Bioshock (http://www.2kgames.com/bioshock/html/)
Supposed to be coming out today...
Who's getting it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OygxkgewEhU)

I've played it, and while what I saw in the demo was your usual shooter linear gameplay but daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang it's awesome.
gonna try and buy this tomorrow.

Discuss or drool, your choice.

i already have the game via Steam. excellent stuff. in fact, if i didn't have class in the morning, i'd still be playing it right now.

just a note to those that get the game via Steam: you'll need to update DirectX to play Bioshock. the DirectX update is included with the boxed retail version, but it isn't with Steam. (download here) (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=cb7397f3-0949-487b-9247-8fee451bf952&DisplayLang=en)

otherwise, the game runs very smooth with all the in-game graphics options maxed running at 1600x1200. i haven't used FRAPS to give you an exact estimate, but the framerate is high enough that i haven't noticed a single hitch even during heavy combat sequences.

granted, my specs are: AthlonX2 4600, GeForce 8800GTS 640MB, 2GB DDR2-800 RAM, and an X-Fi sound card. even then, i've been told from several friends with older hardware that that game runs very smooth on their systems. so, unlike other games in the past like FEAR, STALKER, and Oblivion, this game is not a system killer despite the excellent graphics and gameplay.

anyways, i need some sleep before i go to class, but after that, i'll definitely be back in the middle of this game. :)

Wait wait wait. Wait.

Wait.

I can run Oblivion and FEAR decently - so are you telling me I can run Bioshock reasonably well?

ARE YOU TELLING ME THIS? http://olivetinstitute.org/stuff/emot-psyduck.gif)


*reaches for wallet, car keys, and driving gloves*

*Grumbles*

Not out 'til the end of the week in Europe (as far as I know) but I'm definitely getting it.

I'm thinking of getting it to tide me over until November when MassEffect drops.

I bought an elite yesterday(with my store credit from my broken regular 360) and downloaded the demo for this. I think this game will make me forget that my computer still isn't working and hold me over till Mass Effect and beyond.

The water effects are amazing.

*reaches for wallet, car keys, and driving gloves*
Driving gloves!?! That's soooo 80's "Rhett-tro" (http://www.jumpstationz.com/gallery/emotes/retro.jpg) :D

Whyhowcomeisitso that I've only heard of this game as of 5 minutes ago?! You guys and gals are so supposed to poke me in the ribs every now and then to make sure I'm paying attention :lol:

This game looks frackin' sweet..

OMG! Got a link to that version of Doom?

Btw, think I can run it with these specs?

Intel Pentium 4 3,2 GHZ
Nvidia GeForce 7800GS 256MB
2 GIG of RAM

- Ghost Down

BioShock is great, the controls are very intuitive. Switching between plasmids(magic powers) and weapons is just clicking the right mousebutton and then wheel to scroll to the one you need. The graphics are just awesome, I'm very impressed by how great it runs even with everything maxed. I haven't noticed any video lag, the game runs perfectly. If you can play Oblivion with a decent fps then you won't have any problem with BioShock. Deffinately worth the money.

My system: Athlon 64 X2 3800+, 2x1GB PC4000, Radeon X1950pro 512MB

The Story is pretty cool but the intro leaves you with many questions as to how and why your in the situation ;) This is a game that should be played at night in the dark with a good pair of 5.1 headphones :)

OMG! Got a link to that version of Doom?

Btw, think I can run it with these specs?

Intel Pentium 4 3,2 GHZ
Nvidia GeForce 7800GS 256MB
2 GIG of RAM

- Ghost Downyou should be fine. Bioshock is rather memory hungry, but it doesn't seem to pull too many resources from the CPU and Video card as far as i can tell. i need to do some tests to see exactly how much utilization is involved, but you're system should handle the game just fine.

What about mine? :(

Athlon 3200+
7800 OC Superclock
1 Gig

The game kinda looks like DOOM 3 but with cool powers, I'm buying it Saturday. :p

What about mine? :(

Athlon 3200+
7800 OC Superclock
1 Gigi think it would run rather well, actually. the game really isn't a huge resource hog now that i've done some tests. my memory utilization for the game is about 986,000K (or about 0.94GB), so that would be the biggest issue on your end. my CPU and video card utilization hardly ever maxes out, though. granted, i have high end stuff, but you're stuff isn't too terribly far behind.

just remember to update your graphics drivers and tone down a couple of settings and the screen resolution. with that in mind, go get the game and have some fun. :)

A word of warning the game does require activation, and the rumors are that it can only be installed on 2 computers. Though some people have said they were only able to install the game twice on the same PC.

