Author: Nicole Kline

Nicole Kline is Warp Zoned's Senior Editor. She first began preparing for the job by climbing a milk crate to play Centipede in an arcade. You can find her on PSN under the name toitle or you can email her at nicole AT warpzoned DOT com.

True Crime: Hong Kong back in the game, thanks to Square Enix

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Nicole Kline

It seems True Crime: Hong Kong is being given a new lease on life. Square Enix acquired the rights from developer United Front Games, who had ceased development after publisher Activision cancelled the game. The game will be managed by Square Enix London Studios and will continue to be developed by United Front Games, who is based in Vancouver.

Square Enix did not acquire the True Crime IP, and is currently working on re-branding the game. There’s also no word on when the game will be released, or what formats it will be released on. But one thing is clear – Square Enix is very excited about the game. Square Enix London Studios General Manager Lee Singleton said, “It’s one of those games where you don’t want to put the controller down; it’s what we call ‘sticky,'” and also mentioned the “incredible new game engine, rich new story with deep and complex characters, and gameplay features which have simply never been seen at this level in an open world game.”

This is great news. I got a chance to see True Crime: Hong Kong at last year’s E3, and frankly, I was completely blown away by it. I was shocked when Activision cancelled it and said it wasn’t good enough. I am eager to see what Square Enix and United Front Games are going to do with it.

[Source: Gamasutra]

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

Daily Scoop: August 2, 2011 – It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this t-shirt!

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Sometimes, I go for days at a time without offering up a t-shirt of the day. Today there are two that I feel I might not be able to live without! But first: today’s deals!

Fortunately, there’s not much to report today. Amazon’s Deal of the Day in video games today is Nintendo’s Golden Sun: Dark Dawn for the Nintendo DS, on sale for $19.99. This latest addition to the Golden Sun saga “takes place 30 years after the final events of the second game, when the Golden Sun Effect occurred” and uses the touch control for the battle system. Scoop it up!

Don’t forget to check out Amazon’s bonus offer page as well, which has tons of great promotional credit items – including a free soundtrack with Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2 Innocent Sin. Good times!

And now, today’s double whammy of t-shirt designs, which are about to make me $20 poorer: (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop, DS, Etcetera, News, PSP |

Daily Scoop: August 1, 2011 – Let the PAX Prime countdown begin!

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Nicole Kline

25 days until PAX Prime! Who’s getting excited?!?! I know I am! I may even participate in the Triwizard drinking tournament this year. Gryffindor FTW!

Amazon’s Deal of the Day in video games today is Zoo Games’ Minute To Win It, on sale for $9.99 for both the Wii and the Nintendo DS. The weekly deal is fresh as well – $16.99 for Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, $19.99 for Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride, $39.99 for Kinect title Wipeout In the Zone, and a deal to buy uDraw Studio, get a uDraw game free. There’s also a lightning deal today – “Seamless connectivity for your Rock Band 3.” That’ll be up at 10 AM PDT/1 PM EST! Update: it’s the Rock Band 3 Midi PRO-Adapter for $25!

Today’s Qwertee is called “I’m a Potato” and I bet you can already guess what it’s referencing: (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Daily Scoop: July 28, 2011 – Nintendo, Nintendo, Nintendo

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Ah, the weekend is almost upon us. And there’s a lot going on in the world of video games! Well, ok, mostly it’s just people getting brutally slaughtered in Catherine. Seriously, I took a beating last night. And the sad thing is, I can’t wait to get home and play some more! Even on Normal it’s gut-wrenching.

Amazon’s Deal of the Day in video games today is Namco’s Active Life: Explorer With Mat for the Wii. It’s on sale for $23.99, which isn’t really much of a sale, sad to say. But Amazon’s also got a fine list of bonus order stuff, including $30 credit on Wii console bundles (in white or black). Mix that with a 3DS price drop and it’s a Nintendo Christmas in July!

No video game t-shirts again today D:. But I can’t say I’m disappointed about the number of Monty Python and the Holy Grail shirts that have been available recently. “Black Knight Coat of (No) Arms” over at shirt.w00t is straight awesome: (more…)

Posted in 3DS, Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Daily Scoop: July 27, 2011 – Hump day!

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Wow, what a Gold Box Event that was yesterday! Usually, they seem pretty bland, but yesterday’s had some decent games. Well played, Amazon!

