Well, I finished the single player story. I can't say that I agree with all the gushing reviews. Here are a few cons that nobody seems to be hitting on:

- Weapon customization is too limited. You can only upgrade each weapon twice to the two preset categories. Additionally, a few of the upgrades are on the useless side.

- Inventing items is just plain basic. There is no experimentation allowed. I really don't feel like I'm inventing a damn thing. I just find crap around Rapture, throw it into a magic box, and out pops my "invention".

- Big Daddies don't escalate in difficulty. As I gained more plasmid powers, interesting weaponry, and eve/health, the Big Daddy stayed the same. By the final two sections, I could take down any Big Daddy without getting harmed at all.

- While it has a highly original and complex story, the linear pace of the game really starts to set in by the midway point of the game. The monotonous repetition of fetching tasks is a bit ridiculous.

- The final boss battle is moronically easy. There isn't a lick of strategy involved. Hell, with the right type of ammo, you don't even have to touch a plasmid power.

- I'm not compelled to play through the game again, for alternate endings or achievements. I racked up 42 out of 50 achievements the first time through, about 800 points. Without multiplayer, it won't be sticking around in my collection.

Anyway, it's still worth picking up or renting if you play quickly. BTW, The completion time estimates seem off to me. I've explored every inch of each map in about 14 hours of actual playtime, not the 20 hours that the PR guy claimed. And that was at my scared shitless pace. -eek-

Can these be complaints when most other shooters don't offer those features to begin with?

By the end of it, the game really felt more like a light RPG to me, hence my complaints. Tell me what you think once you finish it off. :)

Flay, can you honestly think of any game that doesn't have flaws? I agree with what you said about Bioshock, but it's easily still one of the best shooters ever. I'd put Half-Life 2 at #1, then Bioshock...it's just a really solid, fun, great looking game.

I've got a question, since you finished the game "your way" how can one's review reflect on how everyone else is going to end up playing?

No two people are going to play the game the same and that's a fact. You've got about (50) achievements to unlock, three levels of difficulty, countless ways to finish a level (room), countless plasmids (17 with 53 tonics) combinations in conjunction with the surroundings, six weapons plus a wrench, and ten different types of enemies not including BD. I've read several forums including Q&A with the DEV's and 15-20 hours gameplay is about right but *30* if you play the whole game.


Kenny J - Buzz Starhopper

I find it pretty funny how people are defending the game after the criticism Flay gave the game... I feel Flay's take on it has lowered my expectations of the game a bit... which I think will be a good thing... It can only get better from here.

I am reconsidering the CE version. I really wanted the steelbook. And the rumors of broken arms on the big daddy have me second guessing it's value. The game is $39.99 for the PC version and $49.99 for the 360 version at CC this week.

Circuit City will get what, maybe 4 copies in though? They never have anything that's advertised when I go there. The big daddy is really cool (and heavy) easily worth at least $10 by itself IMO. The only other extras you get are the soundtrack sampler and behind the scenes dvd, which on this game I actually want to watch. Depends if that worth another $10 to you I guess.

There's no need to get defensive. Bioshock is most certainly an atmospheric thrill ride and deserves much of the praise it's getting. Unfortunately, a critical eye is often lost in the heavy atmosphere and involving narrative. In my opinion, the momentum behind Bioshock is a bit much, causing the flaws to be lost by the wayside.

I've now unlocked 45 out of 50 achievements in a little under 15 hours of play and I was just creeping along. I have 1 tonic left to find and 7 tape recordings before I call it quits. You can actually knock out all the achievements in one run-through, like this guy: http://live.xbox.com/member/Ruzlix

Also, a tip for those taking the saving route rather than harvesting. I was able to max out my tonic / plasmid slots prety easily with the Adam awarded and have lots more for upgraded powers. Don't worry about not having enough to spend. I crunched the numbers and it's not much of a difference.

For those who reserved a spot for BioShock's PC demo on FilePlanet, it should be downloading now. Mine is.

so saving or harvesting the little sisters don't make the game easier or harder?

I really don't see much of a difference in terms of purchasing power. Harvesting gives you double the Adam. But if you figure in the other benefit for Saving, it only comes out to be 15% to 20% more.

In fact, one could argue that Saving is actually the easier path considering the perks.

i cannot believe how much the faceplates have sky rocketed.


I think I'll put mine on ebay this week

Anyone up for a good laugh? How about this Bioshock review from Sony Defense Force?*

rotfl

The fanboy responses are equally funny.

*edit - took out link, because after some thought this just reeks of someone wanting to drive hits to their site.

I saw that. Sony fanboys are showing signs of desperation. They feel the knock out punch coming from MSFT coming this fall with all the awesome games starting with Madden being the better on the xbox 360. Then with the highest rated game since Zelda OOT a week later.

Ha Ha

Well I haven't had enough time to play Kingdom Hearts 2 this past week so it looks like I may not get to start bioshock till this weekend. The wait is going to kill me but I know if I don't finish KH now I probably never will.

Holy crap! Thanks for the tip....I'll be selling one of mine tonight!

i can not wait for tomorrow! i am so freakin excited i cant hold it in anymore. i cant believe how amazing these reviews are look at this:
http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/931329.asp

finally bioshock is here!

I can't believe there are people that don't have this yet! ;)

:grunt:




:sad:

Ill get this game when I can get it for 30 or less.