mothra on 14/1/2010 at 14:47
I like the "over-the-top" writing in Bioshock as well. It's just in general that audiologs are pretty stupid. I would never ever expect dozens of Audiologs scattered around that substitute for a diary in a place like Rapture. It's just too "here is some backstory, hit escape or listen in awe"......it's not "integrated" into the world. They should have found a better way to do it. Same with VendingMachines, they make just no sense.
Kolya on 14/1/2010 at 14:56
Quote Posted by Aja
I will summarize the opposing arguments:
"Bioshock had memorable writing! I liked the characters!"
versus
"System Shock 2 used LGS door code in one of its audio logs and I appreciate the hyper-obtuseness of such a reference. This, coupled with the fact that pointless characters are cross-referenced, is irresistible to the gentleman connoisseur of fine writing, such as myself."
Mind you, that's just my biased, untenable opinion rearing its ugly head ;)
Well that was one (the first log of the game). You're comparing it to all of Bioshock's logs now? I was merely pointing out that it contains a lot more than meets the ear on listening to it the first time or even second time. Good for replay-ability, you know.
Here, let me give you (
http://www.strangebedfellows.de/shocklog/130_LOG0805.mp3) another one. And here, (
http://www.strangebedfellows.de/shocklog/shocklogs.html) knock yourself out.
Stitch on 14/1/2010 at 15:39
Bioshock is actually incredibly well written, as far as this type of game goes. I'm not going to get into how it stacks up to SS2 as I played that game ages ago and then moved on with my life like every reasonable person I know.
If we're talking Bioshock's plotting, though, that's a different matter entirely, especially during the atrocious last act.
Shakey-Lo on 14/1/2010 at 16:09
I'm a day or two into my first game of Neptune's Pride, and though I've yet to engage in any combat or meaningful diplomacy, I like it so far. I've had a 4X itch for a while now, but would rather not lose another 6 months of my life to the vortex of Civ4, and I really think a lo-fi multiplayer 4X could be just the scratch I'm looking for. :D I also like the idea of how the payment structure is set up.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled TTLG Bioshock Debate.
heywood on 14/1/2010 at 18:44
Bioshock's characters were caricatures. The writing was somewhat overly dramatic, but the over-the-top voice acting really magnified it. And the splicer barks were kind of comical the first time I heard them, but got annoying quickly.
SS2's characters were more believable, but also more forgettable. And most of the quest writing in SS2 was pretty unimaginative. Whereas Bioshock had fetch quests to invent the Lazarus vector and build yourself a Big Daddy suit, SS2 had you fetching access cards and toxin-A and "part 45m/dEx".
june gloom on 14/1/2010 at 19:47
re: Bioshock's third act...
While I agree that it goes downhill after meeting Ryan, the single worst part of it is Apollo Square. It is severely unbalanced and you're very likely to be running low on ammo, energy and health; splicers come at you nonstop and it's effectively impossible to do a goddamn thing other than getting in, get what you want, and getting out. Don't even think of trying to clear the apartments your first time there; go back to something like Fort Frolic, rearm yourself, patch yourself up, that sort of thing, then go back and murder everyone.
Jackablade on 14/1/2010 at 20:06
I never found Apollo Square to be all that difficult. I kind of liked the way that I finally had to use most of my ammo. Besides, didn't you guys all want it to be more like a survival horror?
june gloom on 14/1/2010 at 20:13
The problem was that it was sorely unbalanced. Even survival horror gives you a chance to stop and catch your breath; with Apollo Square, you stand no chance of surviving more than a few minutes until you've had the opportunity to restock. Not to mention that you've been losing health gradually over the past hour or so...
Adam Nuhfer on 15/1/2010 at 14:43
Wow, another BioShock slug fest... Didn't see that one coming...:rolleyes:
I see the name change back to IG as just another propaganda move. Nothing wrong with the PR department doing some well timed hype for the eager masses.
SubJeff on 15/1/2010 at 23:13
Its not a BS slugfest, its an Aja sucking and trying to tell everyone else to suck too, even though they are saying no thanks they don't like the taste fest.
