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.

Atlus will release Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux for 3DS in Early 2018

Posted on June 7, 2017 by John Scalzo

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey was originally released for the DS in 2010, but Atlus Japan announced during their “Spring Broadcast 2017” that the RPG would also be coming to the 3DS. Today, Atlus USA confirmed the game will make its North American debut in Early 2018 as Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux:

A spatial distortion full of demons appeared in Antarctica, threatening to engulf the Earth in Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey. The United Nations responded by tasking a team of highly advanced specialists with piercing the anomaly and figuring out how to stop it from the source. Well, get ready to don your Demonica once again in this new expanded port: Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux. Expect new story content, additional endings, a new dungeon to explore, and more in the return of this sci-fi tinged SMT adventure.

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux will include the original Japanese voices, as well as brand new illustrations, updated visuals, UI tweaks, extra story content, and more:

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux Features

  • A Stranger Journey Back – In Strange Journey Redux, you play as a brave United Nations soldier investigating a spatial anomaly called the Schwarzwelt–a dome of dark energy that threatens to consume the world. Inside, you’ll find it home to a nightmare mirror of our own Earth, populated with demons dying to meet you. The game touts brand new illustrations by Masayuki Doi, updated visuals, UI tweaks, and more to make this journey back into the Schwarzwelt… even stranger.
  • Additional Story Content and a Brand New Character – You won’t be retreading the same nightmarish path as before because a brand-new character named Alex will play a major role in how the story unfolds. Much about her is a mystery, but there is one thing you know for sure: she’s got a bone to pick with you. Joining her are new demons you might recognize from other SMT entries, new endings, and a new dungeon to die in–I mean, discover.
  • A True Shin Megami Tensei Adventure – With its twisted demonic sci-fi story, addictive demon-collecting fun, and multiple narrative paths to explore, Strange Journey Redux is an essential Atlus JRPG adventure that can’t be missed!

The first trailer for Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged ,

Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology will be released in North America in Early 2018

Posted on June 7, 2017 by John Scalzo

Atlus has confirmed that Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology will be released in North America in Early 2018. Radiant Historia was originally released for the DS in 2011, and Perfect Chronology will bring the turn-based RPG to the 3DS in an expanded form.

First announced by Atlus Japan back in March as part of their “Spring Broadcast 2017,” Perfect Chronology will feature enhanced graphics and sound, as well as new story content, and additional difficulty options:

Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology Features

  • An Enhanced Retelling of the Original – You’ll once again take the reins of Alistel operative Stocke as he unlocks the power of the White Chronicle relic and gains the ability to travel between two alternate timelines. With his newfound powers, Stocke will need to right the wrongs of the past in order to prevent the total annihilation of the world. This time though, things are a bit different. Redesigned character art, new character voice-overs, a brand-new opening animation by A-1 Pictures, new theme song, event illustrations, five new tracks from original composer Yoko Shimomura, and additional difficulty settings will enhance the experience in this fresh take of a beloved story.
  • Exhilarating New Story Content – Stocke will now encounter a mysterious new character named Nemesia who will teach him more about his world’s history and unlock a third timeline to explore the ripple effect of some of his actions with episodic “what-if” scenarios. If you’re a Radiant Historia purist who simply wants to play through the original game’s story, we have you covered! Perfect Chronology offers two different modes: Append and Perfect. Append mode allows you to beat the original game before having the option to start a NewGame+ with the added content, while Perfect mode lets you play through the game with the inclusion of the third timeline from the beginning.
  • A Classic That Can’t Be Missed – Even though there’s an abundance of expanded content to delve into, the heart and soul of Radiant Historia remains the same. If you missed out on the original game in 2011, the upcoming port is the perfect chance to play a modern classic. With an exciting positioning-based battle system, memorable characters, and thrilling time-travel mechanics, Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology is an essential for JRPG fans.

The first teaser trailer for Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology has been embedded above.

