BioShock - Xbox 360 Top MetaCritic Charts

[Sledgehammer70]

It looks as if the new game BioShock is the new Xbox 360 to top the charts. Finally knocking out Oblivion, which got a top score for who knows why...

If you haven't heard of BioShock check it out here. (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/bioshock/index.html?tag=topten;all;title;0)

[lemonlime]

This looks like an absolutely amazing game. I'll be pre-ordering for PC without hesitation :)

[primesuspect]

I played the demo on the 360, and .... it looks okay I guess, but man .. I just cannot get used to or excited about FPS games on consoles. I don't know what it is. The controls feel so gummy and inaccurate. I'll be waiting for the PC version, but my PC probably sucks at playing it :-/

[Sledgehammer70]

I played the demo and it was awesome... while iI am not a huge fan of that type of game, if offers something new everythime you play it.

[CB]

When a PC demo is available, I'll try it out.

[Thrax]

When a PC demo is available, I'll try it out.

[lemonlime]

...I just cannot get used to or excited about FPS games on consoles. I don't know what it is. The controls feel so gummy and inaccurate...

I agree. FPS with thumbsticks just doesn't sit well with me either. This type of game is definitely still best suited for the PC.

[aznherb36]

I agree. FPS with thumbsticks just doesn't sit well with me either. This type of game is definitely still best suited for the PC.

hands down for FPS PC games. FPS suck with controllers...

[lemonlime]

Pre-ordered the game through steam, its pre-loading now. Can't wait to play!

[Cyclonite]

Alright, guys! Bioshock came out today. I got the Limited Edition for the XBox 360. The Big Daddy figure is pretty spiffy. It's sitting on my desk here at work.

I've been drooling at the game sitting on my desk for the last 5 hours. Anybody played any of it yet, other than the demo?

[Sledgehammer70]

I played it at E3 :) But i hear it has come a long way from that date :)

[bothered]

Got the demo today on two PCs from steam. It won't run on either, just loads and crashes.
One PC has a 8800GTS and the other a 7800GT, both XP pro sp2, both 1Gig RAM. All drivers up to date etc. Hmmm,
Anybody else got it?

[CB]

I got the demo last night, and it crashed on me...

Like an idiot, I bought the full version anyway, leaving it to load while I was at work today... I'll be home in a few hours, and I'll let you know if it's better.

[primesuspect]

The demo played fine for me today... Well, it crawled on a 7600GS at work..... but I'll try it tonight at home.

[lemonlime]

Got the demo today on two PCs from steam. It won't run on either, just loads and crashes.
One PC has a 8800GTS and the other a 7800GT, both XP pro sp2, both 1Gig RAM. All drivers up to date etc. Hmmm,
Anybody else got it?

I just noticed that there was a 'Steam Update' with release notes indicating "Support for BioShock". Might have something to do with it. I'm kind of disappointed that I preloaded the game and now there is a very large update that needs to be downloaded for it. Looks like it'll be at least another hour until I get to play :-/

[CB]

When my Steam updated for Bioshock support it took about 3 seconds to download... :/

[primesuspect]

Well I got the demo and played through it. My initial impressions:

1) An Ayn Rand video game? :wtf:

2) Played better than I expected on my last gen hardware (x2 5000+, 2gb ram, vista, Radeon x1900XT) - able to play at 1280x1024 on high settings

3) I MUCH prefer the PC version to the 360 version. On the 360 version, I just can't get used to a controller for FPS games.

4) Creepy, going to be lotsa of "YAAAGH" moments

5) I'll be buying it ASAP.

[Thrax]

I enjoyed the demo, but I'm not convinced yet.

1680x1050 / 8xAA / 16xAF

[bothered]

I just noticed that there was a 'Steam Update' with release notes indicating "Support for BioShock". Might have something to do with it. I'm kind of disappointed that I preloaded the game and now there is a very large update that needs to be downloaded for it. Looks like it'll be at least another hour until I get to play :-/
The steam update did nothing to improve things. It plays the intro until after you enter Rapture then crashes at the first loading screen, on both PCs.

