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.

Elder Scrolls Online voice cast includes Kate Beckinsale, John Cleese, Malcolm McDowell, and many more

Bethesda never skimps when it comes to hiring actors and actresses for the vocal roles in their games. The Elder Scrolls Online is no different.

“In The Elder Scrolls tradition, we sought world class talent to add a deep and enriching component to the immersive world the series offers players,” said Game Director Matt Firor. “This extraordinary group of actors helps bring the distinctive characters in The Elder Scrolls Online to life.”

So what will The Elder Scrolls Online’s cast of characters look like? Well…

  • Cadwell (John Cleese) is a cheerful and endearingly mad lost soul who is not afraid of anyone, even a Daedric Prince.
  • High King Emeric (Bill Nighy) is a merchant prince whose luck and determination won him the throne.
  • Queen Ayrenn (Kate Beckinsale) is the leader of the Aldmeri Dominion and Queen of the High Elves. She is far more comfortable with a blade than her crown.
  • Abnur Tharn (Alfred Molina) is a wily old wizard and politician who is the head of the Empire’s Elder Council, and the de facto power behind the Ruby Throne.
  • Azura (Lynda Carter) is the Daedric Princess of Dusk and Dawn from Skyrim who is a popular part of Elder Scrolls lore.
  • The Prophet (Michael Gambon) is a mysterious blind man who guides the player through their journey to retrieve their soul.
  • Molag Bal (Malcolm McDowell) is an evil Daedric god from another plane who schemes to enslave the mortal souls of Tamriel.
  • Jorunn the Skald King (Peter Stormare) is an unexpected monarch who led his people into an unlikely alliance.
  • Mannimarco (Jim Ward) is a renegade High Elf wizard exiled from the realm for raising the dead and the world’s most powerful necromancer.
  • Lyris Titanborn (Jennifer Hale) is a Nord half-giant, who, along with the Prophet, aids the player on their journey.
  • Sai Sahan (Kevin Michael Richardson) is a noble martial artist and master swordsman.

While most of these actors need no introduction (Alex DeLarge! Mr. Monty Python! Doc Ock! Wonder Woman! Dumbledore!), their characters might. So Bethesda put together the above video to introduce you to the characters they play and (if need be) the actors who play them.

The Elder Scrolls Online will be available for the PC on April 4 with a PS4 and Xbox One version to follow in June.

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

Spider-Man joins forces with Kraven for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 game

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will crash into theaters this May and even though the film is absolutely bursting with villains (Electro, Rhino, Green Goblin, and references to Vulture and Doctor Octopus) there’s enough left over for Beenox to use in the game adaptation of the movie, which is also titled The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

The “Reveal Trailer” above gives us our first glimpse of the game, including appearances from Kraven the Hunter (as an ally) and Electro (still a supervillain and still blue). Also, Spider-Man webswings among the skyscrapers of New York City and beats up nameless thugs. Spoilers!

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will be available this Spring, probably sometime in April, for the 3DS, PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

Posted in 3DS, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged

Shovel Knight digs into 3DS, PC, Wii U on March 31

The time has finally come! Yacht Club Games’ Shovel Knight will be released for the PC, Wii U, and 3DS on March 31.

The retro-styled game was a huge hit at last year’s PAX East show and wears its inspiration, including the side-scrolling challenge of the Mega Man series and the pogo stick mechanic found in DuckTales, on its armor-clad sleeve. The developers at Yacht Club, who broke away from WayForward several years ago, funded Shovel Knight through a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign that ultimately netted more than three times its $75,000 target. The game is now in a fully playable state within the walls of Yacht Club and should be ready for release after a round of playtesting, polish, and bug fixing.

You can see just how far they’ve come by viewing the brand new gameplay trailer, which has been embedded above.

Posted in 3DS, News, PC, Wii U | Tagged

Nintendo Download: Mighty Bomb Jack, Life Force

nintendoeshop-header

Just two games are included in this week’s Nintendo Download and both are classic NES titles of yore. Mighty Bomb Jack, the bombing-based platformer that’s not Bomberman, is now available through the Wii U eShop and Life Force, another of Konami’s side-scrolling alien shooters, has been added to the 3DS eShop.

