Warp Zoned Presents
Most Recent: Previews
Evolve Hands-On Preview: Testing Turtle Rock’s Co-Op Monster Mash
When THQ went belly up a year ago, one of the most sought-after prizes was Evolve, a then-unannounced cooperative shooter from Turtle Rock. Ultimately, 2K Games paid more than $10 million to acquire the publishing rights to the project. As the publisher behind the popular Borderlands series, 2K knows a thing or two about cooperative shooters, and they saw something special in the new game from the team behind Left 4 Dead. That something special was “The Monster,” a player-controlled behemoth that the four-player co-op team has to hunt down. I recently had a chance to play Evolve at PAX East 2014, and it’s beginning to look like 2K’s $10 million was money well spent. (more…)
Interview: Exploring the Final Frontier With Maximillian Kovtun of Space Enigma Studios
In the latest edition of Warp Zoned’s Kickstart This! column, one of the games we featured was Space Pioneer from Space Enigma Studios, an exciting fusion of space exploration, colonization, RTS, and mystery adventure. We recently spoke to Space Enigma’s director, Maximillian Kovtun, to find out more about the project, the science behind the game, and why the Wii U was chosen as one of the release platforms. (more…)
Posted in Features, Interviews, PC, Previews, Top Story, Wii U
Tagged Space Pioneer
Interview: We Take Aim at MODUS With Imagiro’s Allan Wang
Some gaming projects on Kickstarter are criminally overlooked by the general public. Imagiro Studios MODUS, a 2D turn-based artillery shooter set in a chaotic, post-apocalyptic Earth dominated by mutated beasts where humans once reigned supreme, is one such title.
We recently had the chance to talk with Allan Wang, CEO and Story Developer at MODUS developer Imagiro Studios, about the game’s failed campaign, alien monstrosities, Studio Ghibli influences and home-made beaver tails. (more…)
Interview: Deep in the [Stuff] With Bullet Bros’ Jason Stokes
From the bold opening line of the trailer that immediately articulates the level of excrement the brothers-in-arms constantly reside in, Bullet Bros wears its guts on its sleeve. The game features two mercenaries who can link together for some outlandish and original manoeuvres, as well as hook cars, choppers, and other vehicles together for maximum devastation. Unfortunately, the project did not find much love on Kickstarter, collecting pledges for only a third of its $80,000 target. Warp Zoned caught up with creator Jason Stokes in the bloody aftermath of his criminally-overlooked campaign. (more…)
Posted in Features, Interviews, PC, Previews, Top Story
Interview: Stasis Developer Christopher Bischoff Talks Sci-Fi, Scares, and South Africa
In the November edition of our Kickstart This! column, we briefly looked at the dark sci-fi world of Stasis, an isometric adventure game from Johannesburg-based game developer Christopher Bischoff. I recently chatted with the designer to delve further into the belly of the deserted spacecraft named Groomlake, along with old LucasArts titles, South African gaming, and an unheard-of cinematic gem from William Shatner. (more…)
Beyond: Two Souls Hands-On Preview: Into the Depths of the Supernatural
Beyond: Two Souls is the latest game from French company Quantic Dream, the same team that brought us Indigo Prophecy (AKA Fahrenheit) and Heavy Rain. In Beyond, you play as Jodie, a woman who has had a supernatural entity attached to her since she was a child. The entity’s name is Aiden, and players can control Jodie or Aiden, depending on what the situation calls for. A new demo for the game has shown us that while Quantic Dream still relies heavily on QTEs (as they did in their previous games), they have done much to expand on – and improve – their unique style of gameplay. (more…)
Posted in Previews, PS3, Top Story
Tagged Beyond: Two Souls
Interview: Traveling the Death Road to Canada with Rocketcat’s Kepa Auwae
In our most recent Kickstart This! feature, the Sweet September Edition, we highlighted Rocketcat Games’ Death Road to Canada, a top-down “randomized permadeth road trip simulator” that pits you against mobs of undead hoardes while trying to survive the apocalypse. The game proved to be popular among Kickstarter backers, roaring across its $25,000 goal line and currently sitting at more than $40,000. With a few hours to go, we spoke with Kepa Auwae, the game’s Lead Designer, to discuss zombies, gaming inspirations, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. (more…)
Posted in Features, Interviews, Mobile, PC, Previews, Top Story
Tagged Death Road to Canada
Interview: The Harrowing Inspiration Behind Matt Gilgenbach’s Neverending Nightmares
In the recent Sweet September Edition of our regular Kickstart This! feature, we highlighted the pencil-drawn psychological horror adventure Neverending Nightmares. The story behind the game’s development is incredible, and even more heartfelt.
Matt Gilgenbach, the creative mastermind behind the game, is well known for developing the reverse 2D space shooter Retro/Grade. Although it was lauded by critics, the game was a commercial disaster. Its lack of sales pushed Gilgenbach into a state of severe depression, which was also coupled with his on-going battle with OCD. After a couple of years, Gilgenbach managed to take inspiration from his mental disorders and transform them into Neverending Nightmares, a semi-autobiographical tale of horror. I caught up with Gilgenbach to find out more about what has driven him to make such a unique and personal game. (more…)
Posted in Features, Interviews, PC, Previews, Top Story
Tagged Neverending Nightmares