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged ,

Atlus will release Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth in North America in Fall 2017

Posted on June 7, 2017 by John Scalzo

Atlus has announced plans to release Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth in North America this Fall. The dungeon-crawling RPG for the 3DS was originally released in Japan last year. According to Atlus, Etrian Odyssey V’s North American debut will be fully voiced in English, and offer fans a bevy of new features:

Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth Features

  • A Choose-Your-Own-Odyssey Feel – Starting with the creation of your party to exploring the uncharted labyrinth of the Yggdrasil Tree, Beyond the Myth is all about choosing how your own adventure unfolds. Test your survival skills by wisely navigating the winding floors of Yggdrasil, using shrewd tactics when battling gruesome beasts, making the right decisions during various “scenarios,” and more. To meet these challenges, the home base city of Iorys is ready for all your buying/selling, recruiting, and information-gathering needs!
  • Gameplay Fit for a True Pathfinder – It wouldn’t be an Etrian Odyssey game without the life-or-death need to map your progress. For those new to the series, the bottom screen of the 3DS displays a top-down, tile-based map that must be filled out while dungeon crawling. Players can use the map to mark the locations of treasures, doors, enemies, environmental obstructions, and more. Expect the unexpected at every turn–and then make a note on the map so it’s not so unexpected next time!
  • Epic Turn-based Battles – There’s a reason why no one has ever reached the top of Yggdrasil. Dangerous creatures and utterly terrifying FOEs–high-level mini-bosses, for you newcomers–roam the labyrinth on every floor, so prepare to test your mettle with challenging turn-based battles. Proper planning is a must and balancing strong party composition is absolutely crucial for success. You’ll need the right team to unleash Union Attacks and level the playing field!
  • Expanded Character Creation and Customization – With four unique races, 10 distinct classes, more customization options than any previous game in the franchise, and a streamlined skill tree/class advancement, you can shape a party to whatever your heart desires.
  • A Magical Art Style and Score – Longtime series illustrator Yuji Himukai and renowned composer Yuzo Koshiro return to add their signature magic to the art and music in the game.

The first trailer for Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth has been embedded above.

Posted in 3DS, News | Tagged ,

Telltale will launch Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2 on July 11

Posted on June 7, 2017 by John Scalzo

Telltale Games has announced they’ll return to the world of Minecraft next month with the opening chapter of Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2. Jesse and the gang saved the world… so naturally it’s time for more shenanigans:

Now that Jesse and the gang have vanquished the Wither Storm, saved the world, and become totally super famous heroes, life has gotten a bit more…complicated. With more responsibilities and less time for adventure, old friendships have started to fade — at least until Jesse’s hand gets stuck in a creepy gauntlet that belongs to an ancient underwater temple. Together with old pals and new comrades alike, Jesse embarks on a brand new journey filled with tough choices, good times, and at least one temperamental llama.

Patton Oswalt (Male Jesse), Catherine Taber (Female Jesse), Ashley Johnson (Petra), and Scott Porter (Lukas) have all signed on to once again lend their voices to the episodic adventure series, and Telltale will also add their popular Crowd Play feature to Season 2 for players who want to share their decision-making with others. And speaking of decisions, choices from Minecraft: Story Mode will carry over into Season 2, but new players will be able to jump right into the story.

Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2 – Episode 1: Hero in Residence will be available to download for the PC, PS4, Xbox One, and mobile devices on July 11. A retail version will also be available this Fall.

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

Square Enix will bring Dissidia Final Fantasy NT to the PS4 in Early 2018

Posted on June 7, 2017 by John Scalzo

The third game in the Dissidia Final Fantasy series has been available in Japanese arcades since 2015, but this morning, Square Enix confirmed it’ll be released for the PS4 in Early 2018 as Dissidia Final Fantasy NT. In development at Team Ninja, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT is a team-based brawler that “pits legendary heroes and villains from the Final Fantasy franchise together in epic and strategic battles”:

Offering strategic online and offline play, players can select from over 20 legendary characters and familiar summons, including Ifrit, Shiva and Odin, to bring into three versus three battles. The game also brings back the Dissidia series’ unique “bravery combat system,” alongside unparalleled visuals and seamless gameplay.

The first trailer for Dissidia Final Fantasy NT has been embedded above, and Square Enix has announced plans to further unveil the game at this year’s E3 Expo. Geoff Keighley’s E3 Coliseum will host a panel for the game featuring Producer Ichiro Hazama, Director Takeo Kujiraoka, Echo Fox’s Justin Wong, and Kenneth “K-Brad” Bradley on Tuesday, June 13, at 6:15 PM (Eastern Time).

