Bioshock 2 Out NOW!

[Nolan]

Wait. Is it now stretched way too far? Because I've never seen a monitor that wide...

That's eyefinity, 3 monitors together. 5040x1050

What 2K did was pulled the first person view in further so you're looking out of the diving helmets viewport effectively forcing the low FOV on you rather than fixing it so the FOV scales appropriately with resolution and widescreen. 70 is basically to narrow for 4:3 and it gets worse with 16:9/16:10 and terrible for 48:10 which is that picture.

[ccesarano]

I was wondering about that, actually. I never saw any aspect of diving helmet like that.

Still, the patch still just stretches it out in a sense? I'm a bit unclear as to how this non-fix works (plus, three monitors together? Why? Why would you do that?)


Played the multiplayer, and Sean is right. Despite the game freezing 30-60 minutes in, it's a lot of fun and I really want to go back to it. I can't say much coherently yet, especially since I'm not sure if the tonics I got were a result of my play style or are a reward for everyone that reaches rank 3. I did a lot of hacking turrets and vending machines my first few matches as well as researching enemies to deal bonus damage, and in the end I received a tonic that allows me to avoid enemy turret fire more easily and to research enemies faster. These could be tonics everyone gets! I don't know.

Still, it's a seriously fun experience and really boosts the $60 price point to being worthwhile.

[ccesarano]

Negative impressions are up. My biggest issue is with the story and writing overall, though sometimes it feels more like I've gone on a tangent. I don't know if it's even worth the time to provide examples of how I would have done things differently, or even interesting to read. I'm really looking to hear some feedback on this one. Is it better for me to focus on mechanics more?

Though honestly, there was no way I wasn't going to tear this game apart for the story. To clarify, it's not bad. I did enjoy it and there were things I'll get to in the positives that I happened to like. However, it just pales in comparison to all of the things Ken Levine was able to tackle in the first Bioshock. The biggest problem is that they were limited to 2 years, but naturally that was going to be the case because there was no way 2K was going to sit on this.

At the end I tried to think of excellent games that have stood alone without sequels, but with few exception of recent titles I couldn't really think of any. For some reason the games industry sees it necessary to create a sequel to everything. It's pretty depressing, to be honest.

I may be unable to play Bioshock 2's single player for the same reasons I can't watch Jurassic Park or, in particular, The Lost World anymore. Each time I do I can only think of everything they did wrong as opposed to what they did right.

[EarthViper]

No I enjoyed the writeup of the story. I remember very little about the originals story and characters but you made sense and got your point across well all the same.

As for games that were critical/commercial successes and never got sequels you're right, it is rare. I can think of a few but that's it. It's sad because I can much more easily think of games that have been only shamed by their sequel(s), first and foremost being Chrono Trigger. I do wish more people in the industry were open to the idea of letting a work of art stand alone when it can.

[ccesarano]

Positives are up you silent bunch of ninnies.

And so is multiplayer

[DarkPGR]

Just in case you were expecting for the first deal or price drop on this new game, now you don't have an excuse not to!

The game was just released on GG for the lowest price available! Just $39.95, that's $10 cheaper than anywhere else.

But there's more, you get back $2 from your purchase, which you can then use to buy other games! Plus, if you write a review and rate the game afterwards, you'll get an extra $0.25.

So, for those of you that are yet to buy this game, what are you waiting for?

http://bit.ly/a7TDLE

(Beware thoguh, PC version doesn't feature native Xbox 360 controller support...)

[ccesarano]

Do you get money for this or something? You don't ever seem to post when it comes to discussing games anymore, just for discussing sales.

[DarkPGR]

For this one, I get Blue Coins for each purchase through that link, and even then it isn't really that much, that's not why I posted it... I haven't really had much time as of late, but thought it might be important for someone to know about the sale, since I always keep an eye on game sales...

If it's a problem or something just tell me and I won't post them again...

And now that I think about it... this and the Batman post have the same goal in mind... I want GFWL to succeed, Iike promoting it... the more people on it, the better...

Sorry if I have come as a walking ad or something as of late....

Apart from that, I've barely been able to play Bioshock 2... not enough time for it, and it isn't as enjoyable with Mouse + Keyboard... so it isn't really that much I could add to the thread...

[ccesarano]

I don't mind it as long as you regularly contribute. Otherwise you're just a human spambot, so try not to do it until you're able to contribute.

[MadeManG74]

Hmm the multiplayer sounds really fun. I hope it's active for a while though, since I don't plan on playing it until a while after AVP (which has brilliant online too). I hate when online game communities die out really quickly, but it seems like Bioshock sold well and has staying power too.

[DarkPGR]

Well, the Sinclair Solutions is here! With a price tag of 400 Microsoft Points, and a download size of less than 50 KB for the PC version, and just above 100 KB for the Xbox 360 and PS3 version...

So, we get yet another unlock key for content that we already have, only that this time is worse... it doesn't add any new modes, it just adds characters, weapons and a higher rank cap... this is taking Capcom's versus mode to a whole new level of greed... at least Capcom had a reason not to include it in the full game, but this pack has no reason to not have been included in the first place...

But, if you don't have the game yet, at least you can buy it on Games for Windows LIVE for 3000 Microsoft Points / $37.49 (Instead of the usual 4000 MSP / $49.99), and if you also get the Sinclair Solutions pack (400 Microsoft Points) you get 800 Microsoft Points back... actually a good deal, better than Steam's pre-order (since I already had Bioshock 1... should have waited)

[ccesarano]

I should've bought the Sinclair Solutions instead of Desperate Escape. If only because Josh stared directly at a chainsaw-motherfucker for ten whole seconds without doing anything TWICE before getting sawed in half.

[Nolan]

I should've bought the Sinclair Solutions instead of Desperate Escape. If only because Josh stared directly at a chainsaw-motherfucker for ten whole seconds without doing anything TWICE before getting sawed in half.

How else is one to win a staring contest?

[MadeManG74]

Duuuuude, the multiplayer in this game is awesome fun. Even if it's just a rip-off of Call of Duty. Still if you are going to steal, steal from the best, I'm glad they did! Up to level 12 already, Gold Class, here I come!

[ccesarano]

The ranking may be a rip-off, but how the multiplayer itself plays out is fun. And technically that ranking system is a modification of Halo 2 and games like Planetside that combined RPG elements into a shooter.

[MadeManG74]

The ranking may be a rip-off, but how the multiplayer itself plays out is fun. And technically that ranking system is a modification of Halo 2 and games like Planetside that combined RPG elements into a shooter.

Oh yeah I never said it wasn't fun, it is definitely a lot of fun either way. I wasn't talking so much about the ranking system (which is in a lot of games from what I know) but the 'Trials' are basically excactly the same as the various challenges in COD, as well as unlocking weapons/attachments/perks. Never played Planetside, but it's probably similar as well.

Unless a game is trying to be ultra balanced, I think that having these kinds of unlockables is always a fun way to keep coming back, used to love it in Age of Empires 3 as well.

[Nolan]

I always wanted to play planetside back in the day, of course that was back when I had 56K and no money nor a PC of my own.

[MadeManG74]

Just got to level 40, CHOOSE THE IMPOSSIBLE. What cool achievement.

Also, it unlocks the MP Epilogue, which is a really really funky little link between the two games, I loved it.