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.

Latest Injustice 2 trailer introduces the customizable Gear System

Posted on April 11, 2017 by John Scalzo

Another day… another Injustice 2 trailer. Today’s look at NetherRealm’s next fighting game focuses on its customizable Gear System, which will allow players to bestow offensive bonuses and a fashionable new style on their favorite characters:

With every clash comes change and the opportunity for evolution. The Gear System brings a new level of depth to the game, allowing players to evolve their play style and achieve their goals. Gear opens up vast possibilities for personalization by enabling combatants of all levels to build and power up the ultimate version of their favorite DC characters to fit their fighting style.

Injustice 2 will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One on May 16.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

Koei Tecmo’s many characters will mix it up in Warriors All-Stars this August

Posted on April 11, 2017 by John Scalzo

Koei Tecmo is bringing together dozens of characters from their massive stable of games to create the biggest Warriors game ever. Announced this morning, Warriors All-Stars will be available this August and include appearances by Ryu Hayabusa, Kasumi, Zhao Yun, and many more:

Warriors All-Stars features a wide selection of fan-favorite characters from various Koei Tecmo Games franchises. Ryu Hayabusa from Ninja Gaiden, Kasumi from Dead or Alive, William from Nioh, Yukimura Sanada from Samurai Warriors, Zhao Yun from Dynasty Warriors, Horo and Oka from Toukiden, and Sophie Neuenmuller from Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book are among the many rivals who will contend for royalty in Warriors All-Stars.

Warriors All-Stars begins in a mysterious land brought to the brink of destruction when a magical spring, the source of its power, dries up after its king’s passing. Following a legend that calls for the summoning of champions from other realms in times of dire need, the young princess Tamaki performs a ritual that goes horribly wrong when her powers spiral out of control, scattering the heroes across the domain. Emboldened to restore peace to the world, Tamaki must recruit the best and strongest among these visitors to revitalize the spring – and crown the land’s savior as its new ruler.

The publisher’s huge crossover will also include a huge number of retailer-specific pre-order bonuses, and prospective players will be able to choose from a Kasumi-themed costume for Wang Yuanji, a Ryu Hayabusa-themed costume for Yukimura Sanada, an Oka-themed costume for Sophie Neuenmuller, a Millennia-themed costume for Horo, and an Opoona costume for Marie-Rose. Everyone who pre-orders Warriors All-Stars will also receive an instant access to the playable character Opoona.

Warriors All-Stars is currently in development for the PC and PS4, and it’ll be available on August 29.

Posted in News, PC, PS4 | Tagged

Bandai Namco announces Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker for the PC, PS4, Xbox One

Posted on April 10, 2017 by John Scalzo

Shortly after announcing a remastered compilation of the four Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm games, Bandai Namco has also confirmed that Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is currently in development for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

As you might have guessed, Naruto to Boruto follows the “next generation” of ninjas from the anime, and it gives players the chance to compete in 4v4 online battles:

In Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker, players go head-to-head in 4 vs. 4 battles, with all eight ninjas fighting simultaneously. Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker features beloved Naruto characters and teams from the series, including Naruto, Sasuke, and Team 7. The game showcases a brand-new graphic style with vivid colors and dynamic third-person ninja gameplay that enables players to take advantage of the verticality of the arena environment with vertical running and jumping to elevated areas. Players can also choose to play co-op with friends and lead teams to victory to be the top ninjas online.

“We’re delighted to work with Soleil on the newest installment to the Naruto series, taking the popular franchise to literal new heights as players utilize the vertical plane to gain advantages in battles with friends. Long-time fans and Naruto newbies are sure to enjoy the intense arena combat together,” said Eric Hartness, the Vice President of Marketing at Bandai Namco Entertainment America. “Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is a fresh take on the iconic anime series, and puts all players and characters into the fight.”

Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is being developed by Soleil and will be available “soon.”

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

Bandai Namco will re-release all four Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm games on the PC, PS4, Xbox One in a Legacy collection

Posted on April 10, 2017 by John Scalzo

Bandai Namco is bringing back the Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm series in a brand new compilation that’ll be available for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One later this year.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Legacy will include Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, and Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst, all of which were originally released for the PS3 and Xbox 360 between 2008 and 2013. The package will also include a second disc containing Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Road to Boruto, which was released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One earlier this year.

“Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Legacy is the perfect starting point for new fans discovering the popular series and dedicated fans who want to experience their favorite Naruto stories again on PS4, Xbox One, or Steam,” said Eric Hartness, the Vice President of Marketing at Bandai Namco Entertainment America. “Throughout the Naruto Storm series of games, CyberConnect2 has crafted groundbreaking Naruto experiences that any newbie, ninja, Hokage, or anime fan will love playing again and again.”

In addition to giving fans all four games in the Ultimate Ninja Storm series, the Legacy collection will feature a batch of bonus goodies including a Naruto artbook, a Naruto anime disc, and a Steelbook case.

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

The Flash shows off the greatest Super Move of all time in this Injustice 2 trailer

Posted on April 10, 2017 by John Scalzo

The Flash has reformed his evil ways after the events of Injustice: Gods Among Us, and he’s ready to jump back into the fray in the latest trailer for Injustice 2. The Flash continues to use his super speed to baffle opponents in NetherRealm’s sequel, but the Scarlet Speedster’s “Super Move” has to be seen to be believed.

As part of his “Super Move”, The Flash drags Gorilla Grodd into the Speed Force and first travels back to ancient Egypt to smash through the Sphinx, before also visiting a prehistoric park to use a Tyrannosaurus Rex as a battering ram. The superhero finishes by coming back to the present a few seconds before he left to throw Grodd INTO HIMSELF for the knockout.

Injustice 2 will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One on May 16.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

Westworld actress Shannon Woodward joins The Last of Us Part II

Posted on April 10, 2017 by John Scalzo

It’s been four long months since we first heard about The Last of Us Part II, and Naughty Dog has kept fans in the dark ever since. So naturally, those same fans are going to leap on any scrap of new information about The Last of Us Part II… like this tweet from actress Shannon Woodward about her recent motion capture work for the game:

Woodward is best known for her role in Westworld as Elsie Hughes, one of the programmers employed by the futuristic theme park. Her role in The Last of Us Part II is currently unknown, but it looks like she got a chance to chat with Creative Director Neil Druckmann while filming her part.

The Last of Us Part II is in development exclusively for the PS4, though an official release date has yet to be announced.

Posted in News, PS4 | Tagged

Weekly Warp-Up: The Nintendo Switch is Retro-Tastic…

Posted on April 9, 2017 by John Scalzo

No, that’s not a typo. Welcome to the Weekly Warp-Up, your weekly wrap-up of the biggest and the best articles posted at Warp Zoned this week…

The Nintendo Switch celebrated its one-month anniversary this week, and the console/handheld hybrid has emerged as a prime destination for retro-themed titles. Look no further than our reviews of Graceful Explosion Machine and Blaster Master Zero to see how the Switch is becoming an essential piece of technology for fans of retro gaming.

And it looks like this momentum will continue throughout the Spring, especially after this week’s announcement of the Jam-like NBA Playgrounds. This arcade-y basketball game will also be available for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One in May.

Finally this week, the Warp Zoned Staff got together to discuss What We Played in March 2017 and The Games of April 2017. As you might have guessed, there was a lot of talk about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in the former, and Persona 5 in the latter.

You can read all about the rest of this week after the break. (more…)

Posted in News |

New Retail Releases: Yooka-Laylee, Stardew Valley Collector’s Edition, StarBlood Arena

Posted on April 9, 2017 by John Scalzo

The past, the present, and the future collide in this week’s New Retail Release report.

Playtonic’s Yooka-Laylee is a throwback to the 3D platformers of the Donkey Kong 64/Banjo-Kazooie era. In fact, a majority of the developers from Playtonic originally worked on both of those games at Rare. With Yooka-Laylee, which will be available for the PS4 and Xbox One, the team has gone back to what they’re good at and created a game where there’s platforms to jump on, collectibles to find, and bosses to fight.

Last year, ConcernedApe’s Stardew Valley became a huge hit by combining a sprawling RPG with a farming simulation. This week, it’ll be available on retail shelves in a Collector’s Edition for the PS4 and Xbox One.

Finally this week, StarBlood Arena is a space shooter from Sony that’s launching exclusively for PlayStation VR. Players will be able to compete in single-player, co-op, and multiplayer matches as they attempt to survive in the futuristic Arena.

That’s all for now, but we’ll be back later this week with an expanded look at the latest additions to the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, and Nintendo eShop.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged ,