XiMMiX
09-18-2007, 08:14 AM
Bioshock
2007/09/03
In 1994 System Shock (developed by Looking Glass),an exillerating mixture of aspects from role play and action games, revolutionized the then still young shooter genre. In 1999 the long awaited sequel, system shock 2 appeared, and the media gave it rave reviews. The developers at Looking Glass created System Shock 2 together with the boys from Irrational Games (known as 2K Boston today). 7 years later Bioshock, the unofficial sequel, was released. Is this a revolution of the genre yet again, or just another shooter game?
Destined for Greatness
Jack, our alter ego in 2K?s bold shooter game, sits unsuspectingly in an airplane in the year 1960, when it suddenly crashes into the Atlantic. We survive the crash, Swim up out of the depths of the water and must witness as the plane is engulfed by the ocean. Lucky for Jack, he spies a lighthouse jutting up out of the water directly next to the crash site. So, we go about the process of saving ourselves, and the adventure can begin.
Welcome to Rapture
The lighthouse is in fact a gateway to another world. In this world science and art know no boundaries. This world was created by a man who could not identify with basic concepts like ethics or morals. Rapture is an underwater world built by Andrew Ryan. Rapture must have been a beautiful city. We are made aware of this fact as we step out of the bathysphere that brings us down to Rapture. The art deco style attracts and repulses simultaneously. The beautiful walls and carpets are dirty and blood smeared. One thing is clear; something went horribly wrong in Rapture?
Would you kindly?
Bioshock uses the first few minutes of play to introduce us to the game?s controls. This comes across well. We are told what to do next by our new friend Atlas (a survivor of the Rapture catastrophe) over a radio device we recovered. This is neither too short not too long. With his help, and the help of a map made available by hitting the M key, we can never lose track of the current goals or our position. We must however, find fault with the fact that map can only be understood after about an hour of playing the game, because several floors of one area are drawn beside each other. If we walk around confused for long enough however, an arrow appears in the upper half of the screen, which points us in the direction of our current goal.
Our first weapon ("Would kindly obtain a pipe wrench") is a simple pipe wrench. The weapons can easily be improved by using Plasmids or a Power To The People station. So it just makes sense to use the pipe wrench (which is initially the weakest weapon in the game) again later. In general, Bioshock includes the usual shooter repertoire of weapons. They range from the aforementioned pipe wrench to a shotgun, to a submachine gun.
As soon as we are a little more familiar with the controls, Atlas lets us know what our goal will be for the next 6 or 7 hours of play through the radio device. We have to save his family, who were unsuccessful in their attempt to flee Rapture. But to get to his family, we must first complete a few side missions. Thus, one of our first goals is to kill the deranged German surgeon, Dr. Steinman. One of Bioshock?s minor weaknesses is revealed within the first few hours of play. The program constantly puts the same opponents in our line of fire. They perform rather intelligently, but after about 2/3 of the way through the game, it gets a bit boring.
Smile please
In the second chapter of the game we have to take pictures of our opponents (called Splicers) for an alleged friend?s "research project". This concept unveils yet another innovative idea in Bioshock. By taking pictures of our opponents (whether in action, dead or while hanging around), and once we reach a certain level of research, we get bonuses and information that tells us which types of weapons or which Plasmids are most effective in eliminating those opponents.
Types of ammunition? Plasmids?
Because Rapture was once home to some of the world?s greatest minds, technical breakthroughs sprout up there like mushrooms through the ocean floor. Thus the scientists, with the help of an essence called ADAM, have developed a technique that makes it possible to rewrite a person?s genetic code. So, for example, a person could throw out electric shocks from his bare hands or freeze an opponent and then set him on fire with a flick of the wrist. The Raputians simply call them "Plasmids". These Plasmids can be found throughout the course of the game in hidden passageways, or at relevant locations. Plasmids can also alternatively be purchased at vending machines, which are located all over Rapture. In order to purchase the Plasmids or the Plasmid slots however, we need ADAM. This in turn, can be obtained by either saving or killing the Little Sisters. These are little girls who wander around Rapture and obtain ADAM from corpses by means of a special needle. These little girls are not alone, however. They are always accompanied by a "Big Daddy". So, in order to get ADAM, we must first knock off the Big Daddy (with the right combination of weapons and Plasmids, this does not really pose a problem), to then be able to get to the Little Sister. The game presents us with a moral dilemna, particularly during our first encounter with a Little Sister. If we save the little girl, we get only half of the amount of ADAM that we would get if we killed her and extracted it. The moral dilemma (what we do with the child) only affects the behavior of the children in the pediatric ward, and the final credits that we can view once we have completed Bioshock. They could have expanded on this aspect of the story.
