Most Recent: Switch

Tetris 99 turns the puzzle game into a battle royale on the Switch… and it’s out now

Posted on February 13, 2019 by John Scalzo

Nintendo absolutely blew up the battle royale genre with today’s announcement of Tetris 99.

The consolemaker teamed up with The Tetris Company to create a massive 99-player version of the classic puzzle game, and it’s available to download now as a free-to-play title for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.

Tetris 99 is rather bare bones at the moment, but Nintendo has plans to support the game down the road with a series of upcoming online events and other updates.

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Celeste, God of War, Spider-Man, Red Dead 2, Smash Ultimate will compete for “Video Game of the Year” at 2019 SXSW Gaming Awards

Posted on February 11, 2019 by John Scalzo

The SXSW Gaming Advisory Board has sifted through all of 2018’s biggest games and announced the nominees for this year’s SXSW Gaming Awards.

As you might have expected, Sony Santa Monica’s God of War, Insomniac’s Spider-Man, and Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2 claimed the most nominations. Each of the three games will compete in a total of nine categories, and all three are in the running for “Video Game of the Year.” Matt Thorson’s brutal platformer, Celeste, and Nintendo’s crossover fighter, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, were also nominated for the big prize.

The public will get the chance to vote for the winners in all categories at this year’s SXSW Gaming Awards, and the final winner in each category will be determined by a weighted total between public and advisory board votes. Voting is open now at SXSW Gaming’s official website, and will close on Sunday, February 17 at midnight (Eastern Time).

The SXSW Gaming Awards will be given out on March 16 and you can find the full list of nominees in all categories after the break. (more…)

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New Retail Releases: Crackdown 3, Far Cry: New Dawn, Metro Exodus, More

Posted on February 11, 2019 by John Scalzo

It’s time once again for some big new sequels as a few of gaming’s biggest franchises will receive new installments this week.

After several very long years in development, Microsoft will bring Crackdown 3 to the Xbox One this week (and it’ll also be available to download for Windows 10 PCs). Players will take control of Commander Jaxon, a superpowered Agent played by Terry Crews, and blast their way through a futuristic city to stop a ruthless criminal empire. There’s also the option to compete in Wrecking Zone, a multiplayer mode that asks teams of Agents to tear down the opposing team’s stronghold as fast as they can.

PS4 and Xbox One owners will also find a strange new future in Ubisoft’s Far Cry: New Dawn. Set within a post-apocalyptic world based on Far Cry 5’s Hoep County, New Dawn will pit players against highwaymen and their ruthless leaders, The Twins. Far Cry: New Dawn will also be available to download for the PC.

Yet another dystopian future is on display in 4A Games’s Metro Exodus for the PS4 and Xbox One this week. The third entry in the series based on Dmitry Glukhovsky’s novels will further explore the Russian Federation during the aftermath of a nuclear war. An Xbox One X 1TB + Metro Exodus Bundle will also be available on store shelves, and the game can also be purchased for the PC exclusively through the Epic Games Store.

Finally this week, Bandai Namco will release Jump Force, an anime-inspired crossover fighting game for the PS4 and Xbox One (and downloadable for the PC), and NIS America will release the adventure platformer The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince for the PS4 and Switch.

The full list of this week’s new retail releases can be found after the break. (more…)

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Kickstart This! Warp

Posted on February 7, 2019 by Andrew Rainnie

Every now and then you find a project on Kickstarter that is just so batshit insane and creative that you want to rob your child’s trust fund to guarantee that this beautiful, bizarre baby of a game gets made. And if we were ever going to write about a game like that on Warp Zoned, I’m thrilled that it’s called Warp. (more…)

Posted in Features, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One | Tagged

Creator of The Bridge and Tumblestone will publish Almost There on February 19

Posted on February 7, 2019 by John Scalzo

The Quantum Astrophysicists Guild, the developer behind 2013’s The Bridge and 2016’s Tumblestone, is getting into the publishing game. Earlier this morning, they announced plans to bring platformer Almost There to the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One in a few weeks.

Almost There was developed in Bangladesh by Bony Yousuf, and its minimalist design and hardcore sensibilities were clearly inspired by N++ and Super Meat Boy. Like those classics of the genre, players will need to dodge spikes, saws, lasers, and missiles as they struggle to reach the exit in each level:

Sprint between saw blades while dodging homing missiles. Duck under lasers while the floor crumbles beneath you. Almost There was designed specifically for fans of the hardcore platforming genre… you’ve been warned.

