• 28Aug 07

  Why BioShock Doesn't Blow Me Away

  I'm sure the title alone has already triggered many of you to ignite your torches out of sheer instinct, ready to burn the devil out of this apparent blasphemer who seems to dare speak of BioShock as something incapable of astonishment. You stand ready to defend this game against any potential slander, invalidation, or other opinion you perceive as ignorant. This reaction of loyalty is a testament to BioShock's quality, and speaks volumes of the game's impact upon the fans and its status in the community. It is not to all tastes, but to argue that BioShock is not a masterpiece may be to discredit oneself. BioShock has reserved its place in the holy temple of gaming legends, and represents a brilliant design that is finally receiving the hype and widespread praise it has deserved for over seven years. I had every confidence that BioShock would once again restore a subspecies of game that I had feared extinct. My expectations were met.

  Some may believe that BioShock is a completely original adventure that introduces a whole new brand of customizable gameplay. But many of us here know of its origin: System Shock 2. For those who don't know, SS2 has maintained a strong cult following over the past several years, and shares a high percentage of BioShock's elements: various means of killing enemies, creepy atmosphere, unnatural powers, upgradeable weapons, performance enhancement,electronics hacking, constructible items, progression guided by a mysterious third party via radio contact, and a compelling story told mostly through scattered recordings and various environmental clues. These ingredients were chosen and measured with utmost care, then mixed into a strong drink of a game; potent in its impact, intimidating in its complexity, but a taste worth acquiring for those seeking something fresh. Had any of these elements been left out of BioShock, I would have viewed their omission as a sizable hop backwards in the evolution of the genre. Thankfully, Irrational took a risk and charged forward despite publisher rejection and skepticism, kept the "first-person thinker" largely intact, and built BioShock with most of the features I loved from SS2. They did it once; I had no doubt they could do it again. Once more, my expectations were met.

  FPS's were starting to feel tired even ten years ago to those who enjoyed first-person but wanted to do more than just shoot guns and toss grenades. The most significant changes to FPS titles--still to this day--are different stories, settings, and weapons, but you're still mostly shooting guns and tossing grenades. Many developers have taken insignificant risks over the years by enhancing their own titles with features similar to those in SS2, but only by one or two at a time. After all, an FPS that isn't all-out gun porn at its core tends to not see a long-term bestseller list. SS2 was a commercial disappointment due in part to its complexity in a genre willing to evolve only through baby steps. It was simply ahead of its time, and I'm thrilled to see that time has finally caught up with the game, now reborn as BioShock, the surprise hit causing people to flame nonbelievers and pay over a hundred dollars for faceplates bearing its name. Although I had expected BioShock's outstanding quality, its overnight popularity has blindsided me, and I am pleased to know that I will likely see not only a sequel but a number of other titles from developers drawing inspiration from it, and hopefully being much less conservative.

  So the reason why BioShock itself doesn't astound me? A game that exceeds my expectations gives me that particular brand of thrill one can feel only out of genuine surprise. I regret that BioShock does not offer me this thrill. I have already spent that particular sense of wonder and awe on this ambitious and complex design in its previous life as SS2, although by no means do I believe both games are too similar. I am saying that BioShock bears the quality and craftsmanship to which I had become accustomed by having played games of similar design, terribly few as there are. Therefore, I cannot feel astonished by it, but only satisfied and comforted that the highly unexpected and long overdue commercial success of this long-time emerging subgenre will cause publishers to take it seriously and recognize its potential. Finally, I envy those that had never played this type of game before and have presumably felt that unique charge of having discovered and experienced something revolutionary in BioShock. Consider yourselves lucky...would you kindly?

  • Posted Aug 28, 2007 8:44 am GMT
  • Category: Editorial
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• 14Aug 07

  Moving Elsewhere

  I will still post editorials here, but all other blog posts can be found at Xbox 360 Truth from now on.

  • Posted Aug 14, 2007 6:01 pm GMT
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• 13Aug 07

  NY Times Comments on 360 Loyalty

  The New York Times (registration required) has a report on a few console owners' experiences with defective 360s. Although the article is largely a rehash of common knowledge in the Xbox corner of the industry, it does put a spotlight on a few of those who have remained faithful despite repeated problems with defective consoles.
  
  I don't much care for the article's inaccuracy about the functionality of a game console. Repeated system failures do not equate to repeated blender failures. I would definitely switch blender brands after too many crap-outs. I mean, it's not like Black & Decker owns milkshakes, or that Kitchenaid has an exclusivity contract with margaritas. Wouldn't that be a hell of a thing?
  
  I'll go through as many 360s as necessary to play games such as BioShock, Mass Effect, Halo 3, Gears of War, on and on... The 360 has too many great current and upcoming titles for me to abandon it now, especially since repairs are free thus far. Actually, I'm not one to talk, because my launch system has never needed repair despite frequent use. Still, I have to commend Microsoft for owning up for their mistakes. They have made undeniable improvements to console production, as well. After all, what's done is done.

  • Posted Aug 13, 2007 5:41 pm GMT
  • Category: Games
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