Alcapwn"War is the science of destruction" - John AbbotJoin Date: 2003-06-21Member: 17590Members
<!--quoteo(post=1645096:date=Aug 22 2007, 01:00 AM:name=schkorpio)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(schkorpio @ Aug 22 2007, 01:00 AM) [snapback]1645096[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> yeah you are right they are all a first person perspective, how unoriginal......... /scarcasm <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
all games will have similarities to other games in their given genre - it just depends on the quality.
hopefully there will be a 4 player coop patch from 2k games, just like there was with system shock 2, making it possibly the best game ever made. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I doubt it...this game <b>does</b> follow the scripted HL/HL2 path, meaning that adding in 4 player co-op after the fact would be pretty much impossible.
Plus, the game just isnt set up for it. I mean, would you really want to sit there for 2 minutes while your friend tries to hack a security bot?
Or have to wait around while someone re-tools his plasmid loadout?
<!--quoteo(post=1645096:date=Aug 21 2007, 10:00 PM:name=schkorpio)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(schkorpio @ Aug 21 2007, 10:00 PM) [snapback]1645096[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> yeah you are right they are all a first person perspective, how unoriginal......... /scarcasm <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
all games will have similarities to other games in their given genre - it just depends on the quality.
hopefully there will be a 4 player coop patch from 2k games, just like there was with system shock 2, making it possibly the best game ever made. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They all play pretty much the same too. Games suck.
schkorpioI can mspaintJoin Date: 2003-05-23Member: 16635Members
<!--quoteo(post=1645101:date=Aug 22 2007, 03:09 PM:name=WaterBoy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WaterBoy @ Aug 22 2007, 03:09 PM) [snapback]1645101[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> I doubt it...this game <b>does</b> follow the scripted HL/HL2 path, meaning that adding in 4 player co-op after the fact would be pretty much impossible.
Plus, the game just isnt set up for it. I mean, would you really want to sit there for 2 minutes while your friend tries to hack a security bot?
Or have to wait around while someone re-tools his plasmid loadout? <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
it was the same with system shock 2, it was added later, and you did have to wait for people do certain things if you didn't have the skills, but it was fun at small lans. Although system shock allowed for 3 classes to be selected at the start - where as i don't know if you can with bioshock - it seems you start vanilla and choose as you progress. hl2 and doom 3 both have coop mods - again fun with a 2-4 player lan party. but yes the script can get a bit weird sometimes and players get stuck occasionally if they aren't in the right place at the right time etc.
LikuI, am the Somberlain.Join Date: 2003-01-10Member: 12128Members
edited August 2007
My friend and I went out to get the game first thing this morning, PC version for me and 360 version for him. We got the last copy that our local Frys had on 360 and somehow the price was $10 cheaper on both versions than what was listed. $20 saved!
It's a great game, pity it's really linear compared to SS2. So far I'm about 6 hours in and I haven't had to go from section to section of Rapture searching for things, it's all been one new are after another. I don't believe I've revisited anything.
I have to get back to playing since my friend a good 2 hours ahead of me, and if I don't keep concentrated I listen in on minor spoilers. It sucks, he hasn't taken a break for nearly 8 hours straight (Outside of our trip to Denny's), he really doesn't like single-player games to last I guess.
Oh, it turns out that sometimes you can't even complete the hacking: <img src="http://users.adelphia.net/~djlink128/HackingWhoops.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />
QuaunautThe longest seven days in history...Join Date: 2003-03-21Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
edited August 2007
I got it for 360(###### Gamefly, I'm impatient), and am about 6 or 7 hours in. I'm not finding it as 'linear' as Liku suggested, as the medical pavilion was huge, and had a ton of stuff going on- and honestly, I have to go back, 'cause I didn't even get to go through Chopper's door(couldn't find the damn key).
I'm building my character thus far kinda wierd, and I'm finding some Plasmids more useful for my style than others- I tried using Decoy, but it just wasn't good enough. But Enrage...oh Jesus, Enrage. I don't use it on Big Daddies like in the end-demo movie- thats a waste of the skill. Instead, use it on everyone around him, and most likely they'll go after him. By the time they're dead(if there are 2), he'll be at 2/3rds health, nice and ready for you.
I've killed 2 Big Daddies thus far. Holy flippin' hell are they hard. The first one was a combination of shocking him and blasting him with the shotty and armor piercing pistol rounds. The second was Freezing him, then explosion-shotting. I died on the second one- unless you get lucky(or use the environment REALLY well), you go through medpacks SUPER fast.
I've harvested all 3 Sisters thus far, and...God, I feel guilty until I forget about them 2 minutes later. Poor Mr. Bubbles...
I'm in the Fishery, though, and had to take a rest. My nerves are completely shot. Just letting them loosen back up before I dive back in.
Edit: Okay, so I was reading some reviews, and I went to the Gamespot review.