Almost There will be available to download for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on February 19, with a Switch launch scheduled for two days later on February 21. The first trailer has been embedded above

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One |

Skybound Games will bring classic Interplay RPGs to consoles in 2019

Posted on February 7, 2019 by John Scalzo

Skybound Games has announced they’ll be teaming up with Beamdog to bring Interplay’s classic range of RPGs to “console platforms” in 2019.

The two companies will join forces to finally give console owners the chance to play remastered “Enhanced Editions” of Baldur’s Gate (1998), Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn (2000), Baldur’s Gate: Siege of Dragonspear (2016), Icewind Dale (2000), Planescape: Torment (1999), and Neverwinter Nights (2002).

“These games are iconic, including Baldur’s Gate, which has really set the standard for Dungeons & Dragons computer roleplaying games,” said Ian Howe, the CEO of Skybound Games. “We’re excited to bring Beamdog’s incredible slate to new platforms for both the dedicated fan and those who will soon discover these adventures for the first time. As longtime fans of Baldur’s Gate and Dungeons & Dragons it’s fantastic to partner with Beamdog as the newest member of the Skybound family.”

Specific “console platforms” for these ports will be announced at a later date, but in the meantime, Skybound Games has promised to bring a selection of these games to PAX East 2019 this March.

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NetherRealm adds Kabal and D’vorah to Mortal Kombat 11’s roster; Scooby-Doo’s Shaggy is officially out

Posted on February 6, 2019 by John Scalzo

Kabal’s hookswords and post-apocalyptic appearance made him one of the most popular characters to emerge from Mortal Kombat 3, and now the character is all set to return in the upcoming Mortal Kombat 11.

Known for his lightning fast speed, deadly Hook Swords and reliance on an artificial respirator for survival, Kabal was resurrected as a twisted, evil version of himself, who now serves the Netherrealm and pledges to destroy all other realms.

This new (and less cuddly) incarnation of the character was first revealed during the latest episode of NetherRealm’s Kombat Kast, with the behind-the-scenes stream giving fans a glimpse at his moveset, a Fatality, and a few costume changes (including one without his signature mask). Kabal’s Reveal Trailer has been embedded above, and the full Kombat Kast episode can be found on YouTube.

Community Manager Tyler Lansdown also put the kibosh on Shaggy’s hoped-for appearance in Mortal Kombat 11 during this episode of Kombat Kast. After axing the Scooby-Doo character, he said, “Shaggy will not be in the game, ever. Sorry.”

Later, the Mortal Kombat 11 team would also konfirm (via Twitter) that D’Vorah, an insectoid warrior first introduced in Mortal Kombat X, will return in Mortal Kombat 11.

Mortal Kombat 11 is currently in development at NetherRealm Studios and will be released for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on April 23.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One | Tagged

EA’s CEO confirms new games from Titanfall, Need For Speed, Plants Vs Zombies: Garden Warfare, and EA Sports for release in 2019

Posted on February 6, 2019 by John Scalzo

Electronic Arts delivered their quarterly financial report yesterday, and CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed that the publisher has a healthy slate of new titles on track for 2019.

In his opening remarks, Wilson praised Respawn for Monday’s launch of Apex Legends, and said that a “premium” new Titanfall game (but not necessarily Titanfall 3) will be released later this year:

The Respawn team has a strong plan for Apex Legends that will engage fans for a long time to come. As the live service evolves, Respawn also plans to launch a premium game this year that is a new twist on the Titanfall universe. More to come on that in the months ahead.

The executive later discussed the rest of EA’s 2019 release schedule, confirming the existence of new entries in the Need For Speed and Plants Vs Zombies: Garden Warfare franchises, as well as a full slate of EA Sports simulations (Madden NFL 20, FIFA 20, NHL 20, and NBA Live 20):

Looking ahead to FY20, we have a large slate of new games, beginning with some big new additions in our next FIFA title. There was great energy and engagement from NFL fans throughout this past season, we’re excited for our plans with the Madden NFL franchise. We will continue innovating and driving our NHL and NBA Live games deeper into the fabric of their respective sports. We’ll have a new game for our Need For Speed fans, and a new title in our [Plants Vs Zombies] shooter franchise on console and PC.

Finally, Wilson reconfirmed that the previously-announced Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (also from Respawn) is still on track for a Fall release.

If Electronic Arts follows their typical pattern, we’ll likely learn more about most of these games at E3 2019 in June.

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