Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Canon
- Meet the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025: Quake, GoldenEye 007, Defender, and Tamagotchi
- The BAFTA Games Awards Polled the Public and Shenmue is “The Most Influential Video Game of All Time”
- 2024 GOTY Scoreboard: Astro Bot, Balatro, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, More
- The Strong Museum of Play Acquires Prototypes and Development Documents from Volition’s 30-Year History
- Minecraft’s Volume Alpha Soundtrack Has Been Added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry
Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Research Library
- It’s beginning to feel like gaming isn’t for everyone – Digital Trends (2025)
- 22 years later, modders are keeping SimCity 4 alive – The Verge (2025)
- The B-movies of Paul W.S. Anderson double as acts of devotion to his muse, Milla Jovovich – The AV Club (2025)
- Breakout, Ripoff, Genre: How Fiction Outgrows Originality – Uncanny Magazine (2025)
- ‘I Could Make “Fart Fart Boobie Fart: The Game” and Maybe It Would Eventually Get Taken Down’ – Devs Reveal Why the Consoles Are Drowning in ‘Eslop’ – IGN (2025)
Warp Zoned Archives
Monthly Archives: February 2018
Sony projected a scene from God of War on a basketball court this weekend
If you were in the stands for this weekend’s Warriors-Spurs game, you got to see a different kind of warrior during halftime. While the players were cooling off between quarters, Sony projected a scene “inspired by” God of War onto the court.
According to the PlayStation Blog, the scene was displayed using cutting-edge “Projection Mapping” technology, and it showed Kratos and Atreus doing battle with Draugr, Helwalkers, and an Ogre:
This projection-mapping magic uses ultra-bright video projectors together with powerful media server engines to paint vivid imagery complete with sense of motion and depth directly onto large surfaces. It could be a building, a wall around Asgard, a World Serpent…or in this case, the basketball court during half time. Because when you think of Norse myth, you think — basketball. Of course!
God of War will be available exclusively for the PS4 on April 20, and you can view Sony’s rather unique halftime show from this weekend in the video embedded above.
Posted in News, PS4
Tagged God of War 4
Here’s your first look at Friday the 13th’s Single-Player Challenges
Gun Media first announced Friday the 13th‘s single-player expansion before the game even launched, and they’ve been hard at work on it ever since. But it looks like fans won’t have to wait much longer.
Recently, the developer unveiled a new trailer for the game’s upcoming Single-Player Challenges mode. In the video, we see Jason stalk a pair of teens trying to fix a flat tire. While stealthily teleporting around the map (and receiving encouragement from his deceased mother), Jason uses environmental triggers to kill both teens to unlock a bonus Objective.
According to Gun Media, Friday the 13th’s Single-Player Challenges will include “numerous Objectives per Challenge, bigger levels, and multiple targets.” A release date for the free update wasn’t announced, but hopefully the long-promised expansion will be available soon.
Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Friday the 13th
Capcom will add Blanka to Street Fighter V next week
It’s not easy being green, and Street Fighter V players will find out just how true that is next week, as Capcom has announced that Blanka will be available to download on February 20. The Brazilian jungle lord first appeared in Street Fighter II, and according to the Capcom-Unity blog, his latest incarnation will still feature plenty of lightning strikes and rolling attacks:
About Blanka
Blanka’s gameplay remains animalistic in nature and sees him scratching, leaping, and pummeling opponents reflecting his time in the jungle. He retains his signature Electric Thunder attack that emits electrical currents around his entire body, which can be continuously performed by repeatedly pressing his punch buttons. Also returning are his multiple rolling attacks, which can be used to approach opponents from different angles or used as a combo ender.
You can check out how Blank’s fighting style has evolved for Street Fighter V in the trailer embedded above, and his special moves are detailed right here:
V-Skill: Coward Crouch
Blanka immediately ducks for cover for a short time before rising back up. His V-Skill can avoid many attacks, including fireballs. After performing Coward Crouch, Blanka can follow up with either Wild Lift (Punch Button) or Raid Jump (Kick Button). Wild Lift sees Blanka move forward while swinging his arms up to launch the opponent in the air and can be followed up by a normal, special move, or even a Critical Art. Using Raid Jump, Blanka swiftly jumps in the air where he can use any mid-air attack to advance.V-Trigger I: Jungle Dynamo
Blanka’s V-Trigger I gives his special roll attacks more damage and can then be followed up by certain attacks, including his Critical Art. It also powers up his Electric Thunder and changes the animation so Blanka steps forward while unleashing the electric current. On hit, the opponent is launched slightly in the air and can be followed up with a rolling attack.Finally, Jungle Dynamo unlocks Ground Shave Rolling (HP+HK), which can be used as a combo extender or a way to charge in. This move was a super move in previous games, but is now a special move in SFV: AE.
V-Trigger II: Lightning Beast
Lightning Beast unlocks a special move, Rolling Cannon (Direction + HP+HK), which can be performed after using Rolling Attack, Back Step Rolling, and Vertical Rolling. Rolling Cannon can be used in multiple ways, such as extending a combo for more damage or changing positions to surprise the opponent.Critical Art: Dynamic Rolling
In this Critical Art, Blanka slams his opponent into the ground in a series of electrifying rolls that ends in a move reminiscent of Lightning Cannonball from Street Fighter IV.
