What the $#*@, Bioshock!

[SubSane]

Xbox 360 (with HD) owners get the demo right now (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/bioshock/news.html?sid=6176558&tag=newlyadded;title;4). PC owners... sorry.

This releases next week, but I won't be shooting up plasmids until the week after. :(

[jim]

Got the demo this morning on the 360. FUCKING AWESOME.

[Tino]

This game reminds of F.E.A.R. because it seems like it's going to be very hard and it has a nightmarish feel to it.

[The God of all Jawas]

i didn't really like the demo :(

[SudsMcDuff]

It's pretty badass. Great atmosphere, perhaps the best in a FPS since the original Half-Life.

[Wonderboy]

The graphics are A-MA-ZING, and I'm on a standard TV, but I didn't really feel like it offered anything as good as a great atmosphere and a potential good story (though, with these types of games the story could go shit south). I think when BioShock comes out I might just rent it and buy Condemned, which is very similar.

[fritz]

this is the first game i've cared about in like 1-2 years

i've actually researched the leaked reviews

here's a list i found:

1up: 10/10
Alternative Press: 5/5
Eurogamer: 10/10
Game Informer: 10/10
Gamepro: 10/10
Gamer.tv 5/5
GameSpy: 5/5
GamesRadar: 10/10
OXM (UK): 10/10
Console Gameworld 99%
PC Zone (UK): 96%
IGN: 9.7/10
PC Gamer (UK): 95%
Xbox World: 94%
Game Reactor (Swedish): 9/10 (Editor's Opinion 10/10)
Game Reactor (Danish): 9/10

[Kiyosuki]

Yes its gotten incredible reviews from all over, its quite a hit.

I have to admit I haven't paid much attention to it but all this positive stuff's caught my eye a little.

[morbot]

I haven't paid too much attention to it until about a week ago... it's really piqued my interest. I'll definately be hittin up some local stores to see if they have any in stock when it releases.

[jim]

this is the first game i've cared about in like 1-2 years

i've actually researched the leaked reviews

here's a list i found:

1up: 10/10
Alternative Press: 5/5
Eurogamer: 10/10
Game Informer: 10/10
Gamepro: 10/10
Gamer.tv 5/5
GameSpy: 5/5
GamesRadar: 10/10
OXM (UK): 10/10
Console Gameworld 99%
PC Zone (UK): 96%
IGN: 9.7/10
PC Gamer (UK): 95%
Xbox World: 94%
Game Reactor (Swedish): 9/10 (Editor's Opinion 10/10)
Game Reactor (Danish): 9/10
Christ. This would have to be the best reviewed game in years.

[SubSane]

I said the same until someone mentioned HL2. We'll have to see what metacritic says in a few weeks.

[Kiyosuki]

Watched full playthroughs of the demo and also looked up for info and I have to say the atmosphere of the game is really unique. FPS' usually don't really stand out for me but this one's got a pretty facinating story and premise to it. The atmosphere from what I can see in the demo is undeniably creepy, but not in a typical Doom style "monsters take over the place" way. Its a very distinct kind of creepy, almost a sophisticated kind since the story is almost a social statement in a way.

The Art-deco design style and 1960's flaire is also a big part of it. You can definitely see the dystopian social commentary story influences in this that the team's boasted inspiration from. Nothing can get that certain kind of facinating creepiness across like retro-steam punk and mid 20th century stylings in the little things like even the cartoons that explain the Plasmids. Reminds me of the distinct kind of creepiness the cartoons seen in the Fallout games brought.

"out of the public eye" stories that take place in the 60's seem to generally be pretty cool so far. (Like MGS3.) I bet though after this game there's going to be a huge trend in using this time period and art-deco design style in games.

Oh by the way, Gamespot has a pseudo artbook of the game up for download. I'll put it on sendspace and post it here in a bit.

Edit: Here you go.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/vjz96y

[morbot]

Downloaded the demo this weekend and played through it three times. This game is gonna rock. It has so much atmosphere it's crazy. In that sense, it completely reminds me of the original Half Life which to me felt like you were playing a movie.

The little girls... the sisters of eve or whatever... are nice & creepy. The first encounter you have with one (other than a cutscene) she's sitting over a corpse putting a huge needle into it to extract ADAM while singing a creepy little song. Then a Splicer comes in, she screams & Big Daddy beats the ever living shit out of him right in front of you.