Its a great game but this type of securom BS is pissing off alot of people and in the end its only going to hurt the company, because we all know that some clever hackers will figure out a way to disable the activation, so the only people that will be hassled by activation are the paying customers.

What will those paying customers do the next time. I know I'll think twice about buying another game with this activation garbage. It doesn't prevent pirating it never has and in the end they will lose customers.

But still it is a great game. :)

Well, I just ordered a copy for a smooth 30 bucks out of pocket! :cool:

Activation is required? Crap! My gaming rig has no net connection right now. The blame for this falls squarely on your head, T7. :carms:





:xp:

I tried to downloaded the demo on my PC, but something screwed up and my computer needs to be updated anyway.

I'll just have to get Xbox Live soon and download the demo or rent this game. I've heard enough positive input and almost every gaming site has given Bioshock a superb rating. (IGN: 9.7)

http://www.twitchguru.com/site/flash_videos/second_take_the_bioshock_drm_problem.html)

A little more about the situation with DRM.

Alright, looking at the way people are dying for this game, I believe it is safe to conclude that this is the new greatest game eva. Think I can run it with these specs?

Pentium III 1.0 GHz
512 MB RAM
nVidia GeForce FX 5200
Shiny CPU Case

It's a joke, I assure you.

Yes. The shiny case pushed it over the top.

Any decals? Decals are a 10+ to Stamina.

Any decals? Decals are a 10+ to Stamina.

Does some dust on the top count? Or do I have to roll out my kindergarten crayons? :(

Hmm... I've just gotten up to Fort Frolic and I can safely say that the designer for this area is insane - beyond insane, actually. I normally can't get into first person shooters but this seems to drag me in. Aside from the crazy splicers and the intuitive controls, I just like to look at some of the environments - especially those with large windows and lots of water :). Yes... water... hehe... lots and lots of water...

Alright, looking at the way people are dying for this game, I believe it is safe to conclude that this is the new greatest game eva.

I think it is safe. It's everywhere I see. I go to the mall and they have it advertised. I come home and turn on the TV and there is a commercial of it playing. Then, I come online and Bioshock is being talked about both here and the Swamp. And by the time I went to bed, I think I fell asleep thinking about. I think it's safe to conclude that this game is amazing. Either that or I am just paranoid. :nutz1:

:p

I think it's safe to conclude that this game is amazing. Either that or I am just paranoid. :nutz1:

Or both :xp:

But yeah, it's a great game. Now, I must get back to playing it!

I think it is safe. It's everywhere I see. I go to the mall and they have it advertised. I come home and turn on the TV and there is a commercial of it playing. Then, I come online and Bioshock is being talked about both here and the Swamp. And by the time I went to bed, I think I fell asleep thinking about. I think it's safe to conclude that this game is amazing. Either that or I am just paranoid. :nutz1:


Unless it's very skillfully deployed hype. :)

I'll hopefully get my copy on Monday, so I haven't played it yet. Have anyone here who's played Bioshock also played System Shock 2 in the past? If so, how do the games compare? It's said that Bioshock would be a spiritual successor of SS 2, though successors sometimes have a tendency of not living up to the original. :)

Just too bad they decided to tarnish what seems like an excellent game with such intrusive copy protection DRM. That will pretty much ensure that, unlike it's spiritual successor, it will be impossible to install and re-play Bioshock 6-7 years from now. :disaprove

A little more to add about the negative slag attached to this game. SecureRom also installs a rootkit on your PC (Here is a link that will walk you through removing the rootkit ) http://www.gamingbob.com/2007/08/23/bioshock-installs-rootkit-including-demo/)

SecurRom says the reason for the rootkit is to allow non admin users use all the services that securrom needs. Thats why rootkits are so evil, they open your PC up to security risks. Even if the reasons for the rootkit are meant to be "convenient" to the user its not something that should be installed on a users pc without them knowing.

Have anyone here who's played Bioshock also played System Shock 2 in the past? If so, how do the games compare?