[CB]

The steam update did nothing to improve things. It plays the intro until after you enter Rapture then crashes at the first loading screen, on both PCs.

And now I find that having the full version doesn't help. This is very disappointing. :(

[CB]

I updated my Nvidia drivers (http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_bioshock_downloads.html), and now the game seems to be working okay.

[Cyclonite]

I've always been a console gamer first, so the controls on the 360 don't bother me quite so much. I'm sure it's much more precise on the PC, and I'm not sure if they have the same auto-aim system as the 360, but I think that helps a lot. It doesn't make it excessively easy, while still allowing you to aim appropriately.

Anyway, I played for about 2.5 hours last night before I had to go out. There were plenty of "holy ****" moments. I swear that one splicer sneaked up behind me while I was searching a desk and waited for me to turn around before staring at me for a second then swinging a pipe at me.

I love the atmosphere of the game and how it pulls you in. Big TV and surround are crazy. The sound is perfect, and soundtrack plays at just the right times to get that hair on the back of your neck standing.

It can go from creepy/scary to freakin' crazy fast battles in the snap of a finger. I think they do a good job at masking the triggered events. In other words, everything flows smoothly. I found myself not thinking "oh, crap, if I grab this vial, something is going to jump out behind me." A lot of things tend to happen when you least expect it, and they definitely (at least from me) elicit a rather loud yelp. Hah.

So far, great game. I really like it. I'll be turning the lights off tonight and trying not to get too scared.

[Middge]

By the way you guys are talking about this game it reminds me of when I first bought Doom 3 for the PC. Very scary game to play alone at night with a 5.1 surround sound system.

[CB]

I hope it's not like Doom 3... Doom 3 was retarded scary, Bioshock looks like it will be clever scary instead...

[Cyclonite]

IMO, it's a very well thought out, clever game. There is actually much more to it than I originally anticipated. It has an interesting RPG nature about it.

[CB]

It better. I'd hate to spend $50 on a game, just to be disappointed by the developer's lack of ability to keep what was good about their franchise... cough-elderscrolls-cough-cough

[primesuspect]

Doom 3 was boring as hell. The bioshock demo was a better game than Doom III, in my opinion.

[GrayFox]

Got the limited edition :).


Would randomly BSOD on my tyan board. Swapped out boards with my spare dfi ultra-D and it seems to like this one better my performance increased as well.
(I already had the latest nvidia drivers... the bsod was caused by them tho -_-)


This game is pure awesomeness the best thing ive played since half-life 2.

IMO, it's a very well thought out, clever game. There is actually much more to it than I originally anticipated. It has an interesting RPG nature about it.

Fully agree with you there its an awesome game.

Doom 3 was boring as hell. The bioshock demo was a better game than Doom III, in my opinion.

Agreed I still feel like ID software robbed me of more then just my money.

[LightBright]

If any of you get the chance, try out System Shock 2. It was by looking glass studios, who were later called in to create Bioshock. It has lots of the same elements, an environment that just sucks you into it's world, a non linear map (in that you don't necessarily have to go anywhere in particular, you can just explore and complete at your own pace) and an absolutely creepy AI. I have had that same moment before, where you are busy checking out the local scenery in peace and quiet, and then you turn around to find a deformed, crazed former crew member staring at you right before they scream and swing a socket wrench at your head.

[Black Hawk]

2k dropped the ball on the release. I can't even get passed the splash screen before it crashes and 2k's forum are overloaded with people complaining. To think I was actually contemplating buying the game. I "pfft" at them.

[Cyclonite]

Boy, it runs great on my 360. :p

[GrayFox]

If any of you get the chance, try out System Shock 2. It was by looking glass studios, who were later called in to create Bioshock. It has lots of the same elements, an environment that just sucks you into it's world, a non linear map (in that you don't necessarily have to go anywhere in particular, you can just explore and complete at your own pace) and an absolutely creepy AI. I have had that same moment before, where you are busy checking out the local scenery in peace and quiet, and then you turn around to find a deformed, crazed former crew member staring at you right before they scream and swing a socket wrench at your head.