This seals the deal. Gamespot is a bunch of idiots who both can't play games, have no skill, and don't understand how things work. Their entire review has huge errors('default' difficulty setting? THERE ISN'T ONE, IMBECILES. YOUR SETTINGS IN YOUR 360 CHOOSE IT. GOOD JOB. Oh, and a part of the same quote: The shotgun not taking 50% of your target's health off? Sorry, even on the hardest difficulty, the shotgun nearly kills them in 1 shot, if not just that one shot. You're a bunch of idiots who probably were getting half-shots.), problems with their reviewing process(Game hitches and freezes after several hours of play? Hmm, maybe its your guy's box, 'cause I'm not getting it. At all. Cue hour 7...), and penalizes the game for matters of opinion(aka, the death system).
Not to mention, they say the combat is unsatisfying. I don't know what game these people are playing, but it definitely isn't Bioshock. I'm not so sure they aren't just re-reviewing Halo 2.
LikuI, am the Somberlain.Join Date: 2003-01-10Member: 12128Members
An interesting note, my friend is Rescuing the Little Sisters whilst I Harvest them. It turns out that Harvesting warrants double the ADAM (160), but Tenenbaum gives presents (Which includes a around 200 ADAM) when every sister in a part of the city is rescued. So it's balanced out.
QuaunautThe longest seven days in history...Join Date: 2003-03-21Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
<!--quoteo(post=1645122:date=Aug 22 2007, 01:22 AM:name=Liku)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Liku @ Aug 22 2007, 01:22 AM) [snapback]1645122[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> An interesting note, my friend is Rescuing the Little Sisters whilst I Harvest them. It turns out that Harvesting warrants double the ADAM (160), but Tenenbaum gives presents (Which includes a around 200 ADAM) when every sister in a part of the city is rescued. So it's balanced out. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And apparently, the story changes depending on how you do it.
I love the graphics (especially the 'special effects'), props to the Unreal 3 engine <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />. It felt quite a bit like a console game though, not much controls and some odd default keys settings (shift for changing weapon type?!). Running around and not actually putting something in an inventory (the food/cigarettes, drinks etc) is kinda weird, and I got drunk quite fast xD. The style is cartoony but also has the system shock 2 feeling to it, which is interesting. I wonder if it has enough depth in either the storyline or gameplay, especially of the latter I'm not quite sure. Either way, I can't wait to play the full game.
<!--quoteo(post=1645115:date=Aug 22 2007, 12:29 AM:name=Liku)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Liku @ Aug 22 2007, 12:29 AM) [snapback]1645115[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> Oh, it turns out that sometimes you can't even complete the hacking: <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Yeah, thats what the hacking gene tonics are for, I'm pretty sure it was designed so that without gene tonics to lower the bad slots on the harder hacks, 70% of the time you'll just get something impossible or damn near close.
Anyways, so far I've played both versions, I'm up to the third area on the 360 and just begun the fourth on the PC and I figure I'll just throw in my two cents and try to keep things rather spoiler free. Vagueness abound!
I do agree to some degree that it is fairly linear. There was a lot of talk in interviews mentioning Rapture being very open. I seem to recall one even going as far as to say that you can explore Rapture at your own pace, and that the city would more or less be open to you from the beginning. This is not the case. In the matter of general progression from one area to the next, so far Bioshock has proven to be very linear. However, the areas themselves are pretty non-linear. For the most part, within minutes of entering a new area you find yourself at something of a "hub" room for the area. From here you can more or less explore the area at your own leisure. Playing with the Quest Arrows on also seemed to make the game feel more linear in general. Often times on the 360 I'd feel pretty strapped for supplies. Having a big flashing arrow telling you exactly where to go and when to turn made me bypass a lot of the little hidden secrets and the goodies they held. However on the PC version I found a certain item collection part to be infuriating without the use of the arrows (and even then it was still annoying. I hate bees.)
The thing that I'm kinda disappointed with was the weapon upgrade system. I was hoping for something a bit more involved. I figured it would involve either money and the vending machines or random parts with the invention system, making you choose between say walking around with enough ammo to blow up the death star, or having less ammo but weapons that use it more efficiently. The way weapon upgrades were done feels a little dumbed down. It would have been nice to put the player in a position where they might have to make some difficult choices on the weapon side of things. However, at the same time its nice in the sense that they try to minimize the chance of finding yourself horribly out gunned in the later parts of the game with each enemy taking 4 magazines to kill <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
Both versions seem to do fairly well at feeling distinct on their platform. There isn't a whole lot of "lol port" feel to either. On both versions I would have liked the option to either turn off, or at least lower the "Passive/Aggressive" effect on the security and big daddies. The robots I guess I can understand, but I feel the Big Daddies kinda lose something being lit up like a Christmas tree. They're big enough that I don't need a super bright light that can be seen from anywhere to tell me where they are and its pretty easy to tell when one is mad at you. A good hint is that you're dying really really fast.
Oh, I guess that brings me to another slightly sore point, dying or the lack of it. I mean, the vita chambers are essentially check points.. but they kinda miss the point of a check point. Instead of "You died, Try again" its "You died, walk back and finish off the other half of his health". It kinda removes the tension of battles when there is no downside to dying other than a short walk back.
Still, It definitely is enjoyable regardless of how you play it. The linearity is nice because it keeps the story from simply falling flat or worse, failing to exist. However there is still plenty of stuff to do and explore outside of the set course, most of which is both fun and rewarding.
