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.

Shovel Knight Interview: Sailing the PAX East Seas With Sean Velasco

Posted on March 27, 2013 by John Scalzo

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Sean Velasco knows retro games. As the former Director of WayForward Technologies, he was the driving force behind Contra 4, A Boy and His Blob, and Double Dragon: Neon. And as the “Captain” of Yacht Club Games, Velasco is sailing off into the uncharted waters of an original property, Shovel Knight.

You can read all about Shovel Knight in our PAX East playthrough, which will be posted later today (UPDATE: Here it is!). But for now, let Captain Velasco guide you through his love of classic games, his thoughts on Kickstarter, Shovel Knight’s future, and the possibility of a PSN/XBLA version of the game. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, Features, Interviews, PC, Previews, Top Story, Wii U | Tagged ,

First Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD trailer confirms 2013 release date

Posted on March 27, 2013 by John Scalzo

Square Enix has officially announced that the high definition remake of Final Fantasy X will be released in North America and Europe sometime this year. They have also confirmed that the game will be bundled with an HD remake of its sequel, Final Fantasy X-2, on the PS3. The combined package will carry the rather wordy title Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster.

The remakes will also be available on the Vita, but as separate games: Final Fantasy X HD Remaster and Final Fantasy X-2 HD Remaster.

Best of all, the HD remakes on both platforms will include the “International Special Edition” content, which was previously unavailable in America.

Posted in News, PS3, Vita | Tagged ,

April system update cuts Wii U Menu loading time by 67%

Posted on March 27, 2013 by John Scalzo

The system software that powers the Wii U is about to get a whole lot faster. Nintendo has released a video showing the huge difference in load times between the current system software and the new update.

Starting from within a Wii U game or application and jumping back to the Wii U Menu currently takes about 30 seconds. But after the April system update, this action will be cut to 10 seconds. That’s a 67% decrease in the amount of time Wii U owners will be looking at a loading screen. Hurray!

I wonder how that compares to the PS3 and Xbox 360?

Posted in News, Wii U |

Battlefield 4 revealed with 17 intense minutes of gameplay

Posted on March 27, 2013 by John Scalzo

DICE is no stranger to splashy reveals and trailers that show the horrors of war up close and personal. Last night’s Battlefield 4 debut at the 2013 Game Developers Conference offered a little bit of both. The game will be available this Fall for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. Polygon‘s Brian Crecente spoke with an Electronic Arts official after the reveal and confirmed that Battlefield 4 will be available for the PS4 as well. The game runs on Frostbite 3, the latest version of DICE’s powerful engine platform. For proof of just how powerful it is, check out the 17-minute gameplay trailer above.

The demo begins as the player – Recker – opens his eyes to discover that he is trapped in a rapidly sinking car with three of his squad mates. Shooting the window is the only way out. Panic and fear are pushed aside as Recker makes a difficult decision – take the shot and recover the intel but risk that not everyone will survive. The emotional demo features a cast of characters unrivaled in interactive entertainment. Players will learn how to work together in both the Campaign and Multiplayer, issuing squad orders and comparing achievements in both experiences. Adventure and Competition will unfold through a series of beautifully crafted locations constructed with some of the best art and sound design in modern shooters.

A pre-order campaign has also launched today and EA has confirmed that all early purchasers will receive access to the Premium expansion pack.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

BioShock Infinite, Army of Two 3, Tiger Woods 14, more added to PS Store

Posted on March 27, 2013 by John Scalzo

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It’s another big week for the PlayStation Store as Sony adds the highly anticipated BioShock Infinite to their downloadable offerings. Other new additions this week include the same-day downloadable release of Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14. Yup, it is definitely a big week for the PlayStation Store.

Sony wasn’t done as they also added Tales of Graces F and PlayStation Move Fitness to the PS3 Full Games section. The PSN section has also been expanded this week with the release of the puzzling A-Men, the sandbox adventure Terraria, and the off-road racer WRC 3: FIA World Rally Championship.

WRC 3 will also be downloadable for the Vita starting today, and it is joined by the award-winning adventure game Machinarium. Finally, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Iron Triangle attempts to scratch your strategy RPG itch from its new home in the PS2 Classics section.

Hit the jump for more details on all of these games and check out the PlayStation Blog for a complete list of this week’s new game add-ons.

(more…)

Posted in News, PS3, Vita | Tagged , , , ,

Insomniac’s Fuse will detonate store shelves on May 28

Posted on March 26, 2013 by John Scalzo

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During the blur that is PAX East, it’s easy to miss some stuff. Even some big things. Like the announcement that Electronic Arts and Insomniac will release Fuse on the PS3 and Xbox 360 on May 28. Insomniac’s futuristic co-op shooter is their first multiplatform game and their first game not to be published by Sony since 1996’s Disruptor.

Fuse has been through a ton of changes since it was first announced under its original title, Overstrike. But the core story has remained the same: “Fuse thrusts players into the roles of four elite, covert agents – Dalton Brooks, Izzy Sinclair, Jacob Kimble and Naya Deveraux – each with their own Xenotech weapon and set of unique skills used to fight to protect mankind from a deadly alien energy source known as Fuse.”

In keeping with Insomniac’s philosophy to create the coolest weapons ever for their games, players who pre-order Fuse will receive a variety of exclusive weapon and armor downloads to enhance the game. You can check those out out after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Second Borderlands 2 Limited Edition Loot Chest coming in May

Posted on March 24, 2013 by John Scalzo

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One more bit of news from the Gearbox panel, a second Borderlands 2 “Loot Chest” will be available in May. Like the first one, this special edition will be super-limited. How limited? There’s only going to be 5,000 of them and you’ll be able to get it exclusively at Think Geek for $99.99.

It’ll include a variety of neat Borderlands-themed stuff (see below) and it’ll be available in May. Sadly, it doesn’t come with the game. But you already own it, right?

Borderlands 2 Diamond Plate Loot Chest

  • Diamond Plate Loot Chest
  • Loot Chest Certificate of Authenticity
  • Vault Hunters Wanted Poster
  • Goliath Replica Mask (Plus SHiFT Code to Unlock In-Game)
  • Legendary Item Cards (Plus SHiFT Codes to Unlock In-Game)
  • Window Decals for Hyperion, Jakobs, Maliwan, and more
Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Krieg the Psycho is new Borderlands 2 character; Ultimate Vault Hunter’s Pack in April

Posted on March 24, 2013 by John Scalzo

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The Gearbox panel is currently underway at PAX East 2013 and the beleaguered developer has announced that the newest Borderlands 2 vault hunter will be known as Krieg the Psycho. Krieg, which is German for “war,” is a crazed berserker that is focused on melee combat. Krieg will be available in May for $10 (or 800 Microsoft Points for you Xbox 360 owners).

But sooner than that will be a new DLC content drop known as “The Ultimate Vault Hunter’s Pack.” Set for release on April 2, the pack will include a new gear tier, Pearlescent, an increase to the level cap (you can go to 61 now), and a third playthrough mode, the titular “Ultimate Vault Hunter’s” mode. The pack has been priced at $5 (or 400 points worth of Microsoft funny money). But if you’re a Season Pass holder, you’ll get it for free.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,