Deus Ex (The original not invisible war) was also created from a few people that were at looking glass. It was also quite a good game (Steep learning curve for console gamers tho, *The Skill system tends to turn them off*)

[bothered]

News.
I got another demo from fileplanet. On installing this one said I have an older version of Nvidia drivers that is a know cause of problems with bioshock. I got newer (beta) drivers and it plays great. I thought I had the latest drivers but....

[Thrax]

VIA: HardOCP -- 8/20/2006

Just a reminder for those of you that missed it yesterday, the new BioShock PC demo is out. You will need to grab the beta drivers (http://www.hardocp.com/news.html?news=Mjc2MDYsLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdCwsLDE=) we posted yesterday if you own a GeForce video card. ATi users will need to apply the hotfix linked in our Gaming News section.

[CB]

Yeah, we got it now, Thrax, thanks for that...

The thing is: Installing it from Steam, you don't get anything even resembling a notice about' make sure you download these drivers'. It just downloads.

[Black Hawk]

I had installed all the latest drivers (including the nvidia beta) before getting BioShock.

[Edit]

Found a fix:
Edit your default.ini. Put a semi-colon in front of AudioDevice=FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem, and add the following line right after it:
AudioDevice=D3DDrv.D3DAudioDevice

After edits, that part of the config file should look like this:

;AudioDevice=FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem
AudioDevice=D3DDrv.D3DAudioDevice

Source (http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6356)

But now I have no sound. ;[

[Cyclonite]

Played another few hours last night. Had a lot of fun. Had a "boss battle" that came down to very little health remaining for either of us. A well timed flaming plasmid put an end to that. He went screaming around the corner, then an achievement popped up for my killing him. Haha.

[kryyst]

Just started playing it this morning before work. This game rocks on toast and I'm not normally a big fan of FPS games. But the original System Shock oozed cool and I took a chance. This game is amazing.

[lemonlime]

I've sunk a few hours into the PC version and I'm having a lot of fun. Lots of OMG moments :)

I'm glad to finally see a game that havily utilizes two CPU cores also! :thumbsup:

[Sledgehammer70]

This thread is showing just why games are great on Consoles... and to be honest I am not even a huge console gamer. Its just nice knowing it is going to work...

[CB]

games are great on Consoles...

Yeah, I love Nintendo, too... I'm glad we can finally agree on something, Sledge. :)

It's just too bad that only one company makes game consoles... :(

[Buddy J]

Oh man BioShock on the Wii would rock. It'd be like Resident Evil 4, in a sense... Splicer attack? OMG SHAKE THE WIIMOTE!!! PRESS A PRESS A PRESS A!

[Sledgehammer70]

Nintendo? I wouldn't spend a penny on that POC... :)

It's just too bad that only one company makes game consoles...

If that was suppose to be a line of Nintendo is the only one who has just a game console.. Than that is a false statement. As the 360 and PS3 are game consoles with added features :) which in most cases eliminate tons of digital extras you would have to stack next to them if they didn't have it.

[Sledgehammer70]

Oh man BioShock on the Wii would rock. It'd be like Resident Evil 4, in a sense... Splicer attack? OMG SHAKE THE WIIMOTE!!! PRESS A PRESS A PRESS A!

One of BioShocks biggest draws is the looks and the feeling of the game. That would all be lost oin the Wii. While the content would be the same, I would feel the deep draw of the game would be lost.

[Cyclonite]

Alright, let's not turn this into a fanboy battle. The game is on the 360 and PC for now. Let's leave it there and continue discussing the awesomeness that is Bioshock.

[LightBright]

This thread is showing just why games are great on Consoles... and to be honest I am not even a huge console gamer. Its just nice knowing it is going to work...


Bah, getting it to work is half the fun!

[Cyclonite]

I'll agree with you to some extent, LightBright. But what about those people who aren't computer hobbyists/enthusiasts who just want to play? The issues with the game for the PC out the door are definitely unacceptable. Too many people had/are having problems with it. :)

[bothered]

Yeah but the occasional little hassle on the PC is more than made up with the whole superiorness of PCs in general.
Consoles? pfff.

