Bioshock Infinite

[Nihilanth]

The footage is HERE. Holy shit, that looks really good.

[Pansa]

Originally Posted by Nihilanth

The footage is HERE. Holy shit, that looks really good.

That it does indeed. But how is that supposed to be a gameplay video?
How do you PLAY that without sucumbing to a quicktime event or railshooter kind of deal?
90% of the time i would be doing something entirely different, disrupting the flow. Or die constantly.
It does look completly awesome to me, but unless we completely revamp the WHOLE concept of controll (and i don't mean by simply layering it with kinect/move) i don't see any of that video playing well.

I don't see a game that can be REALLY more than a railshooter or "interactive movie" with what they present there.
Little of what i see there makes "sense" to me, even in the context of "fictional awesomeness" they provide.
Where do the lines go, where are the visual cues to whats going on where.
Everything that happens there seems ridicilously timed.

But it is pretty as hell, and the design very engaged.

[crunchy superman]

Well, it is a 2012 game, so I'd say at this point it was all sorta slapped together. We haven't got that good a look a Duke yet - a 2011 game that's supposedly done but for polishing.

[Pansa]

Originally Posted by crunchy superman

Well, it is a 2012 game, so I'd say at this point it was all sorta slapped together. We haven't got that good a look a Duke yet - a 2011 game that's supposedly done but for polishing.

Well sure, the whole critique is premised around calling it "gameplay" video.
Perhaps "in engine demo reel" or "proof of concept - in engine" or something would be better.

Still, there remains that lingering feeling that this is how they think playing the games "feels" like or that we actually play that way.

[crunchy superman]

Originally Posted by Pansa

Well sure, the whole critique is premised around calling it "gameplay" video.
Perhaps "in engine demo reel" or "proof of concept - in engine" or something would be better.

Yeah, I'd agree with that.

[Nihilanth]

I haven't seen the official comment yet but I imagine that this vid is basically what early BioShock videos were. Of course it's scripted. It's a mock up that's meant to showcase the feel of a real gameplay. First BioShock gameplay was almost completely smoke and mirrors and yet it was very close to the actual game in the end. I have no doubts the real game will deliver similiar kind of experience, honestly.

EDIT: On a negative note, I can't help but notice that they already have a FOV problem. I've only watched the footage once as I'm waiting for HD version to be released today but I think I'm right about it. Not a good thing.

[NutWrench]

Originally Posted by Nihilanth

The footage is HERE. Holy shit, that looks really good.

Man, what the hell is going ON in that video? Just because there's a lot of crazy shiat going on doesn't mean the game will be good. If I wanted to see a lot of random crap happeining for no particular reason, I could watch the Star Wars prequels instead.

BioShock started out as a pure science fiction game but seems to have morphed into a fantasy game, here.

[Pansa]

Originally Posted by NutWrench

BioShock started out as a pure science fiction game but seems to have morphed into a fantasy game, here.

Well it's very "punk" . Like the doomtown or "wild wild west" setting + 50 years.

The british like to do that with their victorian age.
We really need to expand on the whole "steampunk/cyberpunk/westernpunk" nomenclature ^^

[Rapture_Rising]

Originally Posted by Nihilanth

EDIT: On a negative note, I can't help but notice that they already have a FOV problem. I've only watched the footage once as I'm waiting for HD version to be released today but I think I'm right about it. Not a good thing.

Seriously... complaining already. There has been no real gameplay footage to really complain about, its only scripted sequences to you really have to hold off complaints until we see real gameplay.

[Nihilanth]

Originally Posted by Rapture_Rising

Seriously... complaining already. There has been no real gameplay footage to really complain about, its only scripted sequences to you really have to hold off complaints until we see real gameplay.

I'm complaining about field of view issue that plagues games all the time and for some reason devs don't give a damn about it. I mean come on, they've had legions of people bashing BioShock for having a broken widescreen mode, they've fixed it and 3 years later they make the same mistake again...

[Rapture_Rising]

Originally Posted by Nihilanth

I'm complaining about field of view issue that plagues games all the time and for some reason devs don't give a damn about it. I mean come on, they've had legions of people bashing BioShock for having a broken widescreen mode, they've fixed it and 3 years later they make the same mistake again...

All i am saying is that you have to hold off judgement until the we see some actual gameplay.

[Nihilanth]

Originally Posted by Rapture_Rising

All i am saying is that you have to hold off judgement until the we see some actual gameplay.

First, actual gameplay vs scripted demo has nothing to do with FoV issue*. Second, in case you haven't noticed, I've said it looks really good and defended the abundance of scripts in the demo.

* If you mean that it's an early demo and that's why FoV is broken, well experience shows that devs don't see that as an issue and so, there's a high chance they won't fix it. Look at BioShock, they were defending chopped FoV as "the way it's meant to be played" and gave the fix so people would shut up, not because they saw it as a problem. I fear we're going on the same ride again.

