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.

XBLA Today: Trine 2

Posted on December 21, 2011 by John Scalzo

The puzzle platformer Trine 2 is now available on the Xbox Live Arcade from publisher Atlus and developer Frozenbyte. The multiplayer adventure has been priced at 1200 Microsoft Points ($15), which is a pretty good deal for the sequel to one of the best-reviewed games of 2009.

More on Trine 2 can be found right here:

Experience a world of stunning beauty, potent magic, and perilous adventure… one in which you may travel alone or with friends. Play as the powerful knight, the swift rogue, and the crafty wizard in this physics-based, action-platformer with 3-player local and online multiplayer. Make the most of each character’s unique skills and tools to find your way through each puzzling stage of this breathtakingly beautiful adventure. Brought together by chance and bound by a powerful ancient magic, a knight, a thief, and a wizard must now work together to undo the spell cast upon them and defeat an undead army threatening the kingdom. Each is uniquely specialized; the knight is master of strength and steel, his mighty sword capable of felling any foe. The thief is fast and dextrous, highly proficient with bow and arrow. The wizard dominates his surroundings, manipulating the environment around him. Together, there is no enemy or obstacle that can stand in their way.

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Gears of War 3 “Fenix Rising” map pack announced

Posted on December 21, 2011 by John Scalzo

Hot on the heels of the release of “RAAM’s Shadow,” Microsoft has announced the next Gears of War 3 expansion will be available on January 17. Titled “Fenix Rising” and priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10), the DLC pack will include five new maps, four new character skins, and new “Re-Up” level progression bonuses.

The “Re-Up” system will allow players who’ve reached level 100 to sign up for another tour of duty in the Locust War. By completing a second, third, and fourth march to level 100, players will be able to unlock exclusive weapons (Re-Up Plasma, Re-Up Omen, and Re-Up Electric) and exclusive rank colors (Red, Green, and Gold).

Hit the jump for an in-depth detailing on all five new maps and all four new character skins. (more…)

Posted in News, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Official Zelda timeline released by Nintendo

Posted on December 21, 2011 by John Scalzo

Nintendo has gone all out for The Legend of Zelda’s 25th anniversary. In addition to the concert tour and multiple new game releases, the company has released a commemorative art book in Japan titled Hyrule Historia. Apparently, it also contains an official Zelda timeline sanctioned by Nintendo!

According to a fan translation at Kotaku, the timeline is actually comprised of three parallel universes, all of which are created due to Link’s actions during and after The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Are you ready to think fourth dimensionally?

If Link fails in his quest to defeat Ganon, the events of A Link to the Past come to pass. However, if Link wins the day, the timeline splits in two distinct ways. The Wind Waker branches off from the future timeline where Ganon ruled for seven years while Majora’s Mask follows on from OoT’s ending of Link back in his boyhood village.

So, when its all mapped out, the official timeline looks like this… (more…)

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Transformers: Fall of Cybertron timeline hints at future games in series

Posted on December 20, 2011 by John Scalzo

Activision has released a very cool timeline for their original Transformers games, War For Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron. The timeline reveals that Fall of Cybertron will center on the creation of a Space Bridge and the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons as they travel to Earth in search of Energon.

But a mysterious fourth section, titled “The Journey,” shows that there is at least one untold tale in this version of the neverending war between the factions:

Did the Autobots and Decepticons fly directly to Earth? Or did they bounce from one corner of the galaxy to the another before meeting their destiny? These questions remain a mystery as they illustrate an unwritten chapter of the lore.

If that’s not confirmation that there’s another original Transformers game in the pipeline, I don’t know what is.

[Source: Kotaku]

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

PS Store Today: Trine 2, Sonic CD, L.A. Noire, a lot more

Posted on December 20, 2011 by John Scalzo

Merry Christmas from Sony! Sure, you have to pay for all of this week’s PlayStation Store goodies. But Sony Claus has been very good to us all the same.

This week sees the release of (deep breath now) Trine 2, Sonic CD, Apples To Apples, L.A. Noire, NCAA Football 12, Just Cause 2, Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, Centipede (a PSone Classic), and Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 for the PSP. Whew! Now that’s how you do a PlayStation Store update!

More information on all of these titles can be found after the break. And a complete list of all of this week’s game add-ons can be found at the PlayStation.Blog. (more…)

Posted in News, PS3, PSP | Tagged , , ,

Original Dante rides again in Devil May Cry HD Collection on April 3

Posted on December 20, 2011 by John Scalzo

Capcom plans to give Dante a reboot in 2012 with the Ninja Theory-developed origin story DMC: Devil May Cry. But the original Dante from the days of yore (by which I mean the PS2 years of 2001-2005) is still alive and kicking. He’ll be making a reappearance on store shelves next year with the Devil May Cry HD Collection, which is due out April 3, 2012.

The HD Collection brings together Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 2, and Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening Special Edition all in one package. In addition to an HD overhaul, the compilation will also include bonus content and support for Achievements/Trophies.

The Devil May Cry HD Collection carries a nice $39.99 retail price.

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Kingdom Hearts 3D coming to US in 2012

Posted on December 20, 2011 by John Scalzo

We all knew it was going to happen eventually, but today, Square Enix officially announced that Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance will be released in the US in 2012.

The 3DS exclusive title brings Sora and Riku together as playable characters in the Mark of Mastery exam as well as introduces new Disney worlds like The Hunchback of Notre Dame:

King Mickey and Yen Sid prepare for an impending threat by putting Sora and Riku through the Mark of Mastery exam. Sora and Riku are sent into the Sleeping Worlds, where they will face enemies and allies that have never been seen before. If they can successfully complete the task they are given, they will be deemed true Keyblade Masters.

According to series creator Tetsuya Nomura, Kingdom Hearts 3D is the beginning of the end of “the current Kingdom Hearts saga.” Nomura also said, “The story of this game will serve as the opening chapter of the final conflict, and, as always, will be full of surprises. This title will not only be a bold, exhilarating tale of adventure, but also a first look into the future form of the Kingdom Hearts series.”

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged

Sony sells 321,000 Vita handhelds in two days

Posted on December 20, 2011 by John Scalzo

The PlayStation Vita is now available in Japan and, according to a Famitsu report (via Andriasang), Sony has sold 321,407 Vita handhelds in two days. Officially, those two days are considered the Vita’s first “week” of sales by tracking firm Enterbrain.

For comparison’s sake, 371,326 3DS systems were sold during its first “week” (February 26 and 27 of this year), while the PSP pushed 166,074 units in its first “week” (actually, a single day in 2004).

The Vita will make its North American debut on February 22, 2012 (or February 15 if you sprung for the First Edition pre-order bundle).

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