Posted in News, PS4 | Tagged ,

Wipeout Omega Collection, Perception, Elder Scrolls Online Morrowind, more added to PS Store this week

Posted on June 7, 2017 by John Scalzo

The PlayStation Store is racing for the future with this week’s update…

First up is the Wipeout: Omega Collection, a new PS4 compilation featuring the last two games in the series. The futuristic racing franchise may have faded away in 2012, but Sony is hoping that fans will want to replay Wipeout HD, its Fury expansion, and Wipeout 2048 one more time with enhanced graphics and sound.

Also available to download this week is a different kind of racing game from Codemasters. The publisher has relaunched its off-road racing series with Dirt 4 for the PS4. Including more than 50 vehicles and an almost unlimited number of routes, Dirt 4 will keep fans busy for quite a while. And speaking of dedicated fans, Bethesda is returning to the island of Vvardenfell for new adventures in The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind for the PS4.

Finally this week, PS4 players will get the chance to download the Diablo-like Victor Vran and Perception, a first-person narrative adventure created by a team of developers who previously worked on BioShock and Dead Space. Telltale will also launch Guardians of the Galaxy – Episode 2: Under Pressure, the newest episode in their Marvel adaptation.

You can learn more about all of these games (and nearly a dozen other new releases) after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PS4, Vita | Tagged , , , , ,

Gears of War 4’s “Rise of the Horde” update adds new Skills, Achievements, Inconceivable difficulty, and more

Posted on June 6, 2017 by John Scalzo

Rise of the Horde, the biggest update yet for Gears of War 4, is now available to download for free. The update features a massive update to Horde Mode, along with new difficulty modes, maps, and Achievements. But before you jump in, the Xbox Wire has a complete rundown of what’s included in Rise of the Horde:

Horde is getting a massive shakeup with the arrival of Rise of the Horde, with 15 brand new Horde Skills (three per Class) to collect, Level 6 skills, Loot Drops, tuning changes and new difficulty levels!

Microsoft will also add an “Inconceivable” difficulty level to Horde Mode and the Campaign, as well as an Ironman option for players that want to complete Gears of War 4 without dying. Once again, Xbox Wire delivered the details:

In Horde, Inconceivable is a direct step up from Insane – you’ll be even weaker, and your enemies will be even stronger. Level up your skills to their new Level 6 peak and maximize the bonuses of your classes if you want to get through all 50 Waves of Inconceivable.

In Campaign, Inconceivable takes a more Survival based twist, giving you less health than Insane difficulty but also less health to your enemies. That’s because surviving on Inconceivable is all about effectiveness – weapons and crates drop significantly less ammunition, so you’ll have to make every shot count with whatever pickups you can find on the battlefield.

The Rise of the Horde update also includes remakes of two classic Gears maps (“Avalanche” from Gears of War 2 and “Rust Lung” from Gears of War 3), along with 30 new Achievements worth 500 Gamerscore.

Finally, if you haven’t had a chance to play Gears of War 4 yet, Microsoft also announced plans to offer a free demo of the game through the Xbox Games Store between June 9th and June 15th.

Posted in News, PC, Xbox One | Tagged

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice will be released on August 8

Posted on June 6, 2017 by John Scalzo

Ninja Theory has announced that Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, their “Independent AAA” action-adventure game, will be released for the PC and PS4 on August 8.

In a brand new post on the PlayStation Blog, Ninja Theory’s “Product Development Ninja,” Dominic Matthews, revealed exactly what the team is trying to accomplish by creating an “Independent AAA” game:

In Hellblade, we are aiming to revive the lost space between indie and AAA gaming. Where creatively diverse experiences made with AAA values can thrive once again.

We’ve taken a small team of around 20 people and created a focused and rich experience that looks and feels as good as any blockbuster title. Hellblade is about half the length of a regular AAA game and priced at about half the cost. A price that we think is fair to both you and us.

Our hope is that if we make our Independent AAA work with Hellblade, other developers will follow, leading to a more creative and diverse gaming world for developers and players alike.

Matthews also reiterated Hellblade’s plot, which focuses on the trauma and psycosis experienced by a Celtic warrior named Senua:

For those new to Hellblade, the game is the story of Senua, a traumatized Celtic warrior journeying into the Viking underworld of Hel. We have created the game in collaboration with neuroscientists as well as people who live with psychosis. We hope Hellblade is an experience like no other.

You can get a short taste of Ninja Theory’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice in the new trailer embedded above.

Posted in News, PC, PS4 | Tagged