[Count Knobula]

I've had it a few days now and it is shaping up to be as enjoyable as Half Life 2 (probably foolish to say this). Storytelling, action and design are all top notch as well as overall presentation

The designs remind me so much of Fallout it really is gratifying.

What really pleases me is how well this has been optimized for the 360. It runs very smoothly and looks excellent. The depth of interaction in this game should also be noted.

It's a big breath of fresh air when compared to recent shooters I have played. Games like the Darkness, Fear and such are good in terms of action but it all seems generic at the moment. Bioshock has truly engaged me.

Now we need Fallout 3, but apparently Bethesda has got that license, and THEY need to be working on Futureshock 2.

[morbot]

I've had it a few days now It comes out today.

[BlindPsychic]

Some Toys R Us stores leaked the game early, so that's probably how he got it.

[Count Knobula]

Correct.

[gravymaster]

WOW! Just watched the video review on IGN. Amazing, simply amazing. I'll be picking this up soon.

[conor.]

My brothers been all over this game today, watched him play for about 15 minutes and it actually looks pretty cool, I'm not one for single player games at all (exception being guitar hero series) but I may have to take a go at this one once he's done/

[moneychair2003]

gettin it tommorow since i couldnt find it in stores today. i loved seeing the bioshock commercials taunting me on TV all day today lol.

[morbot]

Yea, quite a few stores were sold out yesterday but I found a copy.

First run-in with a Rosie (Gun usin Big Daddy) was quite rough... I found the Bouncer (Melee Big Daddy) much easier in comparison.

[Kiyosuki]

WOW! Just watched the video review on IGN. Amazing, simply amazing. I'll be picking this up soon.

Yes, I loved that particular review. The stuff the reviewer says in regards to how important aesthetic and subtlety is to a video game...and even maybe any work of fiction or art in general was great stuff. A great narrative and premise and how you the player figure into it I truly believe really can make a huge difference with a video game, its a very underestimated element of game design.

I think that idea and what its advocating is especially relevant in gaming right now.

[Supreme Stonecutter]

This is the best FPS and all around experience since Half-Life. For me it's up there with Metal Gear Solid as well...

[Stackhouse]

i wasn't too impressed by the demo, but the great reviews convinced me to pick this one up. really, really awesome, have been blown away

[Stackhouse]

not enough discussion of this

incredible! just finished it today
Atlas is Fontaine? crazy. ending didn't blow me away, satisfying, but really rushed.

if you have a 360, you need this game

[fritz]

beat it today too. gameplay and storyline were equally amazing
and yeah, the last part of the game kinda felt like it pushed you to play it as more of a "run n gun" type thing. and the 20 sec cut scene was pretty meh. the "would you kindly" twist was really awesome though

[SubSane]

Hearin' everyone talk about this and then forgetting to go buy a copy is drivin' me nuts. And all those 100s on metacritic... damn.

[morbot]

Just finished the game having saved all the little sisters along the way. I took my time & explored every nook & cranny... although there was one stage I accidently skipped an area.

I think I'll let it rest for a bit... then play thru again harvesting the little sisters to see what the alternate story/ending is.

[Enter The Moleman]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2007/20070829.jpg

[Bones Jackson]

http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2007/20070829.jpg



:LOL:

[moneychair2003]

i just got 950 gamerscore in bioshock my first playthrough (yah i played the game first on hard) and was 125 adam short of buying the last 3 tonics i needed in order to get 1000 gamerscore. :angry:

[Drew]

Traded in my shitty launch games and picked up BioShock today. Awesome so far. I've only just gotten past the first level , and am currently in the medical area. Graphics are amazing.

I play games like this, Gears of War, and Oblivion; then I go to my friends house and play the new Metroid Prime game (it looks like your playing an original xbox game). Boy, am I glad I got a 360 instead of a Wii.

[moleman31]

I love the environment but this game has a huge problem. I have played both the 360 and PC versions, and it is present in both. It is the aiming with guns. When I am aiming the revolver, it is ridiculously hard to hit a bad guy, and it doesn't matter what the sensitivity is set at. It's hard to explain, but it doesn't move smoothly. Perfect Dark Zero had the same problem. It's not the same as aiming in something like Half-Life 2 or FEAR. It's just hard to hit anything. It ruins the game for me.

[SubSane]

I've had more issue with the targeting reticule not being visible when there's fire and electricity and telekinected objects and Big Daddies and nitro splicer grenades flying across the screen... but I'll adapt.

Holy shit, dudes... the steam room. :-O

[moneychair2003]

i just got 950 gamerscore in bioshock my first playthrough (yah i played the game first on hard) and was 125 adam short of buying the last 3 tonics i needed in order to get 1000 gamerscore. :angry:

finally got 1000 gamerscore :)

[kupomog]

(it looks like your playing an original xbox game).

So...that makes it bad?

[Paul]

Yes of course kupo, we all know that decent enough graphics = shit game(!)

[Wonderboy]

Rented it and beat it over the weekend. Fun stuff with only a few minor complaints. As stated before the real star here isn't so much the gameplay but just the atmosphere and story. There was some truly fucked up shit in the game (see: Sander Cohen) that gave me a few good scares. I did feel like the story lost ground towards the end, but ultimately it was pretty satisfying and really fun.

I did suspect Atlas was Fontaine, but I was surprised at the "would you kindly?" trigger, thought that was pretty "duh" when you realize he's not just a well mannered Irishman.

[Drew]

I hate you for posting that spoiler.

And graphics don't make a game, however it does add a lot to it. When I buy a next gen console, I expect it to have the best graphics available at that period in time. I don't want it to look as as good or slightly worst as the system I'm replacing.

[kupomog]

Nintendo has never ever advertised the Wii as or intended for it to be a "next gen system" nor do they make their games for that purpose or want people expecting that. If you buy a 360 or PS3 then I can see why you'd expect that since they advertise and boast that stuff up the ass and you're paying out your nose for these systems, but Nintendo has made no secret about not giving a shit about it and just making good, creative, fun, worthwhile games...just kind of strikes me as stupid and annoying to still be complaining about that particular subject when it comes to Nintendo and games in general, honestly. Slightly depressing, too.

[Veryjammy]

This is possibly the most ridiculously overrated game I've ever played. I loved the demo but man, the game does not live up to it and I can barely be bothered finishing the game. It has fantastic art design and some very memorable moments, but the core gameplay is mundane and deeply, deeply repetitive. Run down pretty corridor, shoot splicer, do the hacking minigame, repeat. Over and over and over again. There are like, what, 5 different enemies? Don't spoil us! The soundbites repeat ad nauseum too. The story is pretty interesting but once you get to the twist you realise it doesn't actually make all that much sense and is full of holes. Oh, and the 'moral choice' about the Little Sisters is ridiculously simplistic.

It's decent enough but I think many people have been blinded by its graphics. And for what its worth, Metroid Prime 3 has fantastic art direction too. Just because it doesn't have as many polygons on screen doesn't mean it doesn't look great. And it's core gameplay sure isn't as repetitive as this.

[SubSane]

We need context. Name a game that was hyped to high heaven and turned out to meet those expectations.

[morbot]

I disagree Veryjammy... it has much more than graphics going for it.

Yes gameplay can be repeative if YOU make it so. You can basically shock + shotgun almost every badguy in the game if you want to. You can also set up traps. You can make them fight each other. You can hypnotize a big daddy. You can sneak up and whack them with the wrench. You can set them on fire, then when they jump for water you can zap it. You can snipe them with the crossbow, or throw their grenades back at them with telekenesis.

Just because you can do everything one way doesn't mean you should. And the fact that the game doesn't force you down a specific playstyle is what makes it so great. If you find it repeatative, maybe you should take full advantage of the tons and tons of options you have.

You can spend Adam on engineering tonics & slots so you can hack every camera & turret in sight to fight for you... or you can just destroy them. You can spend Adam on combat & health tonics to give you more stealth & muscle with the wrench, making you a smashing killing machine. Or you could put it all into plasmids and have a range of crazy abilities at your service.

And don't forget. You can save the Little Sisters or you can harvest them which effects the story & ending.