More details on both games can be found here:

Wii U eShop

Mighty Bomb Jack – The hero of the game, Jack, must make his way through 16 levels of a pyramid in order to defeat the demon Belzebut and rescue the royal Pamera family. Navigate through action zones and Royal Palace rooms, discovering treasure chests along the way that hold money bags and useful power-ups.

3DS eShop

Life Force – Blast your way through six stages of intense action, alternating between horizontal- and vertical-scrolling environments, and take on wave after wave of enemies. You can go at it alone, or invite a friend to assist in the challenge. Do you have what it takes to save your planet from the monstrous Zelos?

Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U |

This trailer for Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition tells us what’s definitive about it

Have you wondered what makes the “Definitive Edition” of Tomb Raider so definitive? Well, good news, Square Enix and developer Crystal Dynamics (specifically Executive Producer Scot Amos) have released a new trailer detailing all the technical advancements that went into creating “The Definitive Lara.” The trailer highlights many of these tools including a new dynamic lighting system, an improved physics simulation, and the “Tress FX” system used to make sure Lara’s hair stands up to the rigors of the jungle and still looks its silky best.

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One on January 28.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

Watch This! Every NES title screen in alphabetical order

God bless the Internet.

Someone has put together a YouTube video that compiles the Start Screens of every NES game ever released (including some that never made it out of Japan) in alphabetical order. And get this… it’s nearly three hours long. I guess my entire day is shot now because, one, this sounds totally awesome and, two, I need to know if the whole thing actually is in alphabetical order.

Posted in Etcetera, News, Retro |

PS Store Today: OlliOlli, Grid 2 “Reloaded,” Lucifer Ring

playstationstorelogoWelcome to your weekly PlayStation Store update. This week, PlayStation owners will get the chance to…

  • Expand their skateboarding skills with OlliOlli (Vita)
  • Play a classic PSone beat ’em up, Lucifer Ring, that never left Japan until now
  • And replay the PS3 racer Grid 2 as part of the new “Reloaded” bundle.

More details on all of the new releases can be found right here and a complete list of this week’s new game add-ons is available at the PlayStation Blog.

PS3 Games

Grid 2 “Reloaded” ($49.99)
Be fast, be first and be famous in Grid 2 Reloaded, featuring the full Grid 2 game expanded with over $50 worth of additional content including two new circuits – legendary Spa and fearsome Bathurst – and 25 extra cars, playable in split-screen, online and career mode. Experience aggressive wheel-to-wheel competition, advanced AI, stunning visuals and jaw-dropping damage in a new word of evolving motorsport.

PSone Classics

Lucifer Ring ($5.99)
Grab your long sword and get ready to conquer mythical monsters of epic proportions! Similar to the classic Golden Axe, Lucifer Ring is an import 3D side-scrolling fighting game that pits daring hero Cue Nash against an evil skeleton antagonist with multiple forms of evil at his disposal. Presented with flashy anime story sequences, this rare bash-em-up is headlined with numerous elemental spells, potions and a rich combo system that will please any brave gamer.

PS Vita Games

OlliOlli ($12.99)
OlliOlli mixes addictive one-life gameplay with over 120 tricks and grinds across 50 deviously crafted levels, 250 Challenges, Spots Mode and Daily Grind. Not enough for you? Complete all challenges to unlock the super skilful RAD Mode!

Posted in News, PS3, Vita | Tagged ,

Earth Defense Force 2025 goes to war on February 18

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The bugs return to Earth next month as D3 Publisher has announced that Earth Defense Force 2025 will be released for the PS3 and Xbox 360 on February 18. Are you ready?

In addition to all the futuristic soldier versus giant bug action of the main game, D3 plans to release three downloadable mission packs in the weeks following EDF 2025’s release:

  • Special Ops – Will feature 5 new missions ($2.99 – Available February 18)
  • Mutant Rampage – Will feature 20 new missions ($8.99 – Available February 25)
  • Beyond Despair – Will feature 20 new missions ($8.99 – Available March 11)

The three mission packs will also be available in a “Season Pass” bundle.

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged