BioShock [NO SPOILERS]

[Trippy]

Every Fry's near me sold out in the morning. This is looking grim.

[Evildrider]

Every Fry's near me sold out in the morning. This is looking grim.

Try Wal-mart.  I went to EB, Best Buy, and Circuit City and they were all sold out.  Hopped over to Wal-mart and they had like 20 copies on the shelf still.

[Big Gulp]

Try Wal-mart.  I went to EB, Best Buy, and Circuit City and they were all sold out.  Hopped over to Wal-mart and they had like 20 copies on the shelf still.

I want to act smug about ordering through Amazon, avoiding the hunt and having it come right to my door, but it isn't because I'm wise.  It's because I'm inherently very lazy, and any service that can be delivered directly to me is the method I'll use.

[Signe]

Try Wal-mart.  I went to EB, Best Buy, and Circuit City and they were all sold out.  Hopped over to Wal-mart and they had like 20 copies on the shelf still.

I want to act smug about ordering through Amazon, avoiding the hunt and having it come right to my door, but it isn't because I'm wise.  It's because I'm inherently very lazy, and any service that can be delivered directly to me is the method I'll use.

The reason doesn't matter.  I'll act smug with you as long as I don't have to, like, you know, move.

[Trippy]

Woot! Success! I literally got the last copy at one of my local Best Buys. And they had Rune Factory as a bonus.

[Xilren's Twin]

Denied!  Well, that is to say i got a copy, loaded fine, activate fine, plane crash scene, swim in and take the bathysphere, but i appear to be one of the people who cannot make it past the second loading screen when the bathysphere docks in the city.  It either locks up the whole system, or blackscreens.  Tried every setting and got the latest beta drivers.  No luck.

Checked the forums, a LOT of people seem to be having the same problem.

le sigh.

Well, the opening 3 minutes looked nice...

[Rasix]

I can't stop playing this fucking game.  I need to eat.  GAME IS GOOD.

I'm going to try pacing myself.. it's just.. hard.

[WayAbvPar]

I hate you all. I got the download and then the update done. Got through the opening scene in the airplane. Crash. Rebooted and tried again. This time I got to the bathysphere. Crash. Updated my drivers. Got the the Loading screen after the swim through the city. Crash (Xfire Exception this time!). Rebooted. Killed Xfire. Launched again. Got to loading screen. Crash. Tried 3 more times. Crash. Crash. Crash.



Fuck.

[Trippy]

Did you reboot between crashes?

[Furiously]

I hate you all. I got the download and then the update done. Got through the opening scene in the airplane. Crash. Rebooted and tried again. This time I got to the bathysphere. Crash. Updated my drivers. Got the the Loading screen after the swim through the city. Crash (Xfire Exception this time!). Rebooted. Killed Xfire. Launched again. Got to loading screen. Crash. Tried 3 more times. Crash. Crash. Crash.



Fuck.

Yea, you were annoying me with your MSN spam.

[UnSub]

WayAbvPar - your hate is nothing to someone who has to wait until Friday because of the later European launch AND of someone who pre-ordered the CE, not ever considering that this game might be available for full download. Now I've got to spend my time dodging spoilers and fanbois who have already finished it.

[lesion]

we could pretend it's a text adventure easily available for download so you don't miss out!

Code:

Your plane has crashed into the ocean somehow. All you know is that your parents love you and you're currently very wet.
You see a lighthouse. It is not doing a very good job as the ocean seems to abruptly disappear into blackness a few meters out.
The blackness is very pretty, however.
> _

[Zetor]

Well, I live in Europe, but I already have the Steam version activated and running on my machine. :P

Steam + US proxy = profit!

I haven't actually PLAYED it yet, though, since even after decrypting the game files there was even more stuff to DL (apparently preloading only counts for 80% of the game)... so it's sitting at home downloading while I'm stuck at work, sigh.


-- Z.

[Kitsune]

I've just stumbled out of twelve hours of gametime and holy shit, they managed to top SS2.  The only edge that the System Shock duo have are Shodan and the Many; I'm dubious about whether Bioshock can top such supremely perfect antagonists.  But for everything else, Irrational took everything I enjoyed about System Shock and polished it to a mirror shine; the game is magnificent.  I reeeeeeally hope that Irrational takes the giant pile of money that they're going to make off of this game and uses it to remake the System Shocks with this engine.  Bioshock's going to get so many fans that all the poor suckers who've never played System Shock will surely buy it if it gets remade.