And the art is more than just "high pixel count". Ratpure has a style & feeling that come not only from the graphical design but all the little elements like the sound & music. The eery scratchy music coming from the juke box... the "friendly reminders" about capital punishment & not questioning the leadership over the PA system. The audio diaries which tell the stories of good intentions gone bad and the downfall of this society you are now wading through. The crazy rantings of the splicers, the creepy things the Little Sisters say... the way they cry for Mr. B when he dies... All of it draws you in... if you let it.

I don't know how much replayability it'll have after I finish it this second time... but many games don't get 2 playthroughs from me anyway. It's definately lacking in some areas (online play of any sort would be nice) but it's probably my favorite xbox360 game at the moment.

Oh, and one small story spoiler:
The package you look at on the plane... says "Would you kindly" on it... thought that was funny.

[DAntae]

really enjoying the experience the last couple of days. I was going to buy it, but had a free rental to use so I took advantage. haven't read anything about it, I dont want to know how far along I am, or anything. the mood of the game, and the story unfolding through those audio diaries really has me entertained.

[moleman31]

We need context. Name a game that was hyped to high heaven and turned out to meet those expectations.

half-life 2

[DAntae]

good pick. that actually exceeded my expectations based on everything that was written about it.

[moneychair2003]

if you play the game on hard the first playthrough its alot more satisfying experience because you need to play with more than one playstyle or else you'll die easily.

btw veryjammy, dont base your opinions of a game on a demo. every 360 demo sucks when compared to the final product. if you actually play through the whole game, you might actually get to love it and the story. IMO its one of the best singleplayer experiences ive had this gen.

[SubSane]

I was hoping Veryjammy would pop in with his opinion... but I suppose HL2 is a good example of his POV and the hype:reality thing. I, personally, didn't care for HL2 during the hype, and when I finally got around to playing it I wasn't really enthralled. Just seemed like another shooter.

But anyway, in Arcadia now. Having fun using telekinesis to toss Rosies around like dolls.

[DAntae]

good twist with the plot. the scene with the golf club had me thinking I was talking to walk disney for some reason.

[Channel Surfer]

I was hoping Veryjammy would pop in with his opinion... but I suppose HL2 is a good example of his POV and the hype:reality thing. I, personally, didn't care for HL2 during the hype, and when I finally got around to playing it I wasn't really enthralled. Just seemed like another shooter.

I'll add, in Veryjammy's defense, that his opinion really isn't all that atypical either if you scout around for it. I know there's a faction of people in particular that think it's a watered down version of the earlier System Shock games, summarized for instance in this review (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/1394-Zero-Punctuation-BioShock).

Not to say I know how fair the complaints/hype really is, it's going to be a few months before I can play the game and compare. And I do look forward to playing it too. After all, even the most critical reviews still have some praise for it. Just noting that there is a backlash of sorts to all the praise the game has been given that, at least given some of the context of the hype, might not be easily dismissible.

[Drew]

Spent the majority of my Sunday playing this game and beating it. I ended up saving every Little Sister. I was only one spot short of having every plasma spot filled. Sucks too, because I had enough, but I spent it on extending my Eve bar because I didn't realize that was the last one.

I will probably play again in a a few weeks, might try it on hard, and getting more gamer points.


All in all, it was a great game. I honestly don't think Halo's going to be better, but they're totatlly different so I don't think it matters.

[LeChimp]

Out of curiosity, to what extent does harvesting little sisters vs. saving them alter the plot? Is it something big that occurs throughout the game, or just a different ending? Please, no spoilers. I've only just gotten to Fort Frolic.

[Drew]

2 endings, and if you save every little sister you get 100 gamer points, not sure if you get one for harvesting every one. Probably though.

Also, Harvesting gives you more Adam to start off with, but once you reach the halfway point Saving starts to balance out and gives you slightly more Adam.

[Stratman]

I hate you for posting that spoiler.

And graphics don't make a game, however it does add a lot to it. When I buy a next gen console, I expect it to have the best graphics available at that period in time. I don't want it to look as as good or slightly worst as the system I'm replacing.

Exactly right.

[Stratman]

I love the environment but this game has a huge problem. I have played both the 360 and PC versions, and it is present in both. It is the aiming with guns. When I am aiming the revolver, it is ridiculously hard to hit a bad guy, and it doesn't matter what the sensitivity is set at. It's hard to explain, but it doesn't move smoothly. Perfect Dark Zero had the same problem. It's not the same as aiming in something like Half-Life 2 or FEAR. It's just hard to hit anything. It ruins the game for me.

