Blogoshock

IV. Convention Defied

Not unlike its spiritual predecessors System Shock 1 & 2, Bioshock is quite the genre bender. It's pretty novel in a FPS to be presented with a task like "collect seven enzyme samples and seven bottles of distilled water". While on the hunt, one comes across a corpse and a recorded tape. The message cautions someone to stay the fuck away from someone else's bees if they aren't willing to pay. When searched, the corpse has an enzyme sample. Hmmm...

Similarly, another recorded message is entitled "Water into Wine". Now, I don't remember the exact details, but the plot device is simple. Go to the Farmer's Market, and then to the Apiary's hives for enzyme, and the Winery's cellar for distilled water. The method by which the player is motivated to explore the area feels organic, and the conclusion of the fetching task takes you to a previously visited, deadend location. The sequence ends with being trapped in the cul-de-sac laboratory and having to hold off a platoon of splicers until the process is completed. (Luckily I was holed up with a Big Daddy that was willing to help me pass the time.)

Varied gameplay and excellent level design are making the game a joy to play, and a pain to put down. I really haven't focused on it, but part of what really makes this a stand-out experience is the audio design. It makes for a completely immersive environment, and the ability to listen to backstory while going about hacking, searching, and strategizing precludes any dull moments.

Sander Cohen's freaky artistic antics have me snapping pics and taking names. Stay tuned.


(You know, I couldn't find the Houdini splicer icon anywhere... Sorry for the lo-res.)

Happy TLaPD!!

"Go Under!!"

BlogoShock

Part Three: Variety is the Splice of Life

I've made it to and through Arcadia, the leisure park of Rapture. I reckon I should've wondered how they supplied oxygen to this underwater city... Trees, son!

New gameplay mechanics keep popping up, which is refreshing this far into a game. Odd junk items started turning up just before I found my first U-Invent machine, a nifty way of crafting (primarily) bad ass ammo. It's interesting the number of resources on which one has to rely: junk, health, EVE, money, ADAM, ammo, auto-hack tools, film... (If I had wanted to make a spreadsheet, I would've played Disgaea 3.)

Splicers have been keeping it fresh, with the newfangled ability to disappear and reappear while attacking. Startles the shit out of me on the reg. Makes a lot of previous tactics rather ineffective.

I did realize I haven't fought a Bouncer Big Daddy since the end of the Medical Pavillion. I've been getting pretty handy dispatching Rosies, and I think a rude awakening may be in store whenever I run into another up close and personal encounter. Oh well, back to the U-Invent for more armor-piercing auto rounds...

"This Adidas, bitch"

I hate thoroughly enjoy saying I told you so. So, yeah, I totally called it, like, over a year ago. Check the evidence fo' yo' self.

[Not a Rickroll. This time.]

Nom³

via HC13

BlogoShock

Chapter II: Kitchen Sink Approach

I have to say, after a slow start, Neptune's Bounty has gone swimmingly. Almost immediately upon entering the level, the first Daddy/Sister pair were shlumping their way 'cross my path. This time around the three Daddies lurking are Rosies, the long-range counterpart to the melee Bouncer. Even with a pretty nice supply of health and EVE, I ran into some issues.

I stocked up on Armor-piercing pistol ammo, but couldn't bring him down. I tried hacking some gun turrets before engaging it. Died. I tried waiting until a group of splicers barraged him, to no avail. I tried the Medical Pavillion technique but just couldn't put him down. Wouldn't you know it? It was merely a matter of addition. Decided to throw everything at this mofo except the Kitchen Sink (which I couldn't find, but otherwise would have thrown). Hack the turrets, let the splicers distract him, blast him with explosive cannisters, Electric Bolt him at every turn, and then unload on him. Voila. Tough cookie, that one.

Luckily, this made my third rescued Little Sister, and for this I got a very nice care package including the Hypnotize Big Daddy plasmid. (You know how much I love Hypnotize.) Between the Daddy-on-Daddy action and getting my grubby paws on the Grenade Launcher, the Bounty's Sisters were soon all accounted for.

But, fuck, these goddamn Spider Splicers. When enemies came at me with pipes, I took it in stride. I didn't even whine much when they started firing at me and tossing grenades. But when they start crawling along the ceiling and hurling hooks at me, I take it personally. Not enough that I had a specifically tough one to kill, but as I meandered around I was required to take research photos of them. Pretty neat actually, the way the photography mechanic works, rewarding good shots of enemies with tips, damage bonuses, and combat tonics.

I think I'm on the brink of some wild shit, fo' real tho'. Scraped my way through a splicer encounter sans weapons and am now on my way to the submarine dock. I've purposely avoided spoilers for the last, like, two years, though I have heard I've got some twists and turns in store. Don't worry; I'll keep you posted.

Leakage [TVC Roster]

Shoryuken did some digging and done dug up da dirt. The complete roster of the North American version of Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom was deciphered from some sloppy html. Most notable, as far as Killa Blog is concerned, is Mega Man Zero. He did pop up in SVC Chaos, though I've never really been an SNK guy, and didn't have much interest in that installment.

I have to say I'm pretty un-fucking-familiar with most Tatsunoko IPs. I know Casshern through exposure via Big Sis Prinny, though the film didn't really do it for me. However, on the Capcom side, I am pretty familiar with Ryu, Chun Li, Alex, Batsu, Morrigan, Viewtiful Joe, Mega Man Volnutt, and Roll.

I may have to consider picking this one up, though I have till January to debate it. It's hard to compare any Wii fighter to Smash Brawl, but, then again, Capcom crossover games only come around so often...