[Sabarasa]

I didn't like the "gameplay" video.

[Morbid]

yeah that wasn't really gameplay, but one thing is for sure... they are very talented mother******s! The things the do are astonishing.

anyway here's a Ken Levine interview

[Damien_Azreal]

Originally Posted by Morbid

yeah that wasn't really gameplay, but one thing is for sure... they are very talented mother******s! The things the do are astonishing.

The things they did were astonishing in System Shock 2, now it seems like a watered down attempt to recapture that.

[Nihilanth]

It's funny to think that Shock2 was actually a rushed title with lack of time and resources and got a System Shock name slapped on it later on. And still it's a landmark game.

Some of you guys probably know my opinion on the industry nowadays. It's just that if 11 years ago with poor resources and lack of time a game as great as Shock2 could have been made... just imagine what is possible today with money and time and yet we're still not getting it.

With that out of the way though, I don't think they're trying to "recapture Shock2" anymore. I'm looking forward to Infinite.

[Morbid]

Originally Posted by Damien_Azreal

The things they did were astonishing in System Shock 2, now it seems like a watered down attempt to recapture that.

Why to compare it to SS2 in the first place? It's not a sequel to it. Plus the fact that everything is watered down nowadays. I bet you wouldn't say that if they would attempt a System Shock 3, considering the facts that you like DX:IW, AvP3, DX:HR and other...

[Damien_Azreal]

Originally Posted by Morbid

Why to compare it to SS2 in the first place? It's not a sequel to it.....

Well, it's made by the same people that made SS2. It features basically the exact same gameplay mechanics, same style of enemies... same kind of atmosphere...

And for the first two years of the game's life it was labeled (by Irrational) as a spiritual sequel to SS2. And even though Ken tried to kill the "spiritual sequel" thing the closer the game came to release... a lot of people from Irrational kept referring to it as such.

[Morbid]

You deny though that DX:IW being a direct sequel to DX (which is not the case with Bioshock and System Shock 2 -different names, different setting, etc, similar only in spirit and not in flesh) was so bad in every aspect and the fact that its new prequel DX:HR is even more annoyingly watered down even compared to DX:IW... That's contradictory.

[Damien_Azreal]

Firstly, I enjoyed DX:IW for it's story. Yes, the changes in gameplay (lack of a skill system and universal ammo) were stupid decisions. But, it is still an enjoyable game in it's own right.
And DX:HR has brought back the skill system, larger more expansive levels, multiple ammo types... consequences for your actions... you know, like DX.

I never said DX:IW was as good as the first game. NEVER. I just said I enjoy it for what it is, despite it's flaws I still had fun playing it.

And the fact that you think HR is even more watered down and shallow then DX:IW shows your ignorance on the subject. And finally, don't drag this shit into this thread... you want to discuss it.. either contact me via PM or take it to a DX thread.

[ZuljinRaynor]

Originally Posted by Morbid

You deny though that DX:IW being a direct sequel to DX (which is not the case with Bioshock and System Shock 2 -different names, different setting, etc, similar only in spirit and not in flesh) was so bad in every aspect and the fact that its new prequel DX:HR is even more annoyingly watered down even compared to DX:IW... That's contradictory.

DXIW is awesome. DX sucks.

[Morbid]

Oh it's the troll again...

D_A we 'll see how good DX:HR will be... DX:IW was also full of promises and turned out tragic, even Harvey Smith admitted that.

[Damien_Azreal]

Originally Posted by Morbid

Oh it's the troll again...

D_A we 'll see how good DX:HR will be... DX:IW was also full of promises and turned out tragic, even Harvey Smith admitted that.

Yes, we will. I just think judging it only on personal experiences of DX:IW is completely wrong. Specially since DX:HR is trying to recapture the first game, while IW tried to take the IP into more streamlined gameplay.

[Nihilanth]

New teaser

[Ras]

Teh boobage.

It looks awesome, as does that earlier clip with him chasing the rabble rouser in the pork pie hat.

[Nihilanth]

Tears: Windows into other worlds

Interesting concept. Elizabeth's powers are bulit around the idea that there are multiple, parallel dimensions and while everyone in Columbia can see some manifestations of them, only she can reach out to them. An example near the end of the video is that you're in the middle of the fight and she can open, in this case, one of three different "tears": she can either reach out to the dimension that has a carriage (so basically cover), a box of weapons or a doorway.

[Kit]

This is quickly becoming my most anticipated game. Everything they’ve shown so far oozes quality.

Originally Posted by Nihilanth

Tears: Windows into other worlds

Interesting concept. Elizabeth's powers are bulit around the idea that there are multiple, parallel dimensions and while everyone in Columbia can see some manifestations of them, only she can reach out to them. An example near the end of the video is that you're in the middle of the fight and she can open, in this case, one of three different "tears": she can either reach out to the dimension that has a carriage (so basically cover), a box of weapons or a doorway.

Sounds a lot like the door concept from the Matrix.