The basic gameplay is very similar to SS2, However SS2 was alot more skill focused, Such as needing separate skills for each weapon type and psi amp. In Bioshock you can use any weapon you find right away providing you have ammo for the weapon. Also in Bioshock you don't need to have any skills in hacking in order to hack something, hacking is a mini game where you match up pipes to make a path from the entrance to the exit of the circuit(its easy in the begining, but does get much more difficult as obsticals are randomly placed in your way) You can install "gene tonics" that can help make hacking easyer as you progress in the game.

Gene tonics are passive upgrades that you can make to your body to make yourself stronger, faster, smarter.

SS2 had psi powers but in Bioshock you have Plasmids such as shock, freeze, incinerate fun things like that. you start the game with 2 plasmid slots but you can buy more up to 6 plasmid slots with a special substance called "ADAM". ADAM is basically point that you use to buy more plasmids and gene tonics. ADAM can only be gained from the npc's called the "little sisters", you can Help save the little sisters you can harvest the ADAM from
them either way you will get ADAM, the trick is that they are protected by npc's called the "BIG Daddies".

The character growth is pretty customizable to suit any play style and I think will allow for alot of replay value.

Just too bad they decided to tarnish what seems like an excellent game with such intrusive copy protection DRM. That will pretty much ensure that, unlike it's spiritual successor, it will be impossible to install and re-play Bioshock 6-7 years from now. :disaproveall the more reason to use the Steam version of the game which lacks the SecureROM copy-protection. the Steam version doesn't need any keys or whatever, and if you want to move the game to another computer, all you need to do is to use Steam to burn a backup disc, install Steam on the other computer, log in to Steam, and decompress the backup files off the disc. no copy protection is required, and you have unlimited installations.

seriously, why people are so quick to dismiss Steam as a bad idea is something i don't understand.

What the hell. :( Talk about pushing people over to consoles or even just to outright piracy. I don't even have the game yet and I'm tired of all of it's crap.

I have Steam. I barely use it, but I have it. I downloaded the Bioshock demo, but there was some error. So, I didn't download the demo. Though, I don't blame Steam. It was an error I was entirely responsible for.

I tried to rent it, but the store didn't have it shipped in yet. <_<

all the more reason to use the Steam version of the game which lacks the SecureROM copy-protection. the Steam version doesn't need any keys or whatever, and if you want to move the game to another computer, all you need to do is to use Steam to burn a backup disc, install Steam on the other computer, log in to Steam, and decompress the backup files off the disc. no copy protection is required, and you have unlimited installations.

seriously, why people are so quick to dismiss Steam as a bad idea is something i don't understand.
http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=game&AppId=7670&s=0,19,288,70,72,77,363,197&i=0,8220&cc=US&skin=4)

Note: Contains SecuROM copy control software. Installations limited to five PCs per license

:/

<3 360 version

I played it through once and Harvested every Little Sister. I'm playing through again and saving them all.

I gotta say, the story is excellent and had some "Ohsnap" moments. If you have a 360, skip the PC version and its crap.

I get my hands on a copy of Bioshock. :D So, let's see the awesomeness of this game.

Got something in the mail today :emodanc:
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/1922/bioshsq1.jpg)


A little more to add about the negative slag attached to this game. SecureRom also installs a rootkit on your PC (Here is a link that will walk you through removing the rootkit ) http://www.gamingbob.com/2007/08/23/bioshock-installs-rootkit-including-demo/)


That's bad. Though either they don't include all that in the release version, or they're just better at hiding it there. I just installed the full game and didn't end up with any service as described on that page (as far as I can find). Still, activation and limited installs are a bad thing. :disaprove


The basic gameplay is very similar to SS2, However SS2 was alot more skill focused, Such as needing separate skills for each weapon type and psi amp. In Bioshock you can use any weapon you find right away providing you have ammo for the weapon.

That does sound somewhat familiar, though in this case that's not a bad thing. System Shock 2 is fun to play. Hopefully you can save whenever you want in Bioshock, those minigame hacking puzzles can get a bit annoying otherwise I'd imagine.

Does Bioshock have infinitely respawning enemies if you backtrack to areas you've already been to before as well, like SS2 had?


Gin and tonics are passive upgrades that you can make to your body to make yourself stronger, faster, smarter.

I suppose you can't be a jack of all trades in the game, then? You have to choose a few things to specialize in, if you've got a limited number of such upgrades.


ADAM can only be gained from the npc's called the "little sisters", you can Help save the little sisters you can harvest the ADAM from
them either way you will get ADAM, the trick is that they are protected by npc's called the "BIG Daddies".