Widescreen fix for the demo (pc only): <a href="http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5927" target="_blank">http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5927</a> Full version fix soon to come.
LikuI, am the Somberlain.Join Date: 2003-01-10Member: 12128Members
One thing about the game I'm coming to dislike is the enemies. They're fun, but there's definitely a lack of variety. Turrets, Splicers, and Big Daddies. That's it. I haven't beaten the game yet, but I don't think there's going to be anything else in the game.
The Big Daddies themselves kinda lose their fear-factor once they start to roam around without the Little Sisters. There's no point to kill them, and since they're not hostile unless you attack them, they have a "friendly" feel to them. There's also way too many Rosies, not enough Bouncers.
QuaunautThe longest seven days in history...Join Date: 2003-03-21Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
<!--quoteo(post=1645131:date=Aug 22 2007, 03:16 AM:name=Liku)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Liku @ Aug 22 2007, 03:16 AM) [snapback]1645131[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> One thing about the game I'm coming to dislike is the enemies. They're fun, but there's definitely a lack of variety. Turrets, Splicers, and Big Daddies. That's it. I haven't beaten the game yet, but I don't think there's going to be anything else in the game.
The Big Daddies themselves kinda lose their fear-factor once they start to roam around without the Little Sisters. There's no point to kill them, and since they're not hostile unless you attack them, they have a "friendly" feel to them. There's also way too many Rosies, not enough Bouncers. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah, its mostly Splicers, but they get interesting. I just got to the teleporting madmen of doom in Arcadia(quick tip: Use your freezing Plasmid!). And Big Daddies ONLY roam without the Little Sisters when heading to a hole- wait for them to get to the hole, and they'll drag her out(unless another one in the area has the only one left).
The linearity doesn't feel like such at all to me. If anything, I get lost, VERY often. Not that its a bad thing- but purely because in the heat of a fight I'm running all over, ducking behind things and taking pot shots as needed. I swear, I've seen so many flippin' ways to kill things. It really feels endless. And DAMN they get smart. I had 3 gang up on me from different directions, almost took me down.
ANeM: I don't see how you're upgrading weapons like that. I got to use the station 1 time, 1 upgrade(I chose more power to my shotgun), and couldn't use it again. Difference in difficulty maybe?
Also, I turned off my Quest Arrow as soon as I began the game, so I could take a more leisurely pace. I think its really helped the experience, honestly.
And as to the aesthetics of a Big Daddy...I dunno. I like the Yellow-Red scheme. When I see red, I get scared. Right now. Though I do agree, too many Rosies at first.
I guess the ONLY thing I really am not liking right now is how I've done the Hacking Minigame enough times that I got the 40 point Achievement for it. I'm only in Arcadia, and I'm already wishing I could get another game. Well, thank God auto-hack tools are coming by the dozen.
So basically there's a big man and a little girl running around. They're not hostile. Yet you kill them both in cold blood. I hope you feel like the truly awful monster that you are. What ever happened to "live and let live?" I hope you burn in hell for your sins, devil.
I'm definitely getting sick of the hacking minigame too, and I'm only just leaving medical =d
and the game is pretty easy so far. I'm really early in the game, but I have max ammo for all 3 of my guns, max first aid kits, max eve hypos, max money... I guess I'm used to SS2 where you have to be really conservative with your ammo if you want to live. I've been wrenching almost everything, and letting hacked security systems kill most of what I don't wrench. really do have to ammo dump on those big daddies though =d
I have ignored all the new posts because they seem vaguely spoilery to me, but I pop in to offer a fix to the widescreen issue. Actually, two fixes. First, the technical fix:
<a href="http://bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=viewthread&threadid=80381" target="_blank">A way to mod your game so that it's hor+ instead of vert- (works on the demo too)</a>
Second, the actual fix:
The game's built for widescreen. 4:3 actually adds to the top and bottom instead of 16:9 and 16:10 subtracting. So instead of vert- it's actually the way the game was meant to be built, and non-widescreen aspect rations are vert<b>+</b>. So you're seeing the game the way it was meant to be played in widescreen even if the other aspect ratio shows more.
<!--quoteo(post=1645142:date=Aug 22 2007, 12:56 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Aug 22 2007, 12:56 PM) [snapback]1645142[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> DEVILS! You're all evil, evil men. Big Daddies are not hostile to you! Leave the Big Daddies alone! <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> but think of the children!
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->As if 2K wasn't taking enough flak from yesterday's widescreen debacle, now gamers who have spent their hard-earned cash on the PC version of BioShock are finding that they can only install the game twice, ever. The game uses SecuROM copy protection, which verifies the install of the game remotely, disabling further installs once the game has been installed twice. This means if you are the type of person like me who formats your computer frequently to to get rid of generic crap buildup, you are screwed. If you frequently shift around games to free up space, you are screwed. If you are a pirate...well, you'll probably come up with a work around, so at least the criminals are safe, right? Be gentle with the link below. Seems 2K's forums are getting slammed for some odd reason.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Apparently you can have one copy installed on two machines, not that it can only be installed twice. Still seems dumb.