Oh, and good old Amazon are delivering mine in the morning.

[keto]

My system is somewhat similar to prime's 'last gen'....Radeon 1900 256 (I think that makes it a GT not an XT, I'm on the road posting from laptop), 4600+ X2, 1.5G Ram, XPP SP2. Somewhat, I said. Anyways, when it runs, it runs and looks great, occasional very minor chop, even at 1440X. But it crashes incessantly at seemingly random points....I made it as far as the bathroom/kitchen on the first level and gave up after about 5 hours off and on trying. Have the ATI hotfix. No overclocking on the system.

I've been looking forward to this for a long time, so I'll eagerly anticipate fixes or patches. Gonna crank down the video and maybe even try windowed tomorrow night when I get home.

Big SS2 fan, that and the original HL are my all time favourite single player games.

[Cyclonite]

Not that anyone here has expressed a concern for the activation and FOV issues, but looks like 2K is taking care of their fans. Thumbs up, 2K.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/48621

[GHoosdum]

If that was suppose to be a line of Nintendo is the only one who has just a game console.. Than that is a false statement. As the 360 and PS3 are game consoles with added features :) which in most cases eliminate tons of digital extras you would have to stack next to them if they didn't have it.

Actually Sony and Microsoft have created PCs with proprietary hardware and OS, not true console systems. Sorry.

[CB]

Actually Sony and Microsoft have created PCs with proprietary hardware and OS, not true console systems. Sorry.

Yes, they are in the same class as Mac.

[Leonardo]

Actually Sony and Microsoft have created PCs with proprietary hardware and OSAnd the Wii is composed of off-the-shelf parts and an OS you can just download of the 'net?Yes, they are in the same class as Mac.;D;DExpensive toy? Well maybe, but you can do office functions too. But I guess that's next for the 360 and Sony. (But then, the Sony office documents would only be viewable on Sony devices...)

[GrayFox]

My system is somewhat similar to prime's 'last gen'....Radeon 1900 256 (I think that makes it a GT not an XT, I'm on the road posting from laptop), 4600+ X2, 1.5G Ram, XPP SP2. Somewhat, I said. Anyways, when it runs, it runs and looks great, occasional very minor chop, even at 1440X. But it crashes incessantly at seemingly random points....I made it as far as the bathroom/kitchen on the first level and gave up after about 5 hours off and on trying. Have the ATI hotfix. No overclocking on the system.

I've been looking forward to this for a long time, so I'll eagerly anticipate fixes or patches. Gonna crank down the video and maybe even try windowed tomorrow night when I get home.

Big SS2 fan, that and the original HL are my all time favourite single player games.
Heh I was getting all sorts of problems on my old board this game seems to HATE the nforce 4 pro series chipset/drivers. (First crashes to the desktop when I keep trying to play it went to bsod's).

[mas0n]

I have not been able to get the demo to run on Vista x64, while searching for a solution I ran accross this:

Bioshock Demo, now with more rootkit! (http://www.gamingbob.com/2007/08/23/bioshock-installs-rootkit-including-demo/)

how nice of them

[Cyclonite]

I have not been able to get the demo to run on Vista x64, while searching for a solution I ran accross this:

Bioshock Demo, now with more rootkit! (http://www.gamingbob.com/2007/08/23/bioshock-installs-rootkit-including-demo/)

how nice of them

Clarification: "*REFERENCES TO ROOTKIT HAVE BEEN REMOVED, FURTHER INVESTIGATION HAS REVEALED A MISUNDERSTANDING IN THE THE SECUROM SERVICE"

Is it a rootkit if the SecuROM folks openly tell you about it?

[keto]

NForce4 does seem to be the culprit in my case. I updated bios and drivers on my A8N-E and it does run better but still crashes periodically, just not as often.

[Cyclonite]

I played the PC demo. I have to say, it does look better on the PC. textures are much crisper, and it has a nice feel. I definitely liked the controls better. However, I'm used to the XBox 360 controls, so I still don't mind playing on the console.