Amazon’s Deal of the Day in video games today is Nintendo’s Metroid: Other M for the Wii. The latest in Samus’ saga is $19.99. According to the Amazon product page, “Metroid fans know more about Samus’ suits and weapons than they do about what drives her; that’s about to change, the story begins immediately following the events of Super Metroid, when a baby Metroid gave its life to protect Samus, with voice acting and a rich story, you will learn the engaging back-story of Samus as she weaves through an action-packed adventure aboard the Bottle Ship, a decommissioned space facility; as she hurtles into this new adventure, Samus will encounter her first men.” That’s… wow. Yeah.

Amazon’s got a buy one, get one free sale going on with 3DS games, including Rayman 3D and Riiiiiiidge Racer 3D. They’ve also got a buy one, get one 40% off sale as well, including titles like Fallout: New Vegas, Vanquish, and Mass Effect.

No video game t-shirts, but “You Shall Not Pass Go” over at Busted Tees made me chuckle: (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Daily Scoop: July 26, 2011 – Gold Box Day!

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Another day, another all-day Amazon Gold Box Event dedicated to video games!! The Deal of the Day is Bethesda’s Brink, on sale for $19.99 on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 (though arguably not even worth that much). The rest of today’s deals are:

  • 6 AM PDT/9 AM EST: This deal is more than meets the eye (gotta be Transformers!) – yes! Transformers Dark of the Moon for $39.99!
  • 9 AM PDT/12 PM EST: Play the role of a US Marine sniper tasked with aiding in the liberation of a Latin American island nation from the oppression. (I’m guessing this is Sniper: Ghost Warrior) – yes! $27.99!
  • 11 AM PDT/2 PM EST: The highly anticipated sequel to the fastest-selling Star Wars game ever created. (Force Unleashed II, anyone?) – yes, and for $19.99!
  • 2 PM PDT/5 PM EST: Have fun and get fit! (I hope this is Just Dance 2!) – nope, it’s Nickelodeon Fun N Fit Bundle for $29.99!
  • 4 PM PDT/7 PM EST: Jazz Jackrabbit’s (fairly) distant cousin (no idea. are the Rabbids related to Jazz???) this one is Bulletstorm for PS3 – $27.99!
  • 5 PM PDT/8 PM EST: Arcade style fighting on your Xbox 360 (Street Fighter???) – nope! Tekken 6 with Fight Stick for $34.99!
  • 7 PM PDT/10 PM EST: The bugs are back (EDF: Insect Armageddon?) yup! for $19.99!

Keep checking back for updates as we get them!

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Daily Scoop: July 25, 2011 – The nightmares begin tomorrow

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Nicole Kline

It’s Monday, and tonight will be my last good night of sleep for a while, as I’ll be getting my copy of Catherine tomorrow. Hopefully the nightmares won’t be too bad… though I don’t think counting sheepmen is going to help me much.

Amazon’s Deal of the Day in video games is EA’s Mass Effect 2 for the PS3. It’s marked down to $29.99 from $39.99, so if you’re a PS3 owner who’s been dying to get into this once Xbox 360-only franchise, now’s your chance to get it on the cheap – and just in time to get it done before the third game comes out next year! Amazon’s also got two new weekly video game deals – Crysis 2 is $39.95 for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360, and Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 3D for the 3DS is $27.99.

In other news, Toys R Us is having a buy one get one free sale on some select dancing games, and they’re also having a whopping three for $10 sale on video game t-shirts. Hot!

“Mushroom Battle” is today’s Qwertee, and it’s a good one: (more…)

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News |

Street Fighter + Hello Kitty = new merchandise for Fall 2012

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Nicole Kline

Yeah, you read that right. There’s going to be Street Fighter/Hello Kitty merchandise starting Fall 2012, thanks to a new partnership between Capcom and Sanrio. This is an excellent choice of a mashup – bringing together the cute and cuddly with the muscley and violent.

Capcom’s Director of Licensing, Joshua Izzo, said, ““Capcom has long admired Sanrio and their ability to create memorable and cherished lifestyle brands so it is a distinct pleasure to partner with them for this new cross-over line of merchandise. The combination of Street Fighter and Hello Kitty will offer fans a whole new way to experience our characters.”

Sanrio seems equally excited. The Vice President of Brand Management and Marketing, Jill Koch, said, “We are always looking for new ways to surprise our fans and partnering with a strong brand-focused company such as Capcom is a natural fit for us. Hello Kitty and Street Fighter have a dedicated core following around the world and our collaboration brings the legacy of both brands together in a fun and unexpected way.”

This is almost as cool as the Vocaloid/Hello Kitty mashup… almost. Hit the jump to see how ridiculously cute that is. (more…)

Posted in Etcetera, News | Tagged