<!--quoteo(post=1645164:date=Aug 22 2007, 09:02 PM:name=DiscoZombie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DiscoZombie @ Aug 22 2007, 09:02 PM) [snapback]1645164[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> but think of the children! <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Isn't that what I AM doing? You're killing their friend, Mr. Bubbles! Think of the children!
<!--quoteo(post=1645169:date=Aug 22 2007, 08:36 PM:name=Testament)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Testament @ Aug 22 2007, 08:36 PM) [snapback]1645169[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> Apparently you can have one copy installed on two machines, not that it can only be installed twice. Still seems dumb. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You can only install it twice without uninstalling it. So if you install it twice then try a third time, it won't work. If you install it twice, uninstall one copy then try to reinstall it it should work. However, the problem is if you don't uninstall it, say your HDD crashes, then you'll have to phone up SecuROM to fix it which could take a while to play the damn'd game.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The game's built for widescreen. 4:3 actually adds to the top and bottom instead of 16:9 and 16:10 subtracting. So instead of vert- it's actually the way the game was meant to be built, and non-widescreen aspect rations are vert+. So you're seeing the game the way it was meant to be played in widescreen even if the other aspect ratio shows more.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
So widescreen is supported wrong, like we already said? The idea of widescreen is that you see more, not less. Regardless, the FOV is too small making everything feel too zoomed in.
I played the demo for PC, it was fun but it could have been a lot better. The lack of enemies is upsetting, the UI wasn't that great, the control system was lacking (what's the point in the shift button? where's my walk button ffs?) etc.
The online activation limit is putting me off buying the full thing.
QuaunautThe longest seven days in history...Join Date: 2003-03-21Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
<!--quoteo(post=1645173:date=Aug 22 2007, 12:54 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Aug 22 2007, 12:54 PM) [snapback]1645173[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> Isn't that what I AM doing? You're killing their friend, Mr. Bubbles! Think of the children! <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Friend? What kind of guy who ISN'T a child molester walks around in a diving suit like that?
<!--quoteo(post=1645173:date=Aug 22 2007, 09:54 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Aug 22 2007, 09:54 PM) [snapback]1645173[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> Isn't that what I AM doing? You're killing their friend, Mr. Bubbles! Think of the children! <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Mr bubbles is evil, he wont allow you to save the sisters without killing him first, protectors bah! More like egoes.
@ enrage and diversion plasmids, I feel the opposite, enrage feels useless as you must surround a big Daddy without getting aggro from him or the others. Diversion saves your sorry ass a lot of pain when hiding from security alerts or getting behind a big daddy.
Tips: Bouncers cant jump or shoot, standing on something then jumping down on either side as it charges makes it very easy to kill them.
Demolition splicers have unlimited ammo, use telekinesis on bombs and throw at everyone else and kill the demo last.
Research at the cost of your precious health (close up action shots), believe me, some rewards are worth it. Also take pictures several times, it might whine "score deduction for shooting same object" but it still gives you a good chunk of research. Even also remember to research passive targets, as sec cameras and alike. Decide if it's worth "action shot" bonus on big D's.
Try to get big daddys in the view of security cameras foremost (hacked or plasmid effect on daddy), sec bots never runs out until the one minute alarm is over, effectively killing your big D.
Dont kill big D's until they have retrieved a little sister, else they will just respawn and pick us a sis elsewhere.
Use telekinesis everywhere, randomly or unrandomly (especially at high places/holes), you will get unsuspected stuff right in your face which you can either drop or take midair, without using any EVE (only costs to launch objects).
More slots > more plasmids.
Use the damn powerful weapons, you will find ammo for them little now and then.
Trigger alarms, hide, zap 1 or 2 bots before they return and hack them, ta da! free body guard(s).
LikuI, am the Somberlain.Join Date: 2003-01-10Member: 12128Members
<!--quoteo(post=1645134:date=Aug 22 2007, 04:59 AM:name=Quaunaut)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Quaunaut @ Aug 22 2007, 04:59 AM) [snapback]1645134[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> And Big Daddies ONLY roam without the Little Sisters when heading to a hole- wait for them to get to the hole, and they'll drag her out(unless another one in the area has the only one left). <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> That's only if there's any Little Sisters left. After dealing with all the Little Sisters others will be walking around aimlessly. They only give a lot of money, around $70, at the cost of a lot of ammo of course.
<!--quoteo(post=1645136:date=Aug 22 2007, 05:35 AM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Aug 22 2007, 05:35 AM) [snapback]1645136[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> So basically there's a big man and a little girl running around. They're not hostile. Yet you kill them both in cold blood. I hope you feel like the truly awful monster that you are. What ever happened to "live and let live?" I hope you burn in hell for your sins, devil. <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> I've murdered every Little Sister I've encountered; **** 'em I say.
QuaunautThe longest seven days in history...Join Date: 2003-03-21Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
<!--quoteo(post=1645197:date=Aug 22 2007, 03:25 PM:name=Liku)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Liku @ Aug 22 2007, 03:25 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1645197"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->That's only if there's any Little Sisters left. After dealing with all the Little Sisters others will be walking around aimlessly. They only give a lot of money, around $70, at the cost of a lot of ammo of course.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yup, I discovered this. A tad bit disappointing, but oh well.
