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.

A Few Hours With… Graveyard Keeper

Posted on August 20, 2018 by John Scalzo

I have no idea what the daily grind of being a medieval graveyard keeper actually entailed, but I somehow doubt it involved digging up bodies to appease an angry ghost and helping an Inquisitor hunt down witches. Thankfully, Lazy Bear Games wasn’t striving for accuracy when they developed Graveyard Keeper, or “the most inaccurate medieval cemetery management sim of the year.”

I’m not sure “inaccurate” goes far enough to describe the events of Graveyard Keeper, but after spending a few hours with the game, it’s weirdly absurd world is starting to grow on me. (more…)

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , ,

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night’s launch pushed back to 2019; Vita version canceled

Posted on August 20, 2018 by John Scalzo

In a new Kickstarter update, Koji “IGA” Igarashi announced that Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night‘s PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One launch has been pushed back to 2019. Within that same update, Igarashi also confirmed the game is no longer in development for the Vita.

According to the developer, the delay is to “raise the quality level” of the game:

Our first announcement is that the game will now launch in 2019. The most important reason for this is to raise the quality level, especially after all the very valuable feedback from the Beta Backer Demo.

He went on to say that the Vita version of Bloodstained was canceled due to Sony’s plans to discontinue the handheld:

The second announcement is that the game will no longer launch on PlayStation Vita. This decision is largely due to Sony’s plans to discontinue the Vita console, ending production of physical copies and stopping certain online store support features.

It is extremely unfortunate, but as a result, we won’t be releasing the game on Vita. For the backers who have ordered the PS Vita version of the game, you will be able to choose another platform or request a refund.

You can see “IGA” deliver this message personally in the video embedded above.

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

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice will be released on March 22, 2019; Collector’s Edition announced

Posted on August 20, 2018 by John Scalzo

Activision and From Software have announced that Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on March 22, 2019.

But first, fans looking to unleash their inner ninja will be able to try out a playable demo of the action-adventure game during this week’s Gamescom 2018. The demo will give players the chance to explore three core tenets of ninja combat:

  • Sword Combat: The core combat in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is measured by an intense clash of steel. Players will take command of special Sword Arts to supplement their regular attacks, and tear down enemy defenses before sealing the final blow.
  • Shinobi Prosthetic: Players can equip and switch between a variety of unique Prosthetic Tools to find the weakness of a formidable enemy. Additionally, tools such as the Grappling Hook can be utilized to bring an extra dimension to exploration and traversal throughout the world of the game.
  • Resurrection: Used as an opportunity for a tactical retreat or to deceive an enemy and go on the counter-offensive, this new combat strategy allows players to resurrect on the spot, even after a hasty death.

In addition to confirming Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice’s launch date, Activision and From Software also unveiled a special Collector’s Edition for the game, which will include a the game disc in SteelBook packaging, a 7” Shinobi Statue, a Collectible Artbook, a Map, a Digital Soundtrack, and Three Sengoku Era Replica Game Coins.

A close-up of the Collector’s Edition has been embedded above.

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

New Retail Releases: Shenmue I & II, F1 2018 Headline Edition, Little Dragons Cafe, More

Posted on August 20, 2018 by John Scalzo

It’s Gamescom Week, and like E3 Week last month, most game publishers have decided not to launch any new games during Europe’s biggest gaming event. But a few brave souls are racing ahead and trying anyway…

This week, Sega will give gamers another chance to experience the Shenmue franchise with the launch of Shenmue I & II for the PS4 and Xbox One. This re-release will include original and modern control options, as well as Japanese audio.

Codemasters got the green light to release F1 2018: Headline Edition for the PS4 and Xbox One this week. The speedy simulation will include the full calendar of circuits from the 2018 Formula One Season. Racing game fans will also be able to look into All-Star Fruit Racing for the PS4 and Switch this week.

Also this week, Aksys Games will bring Little Dragons Cafe to the PS4 and Switch. Players can raise their own little dragons and master the art of cooking by running a cafe.

And speaking of firepower, Grip Digital’s Mothergunship, a “bullet hell” first person shooter, is now available on retail shelves for the PS4 and Xbox One.

Finally this week, Retroism will release Return of Double Dragon for the Super NES. The game is actually a re-release of 1992’s Super Double Dragon, but it includes several bonus levels that were exclusive to the Japanese version of the game, as well as an expanded moveset for the ninja brothers.

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

Posted in News, PS4, Retro, Switch, Xbox One | Tagged , ,

Sabotage Studio will bring The Messenger to PC, Switch on August 30

Posted on August 17, 2018 by John Scalzo

Sabotage Studio’s The Messenger wall jumped its way into our hearts when it was unveiled by publisher Devolver Digital back in January. The game’s unique combination of Ninja Gaiden-like platforming and MetroidVania-style level design was exciting, as was its stylish use of portals to transport players between 8-bit and 16-bit worlds.

As a demon army besieges his village, a young ninja ventures through a cursed world, to deliver a scroll paramount to his clan’s survival. What begins as a classic action platformer soon unravels into an expansive time-traveling adventure full of thrills, surprises, and humor.

Yesterday, the developer announced that The Messenger will be released for the PC and Switch on August 30. And to celebrate, they uploaded a brand new trailer that’s packed with ninja action, and which is currently embedded above.

Posted in News, PC, PS4 | Tagged

Burnout Paradise Remastered will be available for the PC on August 21

Posted on August 17, 2018 by John Scalzo

After racing onto the PS4 and Xbox One back in March, Electronic Arts and Criterion Games have announced that Burnout Paradise Remastered will make its way to the PC (via Origin) on August 21. However, if you’re a subscriber to EA’s Origin Access Premier service, you can download it right now:

EA and Criterion also confirmed that players who previously purchased the original version of Burnout Paradise through the Origin Store will receive a 75% discount if they choose to upgrade to the Remastered re-release.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged

Activision unveils new Gameplay Trailer for Spyro Reignited Trilogy… and delays its release until November 13

Posted on August 17, 2018 by John Scalzo

Activision has been playing “Good News/Bad News” with Spyro fans all Summer long.

First, the Spyro Reignited Trilogy compilation had a great showing for the game at this year’s E3 Expo, but then the publisher revealed that only the first game in the franchise, Spyro the Dragon, would appear on the retail disc (the other two games will require an additional download).

And now, the publisher recently pushed out a hefty new Gameplay Trailer for the compilation, showcasing the Hurricos Realm from Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage. That video is embedded above, but they also announced that the launch date for the Spyro Reignited Trilogy has been rescheduled from the relatively-soonish September 21 to the much-further-out November 13.

Writing on the Activision Games Blog, Toys For Bob’s Paul Yan said the compilation needs “more love and care”:

Everyone here at Toys for Bob is so proud to be reigniting the original Spyro trilogy after all these years. We’re deeply committed to getting these games right, so we’ve decided to move the release date of Spyro Reignited Trilogy to November 13, 2018. I really hoped that you would be rescuing dragons and scorching Rhynocs sooner, but the Trilogy needs more love and care. In November when you’re exploring the Dragon Realms, Avalar and the Forgotten Worlds, we know you’ll agree the extra time was worth the wait.

Yan didn’t expand on what “more love and care” means exactly, but hopefully the developer will find some way to fit all three games on the disc.

The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is currently in development for the PS4 and Xbox One, and is widely expected to also make its way to the Nintendo Switch sometime in the future.

Posted in News, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

The Walking Dead: The Final Season, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, Next Up Hero, more coming to Nintendo eShop this week

Posted on August 16, 2018 by John Scalzo

Telltale Games was widely expected to bring The Walking Dead: The Final Season to the Switch sometime later this year, but there it is, front and center in this week’s Nintendo eShop update, just two days after its PC, PS4, and Xbox One debut. Switch owners will be able to experience the first episode of Clementines final journey, as she searches for a home for her and AJ.

Also available to download for the Switch today is Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, Steel Crate Games’s bomb defusal party game. One player sits down in front of a ticking time bomb, while the other players talk them through it (without looking at the bomb) with the use of the game’s Bomb Defusal Manual.

Finally this week, Switch owners will get the chance to purchase Next Up Hero, a massively multiplayer brawler from Digital Continue where every time you die you get a little closer to defeating the boss.

You can learn more about the rest of this week’s additions to the Nintendo eShop (including Metal Slug 4, CastleStorm, Manual Samuel, and more) after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, Switch | Tagged , ,