mortal Kombat, Portal 2 and SOCOM 4, it’ll be hard for May to compete. And with a slew of delays, the already slim May slate has gotten even slimmer over the last few weeks. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t on the brink of something big. So join us in la-la-land for a look at what we want to play in May: (more…)
Warpback: What We Played in April 2011
They say that April showers bring May flowers, and nothing could be further from the truth in 2011. Gamers were certainly showered with gaming riches on April 19th when Portal 2, Mortal Kombat and SOCOM 4 were all released, but the rest of the month was a bit light on big games. That didn’t stop us from making our predictions of what we wanted to play during the month, and it’s not stopping us now from looking back at the month that was. (more…)
Rolling With Kierin Chase: Talking the Past, Present and Future of Dungeons & Dragons
Warp Zoned editors Nicole Kline and Mike Gutierrez recently got a chance to sit down with Kierin Chase, Brand Manager for Dungeons & Dragons at Wizards of the Coast. As former dice rollers themselves, they were eager to see what 4th Edition has to offer and how it has progressed in the two years since its launch. Kierin was more than happy to detail all of the new D&D supplements, product lines, video games, and everything overall that makes now a better time than ever to jump into “The World’s Greatest Role Playing Game.” Nicole even got to ask the million-dollar question: will we see a resurrection of Spelljammer? (more…)
Posted in Features, PC, PS3, Top Story, Xbox 360
Tagged Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale, PAX East 2011, Tabletop Games