An in-depth look at the acting performances of Uncharted 3

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

Naughty Dog has made gaming history with the quality of the acting performances in the Uncharted series, but it wasn’t an easy road. The PlayStation Blog has a new feature taking a behind-the-scenes look at how Uncharted 3‘s story sequences are made and its collaborative nature. The piece details how the team began with outdated technology for the first game, but eventually moved up to the cutting edge resources they’re utilizing now. It’s an informative read with many interesting tidbits, from the fact that the heroes’ actors also perform for the grunts, and Nolan North calls the emerging standard for video game acting “the true actor experience.”

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception will land on PlayStation 3 on November 1.

Posted in News, PS3 |

Atlus launches official Catherine website, minigame unlocks exclusive content

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Mike Gutierrez

Gamers looking to learn more of what promises to be one of the most f***ed up games of 2011 can now do so here. The official website for Catherine is up and hosts a load of information, from screenshots to detailed descriptions of the gamemplay. The site even hosts a mini-game where you can send and receive texts from Catherine herself. Telling her what she likes nets you exclusive content such as wallpapers and artwork.

Catherine begins scaring the crap out of PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 gamers on July 26.

Posted in News, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Puzzle Quest added to DSi Shop today

Posted on May 23, 2011 by John Scalzo

As is their Monday custom, Nintendo has announced the latest downloadable games for the DSi and Wii today.

Leading today’s pack is a DSi Shop version of Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. The puzzle/RPG hybrid joined by 3D Twist & Match, another puzzler; and 99Bullets, a retro-tinged overhead shooter.

The Wii Shop received one game today, the Pipe Dreams-like Overflow. What? I’m the only person that remembers Pipe Dreams? Sounds about right.

More information on all four of these games can be found after the break.

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Posted in DS, News, Wii |

Weekly Warp-Up: Apocalypse Then

Posted on May 22, 2011 by John Scalzo

No, that’s not a typo. Welcome to the Weekly Warp-Up, your weekly wrap-up of the biggest and the best articles posted at Warp Zoned this week…

So the world didn’t end on May 21, 2011. Which means that a crazy loon with a radio program is really just a crazy loon and not someone who knows when the world is going to end. Man, I’ll bet nobody saw that coming.

Get Warp Zoned!
It’s a good thing the world didn’t end as the 2011 E3 Expo is just a little over two weeks away. We’ve begun to prepare for the big show by compiling a list of every game we expect to appear at the convention in our What To Expect From E3 2011 guide. Then we played Nostradamus and made a Warp Zoned Wish List of our 11 Predictions For E3 11. If even half of those predictions come true, it’s going to be an amazing expo.

Finally, I continue to obsess over the Mortal Kombat reboot by delving into The Hidden (and Not So Hidden) Secrets of Mortal Kombat. Australian conquests! “Klassic” costumes! Princess Leia! It’s all there on the disc and it’s all awesome!

Hit the jump for the rest of the Weekly Warp-Up.

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Posted in News |

Sony announces PSP Remaster series for PS3

Posted on May 22, 2011 by John Scalzo

When we made our 11 Predictions For E3 11, we speculated that Hideo Kojima would finally announce the PS3/PSP hybrid game that he’s been talking about for a while now. Instead, it looks like Sony has beat him to the punch with the announcement of the PSP Remaster series.

Initially scheduled for release in Japan, titles in the PSP Remaster series will be released for the PS3 on a Blu-ray disc packed with special features. While specific special features will be decided on a game-by-game basis, Sony expects to include new add-on content and stereoscopic 3D support in many of the PSP re-releases. The PS3 versions will also use the same save data as their PSP brethren, so it’ll be possible to start a game at home on your PS3, transfer the save to your PSP, and then pick up right where you left off on the portable. Too awesome!

The first game available in the PSP Remaster series will be Capcom’s Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, which will be released on the PS3 as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Version. The upscaled PS3 version will include “gorgeous and vibrant” high definition graphics perfect for large-screened TVs. However, no release date has been announced.

More titles in the PSP Remaster series will be announced soon and hopefully we’ll learn more about Sony’s North American plans for the games at this year’s E3 Expo.

Posted in News, PS3, PSP |

Arleen Sorkin not voicing Harley Quinn in Batman: Arkham City

Posted on May 21, 2011 by John Scalzo

Bad news, Batfans.

Arleen Sorkin will not be voicing Harley Quinn in Batman: Arkham City. Sorkin, who was actually the inspiration for Quinn’s apperance on “Batman: The Animated Series,” has been replaced, for unspecified reasons, by prolific voice actress Tara Strong.

While there’s definitely some disappointment in losing Sorkin, Strong has quite a history with the various Bat-cartoons as well:

  • She played Barbara Gordon (AKA Batgirl) on “Batman: The Animated Series”;
  • She voiced The Huntress on “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”;
  • She stepped into the shoes of Vicky Vale on “The Batman”;
  • And she had a small part as a Shock Trooper from Apokolips in Superman/Batman: Apocalypse.

To further assuage fan’s fears, the Batman: Arkham City Community Manager recently sat down with Strong to discuss her thoughts on Harley Quinn and the voiceover process.

And it sounds like the character is in good hands.

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

Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One coming October 18; pre-order bonuses detailed

Posted on May 21, 2011 by John Scalzo

Sony is ramping up their E3 announcements a tad early with the news that Insomniac’s next PS3 platformer, Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One, will be released on October 18.

They’ve also announced the pre-order incentives, which includes an exclusive unlockable weapon, that several major retailers are offering. You can see what kind of firepower each store is giving away in the video above, or you gander at the list right here:

Amazon: T-Rex Morph Weapon Mod
Best Buy: Pyro Blaster
GameStop: Mr. Zurkon
Walmart: Sheepinator Morph Weapon Mod

Posted in News, PS3 | Tagged

Bohemia Interactive bringing ArmA 3, others to E3 2011

Posted on May 21, 2011 by John Scalzo

Bohemia Interactive, the developer of the acclaimed military simulation ArmA series, has announced they’ll be bringing three new titles to E3 2011, including ArmA 3!

The Czech developer will also show off the long-awaited sci-fi action game Carrier Command: Gaea Mission and the helicopter sim Take On Helicopters.

More details on all three titles can be found after the break.

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Posted in News, PC | Tagged