Author: Brittney Williams

When Brittney Williams isn't playing with her two sons or frantically attempting to clear out her video game backlog, you can find her posting news and opinions here at Warp Zoned or managing her retro gaming business. You can find her on Twitter at @The_Arkayde.

Weekend Pipeline: 4/28/17 – PC Deals and FEAR Inducing Bundles

As we enter the final days of April, we can look forward to spending more time outdoors at conventions, and taking advantage of the inevitable seasonally themed sales, in preparation for the infamous Summer gaming drought.

But in the meantime, let’s enjoy what Spring has to offer, and start stocking up for those extremely sweltering days, best spent indoors with the AC on full blast, and a controller in hand. (more…)

Posted in News |

Weekend Pipeline: 4/21/17 – Cheap Thrills and Classic Games

Easter has come and gone, and with its exit marks the end of all the glorious Spring sales that we’ve previously enjoyed. Despite this weekend’s slim pickings, there are still a few things to get excited about. A few esports competitions are coming to a close (while others are just starting), and for whatever reason, retro games are in this weekend. So if you’re looking to enjoy some classic gaming, engage in the brutal bloodsport that is war from the comforts of your couch, or venture out into the pollen-filled air in search of cheap fun, then we’ve got a few things that you might want to work in to your schedule. (more…)

Posted in News |

/Reality Review: A Fresh Take On A Controversial Genre

Interactive novels tend to get a bad reputation, but it’s understandable. Because video games are such a young medium, there still remains some confusion surrounding the definition of what exactly a “video game” is. /Reality is not one of those games that further muddies the waters by barely walking the lines of interactivity. No, /Reality is, by far, one of the most “interactive” interactive novels that I’ve ever played.

/Reality centers around a socially withdrawn young woman in her early 20s named Lilya. Lilya, a virtual reality enthusiast, is selected to beta test the Penta, a state of the art virtual reality neural device. What looks to be an exciting weekend spent traversing through the Penta’s Vitalia simulation quickly turns in to something far more complex that forces Lilya to question her own perception of reality. (more…)

Posted in PC, Reviews, Top Story |

Weekend Pipeline: 4/14/17 – Free Vacation in Elder Scrolls Online’s Tamriel

It’s Friday again, which means it’s time to start planning for the weekend. Sadly, this weekend is looking a little dull. Events are few and far between, and the convention pickings are rather slim. However, depending on your interests and location, there’s still something to do.

Let’s dive in, shall we. (more…)

Posted in News |

Bayonetta is now available for the PC through Steam

Well, it looks like the joke’s on us, as what was once an April Fool’s prank has become reality… Bayonetta has arrived on the PC today.

Bayonetta finally makes its way to the PC as a Steam exclusive, complete with support for Steam Trading Cards, Big Picture Mode, Steam Achievements, and Steam Cloud Saves. The game will also feature leaderboards, full controller support, and keyboard/mouse controls. Additionally, Bayonetta on PC will run at 60 FPS during gameplay, and 30 FPS during cutscenes. This version of the game is also capable of running at an unlocked 4K resolution, as well as other graphical options such as scalable textures and shadow quality.

For a limited time, customer will be able to upgrade to the Digital Deluxe Edition at no extra cost. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes an enhanced artbook (previously included in the Bayonetta: Climax Edition), a five-song soundtrack sampler, wallpapers, and avatars. However, this deal ends on Tuesday, April 25.

“We are dedicated to bringing high-quality, best practice PC conversions of our back catalog games to our fans, and Bayonetta was a great fit.” Said John Clark, the Senior Vice President of Commercial Publishing for Sega Europe. “Bayonetta is one of the most often requested PC conversions of our games, so finally being able to launch it on Steam is fantastic. There’s more to come!”

Is he talking about Bayonetta 2? No one knows at this point, but Director Hideki Kamiya recorded a new Developer Diary that offers insights into Bayonetta’s development and it’s available after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PC | Tagged

Weekend Pipeline: 4/7/17 – Convention Fun for Everyone!

It’s Friday again, which means I’m back to give you the rundown on what’s what this weekend. The convention scene is looking rather hefty this weekend, with multiple conventions taking place across the nation, and offering activities for everyone. Whether you’re a furry fan looking for like-minded individuals in a safe setting, or a parent on a budget in search of wholesome family fun, there’s a convention for everyone!

We’ve also got some sweet deals for you this week, a few esports events worth checking out, and a couple of demos/betas that are really worth looking into. So if you haven’t made weekend plans just yet, now is the perfect time to do so. (more…)

Posted in News |

New Mega Man series headed to Cartoon Network in 2018

Capcom, in collaboration with DHX Media, Dentsu Entertainment, and Man of Action Entertainment, have announced that their in-development Mega Man animated series will debut on Cartoon Network in 2018.

The series will go into production this Summer, and it’s designed to introduce Mega Man to a new and much younger audience. The Mega Man series appears to be in good hands, as all three companies have proven themselves in children’s entertainment before. Dentsu Entertainment is responsible for localizing the popular Yo-Kai Watch series, and DHX Media has a long history of producing successful kid’s shows such as Degrassi and Teletubbies. Meanwhile, Man of Action Entertainment is most famous for the creation of Ben 10 and characters from Big Hero 6.

However, Mega Man fans have already taken issue with the upcoming show, citing Mega Man’s new aesthetic, and his “Aki Light” alter ego. According to DHX Media, Aki Light is a happy-go-lucky robotic child, who discovers that he has secret protocols that allow him to transform into Mega Man (basically, a robotic schoolboy version of nearly every mainstream superhero). Throughout the series, Mega Man will struggle with saving Silicon City from imposing threats, while trying to maintain his day-to-day life, and preserve his secret identity.

While this is definitely a break from the traditional Mega Man storyline, including that of the popular Mega Man cartoon from the mid 90s, it’s still an interesting reboot. Given the success of the companies involved with the new show’s production, this latest Mega Man cartoon is worth keeping on your radars, even if just to check it out once.

Posted in Etcetera, News, Retro | Tagged

XSEED announces Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash will be released for PS4 this Summer

XSEED Games fulfilled the dreams of many a Senran Kagura fan today, by announcing that the latest entry in the series, Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash, will be released for the PlayStation 4 this Summer.

In Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash, we find our favorite lady ninjas enjoying a bit of fun in the sun… armed with water guns and skimpy bathing suits. But don’t let the appearance of the game fool you. While there is definitely some heavy fan service afoot, there’s a fun concept behind the bouncy appendages sported by the half-naked ninjas.

In Peach Beach Splash, the ladies of Senran Kagura find themselves forced to participate in a mysterious tournament. In order to win, the ladies will have to use a combination of ten types of water-based weapons. And that’s where the water guns and bikini’s come in. Water gun battles will take place in beach-style arenas, where players can participate in Survival Mode and 5v5 matches via online multiplayer. For those who fancy playing solo, a single-player mode gives players the chance to create a team of five by choosing from a pool of over 30 characters, and then customizing their abilities and weapons, before leading them to battle.

To make things even more interesting, Attribute Cards up the ante, forcing players to put more thought behind their strategies. Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash features over 800 attribute cards, which provide players with summonable pets, weapon improvements, and new skills. During matches, players can use six Skill Cards and three Pet Cards per match, providing these nimble ninjas with unique combos that keep the gameplay fresh and unique.

For now, check out the first screenshots after the break while we wait for Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash to make its PlayStation 4 debut this summer. (more…)

Posted in News, PS4 |