There are four types of Plasmids: active Plasmids, which can be released by clicking the mouse, and three different passive Plasmids (Combat Tonic, Engineering Tonic and Physical Tonic) which can be exchanged at gene banks, and similar to most RPG?s, they increase stamina, strength and ability.
Along with the Plasmids, we can also "improve" our ammunition. The ammuntion can either be found, or we create it ourselves at one of the vending macines. So, we can use the standard issue shotgun to fire off 00 bullets, electric bullets or exploding bullets at our opponents. Each type of opponent reacts differently. We learn which type of ammunition is best suited for each opponent by taking their picture.
Enough with the Theory! Is Bioshock any good?
One word could adequately sum up this question: fantastic! Bioshock grabs your attention right from the very start, and is an enjoyable game to play, right to the very end. There is very little down time. One negative aspect we noticed was that at the end of the game, you have to accompany a Little Sister through Rapture. Because the Little Sister is so slow, this part is very boring. And what?s more, the four phrases that the Little Sister constantly repeats get on your nerves. But this is almost the only thing that could have been left out of Bioshock. The atmosphere clearly smacks of Doom 3 or FEAR. The bombastic musical backdrop is a feast for the ears and the game?s humorous gags provide a few laughs during the more intense moments. You can spend 2 dollars at a fortune-telling machine, only so you can hear "Better luck next time".
Story
2K resorts to a balancing act of ingenious innovation and too little information for the players here. Because exactly what happened in Rapture, is never really explained. Through the diaries, which we find all over the place throughout the course of the game, we get only pieces of the story. 3/4 of the game leaves some questions unanswered after the fantastic and beautifully staged plot twist. We believe however, that this is exactly the effect that Bioshock set out to achieve.
Graphics
Bioshock is to be commended for this part as well. The Unreal 3 Engine allows Rapture?s splendor (or chaos) to shine. Lovingly constructed levels are paired with unbelievably beautiful water effects and bombastic Plasmid effects. In a few minor parts the textures appear somewhat washed out. These textures are easily spotted during the first play of the game, which is unfair because the rest of Bioshock is completely flawless.
Text: Blood Knight
Note:Preview
2007/09/03
In 1994 System Shock (developed by Looking Glass),an exillerating mixture of aspects from role play and action games, revolutionized the then still young shooter genre. In 1999 the long awaited sequel, system shock 2 appeared, and the media gave it rave reviews. The developers at Looking Glass created System Shock 2 together with the boys from Irrational Games (known as 2K Boston today). 7 years later Bioshock, the unofficial sequel, was released. Is this a revolution of the genre yet again, or just another shooter game?
Destined for Greatness
Jack, our alter ego in 2K?s bold shooter game, sits unsuspectingly in an airplane in the year 1960, when it suddenly crashes into the Atlantic. We survive the crash, Swim up out of the depths of the water and must witness as the plane is engulfed by the ocean. Lucky for Jack, he spies a lighthouse jutting up out of the water directly next to the crash site. So, we go about the process of saving ourselves, and the adventure can begin.
Welcome to Rapture
The lighthouse is in fact a gateway to another world. In this world science and art know no boundaries. This world was created by a man who could not identify with basic concepts like ethics or morals. Rapture is an underwater world built by Andrew Ryan. Rapture must have been a beautiful city. We are made aware of this fact as we step out of the bathysphere that brings us down to Rapture. The art deco style attracts and repulses simultaneously. The beautiful walls and carpets are dirty and blood smeared. One thing is clear; something went horribly wrong in Rapture?
Would you kindly?
Bioshock uses the first few minutes of play to introduce us to the game?s controls. This comes across well. We are told what to do next by our new friend Atlas (a survivor of the Rapture catastrophe) over a radio device we recovered. This is neither too short not too long. With his help, and the help of a map made available by hitting the M key, we can never lose track of the current goals or our position. We must however, find fault with the fact that map can only be understood after about an hour of playing the game, because several floors of one area are drawn beside each other. If we walk around confused for long enough however, an arrow appears in the upper half of the screen, which points us in the direction of our current goal.
Our first weapon ("Would kindly obtain a pipe wrench") is a simple pipe wrench. The weapons can easily be improved by using Plasmids or a Power To The People station. So it just makes sense to use the pipe wrench (which is initially the weakest weapon in the game) again later. In general, Bioshock includes the usual shooter repertoire of weapons. They range from the aforementioned pipe wrench to a shotgun, to a submachine gun.
