Comments on: BioShock 2: Nine Minutes of Footage’n'Chat

By: Dave Gates

Dave Gates — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:31:10 +0000

Not sure about this, looks a bit like they tried to bang it out the door as quick as possible. It has quite good pedigree given the project leader, I really hope it doesn’t nose dive after the big reveal like it did in Bioshock.

By: High Memetic 80s Hero

High Memetic 80s Hero — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:29:10 +0000

I guess its a pure fps again.

By: Malagate

Malagate — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:05:37 +0000

@Chemix, at a guess, I’d say either this video is just specifically made as a demo and won’t be used in the game, or it’s representative of the opening “tutorial” area in a similar vein to the recent Metroid Prime games, where you start with some abilities, then lose them somehow, only to slowly regain them. I’d guess the Big Daddy wakes up and is still badass, does his stuff, then meets big sister who sucks out all his strength juice (hurr hurr hurr) and leaves him drained and weak, just so you can spend most of the game getting strong again.

I’m more happy that it seems like it’s easier to use plasmids and weapons almost at the same time, perhaps a bit closer to oblivion so that you can go around doing your normal stuff and don’t have to change weapons to whip out plasmid attacks.

By: phil

phil — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:02:55 +0000

Would it be possible to introduce a troll dumping ground, where deleted offensive comments could be displayed and responded to (if people could be bothered), or will that effectively remain the Eurogamer forums?

By: Alec Meer

Alec Meer — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:50:53 +0000

Nathaniel – of course we’re not objective. This is an independent project run by four gamers in their spare time – we post about what personally interests us. We don’t post about what doesn’t. Oh, and Dracko got censored because he’s a troll, not because he doesn’t like Bioshock. Differing opinions are fine, but not when it drags threads into unpleasantness that spoils everyone else’s fun. Though whinging about the same thing for two straight years also does that.

By: Gnarl

Gnarl — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:01:31 +0000

I think that most Bioshock haters really wanted to love it. They got all excited about it, looked forward to it, held their expectations high, pushing through the first parts of the game. They tried, but Bioshock let them down, betrayed their enthusiasm with false promises and disappointing gameplay. It came so close to love but fell to hate.

So when the sequel comes along, and looks a bit different we briefly have hope in our hearts. We look at the trailers and feel a glimmer. But it’s too soon, the hurt’s too raw and we can’t help but remember the pain. Some of us realise that, and try to keep quiet of feelings unshared.

But you must see? That bitch’ll turn on you too at some point. Then you’ll rave in threads too.

By: Grey_Ghost

Grey_Ghost — Fri, 15 May 2009 07:11:08 +0000

I upgraded my Video & CPU, and Bioshocks sound stopped working. It just sends out crazy loud screeches to my speakers. Found out browsing the inter web that this game is riddled with sound problems that they have never fixed.

I worry the sequel is going to have the same problem!

By: Skye Nathaniel

Skye Nathaniel — Fri, 15 May 2009 06:07:00 +0000

Clockwork, I already know of those articles and reject the conclusion that objectivity is a myth. It is an ideal to strive for, and if one has a mind to evaluate game design and refers with the benefit of hindsight to past works as examples of successful and failing ideas and implementations, there is no good reason why we can’t reach towards an objective point of view. There are different and equally legitimate schools of game design, but those who are cognizant of their favored principles need not fear bias.

Jeremy, this video about Bioshock 2 mostly compares the sequel to the original game. I’d say that discussion of its predecessor is very relevant. Also, the video opens by laying down a baldfacedly bullshit claim regarding the supposedly novel, deep, and successful relationship between the game and narrative elements of the original, which is just infuriating when you consider that there have been brilliant games that this charlatan apparently refuses to recognize.

I would like to point out that fully half of this video’s content appears to be of the type of non-interactive cutscene I described earlier. I will watch it again and try to describe which sequences seem to be forced player movement. But more importantly, the PRESS X TO HARVEST / PRESS Y TO RESCUE ‘choice’ of the first game clearly has received no formal thought since. I can’t stand this. Imagine the impact it might have if, rather than killing a girl in a frozen menu moment, you actually aimed your weapon at her and pulled the trigger using the very same game mechanics through which you tear apart splicers. And, conversely, imagine the impact it might have if rescuing her similarly took the form of a mechanical action. As it is, these moments are analytical and false, regardless of whatever repercussions they may have on further gameplay and story. This was one of the biggest offenses in the first game for me, particularly since so bloody much was made of this gigantic moral decision.

I know that the rigid seaweed has been mentioned, but doesn’t it bother anyone else that the furniture and even the air bubbles appear suspended in time during the underwater segments, even moments after the Big Sister floods the room with a huge torrent?

By: Clockwork Harlequin

Clockwork Harlequin — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:42:24 +0000

Dracko, Skye Nathaniel: There were some articles on RPS a while back that dealt with journalism, objectivity, reviewing and related issues. The upshot being that at least one of the RPS crew (can’t remember which) recognizes that total objectivity is a myth. And so, while censorship does suck, it’s no more valid for you to hate Bioshock than for others to love it; let’s at least act pleasant about our opinions:)

[Edit] Jeremy: what you forget, my friend, is that RPS have all !CONFESSED! to being in publishers’ pockets. Like every other games journalist. They’re part of the conspiracy. The horror!

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:27:02 +0000

Why do we assume Tenenbaum is actually Tenenbaum? Is there a point in any of the interviews and schtuff that said she was in it for sure? I’m just wondering, since they’ve done it before. Maybe she’s been dead for 10 years.

As for the whole “WTF MY RIGHTS?!” shenanigans… get over it? Seriously, let’s not start a civil rights movement. You apparently crossed the line, and I’ll assume that is the case since the actual number of censored comments I’ve seen here hits around the two mark. Personally attacking everyone here and RPS surely isn’t going to make your point more convincing.

We’ll stop pretending we’re not as obvious as every other “outlet” as soon as you stop pretending you’re not as insipid as any other nameless troll to hit the net. You hate the mainstream? Shocking.

I would hardly call this thread a call to praise for Bioshock 1, we actually were engaged in discussion about Bioshock 2, strange little thing that it is, and were just opining on that, not Bioshock 1. So, maybe we can get back to that little discussion, but only if it’s okay with you and Dracko. What say you?

By: El Stevo

El Stevo — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:02:11 +0000

Conversation?

A: “I don’t like this game.”
B: “I do.”
A: “You’re wrong.”
B: “Go away.”

BioShock was released nearly two years ago. This post is about BioShock 2, which (the great many) people who enjoyed BioShock might be looking forward to and might like to speculate about.

By: Muzman

Muzman — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:59:38 +0000

I wonder what your adopted little sister does when you find another one? If you adopt the second one does she get jealous and try to push her out of the nest, so to speak? (a hilarious on going hypodermic bitch fight on your very back!)
Alternately, what happens if you meet a new playfriend and, for want of dorsal real estate, elect to EVISCERATE HER BEFORE THE OTHER ONE’S VERY EYES! gargling and groaning like a delighted whale as you wring out that last drop of sweet sweet adam?