Warp Zoned Presents
Video Game Canon- Angry Birds, Dragon Quest, FIFA Soccer, and Silent Hill are the World Video Game Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026
- BAFTA Games Awards: All the Winners from 2003 to Today
- Clair Obscur Completes the Sweep by Winning “Best Game” at 2025-2026 BAFTA Games Awards
- Boss Fight Books to Get a New Look for Richard Moss’s “Age of Empires”
- GDC Awards: All the Winners from 1996 to Today
Warp Zoned Presents
- Video Game Research Library
- Spore: An oral history – Design Room (2026)
- We Pitched a Museum a 1993 Game Hint Line (And They Actually Said Yes) – Yarn Spinner (2026)
- The History Of The Word “Metroidvania” And How It Spread – A Critical Hit (2025)
- Creator of Hit Game Shovel Knight Is at a ‘Make or Break’ Moment – Bloomberg (2025)
- Shadow of the Colossus: An oral history – Design Room (2025)
Most Recent: PC
Axiom Verge Review: Hack to the Future
Each generation of video game consoles has that one defining characteristic, that one aspect that changes the paradigm of gaming as we know it. The Nintendo 64 / PlayStation era introduced us to the analog stick and disc-based media. The joys of online play were introduced in the Xbox / PS2 era. And the Xbox 360 / PS3 generation expanded on what it meant to be an “entertainment system.” That, and we were subjected to microtransactions galore. Well, some distinctions are better than others.
I believe it’s fair to say that the significant shift in this current generation is the quality of indie titles, games made by small groups of talented developers who understand that a game doesn’t have to be a Michael Bay-esque explosion-fest in order to be enjoyed. Granted, there were a lot of fantastic indie games last gen, but the scene has grown tremendously over the past few years. These dedicated folks make games that they themselves want to play. And we love them for it, because the love and enthusiasm poured into these games are evident in both the art and quality. Additionally, they offer a breath of fresh air to otherwise stagnant genres. And every so often, a game is released that’s pieced together so lovingly it reminds even the most jaded gamer why they got into this hobby in the first place. Axiom Verge is one of those games; a true masterpiece. (more…)
Posted in PC, PS4, Reviews, Top Story
Tagged Axiom Verge
Bruce Campbell joins CoD Advanced Warfare as world’s grooviest pilot in Exo Zombies Ep2
John Malkovich, Bill Paxton, Rose McGowan, and Jon Bernthal aren’t loud-mouth braggarts, but they are back to kill more zombies in Exo Zombies: Infection, which is part of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare‘s second expansion pack. This time out, they’ve got air support from the world’s greatest helicopter pilot… who’s played by Bruce Campbell! And until I’m told otherwise, I’m just going to assume he’s playing himself.
Campbell gets in a few nice words while mowing down zombies with a minigun, but this is John Malkovich’s show as he narrates the new trailer, which was released today by Activision as part of the Call of Duty Championship. In case you were curious, the winning team at this year’s competition is Denial eSports. Congratulations.
The Ascendance Pack, and Exo Zombies: Infection, will be available to download this Tuesday, March 31, for Advanced Warfare owners with an Xbox One or Xbox 360. Aside from the mighty Bruce Campbell, Infection will feature the debut of a new zombie type (a heavily-armored ghoul), a new weapon (some kind of microwave gun), and a new trap (looks like a giant crocodile). The expansion will be available for PC, PS3, and PS4 players in about a month.
New Releases: MLB 15: The Show, Story of Seasons, Toukiden: Kiwami, More
Batter up! Opening Day is just a week away and Sony wants to make PlayStation owners are ready with the release of MLB 15: The Show on the PS3, PS4, and Vita. The franchise is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and, with the demise of 2K’s Major League Baseball 2K series, its the only game in town when it comes to baseball simulations. The rest of this week’s lineup has a little bit of something for everyone.
XSEED will release Story of Seasons, which is technically the latest game in the farm-tastic Harvest Moon series, for the 3DS. XSEED recently acquired the publishing rights to the series from developer Marvelous, unfortunately, the rights to the Harvest Moon name remain with Natsume.
But speaking of distinctly Japanese franchises, Koei Tecmo will release Toukiden: Kiwami for the PS4 and Vita. The monster-hunting game is actually an expanded version of Toukiden: The Age of Demons, which was released last year solely for the Vita.
A pair of PC games will also be released this week as EA will launch the first Sims 4 expansion, The Sims 4: Get To Work. Get To Work lets you become a doctor, a detective, a scientist, or a shopkeeper in your quest for career fulfillment. Out There: Omega Edition, a space exploration sim, will also be released this week.
Finally, Square Enix has a pair of triple packs set for release. The Ultimate Action Triple Pack will be released for the PS3 and Xbox 360 and it’ll include Just Cuase 2, Sleeping Dogs, and Tomb Raider. Meanwhile, the Ultimate Stealth Triple Pack will also be released for the PS3 and Xbox 360, but it’ll contain Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Hitman: Absolution, and Thief.
Play ball!
Posted in 3DS, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Vita, Xbox 360
Tagged MLB 15: The Show, Story of Seasons, Toukiden: Kiwami
Mortal Kombat X Kombat Kast #7 includes first look at Erron Black, Liu Kang, Shinnok
NetherRealm’s Community Team hosted another Kombat Kast livestream today, and once again it was packed with all sorts of new information related to Mortal Kombat X. This time…
The developers gave us our first look at Erron Black. The cowboy character has had a decent run in the Mortal Kombat X comic book, and now he has been officially confirmed as a playable character. Like Clint Eastwood’s Man With No Name, who he is clearly modeled on, Erron Black is a gunslinger with a pair of revolvers and a surly attitude. Coincidentally, one of his variations is known as “Gunslinger,” which includes the Standoff Stance and multiple trick shots with his revolvers. Other variations include “Marksman” (Gains unique special attacks utilizing a Long Rifle) and “Outlaw” (Gains unique attacks utilizing a salvaged Tarkatan Arm Blade). Yes, it’s very possible that Erron Black stole Baraka’s arm and is using it as a sword. The Erron Black section of this Kombat Kast begins at 21 minutes in.