BTW: Anyone ever anger one of those by having a Splicer hit you and your electrical field going off? Man that sucks.
"More problematic is 2K's use of SecureRom piracy prevention technology. This is a protection scheme that forces that player to not only have the DVD-ROM in the drive in order to play, but also to transmit an activation code over the Internet in order to play the game. There was a short period right after release when the verification servers went down, leaving gamers with legitimate copies of the game unable to activate it. The game also came with a two-install limit on each serial code (since raised to five by 2K), which places a cap on how many times gamers with legitimate copies can install the game. Even worse, the uninstall program doesn't reactivate the owner's code on the servers; for that, owners will have to download a "revocation application" that will reset their serial code in order to uninstall and re-install. Don't try calling the customer service number in the game's manual, either. Thanks to a misprint, the wrong number was put in. We're just surprised the game's box doesn't have a "Are You Sure You Don't Want The 360 Version?" sticker next to the Games for Windows logo."
Looks like PC gamers did get the shaft after all. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />
Most of that turned out to be sensationalistic bullish anyway. 2K have said that this activation stuff is only a temporary arrangement, until the heat has died down. They're going to disable authentication after a certain time, making it possible to install without a 'net connection. Somehow. Possibly with the use of magic beans.
I've just gotten my research camera, happy snaps galore!
"More problematic is 2K's use of SecureRom piracy prevention technology. This is a protection scheme that forces that player to not only have the DVD-ROM in the drive in order to play, but also to transmit an activation code over the Internet in order to play the game. There was a short period right after release when the verification servers went down, leaving gamers with legitimate copies of the game unable to activate it. The game also came with a two-install limit on each serial code (since raised to five by 2K), which places a cap on how many times gamers with legitimate copies can install the game. Even worse, the uninstall program doesn't reactivate the owner's code on the servers; for that, owners will have to download a "revocation application" that will reset their serial code in order to uninstall and re-install. Don't try calling the customer service number in the game's manual, either. Thanks to a misprint, the wrong number was put in. We're just surprised the game's box doesn't have a "Are You Sure You Don't Want The 360 Version?" sticker next to the Games for Windows logo." Looks like PC gamers did get the shaft after all. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nha, just more reasons to get the steam version, as soon as the first special offer is out <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
I'm past a big plot twist now, which was cool despite it being trite on some levels. now I know I have to play through the game at least one more time to see what happens differently, because it seems like more than just the end is affected... also, said plot twist kinda created more questions than it answered...
pro tip: socket Chameleon and Wrench Lurker (2 if you have it) and the best wrench damage powerups you have. Take photos of Bouncers 'til you have the 50% wrench damage bonus. Once you get used to how the stealth works, it rocks. you can run up behind most baddies and 1shot club them. you can stand perfectly still as they walk up to your invisible self and then 1shot club them in the face. all when it would take like 10 bullets to kill them in a firefight. Sadly, at the point in the game I'm at, this doesn't really work on leadheaded or nitro splicers 'cuz they have too much health <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" /> gotta 1 shot them in the head while invisible with a crossbow bolt or AP pistol round instead.
also, is it just me or is it really hard to aim in this game (on the PC at least)? I find it really hard to hit moving targets with projectile weapons. I don't know if it's because the AI is good, my aim is bad, or my framerate is bad, but when unloading on a fast-moving splicer with the pistol or tommy gun, they manage to evade most of my shots...
Comments
yeah you are right they are all a first person perspective, how unoriginal......... /scarcasm <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
all games will have similarities to other games in their given genre - it just depends on the quality.
hopefully there will be a 4 player coop patch from 2k games, just like there was with system shock 2, making it possibly the best game ever made.
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I doubt it...this game <b>does</b> follow the scripted HL/HL2 path, meaning that adding in 4 player co-op after the fact would be pretty much impossible.
Plus, the game just isnt set up for it. I mean, would you really want to sit there for 2 minutes while your friend tries to hack a security bot?
Or have to wait around while someone re-tools his plasmid loadout?
yeah you are right they are all a first person perspective, how unoriginal......... /scarcasm <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
all games will have similarities to other games in their given genre - it just depends on the quality.
hopefully there will be a 4 player coop patch from 2k games, just like there was with system shock 2, making it possibly the best game ever made.
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They all play pretty much the same too. Games suck.
I doubt it...this game <b>does</b> follow the scripted HL/HL2 path, meaning that adding in 4 player co-op after the fact would be pretty much impossible.
Plus, the game just isnt set up for it. I mean, would you really want to sit there for 2 minutes while your friend tries to hack a security bot?
Or have to wait around while someone re-tools his plasmid loadout?
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it was the same with system shock 2, it was added later, and you did have to wait for people do certain things if you didn't have the skills, but it was fun at small lans. Although system shock allowed for 3 classes to be selected at the start - where as i don't know if you can with bioshock - it seems you start vanilla and choose as you progress.
hl2 and doom 3 both have coop mods - again fun with a 2-4 player lan party.
but yes the script can get a bit weird sometimes and players get stuck occasionally if they aren't in the right place at the right time etc.
