That’s correct. You may be having the time of your life in Rapture, but let’s not forget its spiritual predecessor—the space horror game titled System Shock 2. Granted that SS2 is the sequel to the ancient System Shock, but I’m here to promote my retro review on the former.

SS2 is just plain fantastic. While I may have just started playing Bioshock, I would say by first impression that the predecessor’s earlier portions are much more challenging. You had to fight and claw for each ammo clip, bag of potato chips, or health pack.

We’re not even talking about the deterioration of weapons yet.

Without further ado, I bring you a System Shock 2 retrospective review. Have you ever experienced a piece of video game history?

Post from: EveryJoe

Before Bioshock’s superiority was System Shock 2’s piss-inducing frights

I haven’t played Bioshock myself. Aside from the physical barrier of not being able to get a copy because it’s not out yet, my PC’s limitations (despite its still-decent ability) might force me a premature upgrade before I truly get to enjoy this new FPS.

The worst part? According to a few game journalists who got an early ticket to Rapture, the game is really as good as advertised. Maybe even better.

IGN’s Charles Onyett says there is “art [in Bioshock], despite what many would say isn’t possible with games, from Roger Ebert to game designers like Hideo Kojima.” Onyett even goes as far as proclaiming that Bioshock is a wake-up call to the industry at large because playing the game will make you realize why you should demand more from publishers and developers.

Gabe Graziani of GameSpy labels Bioshock not as the spiritual successor of System Shock 2, but as its “spiritual superior.” Pretty strong words for a new game being compared to the proven classic. Graziani adds that “it’s impossible to not recognize the brilliance flooding your senses.”

Andrew Pfister over at 1UP asks if a videogame can make you feel guilty and presents a good scenario involving the Little Sisters and Big Daddies. This after raving about how worthy the game is of your time and money.

As I’ve revealed earlier, the Little Sisters are designed to ask you the moral question of killing malnourished children. If a game is capable of raising these questions, then the developers are indeed doing something right. An emotional connection to games is something you don’t encounter every day (or year).

Let the Xbox 360 gamers cheer for having another outstanding game in their library. In addition, they don’t have to worry themselves over the question of system requirements. After all, they already have enough problems (**cough RRoD cough**).

Post from: EveryJoe

Bioshock reviews tell us there’s more to the hype

You’ve heard the news: the Bioshock demo is now available over Xbox Live. As you join the queue along with many other enthusiasts, do take the time to ponder on an interesting tidbit while you wait—it’ll take a while.

Senior designer Joe McDonagh told CVG that when Bioshock was being pitched around, many publishers weren’t interested.

“I remember pitching the game to one publisher who later told a friend of mine that it was ‘just another f**king PC FPS that’s going to sell 250,000 units.’”

While I’ve never played the game myself and I’m still lamenting over not having a PC demo, I think Bioshock is hardly another PC FPS. For one, it seems to be a lot like System Shock 2, a game that requires you to creep silently, conserve ammo, and plan before leaping to action.

Sure, you can take the ‘just another PC FPS’ approach’ and rush headlong into a room with guns a-blazing. Just don’t expect to get far. This is how System Shock 2 works. And you know what? It looks like this is how Bioshock will work as well.

Ask me again when I get the retail copy of the game.

Post from: EveryJoe

Bioshock is just another PC FPS, says publisher

Patrick, the Ironic Gamer, posted news that Bioshock, the spiritual successor to System Shock 2, is not banned in Singapore. This news comes as a relief to all the gamers in Sunny Island because as you may have heard previously, The Darkness was banned in the city-state.

Must be all that tentacle action.

Take note: Singapore’s Media Development Authority hasn’t failed Bioshock just yet, but according to Alan Chou, Xbox’s marketing manager in Singapore, the game will “certainly pass through the censorship process.”

Read

Post from: EveryJoe

You can play Bioshock in Singapore, but you still can’t chew gum

My current favorite is Psi Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy. Yes, it got great reviews on the PlayStation 2, but I like the PC version better because I can use the keyboard and mouse for moving around. Psi Ops’ Havok 2 physics engine makes the game a very enjoyable romp, and it brings out my creativity in beating the crap out of enemy fodder.

Half-Life 2 is a perennial choice, thanks to Counter-Strike Source. Then again, I’ve yet to finish Half-Life 2 since I got stuck somewhere in the latter part of the game. Some game expert I am.

I’ve also returned to Von Braun, the starship from hell that you have to outlive in System Shock 2. I love this RPG/shooter hybrid because it reminds me a lot of Event Horizon, that über-cool sci-fi/horror flick that came out a decade ago. Bioshock, if you haven’t heard, is actually the spiritual successor to System Shock 2.

Outside the PC, I’m still playing Metroid Prime Hunters. Whenever my friends and I decide to hold a DS party, I bring this along because it’s the closest thing to Counter-Strike for the handheld. You won’t find me in the Nintendo WFC rankings, though. I always get my rear end handed to me when I play there.

Enough about me. I want to know what you’re currently playing.

Post from: EveryJoe

Games I’m currently playing