Blanka will be available to download for free as part of Street Fighter V’s Season 3 Character Pass. He can also be obtained as a standalone download ($5.99) or with in-game currency (100,000 Fight Money).
Posted in News, PC, PS4
Tagged Street Fighter V
Splatoon 2: Starter Edition will be available on March 16; Pearl/Marina Amiibo Pack coming later this year
Nintendo will soon add a new arena (the basketball-themed “Goby Arena”) and weapon set (the “Dark Tetra Dualies”) to Splatoon 2. But the consolemaker also doesn’t want to leave behind new players who are interested in exploring the multiplayer thrills of Inkopolis Square, and they’ve got a plan.
The Splatoon 2 Starter Edition bundle will be available on March 16, and it’ll include the full game, a 100-page Strategy Guide to help new players learn the tips and tricks they’ll need to survive, and two sheets of Splatoon stickers. Best of all, this package will be priced at $59.99, or the same price as the standalone game.
Nintendo also announced that an Amiibo 2-Pack featuring Pearl and Marina will be available on store shelves “later this year.” The 2-Pack will be priced at $24.99, and you can get a closer look at the figures in the trailer embedded above. You can also head over to Twitter to view new screenshots of “Goby Arena” and the “Dark Tetra Dualies.”
Finally, Splatoon 2’s next Splatfest will take place this Saturday, February 17, and it’s asking players to choose between “Love” and “Money.”
Wow. That’s a big choice for a colorful shooter that’s normally fun for the whole family.
Posted in News, Switch
Tagged Splatoon 2
New Retail Releases: Bayonetta 2, Dynasty Warriors 9, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, More
The Umbra Witch flies again as Platinum Games and Nintendo will bring Bayonetta 2 to the Switch this week. The package will also include a download code for the original Bayonetta.
Also available on store shelves this week will be a pair of games that explore warfare in the olden days… Dynasty Warriors 9 and Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Both games will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One.
Players looking for a more modern take on warfare might want to pick up Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege – Advanced Edition for the PS4 and Xbox One. The re-release will include “rare bonus content” and 600 in-game Credits.
Finally this week, Ubisoft will re-release South Park: The Stick of Truth for the PS4 and Xbox One with a graphical upgrade.
A complete look at all of this week’s new releases can be found after the break. (more…)
Posted in 3DS, News, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
Tagged Bayonetta, Bayonetta 2, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, South Park: The Stick of Truth, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege
Square Enix unveils new trailer for Kingdom Hearts III featuring Monsters, Inc. world and 2018 release date
Disney is hosting the 2018 D23 Expo Japan in Tokyo this weekend, and Square Enix thought it was the perfect opportunity to unveil a brand new trailer for Kingdom Hearts III.
Fans got their first look at the RPG’s new world based on Monsters, Inc., as well as additional footage from levels that take place within Tangled and Toy Story. Square Enix also released a second trailer featuring the game’s never-before-heard theme song, “Don’t Think Twice” by Hikaru Utada, and more scenes from the game. You can find that video after the break.
But most important of all, both videos end with the promise that Kingdom Hearts III will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One sometime in 2018. It could be wishful thinking on Square Enix’s part, but it probably wouldn’t hurt if we all start clapping and shouting, “I do believe in fairies!” (more…)
Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One
Tagged Kingdom Hearts III
Bleed 2, Starpoint Gemini: Warlords, Blazing Star, more added to Xbox Store
The Xbox Games Store is closing out the week with another selection of new games. And here’s what Xbox One owners will get to choose from today…
Bleed 2 is a side-scrolling shooter sequel from Boot Disk Revolution that once again stars pink-haired heroine Wryn. Starpoint Gemini: Warlords is the latest game in the 4X strategy series from Little Green Men Games. And Blazing Star is a vertically-scrolling shooter that was originally released for the NeoGeo in 1998.
You can learn more about the rest of today’s additions to the Xbox Games Store after the break. (more…)
Descenders is a downhill biking game now available in Early Access on Steam and it’s coming to Xbox One this Summer
RageSquid has announced that Descenders, their procedurally-generated downhill biking game, is now available to download for Steam through the storefront’s Early Access program. The developer also confirmed that Descenders will be released for the Xbox One this Summer.
So what is Descenders? Glad you asked, because RageSquid has you covered…
What to expect from Descenders: A deep physics system and full controller support allow players to string together incredible trick combos, as you make your way down the mountain and attempt to reach the bottom with as few scratches as possible.
Procedurally generated worlds mean that no two runs are ever the same, while nerve-racking Boss Jumps truly sort the casuals from the pros. There are no upgrade modifiers and power-ups in Descenders — instead, players must progress through skill alone, if they want to lead their team to glory, and become the next legendary Descender.
Jumping out of a helicopter and hurtling down a mountain on a bicycle seems like a bad idea in real life. But the good news is that RageSquid will regularly update Descenders with new content including “new tweaks, bikes, kits, challenges, modes, features and worlds.” They’ve also put out a Launch Trailer for the game, and it’s been embedded above.
Posted in News, PC, Xbox One
Tagged Descenders