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.

Agni’s Philosophy might be a real next-gen game, will reappear next June

Posted on November 4, 2012 by John Scalzo

Square Enix debuted Agni’s Philosophy, a technical demo showcasing the power of their next-gen Luminous Engine, at E3 2012. The mini-movie was heavily based on themes found in the Final Fantasy series and was a glorious display of graphical power. Go on, watch it again, I’ll wait.

Ready? Good. Usually, these tech demos from Square Enix don’t amount to anything. Just think back to the HD rendition of Final Fantasy VII‘s introduction they presented at E3 2005. But comments from Julien Merceron, Square Enix’s Worldwide Technology Director, point to a better future for Agni’s Philosophy.

He told French site Final Fantasy Dream: “So, around June of next year, there will indeed be something different around Agni’s Philosophy, which will perhaps be presented on different platforms than those which have been used before. I cannot tell you more, but I can tell you that it will not run on PC only.”

Wow. So, Agni’s Philosophy might be a real game and it’ll make a return appearance next June. It’s possibly in development for more than the PC and on platforms we haven’t seen before. Which means it’s very possible Merceron is referring to the Wii U, PS4/Orbis, and Xbox 720. I’ll say it again, wow.

Or it could be nothing, like all of Square Enix’s other tech demos.

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

More Angry Birds Star Wars gameplay trailers

Posted on November 3, 2012 by John Scalzo

Rovio has released two additional gameplay trailers for Angry Birds Star Wars featuring everyone’s favorite droids and everyone’s favorite smugglers.

C-3PO is able to use his power of klutziness as he shatters into several pieces after colliding with the Pig Empire. R2-D2, naturally, is on top of things and pulls out his zapper arm to explode barriers. When Chewbacca gets his turn, he just turns on his Wookiee rage and powers through everything with his immense size and strength. Let the Wookiee win indeed. Finally, Han Solo perfers to have a good blaster by his side and he puts it to good use.

Both trailers can be found after the break and Angry Birds Star Wars will be available to download on November 8. (more…)

Posted in Mobile, News | Tagged

Obama and Romney fight to the death in Political Kombat ’12

Posted on November 3, 2012 by John Scalzo

Political Kombat ’12, Slate’s series of videos depicting the battles between the candidates as one-on-one fights to the death, has been a ridicuously awesome success. Watching Romney lay waste to the rest of the Republican pretenders while Obama performs the long form fatality on Donald Trump is just good YouTube time.

But now we’re up to the main event… President Barack Obama versus Mitt Romney. This is the ultimate battle and only one can survive. So be sure to vote for your candidate at the end of the video and in the real election on Tuesday, November 6.

Political Kombat ’12 was clearly created by someone with a deep affinity for the fighting genre and it shows in every special attack. Direct references to Mortal Kombat and Marvel vs Capcom litter the entire series. And when… SPOILER ALERT… George Washington showed up as Shao Kahn, I nearly lost it.

Good show Slate.

Posted in Etcetera, News |

Final episode of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn now available

Posted on November 2, 2012 by John Scalzo

The fifth, and final, episode of the Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn webseries is here. All that’s left is to watch as Lasky and the Master Chief go toe-to-toe with the Covenant. Will they make it out alive? Since Forward Unto Dawn is a prequel, that’s a big yes. But it’s still fun to watch.

If you missed any part of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, head over to our hub page for the webseries and catch up on the previous episodes. And don’t forget, Halo 4 launches for the Xbox 360 on November 6.

Posted in Etcetera, News, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Portal 2 “In Motion” expansion coming to PSN on November 6

Posted on November 2, 2012 by John Scalzo

The Portal 2 PlayStation Move update will hit the PlayStation Store this Tuesday, November 6. The free update will add Move support to the main game, and if you don’t own Portal 2, you’ll be able to download it from the Store beginning Tuesday as well.

Also available on November 6 will be the “In Motion” expansion, which is exclusive to the PS3. Priced at $9.99, and developed by Sixsense, the “In Motion” expansion will add “scaling and rotation of objects as well as portal surfing.”

You can get your first look at Portal 2 “In Motion” thanks to the trailer above.

Posted in News, PS3 | Tagged

Japan getting 3DS remake of Dragon Quest VII in February

Posted on November 2, 2012 by John Scalzo

Dragon Quest VII was one of the last major games to be released for the PlayStation in the US. And it was such a massive game (over 100 hours of gameplay, and that’s without completing any sidequests), that most people didn’t even finish it. But if you live in Japan, you’ll soon be getting a second shot, as Square Enix has announced that a Dragon Quest VII remake will be available for the 3DS on February 7, 2013.

The remake is being developed by Arte Piazza, who brought Dragon Quest IV, V, and VI to the DS in recent years. A decision on an American release hasn’t been made yet, but according to Joystiq, Square Enix is “currently evaluating the title for the Western markets.”

Hey Square Enix, if you’re doing a poll, put me down for a “yes.”

[Source: Siliconera]

Posted in News | Tagged ,

Ubisoft is hiring for Watch Dogs team… with a dev diary

Posted on November 1, 2012 by John Scalzo

Watch Dogs was a huge hit at this year’s E3 Expo, and not just because nobody had ever heard of it before its June debut. The open world game showed an intriguing near-future world where your every digital communication is monitored and scrutinized.

But to create a world that big, the combined strength of Ubisoft Montreal and Reflections UK still need a few more people to make it happen. So they’ve put together the developer’s diary you see above to extoll the virtues of working for Ubisoft and to get the world exited about Watch Dogs all over again.

If you’re interested in applying, you should head over to Ubisoft’s official employment site. The rest of us should sit tight and wait for more details of the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 game ahead of its possible 2013 release.

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

Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel slips into stores on March 26

Posted on November 1, 2012 by John Scalzo

EA and Visceral Games have announced that Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel will be released for the PS3 and Xbox 360 on March 26, 2013.

The Devil’s Cartel is Visceral’s first crack at the Army of Two series, and they want put their stamp on it with a story that is “more intense and mature.” The game’s topical plot focuses on the titular Army of Two protecting a Mexican politician from a bloodthirsty drug lord.

“With Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel we wanted to take the series in a new direction while also leveraging the aspects that made the first two Army of Two games unique,” said Julian Beak, Executive Producer, Visceral Games. “We knew coming out of the gate that meaningful co-op gameplay, customization and over-the-top action would be key pillars for us, and we’re bringing these elements to the next level by presenting them in a setting that is more serious in order to dial up the intensity.”

To sweeten the pot, EA has also announced that everyone who pre-orders The Devil’s Cartel will be upgraded to the “Overkill Edition,” which comes packed with exclusive powerups and weaponry.

More details on the contents of the Overkill Edition can be found after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged