Most Recent: Top Story

My Golden Age of Gaming

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Melissa Niedringhaus

Once upon a time and long, LONG ago, I stood with my little brother, my face pressed against a glass case at Electronics Boutique, looking at all of the precious gray cartridges inside. We wanted Super Mario Bros. 3, but the gentleman behind the counter informed us that it was all sold out, and we walked out of the store in tears.

My young brain scrambled for an alternative, and once we arrived at the spot the car was parked, I reminded my mother that the local movie rental place had started renting video games, and begged her to take us there to see if THEY had the game. I informed her I was likely to die if I didn’t somehow get a copy THAT DAY, and I was certain she didn’t want to kill her eldest child. Clearly irritated, she started to tell me no, but my quivering lower lip must have changed her mind, because she told me to shut up and get in the car instead.

All of the copies of Super Mario Bros. 3 but one had been rented, and I held the remaining copy to my chest as though it was a life preserver and I was adrift in the ocean, surrounded by sharks. When we got home, I put it right in the NES and turned it on. I even let my little brother play a few levels when I was tired or frustrated. I think this was the point of no return for me, when I realized gaming was what I wanted to do in my spare time, and no other leisure activity would do. I was a gamer. (more…)

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Max Payne 3 Hands-On Preview: Noir Never Felt So Satisfying

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Rockstar’s adding another gem to their repertoire with the upcoming Max Payne 3, the latest installment in the well-known noir series. The Warp Zoned crew had a chance to play the game and discuss the new features with some Rockstar representatives at PAX East. This graduation to next-generation consoles has been beneficial to the franchise, breathing life back into Max and bringing him to new locales. A fresh storyline, intuitive gameplay features, and vibrant graphics make this a game you won’t want to miss. (more…)

Posted in PC, Previews, PS3, Top Story, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Silent Hill: Downpour Review: That Old-Timey Feeling

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Joshua Wise

It probably goes without saying that Silent Hill 2 is the yardstick for all of the games in the series that have come after. But it’s important to establish that high water mark before attempting to understand Silent Hill: Downpour, a game designed with more than an an eye toward that early achievement in the series. (more…)

Posted in PS3, Reviews, Top Story, Xbox 360 | Tagged

rComplex Review: Intrigue and Mystery on the Go

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Nicole Kline

For someone who doesn’t play a lot of games on her iPad, I’ve been doing a lot of gaming on my expensive little toy. One of the games that I’ve been playing a lot of is rComplex, a fun and mysterious game that tests your reflexes… or your patience, depending on your reaction time. Are you the kind of gamer who would enjoy the challenge? Read on to find out if this game is worth your time and money. (more…)

Posted in Mobile, Reviews, Top Story |

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Hands-On Preview: Tapping to Familiar Tunes

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Say what you will about Square Enix; they know the recipe for what their fans like. They know if they take equal parts cute and fun and mix in a sprinkle of nostalgia, they’ve got our money before we even know we’ve given it up. They’ve got a seemingly never-ending supply of resources in their library, with a huge list of popular franchises. So it’s no surprise that their new rhythm game for the 3DS, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy – still mocked for its ridiculous name – was a big hit at PAX East. (more…)

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Quantum Conundrum Hands-On Preview: Lasers Make Everything Better

Posted on April 16, 2012 by John Scalzo

“It’s like Portal.”

Ever since it was announced at PAX Prime 2011, that’s been the best and most succinct way to describe Square Enix’s Quantum Conundrum. This comparison shouldn’t come as a surprise since Portal creator Kim Swift is also the lead designer on Quantum Conundrum at developer Airtight Games. The similarities end there, however, because there really is a quirky uncle to save at the end of this game. (more…)

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Aliens: Colonial Marines Hands-On Preview: The Xenomorphs Say “Game Over, Man!”

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Nicole Kline

One of the longest lines at PAX East was the one for the Aliens: Colonial Marines booth, which had one of the best experiences on the show floor. No, they weren’t offering free mohawks, but they were hosting a developer-led demonstration of the single-player campaign, followed by a hands-on preview of the multiplayer… against those same developers. Sadly, we didn’t get to play as the xenomorphs, but that didn’t detract from the experience at all. And it’s scarier being hunted down by killer aliens when you know they’re far smarter than AI could ever be. (more…)

Posted in PC, Previews, PS3, Top Story, Wii U, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Borderlands 2 Hands-On Preview: A Brief Visit Back to Pandora

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Nicole Kline

The one thing I was looking forward to the most at PAX East was getting my hands on Borderlands 2… and I was not in the least bit disappointed by anything other than the amount of playtime I got. I could have stayed there for hours if they had let me. As it was, we had barely enough time to assign our skill points in our tree and get acclimated to the guns, before we ran around as much as we possibly could, wreaking havoc in a shiny new Pandora. Read on to find out what’s new in the Siren class, how the new guns feel, and why I can’t wait for September 18. (more…)

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