//Edit: And another quick article about the Bioshock "rootkit," or lack thereof. ;)

http://www.corpnews.com/node/177

[Your Amish Daddy]

Man this game is something else. Plays great on my half-powered system. So well in fact that I think I may just replace my power supply. 1024x768 I ran about an average of 69fps. Very sweet.

[Sledgehammer70]

Actually Sony and Microsoft have created PCs with proprietary hardware and OS, not true console systems. Sorry.

define gaming console... GPU - CPU and memory how is it any different?

[steelclash]

Sledge, have you tried BioShock on your dv8000t? (IE: tried using the new nvidia drivers with the 7600 go?)

163.44 is the new driver number. Just asking because I'm reluctant to update drivers unless it's really needed.

[Sledgehammer70]

I no longer own my dv8000t :( I am now a proud owner of a ASUS F3 series notebook with a 8600GS and a C2D T7500 :), In regards to the ASUS laptop BioShock runs great :)

the review for the ASUS laptop will be posted any day now... here (http://icrontic.com/articles/how_to_choose_a_laptop) is a link to the first half :)

[steelclash]

I no longer own my dv8000t :( I am now a proud owner of a ASUS F3 series notebook with a 8600GS and a C2D T7500 :), In regards to the ASUS laptop BioShock runs great :)

the review for the ASUS laptop will be posted any day now... here (http://icrontic.com/articles/how_to_choose_a_laptop) is a link to the first half :)

/drool

I guess I'll just give it a whirl.

[Your Amish Daddy]

[Smug Prick Mode:ON]Know what's weird? Everyone that grabbed the demo I know had problems with drivers or this or that. I haven't updated my video drivers since...I recompiled the 7.3 driver. Odd. Wonder why I didn't have any problems, even on my damaged and half-powered hardware?[Smug Prick Mode:OFF]

[LightBright]

Man this game is something else. Plays great on my half-powered system. So well in fact that I think I may just replace my power supply. 1024x768 I ran about an average of 69fps. Very sweet.

Waaah! Your "half powered" system is still better than mine! I had been running your typical 5-10 dollar bin games, so I was still quite happy with my old PIII crammed into an old 386 case running at a measly 1ghz. That, a PCI based Vanta graphics card, with 256 megs of ram (NOT DDR!) and a 40 gigabyte hard drive made me happy. Back then I was running a junkyard salvaged 17 inch Hitachi screen from the mid 90s, which did flicker from time to time, but a sharp whack to the side of the screen always cleared it.

And then I discovered Knights of the old republic 1 and 2. My P3 was perfectly willing to keep up, but the PCI graphics card just couldn't handle it, even with the resolution as low as it could possibly go.

Out with the old and in with the....not quite as old.

I was all proud of my latest build, until you had to go and say that Mr Amish man...

It's pitiful compared to yours
AMD Sempron 2200+
160 Gigabyte (not Sata, old school EIDE)
624 megs of DDR 3200
Geforce 8600 AGP card
Sound Blaster Live audio
21 inch Dell Black CRT...that one I'm proud of. Crystal clear, weighs a ton, and dominates the desk...as it should.



But it plays KOTOR2 like there's no tomorrow.

[Your Amish Daddy]

I'm running a 650W system on 430. Half powered.

[LightBright]

Oh, well now I guess I feel a bit better, but the specs of my baby still pale in comparison to nearly everyone else here.

[Your Amish Daddy]

Well, if all you do is surf the interwebs and play aged video games, you're set. But if you wish to play the new games, might wanna try a gaming video card and a beefier chip.

[Sledgehammer70]

Geforce 8600 AGP card ? last I check they didn't make a 8600 in AGP :) did you mean 6800?

[LightBright]

feh, my mistake. It's even more lowely, it's only an old 6600. Still, it rocks my socks compared to the old PCI Vanta LT I had been running. 1024x768 at 32 bit color? I think so!
before was a stuttering 640x480 at 16bit color