It's a great game, pity it's really linear compared to SS2. So far I'm about 6 hours in and I haven't had to go from section to section of Rapture searching for things, it's all been one new are after another. I don't believe I've revisited anything.
I have to get back to playing since my friend a good 2 hours ahead of me, and if I don't keep concentrated I listen in on minor spoilers. It sucks, he hasn't taken a break for nearly 8 hours straight (Outside of our trip to Denny's), he really doesn't like single-player games to last I guess.
Oh, it turns out that sometimes you can't even complete the hacking:
<img src="http://users.adelphia.net/~djlink128/HackingWhoops.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />
I'm building my character thus far kinda wierd, and I'm finding some Plasmids more useful for my style than others- I tried using Decoy, but it just wasn't good enough. But Enrage...oh Jesus, Enrage. I don't use it on Big Daddies like in the end-demo movie- thats a waste of the skill. Instead, use it on everyone around him, and most likely they'll go after him. By the time they're dead(if there are 2), he'll be at 2/3rds health, nice and ready for you.
I've killed 2 Big Daddies thus far. Holy flippin' hell are they hard. The first one was a combination of shocking him and blasting him with the shotty and armor piercing pistol rounds. The second was Freezing him, then explosion-shotting. I died on the second one- unless you get lucky(or use the environment REALLY well), you go through medpacks SUPER fast.
I've harvested all 3 Sisters thus far, and...God, I feel guilty until I forget about them 2 minutes later. Poor Mr. Bubbles...
I'm in the Fishery, though, and had to take a rest. My nerves are completely shot. Just letting them loosen back up before I dive back in.
Edit: Okay, so I was reading some reviews, and I went to the Gamespot review.
This seals the deal. Gamespot is a bunch of idiots who both can't play games, have no skill, and don't understand how things work. Their entire review has huge errors('default' difficulty setting? THERE ISN'T ONE, IMBECILES. YOUR SETTINGS IN YOUR 360 CHOOSE IT. GOOD JOB. Oh, and a part of the same quote: The shotgun not taking 50% of your target's health off? Sorry, even on the hardest difficulty, the shotgun nearly kills them in 1 shot, if not just that one shot. You're a bunch of idiots who probably were getting half-shots.), problems with their reviewing process(Game hitches and freezes after several hours of play? Hmm, maybe its your guy's box, 'cause I'm not getting it. At all. Cue hour 7...), and penalizes the game for matters of opinion(aka, the death system).
Not to mention, they say the combat is unsatisfying. I don't know what game these people are playing, but it definitely isn't Bioshock. I'm not so sure they aren't just re-reviewing Halo 2.
An interesting note, my friend is Rescuing the Little Sisters whilst I Harvest them. It turns out that Harvesting warrants double the ADAM (160), but Tenenbaum gives presents (Which includes a around 200 ADAM) when every sister in a part of the city is rescued. So it's balanced out.
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And apparently, the story changes depending on how you do it.
It felt quite a bit like a console game though, not much controls and some odd default keys settings (shift for changing weapon type?!).
Running around and not actually putting something in an inventory (the food/cigarettes, drinks etc) is kinda weird, and I got drunk quite fast xD.
The style is cartoony but also has the system shock 2 feeling to it, which is interesting.
I wonder if it has enough depth in either the storyline or gameplay, especially of the latter I'm not quite sure.
Either way, I can't wait to play the full game.
Oh, it turns out that sometimes you can't even complete the hacking:
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Yeah, thats what the hacking gene tonics are for, I'm pretty sure it was designed so that without gene tonics to lower the bad slots on the harder hacks, 70% of the time you'll just get something impossible or damn near close.
Anyways, so far I've played both versions, I'm up to the third area on the 360 and just begun the fourth on the PC and I figure I'll just throw in my two cents and try to keep things rather spoiler free. Vagueness abound!
I do agree to some degree that it is fairly linear. There was a lot of talk in interviews mentioning Rapture being very open. I seem to recall one even going as far as to say that you can explore Rapture at your own pace, and that the city would more or less be open to you from the beginning. This is not the case. In the matter of general progression from one area to the next, so far Bioshock has proven to be very linear.
However, the areas themselves are pretty non-linear. For the most part, within minutes of entering a new area you find yourself at something of a "hub" room for the area. From here you can more or less explore the area at your own leisure.
Playing with the Quest Arrows on also seemed to make the game feel more linear in general. Often times on the 360 I'd feel pretty strapped for supplies. Having a big flashing arrow telling you exactly where to go and when to turn made me bypass a lot of the little hidden secrets and the goodies they held. However on the PC version I found a certain item collection part to be infuriating without the use of the arrows (and even then it was still annoying. I hate bees.)
The thing that I'm kinda disappointed with was the weapon upgrade system. I was hoping for something a bit more involved. I figured it would involve either money and the vending machines or random parts with the invention system, making you choose between say walking around with enough ammo to blow up the death star, or having less ammo but weapons that use it more efficiently.
