Support NeoGAF

[gollumsluvslave]

I must have got lucky - barring the audio mix issue, which can be frustrating, i've had one crash on Bioshock, and so far in Bio 2 i've had no issues. Bio 2 looks much better than I remember as well, so it seems to have fared better in the remaster so far, audio mix seems much better as well.

Even just having got to Ryan's Amusements it underlines how much better Bioshock 2 is from a mechanical point of view, everything is just better - the UI, the controls, the dual wielding, the starting weapons, the gunplay.

Hoping my replay of Bio 2 holds up to what I remember because the original has aged badly in the 3 years since I last played it, but most of that is in the mechanics to be honest; once you've played a game a few times it can't just stand on the narrative, world and voice acting, the gameplay has to be there and I was quite surprised at how many times this play through Bioshock felt like a chore, especially after Hephaestus.

Bioshock certainly hasn't held up like my replay through Dead Space on BC a few months back.

 

[RodzTF]

Just finished BS2 for the first time. Interested to hear the opinions of people who think it's better than BS1.

In terms of mechanics, it wholly is. Cycling through both plasmids and weapons was cumbersome and antiquated so having them in each hand is a large improvement. Although it makes sense as this time you're a Big Daddy so are physically able to hold weapons one-handed. The pacing and more linear structure (removal of backtracking) also betters BS1.

However, for me BS1 has the more engaging story, even though it loses focus in the last third. As well as more memorable characters and locations. The locations in BS2 kinda blended into each other, and let's face it, there ain't no Fort Frolic.

So my ranks would be:

BS1 - 9/10
BS2 - 7.5/10

So, what made BS2 better for you guys?

 

[AgeEighty]

Just finished BS2 for the first time. Interested to hear the opinions of people who think it's better than BS1.

In terms of mechanics, it wholly is. Cycling through both plasmids and weapons was cumbersome and antiquated so having them in each hand is a large improvement. Although it makes sense as this time you're a Big Daddy so are physically able to hold weapons one-handed. The pacing and more linear structure (removal of backtracking) also betters BS1.

However, for me BS1 has the more engaging story, even though it loses focus in the last third. As well as more memorable characters and locations. The locations in BS2 kinda blended into each other, and let's face it, there ain't no Fort Frolic.

So my ranks would be:

BS1 - 9/10
BS2 - 7.5/10

So, what made BS2 better for you guys?

I agree with you entirely. The mechanics were improved in B2 over B1, but in terms of story it's an order of magnitude weaker than the first game. And story is what I think BioShock's greatest strength is.

They basically just took the themes from BioShock the first and tried lamely to turn them around toward the opposite end of the sociopolitical spectrum. It was like that lame movie conservatives put out to dispute "An Inconvenient Truth".

 

[RodzTF]

I'd also add for anyone who has just bought the collection or just started BS1, once you complete don't start BS2 straight away. I took a month break and it was very beneficial to not getting burnt out as BS2 is very, very similar, just with better combat.

May start Infinite soon as its a refreshing change of pace than it's predecessors.

EDIT: Is Minerva's Den more of the same BS2 formula? Or is it more exploratory/less combat?

 

[gollumsluvslave]

Just finished BS2 for the first time. Interested to hear the opinions of people who think it's better than BS1.

In terms of mechanics, it wholly is. Cycling through both plasmids and weapons was cumbersome and antiquated so having them in each hand is a large improvement. Although it makes sense as this time you're a Big Daddy so are physically able to hold weapons one-handed. The pacing and more linear structure (removal of backtracking) also betters BS1.

However, for me BS1 has the more engaging story, even though it loses focus in the last third. As well as more memorable characters and locations. The locations in BS2 kinda blended into each other, and let's face it, there ain't no Fort Frolic.

So my ranks would be:

BS1 - 9/10
BS2 - 7.5/10

So, what made BS2 better for you guys?

Personally for me the story resonates more - it's about what it is to be a parent, and there are real consequences to your actions when you seem them reflected in Elanor.

The pacing is MUCH better - it's nearly perfect.

I LOVE, LOVE LOVE planning a harvest in Bioshock 2, but it seems to me that it's a bit of a marmite mechanic - if you don't take to the harvesting and the planning involved, Bioshock 2 will be tough for you to love.

Some other highlights for me:-

+ Hacking is so much better in Bio 2
+ Gil the Great is just such a sad great character and level
+ Mark Meltzer- poor bastard, u really need to pay attention to his logs, but it's such sad counterpoint to the main story
+ Fontaine Futuristics & Siren's Alley - up there with anything in Bio 1, yes even Fort Frolic.
+ As part of the harvesting mechanic tehre is so much extra options in combat - River Traps, Paslmid traps and upgrades so much scope
+ Drill Specialist Build
+ Story and narrative gets better on subsequent plays for me - lot sof detail I missed 1st and even 2nd time, Bio 1 on the other hand get's worse each play through

I could go on and on...

 

[Toa TAK]

I'd also add for anyone who has just bought the collection or just started BS1, once you complete don't start BS2 straight away. I took a month break and it was very beneficial to not getting burnt out as BS2 is very, very similar, just with better combat.

May start Infinite soon as its a refreshing change of pace than it's predecessors.

EDIT: Is Minerva's Den more of the same BS2 formula? Or is it more exploratory/less combat?

It's still the same BS2 formula but the new characters, enviroment, weapon, plasmid, Big Daddy all give it a glean that separates it from the main game.

 

[Fjordson]

So I was printing something out at work and this was in the tray...lmao. This looks like a printout of Bioshock hints right? No clue who it was from. Has to be the most random thing I've ever encountered at work lol.

 

[Toa TAK]

So I was printing something out at work and this was in the tray...lmao. This looks like a printout of Bioshock hints right? No clue who it was from. Has to be the most random thing I've ever encountered at work lol.

Lol those are passcode numbers for unlocking rooms in the game.

Glad to see they're working diligently.

 

[Checkerboard Render]

Just finished BS2 for the first time. Interested to hear the opinions of people who think it's better than BS1.

In terms of mechanics, it wholly is. Cycling through both plasmids and weapons was cumbersome and antiquated so having them in each hand is a large improvement. Although it makes sense as this time you're a Big Daddy so are physically able to hold weapons one-handed. The pacing and more linear structure (removal of backtracking) also betters BS1.

However, for me BS1 has the more engaging story, even though it loses focus in the last third. As well as more memorable characters and locations. The locations in BS2 kinda blended into each other, and let's face it, there ain't no Fort Frolic.

So my ranks would be:

BS1 - 9/10
BS2 - 7.5/10

Pretty much in the same camp. Enjoy the mechanics of BS2 - well, most of them - but I've played it through twice (the original and now the remaster on the PC), and it just never grabbed me. The settings/characters/story were just derivative compared to BS1.

The levels of BS2 can be significantly more 'complex' than BS1 and I was impressed with that initially, but they seem to be somewhat of a habitrail and just blend into each other after a period.

 

[Fjordson]

Lol those are passcode numbers for unlocking rooms in the game.

Glad to see they're working diligently.

That's hilarious.

Bioshock really one of the goat games (and Bioshock 2). Haven't played in years, but instantly knew what it was when I read Neptune's Bounty and Fort Frolic.

 

[TI82]

BS1 and 2 are just so good. Infinite however... yeesh, that's a pretty turd alright. Can anyone even explain that random

Spoiler

Ghost

section in the middle?

IT COMES OUT OF NOWHERE and is never referenced again!

 

[Berserking Guts]

Wait a second, you're kidding me right? Is Minervas Den supposed to look this bad? The textures are fucking awful. Like they're not loading correctly or something. No way can I play it like this.

Ps4 version.

 

[Bedameister]

BS1 and 2 are just so good. Infinite however... yeesh, that's a pretty turd alright. Can anyone even explain that random

Spoiler

Ghost

section in the middle?

IT COMES OUT OF NOWHERE and is never referenced again!

Yeah, the whole

Spoiler

Lady Comstock

thing doesn't really make any sense. I have no idea why they put that in there.

 

[ScaryShark]

BS1 and 2 are just so good. Infinite however... yeesh, that's a pretty turd alright. Can anyone even explain that random

Spoiler

Ghost

section in the middle?

IT COMES OUT OF NOWHERE and is never referenced again!

http://bioshock.wikia.com/wiki/Lady_Comstock

It doesn't come out of nowhere. Booker and Elizabeth need her fingerprints to progress. Events proceed from there.

I'll never understand the level of scrutiny Infinite get compared to other properties. Especially when someone can say 2 is 'so good'. 2 is a bore compared to the Levine helmed games and abandons the level design of those two games which absolutely robs it of one of the defining characteristics of the series.

Playing the games back to back to back really exposes 2 as the off-brand BioShock it is. Levine reached much, much further than 2 ever tries even if he doesn't always land.

 

[gollumsluvslave]

http://bioshock.wikia.com/wiki/Lady_Comstock

It doesn't come out of nowhere. Booker and Elizabeth need her fingerprints to progress. Events proceed from there.

I'll never understand the level of scrutiny Infinite get compared to other properties. Especially when someone can say 2 is 'so good'. 2 is a bore compared to the Levine helmed games and abandons the level design of those two games which absolutely robs it of one of the defining characteristics of the series.

Playing the games back to back to back really exposes 2 as the off-brand BioShock it is. Levine reached much, much further than 2 ever tries even if he doesn't always land.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but when Levine himself stated that the whole Bioshock 'thing' is about attempting to give the player options (especillay in terms of exploration and combat), and then delivered infinite which is a huge step back from it's predecssors in terms of giving the player options within combat and exploration, I massively disagree.