Seems like huge hulking brutes in armor is pretty much standard issue in shooter games nowadays (Farcry Fatboys, Halo Hunters etc). Hopefully they aren't that clichй in Bioshock. :)


The character growth is pretty customizable to suit any play style and I think will allow for alot of replay value.

Time to find out. :emodanc: Hopefully there aren't too many game-stopping bugs, I didn't manage to find any patch released yet (perhaps unsurprising since the game has only been released a few days. :))

That's bad. Though either they don't include all that in the release version, or they're just better at hiding it there. I just installed the full game and didn't end up with any service as described on that page (as far as I can find). Still, activation and limited installs are a bad thing. :disaprovei don't see where its an issue. seriously, if you uninstall before you reinstall, then what's the problem?? unless you're looking to make copies of the game and distribute them over the internet, i just don't see where this is some big issue.That does sound somewhat familiar, though in this case that's not a bad thing. System Shock 2 is fun to play. Hopefully you can save whenever you want in Bioshock, those minigame hacking puzzles can get a bit annoying otherwise I'd imagine.you can save whenever you want. i just wish it was bound to a key instead of you having to ESC out into a menu before you save.I suppose you can't be a jack of all trades in the game, then? You have to choose a few things to specialize in, if you've got a limited number of such upgrades.indeed. you'll have to pick and choose what kind of upgrades you want to use and level out their advantages against each other. you'll also have to pick and choose when it comes to harvesting the Little Sisters vs rescuing them. if you harvest them, you'll have more points to spend on your plasmids even though you're compensated through gifts every 3rd sister you rescue. this means that you can choose to be a tank or a hybrid spellcaster (stealth is rather limited). and get used to hacking; you'll be doing it often.Seems like huge hulking brutes in armor is pretty much standard issue in shooter games nowadays (Farcry Fatboys, Halo Hunters etc). Hopefully they aren't that clichй in Bioshock. :)but unlike those big hulking guys, the Big Daddies are fast and furious. they're very difficult to kill, especially early on when you're lacking effective weaponry. there's two types to worry about: the Rosie's which carry a huge rivet gun and throw proximity grenades at you, and then you have the Bouncers that are armed only with a massive drill, brute strength, and massive speed.Time to find out. :emodanc: Hopefully there aren't too many game-stopping bugs, I didn't manage to find any patch released yet (perhaps unsurprising since the game has only been released a few days. :))well, having beaten the game already, i haven't run into any bugs, minor or major, that i can tell of. anyways, have fun. :)

I have finally played some of the game. I am enjoying the game A LOT thus far. Very well done. Seems quite realistic, in the sense of mechanics, visual, audio. Very well done in that area.

All the neat little details, hacking, vending machines, and the atmosphere makes the game ever so fun.

Currently, I just defeat Dr. Steinman. Though, before hand, I foolishly get rid of the Electro Bolt for Telekenesis. :doh: And I have yet to face a Big Daddy.

i don't see where its an issue. seriously, if you uninstall before you reinstall, then what's the problem?? unless you're looking to make copies of the game and distribute them over the internet, i just don't see where this is some big issue.

The issue with limited installations is in cases where you don't have the opportunity to uninstall the game first. Hard drive crashes do happen, unfortunately, or if your Windows install gets messed up so the uninstall won't work.

The issue with online activation is that you can only play that game as long as the company is in business and deign to provide servers for the online activation. Great games are worth replaying on occasion years after they were first released. If games like PS:Torment, System Shock 2, Deus Ex or VtM:Bloodlines had used such online activation DRM those classic games would not be possible to play today since the companies that made them no longer exist. If I buy a game I want to be able to play it when I want, not only when a company is around to grant me the privilege to play what I've already paid for.

DRM does not only cause problems for software pirates. In many cases they're the ones who suffer the least from it in the long run since warez-versions tend to have the copy protection removed anyway.

i don't see where its an issue. seriously, if you uninstall before you reinstall, then what's the problem?? unless you're looking to make copies of the game and distribute them over the internet, i just don't see where this is some big issue.

The issue with limited installations is in cases where you don't have the opportunity to uninstall the game first.

The issue with online activation is that you can only play that game as long as the company is in business and deign to provide servers for the online activation. Great games are worth replaying on occasion years after they were first released. If games like PS:Torment, System Shock 2, Deus Ex or VtM:Bloodlines had used such online activation DRM those classic games would not be possible to play today since the companies that made them no longer exist.

I agree with stoffe and that is exactly the problem that I have with the activation. I tend to format my pc atleast once every 6 months, now I have to remember to uninstall BIOSHOCK, where normally I would just format the partition and reinstall.

The second is again the same as stoffe, I play many of my old games every now and again. I mean I just installed SS2 again (with a couple mods) a couple weeks ago. That game is 8 years old, and its still fun to play, will I even be able to install Bioshock 8 years from now? Also what if I end up going through different pc configurations. Say for instance my mobo dies on me, I would have to buy a replacement and I may not be able to get the exact same mobo so then in this case I would have to reformat my PC with out being able to uninstall the game.

I could go on an on, but I won't. this type of copy protection is only going to promote piracy. I have to say its always pissed me off when I as a paying customer am bound to stricter restrictions than the people that pirate the game. BioShock doesn't even have multiplayer, what's the point of the security for a single player game.

More Game devs should take a look at what Stardock has done with Galactic Civillization. If you want to install updates and bonus upgrades you then need to use your cdkey. otherwise there is no need to enter in the key.

Well, it's a stunningly beautiful game but it hard crashes everytime I try to load the medical facility. :(

I hear this is happening to a lot of other people too. Many are saying that turning off High Detail Shaders fixes most crashing problems.



UPDATE: That trick seems to have worked for me! :)

Currently, I just defeat Dr. Steinman. Though, before hand, I foolishly get rid of the Electro Bolt for Telekenesis. :doh: And I have yet to face a Big Daddy.
You can switch them back later on.

Oh God, any advice on taking down a Big Daddy? He threw me around like a rag doll and then had his way with me. :(

What weapons/plasmids do you have?

Shock and Tele. Should we make a separate Bioshock help thread?

You can switch them back later on.

I know. I just prefer having that specific power when hacking security cameras and turrets. Though, incinerate is helpful against Big Daddies.

@ Boba Rhett

Depends how you want to defeat them. If you don't mind dying than transfer back to those "checkpoints" (name escapes me atm), just do as much damage as you can.

The shotgun and Incinerate are helpful. As well as using Telekinesis to throw objects at the Big Daddies. The anti-armour ammo is efficient as well.

Rhett:with the first Big Daddy i faced, i used a combo of zapping him with an electro, got a little bit of distance from him and opened up with my Thompson. then, he'd charge me, and i'd sidestep him and repeat the process till he died. you'd be surprised at how effective that method is if you can time most everything right. you'll probably take a couple of hits, but i still managed to get through that fight almost unscathed.hope that helps, man. ;)

This game is so awsome, i own it on 360 and have passed it, great game!

Thanks for the advice, guys!

Anyone know how to take screen shots?

Lol i know you press the print screen key then paste in Paint for screenshots but idk if it works same way on a game.

Some things I use for facing Big Daddies:
Armor piercing machine gun rounds, explosive shotgun shells, the freeze power, incinerate, grenade launcher with proximity, frag, and heatseekers, and if I run out of ammo, armor piercing pistol rounds.

When I fought my first big daddy, I hacked those two turrets in the Med Facility and they provided some distraction (and a little help). Electrobolt and incinerate gave me a couple of seconds too.

I still got smacked around like a little crack whore, but that's what those 9 health packs are for.

Anyone else beat the game yet? How about those "ohsnap" parts?

Anyone else beat the game yet? How about those "ohsnap" parts?
The whole "would you kindly" thing definitely caught me off guard. I only wish the plot pulled you in earlier, it felt like most of the game was just point and shoot stuff.

I'll have to try for the "good guy" ending this time though, for some reason I got Tennenbaum's whole "you suck" speech at the end even though I harvested maybe one Little Sister throughout the entire game.

---

Does this game take forever to load for anyone else? Every time it loads a new area it seems to take forever compared to other games.

Of course you did. All it has to be is one Little Sister and you get the evil ending. You have to spare all of them. I mean, we're talking about killing a little girl. You horrible person.

Does this game take forever to load for anyone else? Every time it loads a new area it seems to take forever compared to other games.well, you have to admit that at least the maps are very large in size. predictably: large maps = long load times. my system isn't too bad (about 15-30 seconds), but i'm also running two WD Raptors in RAID 0. ;)