[NutWrench]

I don't like it. I thought a "city beneath the sea" setting was a perfectly acceptable (and much more believable) setting than a city in the clouds connected by railways. At least with BioShock 1 & 2, you could think, "you know, this place COULD actually be built by a highly motivated mega-billionaire." This new game looks like pure fantasy which is NOT the same as science fiction.

[Nihilanth]

First two minutes of the 15min walkthrough to be released on Thursday

[Nihilanth]

Full 14min Demo over here!

Love it. Absolutely love it.

A note: currently it's in two parts with interview, will be up in unedited form (possibly a bit better quality too) later today.

[Nihilanth]

1999 Mode:

Back in December, there was a survey from us here at Irrational to better understand how you play games. We had a hunch about a new feature for BioShock Infinite, and we built this survey to see if it’s something that our fans wanted. The results of the survey are in and we heard what you want loud and clear, which is why we’re proud to announce something new for the game: 1999 Mode!

BioShock Infinite’s 1999 Mode will feature an especially demanding gaming experience, forcing you to examine your decisions while going through your adventure in Columbia. With every choice you make, there are irreversible implications, and if your choices guide you down a path not suited to your play style, you will suffer for it.

It’s not simply a matter of adjusting the difficulty sliders in the game – the team went much further than that. Resource planning? If you’re to survive this mode, proper planning will be crucial. Combat specializations? You’ll need to develop them efficiently and effectively throughout the story; any weapon will be useless to you unless you have that specialization. Combat? You will need to carefully target every shot, and your health will be set to an entirely different baseline. Game saves? Well, yes, there will be those, but according to Irrational Games Creative Director Ken Levine “there are game saves, and you’re gonna ******* need them.”

“We want to give our oldest and most committed fans an option to go back to our roots,” said Levine. “In 1999 Mode, gamers face more of the permanent consequences of their gameplay decisions. In BioShock Infinite, gamers will have to sweat out the results of their actions. In addition, 1999 Mode will demand that players pick specializations, and focus on them.”

Originally Posted by Ken Levine

"I'm an old school gamer. We wanted to make sure we were taking into account the play styles of gamers like me. So we went straight to the horse's mouth by asking them, on our website, a series of questions about how they play our games. 94.6 percent of respondents indicated that upgrade choices enhanced their BioShock gameplay experience; however, 56.8 percent indicated that being required to make permanent decisions about their character would have made the game even better."

Originally Posted by Kotaku

In 1999 mode players will pick their specialization at the beginning of the game. From there on they'll be committed to a certain set of skills and powers. Decisions are permanent. Skills chosen are permanent. Even death is permanent, If you don't have the resources necessary to be brought back to life, it's game over for you, and with more demanding weapon, health, and power management, players can expect to see that screen on a fairly regular basis. Just like the good old days.

[Damien_Azreal]

meh

Unless the combat has drastically improved from how it looked in the videos released last year... no "hardcore" mode will make things awesome.
Visually the game looks interesting, but the combat looked lifeless, dull and had no actual "force" behind it.

A great art style can only hold a game for so long. You need to be equal throughout all aspects of the game. And this is were I have concerns. On top of the combat itself lacking "punch" my worries fall in with the story.
Ken can start great stories, but he always peaks way too early. Having the best moments happen way before they should, leaving you wondering around.... trudging through dull crap instead.
System Shock 2 and BioShock both had their best moments happen at roughly the mid point. And while in SS2 the rest of the game didn't suffer as badly as BioShock's did, the rest of the game still felt a bit less interesting.

Infinite is one where I'm going to hold off on. Wait for feedback from people and gamers I trust, see how they feel the game plays, flows and unfolds. I'll listen to them before deciding on if the game is worth it or not.
As I can tell you already, review wise the game will do awesome. But, reviews are completely worthless these days.

[Nihilanth]

BioShock Infinite coming October 16th / 19th!

[Morbid]

Originally Posted by Nihilanth

BioShock Infinite coming October 16th / 19th!

Really? That's not enough time for them to implement a proper PC FOV...

[ScrewingUpMyRide]

New trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLHW78X1XeE&feature=plcp

Way more interested now. Looks pretty fantastic!

[Nihilanth]

Lots of diversity, very cool.

[Nihilanth]

Here you have yet another horrible, awful box art:

[Damien_Azreal]

HA!

With the very first teaser trailer, I thought this may be okay... but everything I've seen since works to convince me otherwise. And this boxart is simply awful.

[dan2091]

Well, the announced collector's edition disappointed me, Bioshock 2 SE was pretty nice, in contrast. And I'm not sure, but is this one having a two-weapon system of sorts? If it's so, I'm really going to miss the full arsenal from the original Bioshock... hope I'm just mistaken.

[KO Gilligan]

I can think of many games with box art much worse. It's somewhat interesting. I wasn't expecting anything to reach out and grab me and say "THIS IS A BIOSHOCK GAME" - since the game itself probably won't do that either.