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.

Metro: Last Light rides into stores on May 14

metrolastlight-logoWith the first half of the THQ auction complete, many of the publisher’s former projects are being added to the 2013 calendar. And with today’s announcement from Deep Silver, it looks like Metro: Last Light will be the first one to make its way to stores.

The sequel to Metro 2033 will be released for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 on May 14 (May 17 in Europe) in a special Limited Edition. THQ originally planned to ship the game this month, but Deep Silver plans to use the extra time to allow developer 4A Games a chance to make Last Light “even better.”

“The new release date is the ideal way to strike the balance between bringing the best out of Metro: Last Light and not keep the fans waiting longer than necessary,” said Dr. Klemens Kundratitz, CEO of Koch Media. “We won’t leave that time unexploited and will work closely together with 4A Games to make the game even better. It will receive all the attention it deserves.”

Deep Silver also purchased the rights to Saints Row 4 at the THQ auction, hopefully we learn more about that one soon.

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

Sony announces October 8 release date for Beyond: Two Souls

The game is still very much a mystery, but Sony and Quantic Dream have announced that Beyond: Two Souls will be available for the PlayStation 3 on October 8.

Ellen Page has left her hamburger phone behind and taken on the role of Jodie Holmes, the game’s heroine. Her ability to interact with an invisible entity she names Aiden forms the backbone of Beyond. But beyond that, Quantic Dream has done a good job of keeping the game’s plot under wraps.

But they peeled back a bit more about the title today with the reveal that Willem Dafoe has signed on to play Nathan Dawkins, a government scientist who works with Jodie to analyse her powers. You can see one of their scenes together in the trailer above.

With a finalized release date, Quantic Dream is also ready to talk about Beyond’s pre-order bonuses. If you plan to pre-purchase the game from your local GameStop, you’ll receive an exclusive “additional scene” that clocks in at 30 minutes. In addition to the DLC mission, pre-orders will be automatically upgraded to a Special Edition that includes Steelbook packaging, extensive Behind-The-Scenes Video Features, a soundtrack, a PS3 Dynamic Theme, and a PSN Avatar Bundle.

Posted in News, PS3 | Tagged

Blizzard is bringing “something different” to PAX East

blizzardlogoBlizzard is bringing the PS3 version of Diablo III to this year’s PAX East show, but it looks like they’ve got a surprise in store for congoers as well.

In an invitation to the gaming media, Blizzard has confirmed that they’re bringing “a little something” that’s “different from our other games.” Whatever this “little something” is will make its worldwide debut on Friday, March 22 at 10 AM within the Naga Theater.

As far as hints go, Blizzard has given us this: “It’s not a sequel, expansion, or that rumored next-gen MMO, but it’s something we’re excited for you to get your hands on.”

Hmm. That’s not much to go on. I guess we’ll find out in three weeks.

[Source: Polygon]

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No update on CoD: Black Ops II DLC for Wii U

After its month of Xbox Live exclusivity, Treyarch today released the first Call of Duty: Black Ops II map pack, Revolution, on the PC and PS3. Priced at $14.99, the pack includes three new multiplayer maps, a new Zombies map, a new Zombies gametype, and a new gun.

Now the question becomes, when will the Revolution be televised on the Wii U?

Activision’s Community Manager, Dan Amrich, took up the question today during his weekly videocast, One of Swords TV. After hemming and hawing for a few minutes, Amrich confirmed, “I don’t know.”

However, he did promise that when Black Ops II’s DLC does get a Wii U release, the news will appear on his blog, One of Swords.

Posted in News, PC, PS3, Wii U | Tagged

Sony exec says Gran Turismo 6 is a PS3 game

granturismologo

Gran Turismo 6 was a notable no-show during Sony’s PlayStation 4 reveal last week. But the long development times typically associated with Polyphony Digital’s projects may not be to blame. Instead, the reason Gran Turismo 6’s PS4 debut didn’t happen is because it’s actually a PS3 game.

Michael Denny, the Senior Vice President at Sony Worldwide Studios, recently dropped this nugget during an interview with Silicon Republic:

“Look at the games coming out on the PlayStation 3 like The Last of Us, Beyond: Two Souls, GT6, and then on the third-party side of things another fantastic Assassin’s Creed, GTA,” Denny listed. “It’s important for our content to have that kind of longevity because, as I was saying [about the PS Vita], the games that come through are going to get better and better over time.”

Interesting, very interesting.

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Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag officially announced

assassinscreed4-large-boxYarr! Ubisoft has opened their treasure chest and confirmed that Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag will be the next game in the series. All we’ve got to go on right now is the official boxart seen to your right (click to enlarge), but check out the awesome Assassin insignia/Jolly Roger pirate flag.

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag will be available for the PC, PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360. Just like Assassin’s Creed III, the PS3 version of the game will include exclusive content. For Black Flag, Ubisoft is producing a PS3 version that includes “60 minutes of exclusive gameplay.”

It’s unknown if the game will be coming to the PS4 or the (soon-to-be-announced) Xbox 720, but I’d say it’s a fair bet. This is Ubisoft we’re talking about, after all.

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

Nintendo Download: Runner 2, Retro City Rampage, Castlevania: Mirror of Fate, more

runner2-header

It’s another big week for Nintendo’s download services… and we even get another Wii U game.

That game is Gaijin Games’ Bit.Trip Presents Runner 2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien. The platformer, which stars everyone’s favorite monochrome mascot, CommanderVideo, is available today is both demo and full version form.

Also available this week is Konami’s Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate. The 3DS side-story that bridges the gap between the two Lords of Shadow games on the PS3/Xbox 360 is available now as a demo, with the full game set to hit the 3DS eShop on Tuesday, March 5.

Finally, this week finally marks the release of Retro City Rampage on the Wii Shop Channel. An 8-bit-styled, open-world game reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto’s early days, Retro City Rampage on the Wii includes the special “ROM City Rampage” mode, which morphs the game into a true 8-bit adventure that would have worked on the NES.

Hit the jump for more details on all of these games as well as three other additions to this week’s Nintendo Download. (more…)

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

Square Enix Europe trademarks Deus Ex: Human Defiance

deusex3-1Deus Ex: Human Revolution was a huge hit for Square Enix and Eidos Montreal back in 2011. So the discovery of a trademark filing for a game known as “Deus Ex: Human Defiance” shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise.

The trademark request was filed by Square Enix Europe with the European Union’s Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM). The filing also covers comic books, novels, and movies, so it’s possible that Human Defiance doesn’t have anything to do with a new game. After all, CBS Films and director Scott Derrickson are working on a Deus Ex movie.

When asked for comment, a Square Enix spokesman told Joystiq, “Square Enix does not comment on rumor and speculation.”

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