Fast forward to 35 minutes for an in-depth look at Liu Kang. Liu’s looking a little old here, but his variations help keep him young. “Dragon’s Fire” is most similar to the Liu Kang we know and love with Empowered Dragon Fireballs and a Flying Kick. “Flame Fist” switches out the Bicycle Kick for “bicycle punches” and gives Liu Kang the option of delivering heavier Shaolin Flame attacks. Finally, “Dualist” gives him the ability to switch between Light and Dark forms that heal or harm.
The third, and final, highlighted character of this Kombat Kast is Shinnok at 45 minutes in. Shinnok’s three variations include “Impostor” (he gains a Shang Tsung-like ability to steal an opponent’s Special Attack), “Bone Shaper” (gives him access to a variety of weapons made out of bone), and “Necromancer” (Shinnok gains control of a giant skinless arm).
Finally, the episode confirmed that players who can’t get the timing of a Fatality down will be able to earn Easy Fatalities so they can perform the finishers the franchise is famous for. Easy Fatalities can be unlocked at various points throughout the game, though players will be given three right from the start. Also, players who sign up for a WBPlay account will receive access to a free “Futuristic Raiden” skin. He looks like they yanked him out of Tron!
Mortal Kombat X will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on April 14. A PS3/Xbox 360 version is also in the works and will be released sometime this Summer.
MotoGP 15 will be available this Spring for PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, and PC
Italian developer Milestone has announced they’re currently hard at work on MotoGP 15 with a release date planned for the Spring. The motorcycle racer will be available on current-generation consoles (PS4 and Xbox One), previous-generation consoles (PS3 and Xbox 360), and the PC.
As expected, MotoGP 15 will include all the teams, riders, and bikes from the 2015 season as well as several real events from the 2014 season. All of these bikes and riders will be customizable through the brand-new GP Credits Shop, which can be unlocked as you compete in any race mode. GP Credits can be used to customize “20 bike models, 40 different liveries, sponsors, leathers, boots, gloves, and three different motorhomes (Basic, Mid-Range and Top-Range) so your avatar can live in a manner befitting to their level of stardom.” A full-featured Helmet Editor will also be included. Milestone also plans to add an enhanced Career Mode and a Beat the Time time trial mode to MotoGP 15.
For your first look at the game, be sure to check out the MotoGP Announcement Trailer embedded above.
Mortal Kombat X TV spot goes back to the past to ask “Who’s Next?”
Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
With just a few weeks to go until Mortal Kombat X‘s April 14th launch, NetherRealm Studios has unveiled the game’s full-length television commercial. It’s mostly comprised of footage we’ve seen before, but it’s interesting to see NetherRealm ask “Who’s Next?” by traveling back to the past.
First, you’ll notice that the soundtrack blares to life courtesy of System of a Down’s 2001 hit, “Chop Suey.” But what you might not notice is that the Mortal Kombat X spot is also a modern riff on the very first commercial used to sell the series. The crowd, the urban setting, even some of the camerawork, can all be linked back to the infamous “Mortal Monday” commercial that was used to promote the console release of Mortal Kombat in 1993.
Mortal Kombat X will be available for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on April 14. A mobile version for iOS and Android will also be released next month, and a version for PS3 and Xbox 360 owners will be available in the Summer.
Pillars of Eternity launches today in three editions… and there’s a launch trailer too
After raising nearly $4 million on Kickstarter (and a further $500,000 in additional crowdfunding), Obsidian Entertainment is finally ready to release Pillars of Eternity. A “classic RPG” in the style of Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment, Pillars of Eternity has been a labor of love for the team at Obsidian.
“Moments like these feel surreal when they finally arrive,” said Feargus Urquhart, the CEO of Obsidian Entertainment. “Today is the culmination of two years’ hard work, but there’s even more to it than the usual game release day. Given where we were when we started on Pillars of Eternity, this is the start of a new chapter in the story of Obsidian. We’ll be forever grateful to all of our fans and backers for making this moment possible, and truly hope that we have lived up to the faith you placed in us.”
To further celebrate the launch of Pillars of Eternity, Obsidian has released a pretty great launch day trailer, which has been embedded above. And if you haven’t picked up Pillars of Eternity yet, you might want to know that it’s available in three versions: the Hero Edition ($44.99), the Champion Edition ($59.99), and the Royal Edition ($89.99).
Posted in News, PC
Tagged Pillars of Eternity
Liu Kang and Kung Lao are zombies in this new Mortal Kombat X trailer
The latest trailer for Mortal Kombat X, which was produced in conjunction with Maxim Russia for some reason, gives us our first look at Liu Kang in action… and he’s a zombie under the thrall of Shinnok! Oh no! Kung Lao is also a member of the walking undead after his resurrection by dark magic. Newcomer Kung Jin, Kung Lao’s descendant, is also featured in this “Shaolin Style” trailer.
I guess now we know how all those previously-dead kombatants will be able to take part in Mortal Kombat X. Though Kung Lao did look to be in complete control of his faculties in his debut trailer, so perhaps they get better.
Mortal Kombat X will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on April 14. The title will also be available for the PS3 and Xbox 360 this Summer.
UPDATE: An English-language version of the trailer has now been posted on the Mortal Kombat Community YouTube Channel.