The way weapon upgrades were done feels a little dumbed down. It would have been nice to put the player in a position where they might have to make some difficult choices on the weapon side of things.
However, at the same time its nice in the sense that they try to minimize the chance of finding yourself horribly out gunned in the later parts of the game with each enemy taking 4 magazines to kill <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
Both versions seem to do fairly well at feeling distinct on their platform. There isn't a whole lot of "lol port" feel to either. On both versions I would have liked the option to either turn off, or at least lower the "Passive/Aggressive" effect on the security and big daddies. The robots I guess I can understand, but I feel the Big Daddies kinda lose something being lit up like a Christmas tree. They're big enough that I don't need a super bright light that can be seen from anywhere to tell me where they are and its pretty easy to tell when one is mad at you. A good hint is that you're dying really really fast.
Oh, I guess that brings me to another slightly sore point, dying or the lack of it. I mean, the vita chambers are essentially check points.. but they kinda miss the point of a check point. Instead of "You died, Try again" its "You died, walk back and finish off the other half of his health". It kinda removes the tension of battles when there is no downside to dying other than a short walk back.
Still, It definitely is enjoyable regardless of how you play it. The linearity is nice because it keeps the story from simply falling flat or worse, failing to exist. However there is still plenty of stuff to do and explore outside of the set course, most of which is both fun and rewarding.
<a href="http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5927" target="_blank">http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5927</a>
Full version fix soon to come.
The Big Daddies themselves kinda lose their fear-factor once they start to roam around without the Little Sisters. There's no point to kill them, and since they're not hostile unless you attack them, they have a "friendly" feel to them. There's also way too many Rosies, not enough Bouncers.
One thing about the game I'm coming to dislike is the enemies. They're fun, but there's definitely a lack of variety. Turrets, Splicers, and Big Daddies. That's it. I haven't beaten the game yet, but I don't think there's going to be anything else in the game.
The Big Daddies themselves kinda lose their fear-factor once they start to roam around without the Little Sisters. There's no point to kill them, and since they're not hostile unless you attack them, they have a "friendly" feel to them. There's also way too many Rosies, not enough Bouncers.
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Yeah, its mostly Splicers, but they get interesting. I just got to the teleporting madmen of doom in Arcadia(quick tip: Use your freezing Plasmid!). And Big Daddies ONLY roam without the Little Sisters when heading to a hole- wait for them to get to the hole, and they'll drag her out(unless another one in the area has the only one left).
The linearity doesn't feel like such at all to me. If anything, I get lost, VERY often. Not that its a bad thing- but purely because in the heat of a fight I'm running all over, ducking behind things and taking pot shots as needed. I swear, I've seen so many flippin' ways to kill things. It really feels endless. And DAMN they get smart. I had 3 gang up on me from different directions, almost took me down.
ANeM: I don't see how you're upgrading weapons like that. I got to use the station 1 time, 1 upgrade(I chose more power to my shotgun), and couldn't use it again. Difference in difficulty maybe?
Also, I turned off my Quest Arrow as soon as I began the game, so I could take a more leisurely pace. I think its really helped the experience, honestly.
And as to the aesthetics of a Big Daddy...I dunno. I like the Yellow-Red scheme. When I see red, I get scared. Right now. Though I do agree, too many Rosies at first.
I guess the ONLY thing I really am not liking right now is how I've done the Hacking Minigame enough times that I got the 40 point Achievement for it. I'm only in Arcadia, and I'm already wishing I could get another game. Well, thank God auto-hack tools are coming by the dozen.
and the game is pretty easy so far. I'm really early in the game, but I have max ammo for all 3 of my guns, max first aid kits, max eve hypos, max money... I guess I'm used to SS2 where you have to be really conservative with your ammo if you want to live. I've been wrenching almost everything, and letting hacked security systems kill most of what I don't wrench. really do have to ammo dump on those big daddies though =d
<a href="http://bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=viewthread&threadid=80381" target="_blank">A way to mod your game so that it's hor+ instead of vert- (works on the demo too)</a>
Second, the actual fix:
The game's built for widescreen. 4:3 actually adds to the top and bottom instead of 16:9 and 16:10 subtracting. So instead of vert- it's actually the way the game was meant to be built, and non-widescreen aspect rations are vert<b>+</b>. So you're seeing the game the way it was meant to be played in widescreen even if the other aspect ratio shows more.
DEVILS! You're all evil, evil men. Big Daddies are not hostile to you! Leave the Big Daddies alone!
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but think of the children!
Apparently you can have one copy installed on two machines, not that it can only be installed twice. Still seems dumb.
but think of the children!
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Isn't that what I AM doing? You're killing their friend, Mr. Bubbles! Think of the children!
Apparently you can have one copy installed on two machines, not that it can only be installed twice. Still seems dumb.
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You can only install it twice without uninstalling it. So if you install it twice then try a third time, it won't work. If you install it twice, uninstall one copy then try to reinstall it it should work. However, the problem is if you don't uninstall it, say your HDD crashes, then you'll have to phone up SecuROM to fix it which could take a while to play the damn'd game.
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So widescreen is supported wrong, like we already said? The idea of widescreen is that you see more, not less. Regardless, the FOV is too small making everything feel too zoomed in.