As far as non-spoiler information goes, I have two pieces of advice: One, Bioshock is blessedly free of most signs of consolitis, but it has console hand-holding turned on by default with a magical arrow that points to mission objectives and sparkly glowies around items.  Those things can be turned off in the game options, and anyone wanting a more immersive atmosphere will likely be happier if they do so.  And two, autofire weapons have a fucking ton of recoil; don't hold down the trigger or you'll be shooting the ceiling.  Rapid clicks will get you a high rate of fire without the crazy recoil.

[Azazel]

Why would they bother remaking System Shock/2? They're much more likely to follow on from Bioshock with Bioshock 2 etc with a new/following-on story. etc...

[Trippy]

EA owns the rights to the System Shock name and Irrational was bought by Take-Two so if there is to be a SS 3 (and there are rumors that EA is at least thinking about it) it's not going to be done by Ken Levine and Co.

[pants]

So has anyone managed to compare the 360 to PC versions?  I've just finished the PC demo, and it ran ok on my rig, but I could notice slowdowns when things got hairy with lots of bad guys (E6400, 2Gig Ram, 6800GS, Medium Graphics) - I've been saying for a while when I need to spend cash to upgrade my PC for a game is when I buy a 360 and get a better game for the money, with the advantage of Feroza, Dead Rising etc.  Just trying to work out if this point is here yet.

[MrHat]

Managed to snag the last 360 copy at Circuit City last night. I haven't even finshed the part w/ the demo.

My reason for getting on the 360: The demo wouldn't even run on my PC, and I can't be bothered to upgrade the drivers.  Also, surround sound.

[Bunk]

It ran really well on my PC. I can play it at full settings on my 7900 at 1680x1050, though I'd probably get a higher framerate if I dropped the settings a bit. So far, I am very impressed. I am curious as to whether I will ever run in to a denizen of the city that doesn't want to eat my spleen.

[Engels]

So has anyone managed to compare the 360 to PC versions?  I've just finished the PC demo, and it ran ok on my rig, but I could notice slowdowns when things got hairy with lots of bad guys (E6400, 2Gig Ram, 6800GS, Medium Graphics) - I've been saying for a while when I need to spend cash to upgrade my PC for a game is when I buy a 360 and get a better game for the money, with the advantage of Feroza, Dead Rising etc.  Just trying to work out if this point is here yet.

The only thing I think need to upgrade there is your vid card. an E6400 should handle it fine, but a 6800gs is two card families behind.

[Sky]

720p doesn't do it justice.

Ok, having played a few hours last night. Total NEG. Looks stunning, ran with everything cranked, 8xQ FSAA and 16x AF locked at 60Hz, I'd be surprised if it ever dipped below 60fps, it ran so smooth I was amazed. Stunning effects, especially getting hit with gunfire, that really enhance gameplay.

Great game. Great. All the atmosphere of SS and Thief rolled up into one. Style, atmosphere, and good  game mechanics. The bar has been raised, I hope Irrational sells a bajillion copies (so they can make another Freedom Force game :P).

[Miasma]

[Looks stunning, ran with everything cranked, 8xQ FSAA and 16x AF locked at 60Hz, I'd be surprised if it ever dipped below 60fps, it ran so smooth I was amazed.

I couldn't find where to change the AA settings in game, did you configure your video card to force it or am I missing an advanced options page somewhere?

[Kitsune]

Why would they bother remaking System Shock/2? They're much more likely to follow on from Bioshock with Bioshock 2 etc with a new/following-on story. etc...

Because of AWESOME, is why.  But Trippy speaks correctly about the rights to the game being tangled in EA's web, sadly.

Anyhow, my computer is much like Schild's, Intel E6600, 2 gigs of RAM, but I'm using an 8800GTS as a video card.  It looks and plays great; this game single-handedly justifies the money I put into building a gaming PC.

[sigil]

Played for about four hours last night. had six or seven complete "Holy shit" moments. at least a dozen "RUN RUN RUN!" 

Can we use the help thread to put our thoughts  as we're in the middle of the game?  I"ll even post tiny and spoiler black if it will help :)

I'm thinking this game isn't AA, that and the widescreen issue seem to be biggest gripes from the people that will whine about any damn thing.

[Riggswolfe]

Denied!  Well, that is to say i got a copy, loaded fine, activate fine, plane crash scene, swim in and take the bathysphere, but i appear to be one of the people who cannot make it past the second loading screen when the bathysphere docks in the city.  It either locks up the whole system, or blackscreens.  Tried every setting and got the latest beta drivers.  No luck.

This is the number one reason I got it on 360. And in fact, get all multiplatform games on a console now. Add in surround sound and a 56" hidef TV and my computer is back to *shudders* productivity applications.

If I never have to spend 6 hours making some damn game work ever again I'll be happy.

BTW, this game rocks. It rocks so hard it tore me away from Persona 3 and I'm on the summer vacation part of that game. I literally had to force myself to stop playing and go to bed so I could come to work this morning. I honestly thought about calling in sick so I could sit in my sweats and play it all day. I only ate dinner last night because my girlfriend cooked it for me and put it on a TV tray next to me as I played.

[MrHat]

I just wish I could use a kb/m on my 360.

[Rasix]

I just wish I could use a kb/m on my 360.

My aim/movement is pretty crappy with the thumbsticks.  Movement more than aim though.  Haven't had too many real problems getting through parts (heh, some reloads here and there), and I'm not good at FPS games by any stretch.  I suppose it just means less headshots.

I played for like 6-7 hours straight last night.  Game is just fantastic.

Edit: Still, having a problem pulling away from Persona 3.  I'm going to be a goddamn zombie for the next month.

[Sky]

I force AA in the driver. I'd notice at my resolution (720p) if it wasn't working, it's supah-chunky (the main reason I built my /last/ computer was for better FSAA).

Widescreen issue?

Also, it was plug-n-play for me, I had already updated to the recommended drivers. Installed and played for hours without a problem.

[sigil]

I force AA in the driver. I'd notice at my resolution (720p) if it wasn't working, it's supah-chunky (the main reason I built my /last/ computer was for better FSAA).

Widescreen issue?

It's a minor issue, but  when played at widescreen, the  top and bottom portion of the screen get cropped. like putting a mat on the picture that limits to the perspective.

In short, you don't see as much ceiling and you miss seeing all our heroes right hand and sleeve.

[Sky]

Oh. I don't sweat shit like that. People go fucking nuts about Battlefield 2 doing that. Whatever. The game was designed widescreen, so if anything 4:3 is +hor and a bonus.

It is odd that the hero has no legs and casts no shadow. He's a vampire torso!

[Stormwaltz]

I couldn't even install the game. AVG Antivirus is giving false positives for a trojan horse in the BioShock PC installer (retail and demo). It appears you have to temporarily uninstall AVG to install BioShock.

Of course, I only looked this up after spending two hours running a virus scan...

[Kitsune]

Stormwaltz, go to the CD and manually run _setup.exe.  AVG gave me the same hassle, but manually running the installer took care of the problem.  AVG still pops up trojan warnings, but I just tell it to ignore and the game continues on without a problem.

[JWIV]

I couldn't even install the game. AVG Antivirus is giving false positives for a trojan horse in the BioShock PC installer (retail and demo). It appears you have to temporarily uninstall AVG to install BioShock.

Of course, I only looked this up after spending two hours running a virus scan...

I had the same problem Stormwaltz.  You don't need to do a full uninstall - Go to the test center and deactivate the resident scanner and you should be fine.  That's what I did anyhow.

[Stormwaltz]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I'll try those tonight.

In other news, people have discovered you can only install the game twice. Ever.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/more-bioshock-shock/bioshock-pc-+-you-only-install-twice-292222.php

[Morfiend]

So has anyone managed to compare the 360 to PC versions? 

I have.

I played both demos, and I ended up buying the Xbox version. I have a 60 inch HDTV (Sony) with good surround sound. I also have a very good computer. Honestly, it almost feels more intuitive on the controller to me. The way the left bumper and trigger control the plasmids in his left hand, and the right bumper and trigger control the weapons in his right hand. I honestly might spring for the PC version from Steam also, just so I can play through it on my computer as well. Honestly, you cant go wrong with ether. I would say that unless you have a very top of the line computer, get the xbox version, they look almost identical.

My computer is e6600, 2gb ram, 8800gtx.