As soon as we are a little more familiar with the controls, Atlas lets us know what our goal will be for the next 6 or 7 hours of play through the radio device. We have to save his family, who were unsuccessful in their attempt to flee Rapture. But to get to his family, we must first complete a few side missions. Thus, one of our first goals is to kill the deranged German surgeon, Dr. Steinman. One of Bioshock?s minor weaknesses is revealed within the first few hours of play. The program constantly puts the same opponents in our line of fire. They perform rather intelligently, but after about 2/3 of the way through the game, it gets a bit boring.
Smile please
In the second chapter of the game we have to take pictures of our opponents (called Splicers) for an alleged friend?s "research project". This concept unveils yet another innovative idea in Bioshock. By taking pictures of our opponents (whether in action, dead or while hanging around), and once we reach a certain level of research, we get bonuses and information that tells us which types of weapons or which Plasmids are most effective in eliminating those opponents.
Types of ammunition? Plasmids?
Because Rapture was once home to some of the world?s greatest minds, technical breakthroughs sprout up there like mushrooms through the ocean floor. Thus the scientists, with the help of an essence called ADAM, have developed a technique that makes it possible to rewrite a person?s genetic code. So, for example, a person could throw out electric shocks from his bare hands or freeze an opponent and then set him on fire with a flick of the wrist. The Raputians simply call them "Plasmids". These Plasmids can be found throughout the course of the game in hidden passageways, or at relevant locations. Plasmids can also alternatively be purchased at vending machines, which are located all over Rapture. In order to purchase the Plasmids or the Plasmid slots however, we need ADAM. This in turn, can be obtained by either saving or killing the Little Sisters. These are little girls who wander around Rapture and obtain ADAM from corpses by means of a special needle. These little girls are not alone, however. They are always accompanied by a "Big Daddy". So, in order to get ADAM, we must first knock off the Big Daddy (with the right combination of weapons and Plasmids, this does not really pose a problem), to then be able to get to the Little Sister. The game presents us with a moral dilemna, particularly during our first encounter with a Little Sister. If we save the little girl, we get only half of the amount of ADAM that we would get if we killed her and extracted it. The moral dilemma (what we do with the child) only affects the behavior of the children in the pediatric ward, and the final credits that we can view once we have completed Bioshock. They could have expanded on this aspect of the story.
There are four types of Plasmids: active Plasmids, which can be released by clicking the mouse, and three different passive Plasmids (Combat Tonic, Engineering Tonic and Physical Tonic) which can be exchanged at gene banks, and similar to most RPG?s, they increase stamina, strength and ability.
Along with the Plasmids, we can also "improve" our ammunition. The ammuntion can either be found, or we create it ourselves at one of the vending macines. So, we can use the standard issue shotgun to fire off 00 bullets, electric bullets or exploding bullets at our opponents. Each type of opponent reacts differently. We learn which type of ammunition is best suited for each opponent by taking their picture.
Enough with the Theory! Is Bioshock any good?
One word could adequately sum up this question: fantastic! Bioshock grabs your attention right from the very start, and is an enjoyable game to play, right to the very end. There is very little down time. One negative aspect we noticed was that at the end of the game, you have to accompany a Little Sister through Rapture. Because the Little Sister is so slow, this part is very boring. And what?s more, the four phrases that the Little Sister constantly repeats get on your nerves. But this is almost the only thing that could have been left out of Bioshock. The atmosphere clearly smacks of Doom 3 or FEAR. The bombastic musical backdrop is a feast for the ears and the game?s humorous gags provide a few laughs during the more intense moments. You can spend 2 dollars at a fortune-telling machine, only so you can hear "Better luck next time".
Story
2K resorts to a balancing act of ingenious innovation and too little information for the players here. Because exactly what happened in Rapture, is never really explained. Through the diaries, which we find all over the place throughout the course of the game, we get only pieces of the story. 3/4 of the game leaves some questions unanswered after the fantastic and beautifully staged plot twist. We believe however, that this is exactly the effect that Bioshock set out to achieve.
Graphics
Bioshock is to be commended for this part as well. The Unreal 3 Engine allows Rapture?s splendor (or chaos) to shine. Lovingly constructed levels are paired with unbelievably beautiful water effects and bombastic Plasmid effects. In a few minor parts the textures appear somewhat washed out. These textures are easily spotted during the first play of the game, which is unfair because the rest of Bioshock is completely flawless.
Text: Blood Knight
Note:Preview