I played the demo for PC, it was fun but it could have been a lot better. The lack of enemies is upsetting, the UI wasn't that great, the control system was lacking (what's the point in the shift button? where's my walk button ffs?) etc.
The online activation limit is putting me off buying the full thing.
Isn't that what I AM doing? You're killing their friend, Mr. Bubbles! Think of the children!
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Friend? What kind of guy who ISN'T a child molester walks around in a diving suit like that?
Isn't that what I AM doing? You're killing their friend, Mr. Bubbles! Think of the children!
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Mr bubbles is evil, he wont allow you to save the sisters without killing him first, protectors bah! More like egoes.
@ enrage and diversion plasmids, I feel the opposite, enrage feels useless as you must surround a big Daddy without getting aggro from him or the others. Diversion saves your sorry ass a lot of pain when hiding from security alerts or getting behind a big daddy.
Tips:
Bouncers cant jump or shoot, standing on something then jumping down on either side as it charges makes it very easy to kill them.
Demolition splicers have unlimited ammo, use telekinesis on bombs and throw at everyone else and kill the demo last.
Research at the cost of your precious health (close up action shots), believe me, some rewards are worth it. Also take pictures several times, it might whine "score deduction for shooting same object" but it still gives you a good chunk of research. Even also remember to research passive targets, as sec cameras and alike. Decide if it's worth "action shot" bonus on big D's.
Try to get big daddys in the view of security cameras foremost (hacked or plasmid effect on daddy), sec bots never runs out until the one minute alarm is over, effectively killing your big D.
Dont kill big D's until they have retrieved a little sister, else they will just respawn and pick us a sis elsewhere.
Use telekinesis everywhere, randomly or unrandomly (especially at high places/holes), you will get unsuspected stuff right in your face which you can either drop or take midair, without using any EVE (only costs to launch objects).
More slots > more plasmids.
Use the damn powerful weapons, you will find ammo for them little now and then.
Trigger alarms, hide, zap 1 or 2 bots before they return and hack them, ta da! free body guard(s).
Watch for cloaked bobs in the water.
And Big Daddies ONLY roam without the Little Sisters when heading to a hole- wait for them to get to the hole, and they'll drag her out(unless another one in the area has the only one left).
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That's only if there's any Little Sisters left. After dealing with all the Little Sisters others will be walking around aimlessly. They only give a lot of money, around $70, at the cost of a lot of ammo of course.
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So basically there's a big man and a little girl running around. They're not hostile. Yet you kill them both in cold blood. I hope you feel like the truly awful monster that you are. What ever happened to "live and let live?" I hope you burn in hell for your sins, devil.
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I've murdered every Little Sister I've encountered; **** 'em I say.
Yup, I discovered this. A tad bit disappointing, but oh well.
BTW: Anyone ever anger one of those by having a Splicer hit you and your electrical field going off? Man that sucks.
"More problematic is 2K's use of SecureRom piracy prevention technology. This is a protection scheme that forces that player to not only have the DVD-ROM in the drive in order to play, but also to transmit an activation code over the Internet in order to play the game. There was a short period right after release when the verification servers went down, leaving gamers with legitimate copies of the game unable to activate it. The game also came with a two-install limit on each serial code (since raised to five by 2K), which places a cap on how many times gamers with legitimate copies can install the game. Even worse, the uninstall program doesn't reactivate the owner's code on the servers; for that, owners will have to download a "revocation application" that will reset their serial code in order to uninstall and re-install. Don't try calling the customer service number in the game's manual, either. Thanks to a misprint, the wrong number was put in. We're just surprised the game's box doesn't have a "Are You Sure You Don't Want The 360 Version?" sticker next to the Games for Windows logo."
Looks like PC gamers did get the shaft after all. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />
I've just gotten my research camera, happy snaps galore!
--Scythe--
"More problematic is 2K's use of SecureRom piracy prevention technology. This is a protection scheme that forces that player to not only have the DVD-ROM in the drive in order to play, but also to transmit an activation code over the Internet in order to play the game. There was a short period right after release when the verification servers went down, leaving gamers with legitimate copies of the game unable to activate it. The game also came with a two-install limit on each serial code (since raised to five by 2K), which places a cap on how many times gamers with legitimate copies can install the game. Even worse, the uninstall program doesn't reactivate the owner's code on the servers; for that, owners will have to download a "revocation application" that will reset their serial code in order to uninstall and re-install. Don't try calling the customer service number in the game's manual, either. Thanks to a misprint, the wrong number was put in. We're just surprised the game's box doesn't have a "Are You Sure You Don't Want The 360 Version?" sticker next to the Games for Windows logo."
Looks like PC gamers did get the shaft after all. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nha, just more reasons to get the steam version, as soon as the first special offer is out <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
also, is it just me or is it really hard to aim in this game (on the PC at least)? I find it really hard to hit moving targets with projectile weapons. I don't know if it's because the AI is good, my aim is bad, or my framerate is bad, but when unloading on a fast-moving splicer with the pistol or tommy gun, they manage to evade most of my shots...