I'm surprised the PC version has aiming issues, a console is bound to have aiming issues but a PC? Could it be the beefy system requirements effecting the smoothness?

[morbot]

I dont think you get any points for harvesting all the sisters... altho maybe I missed one. I did save them my first time through & get the 100 point award.

Harvesting them changes the way a few characters interact with you during the game, and the ending movie...

[DAntae]

plan to rent it again this weekend to finish it up and maybe play through on the most difficult setting.

my question is this, I think the third time I loaded it up I got the xbox live option for a game update. figured it wouldnt hurt to get it, although the game appeared to be acting fine. after downloading the game was horrible, it froze up every few second, especially in the middle of fights. I looked it up and its a common problem people were having. so I plan to delete the update, is this in the memory settings or in the cache memory. will deleting from the cache mess up anything else on the console, or is it strictly listed by game? also will my previous saves always load with the update/patch or what? help needed dudes

[moleman31]

Sorry, you can't delete an update unless you reformat the hard drive, which will erase all your data. If it is a problematic update, they will probably release a fix soon.

[moleman31]

I'm surprised the PC version has aiming issues, a console is bound to have aiming issues but a PC? Could it be the beefy system requirements effecting the smoothness?

No, I was getting great framerates, it's a sensitivity issue. It's either too high or too low; it just seems like the reticule doesn't move smoothly. It's hard to hit things with the revolver. I haven't had this problem with any other game for the PC.

[Gunstar]

Dan, as soon as you boot up the game, hold LB and RB until you get past the developer logos. Apparently that clears the games cache and fixes it right up.

[DAntae]

awesome, thanks bro. I was going to put it aside until a new patch was released, that freeze up just makes it almost impossible to play.

[Bill Cosby]

I'm afraid I may have to agree with VeryJammy to an extent. I'm about 2 to 3 levels away from the ending and the game keeps alternating between being great and really boring and annoying. Part of it has to do with the fact that I'm really awful at it and I keep dying, but unfortunately I don't really feel compelled to get better because I'm not really punished for being stupid. The combat just isn't that fun to me, and I'm getting tired of turrets being everywhere. I've always hated turrets in games, and this one is just loaded with them. I don't know if it's the games fault or my own fault for sucking so much.

I think I would enjoy the game more if every level was as interesting as Fort Frolic. That was easily the best level so far.

[SubSane]

Odd that an update would do that. And lame.

I'm takin' my time with this 'un... just got to Fort Frolic now. I should've expected an artsy wacko.

[gonz]

If I save up for long enough I'll certainly get this. Never been so excited about a 360 game since Gears Of War. Does anybody know if you can change between 1st person and 3rd person like in Oblivion?

[morbot]

Yeah I've noticed that since I downloaded the last patch my game will occassionally lag & jump for a second... doesn't make it unplayable. Also have noticed that textures are slower to load on some objects... and that bodies despawn faster leaving the lockbox lootable object behind instead.

Played through it the past few days on hard... the only Acheivement I haven't unlocked yet is Tonic Collector... not sure I'll play thru it again just for that one though.

[moleman31]

If I save up for long enough I'll certainly get this. Never been so excited about a 360 game since Gears Of War. Does anybody know if you can change between 1st person and 3rd person like in Oblivion?

It's first person only.

[gonz]

Borrowed it from a friend today. Already really amazing with great graphics and concept. A great story idea and good characters.

[SubSane]

Got past the first peak in the story a few days ago. It seems my choices throughout the playthrough have sent me down the good path.

I'll be hittin' the bad path on the hard difficulty setting. Babies gon' bleed. :evil:

[Paul]

A little late on the uptake here (as always with video games...), but this is freakin' awesome. I'm so glad I bought a 360.

[gonz]

Played it alot more today. Having something like Plasmins in a game are brilliant. What other games can you kill a giant dude in a diving suit by catching a bomb in the air and throwing it back to him in? Brilliant.

[You Bent My Wookiee]

Oh, BioShock. I did a NVIDIA driver update so I'm gonna check out the BioShock demo. I had problems, but I think I fixed them.