I'd say respectfully disagree, but terming Bioshock 2 as 'off-brand' harks back to the launch with crazy vitriol about it being a cheap cash in etc, and is just incredibly off base.

You may well have found Bioshock 2 boring - that is only fair as I found Infinite an incredibly disapointing, turgid series of combat arenas, with scripted trigger points, bullet sponge enemies and almost no ability to explore and then plan a strategy for progression, like in both the previous Bioshock games, especially Bioshock 2 which was all about planning; so we obviously like different things, which is fine.

But 'off-brand'? If any of the 3 Bioshock games are 'off-brand' it's Infinite.

 

[Bedameister]

http://bioshock.wikia.com/wiki/Lady_Comstock

It doesn't come out of nowhere. Booker and Elizabeth need her fingerprints to progress. Events proceed from there.

I'll never understand the level of scrutiny Infinite get compared to other properties. Especially when someone can say 2 is 'so good'. 2 is a bore compared to the Levine helmed games and abandons the level design of those two games which absolutely robs it of one of the defining characteristics of the series.

Playing the games back to back to back really exposes 2 as the off-brand BioShock it is. Levine reached much, much further than 2 ever tries even if he doesn't always land.

Don't get me wrong I love Bioshock Infinite. I think Infinite and Bioshock 1 are the two best games ever made .

But still the whole Lady Comstock ghost thing just does not fit into the game in any way. It just feels odd. And it's a terrible boss fight, too.

 

[muzzymate]

Ok, finally received an answer to my support ticket about missing 5.1 audio / only receiving Left and Right channel audio on Bioshock 1 on the Xbox One. I'm saddened there even a question about this being corrected!

Hey there,

Thank you for contacting us at 2K Support and bringing this to our attention.We did indeed have some reports about Bioshock 1 for Xbox One not supporting 5.1 Surround Sound. I wasn't able to get an immediate answer about this and am awaiting confirmation on whether or not this will be implemented at a later date or if there is a workaround.

As soon as I hear back with an official answer I will get back to you, I hope this is satisfactory for the moment. Thank you for your patience.

In the meantime, let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Best regards,
2K Support

 

[SolidChamp]

Have they polished these up via updates for consoles? Fixed missing textures/effects?

 

[JaseMath]

Have they polished these up via updates for consoles? Fixed missing textures/effects?

No.

 

[SolidChamp]

No.

Ah well, time to sell my PS4 copy. I barely have time for games as it is lately. Can't be bothered to waste time on a less-than-stellar port. Rise of the Tomb Raider gets my attention for the moment.

 

[JDHarbs]

Game keeps crashing on me when I try to save.

 

[muzzymate]

Two weeks since I submitted the ticket of missing surround audio in the Xbox One version of Bioshock 1. Still no resolution or workaround. Sad panda

 

[FTF]

Sigh...I really want to get this and it be good. Still will when it's on sale but sad it's still not patched, etc.

 

[Gator86]

Sigh...I really want to get this and it be good. Still will when it's on sale but sad it's still not patched, etc.

Go buy a used copy. 2K doesn't deserve any money from this port. Still astounded they haven't announced a patch.

 

[muzzymate]

2K doesn't deserve any money from this port. Still astounded they haven't announced a patch.

And the fact my support ticket has the agent respond with they were not sure "whether or not this will be implemented at a later date" for surround sound audio in Bio1 on XO is a f-ing joke. I'm upset, especially considering this trilogy was promised to become backwards compatible "soon" almost exactly a year ago.

 

[Gator86]

And the fact my support ticket has the agent respond with they were not sure "whether or not this will be implemented at a later date" for surround sound audio in Bio1 on XO is a f-ing joke. I'm upset, especially considering this trilogy was promised to become backwards compatible "soon" almost exactly a year ago.

Yeah, that was astounding. This project was clearly just a half-assed cash grab which is an absolute shame. I'm still hoping that a huge patch comes out to fix everything like with the Handsome Collection, but that's not happening anywhere outside my imagination.

 

[Ashhong]

Quick question, I own all 3 on Steam already. If I'm reading right, I should now see available Bioshock 1 and 2 Remaster,which are completely separate games from the original. And there is no update for Infinite correct?

 

[Dream_Journey]

Quick question, I own all 3 on Steam already. If I'm reading right, I should now see available Bioshock 1 and 2 Remaster,which are completely separate games from the original. And there is no update for Infinite correct?

Yes, no update for Infinite.

 

[Mozendo]

Playing through BioShock 1 Remastered on Steam and just reached Cohen's level.
Holy shit this is probably one of my top 3 favorite FPS levels of all time

 

[Bedameister]

Playing through BioShock 1 Remastered on Steam and just reached Cohen's level.
Holy shit this is probably one of my top 3 favorite FPS levels of all time

You mean First Person Melee level

 

[CHC]

Does this still blow on PC? In terms of crashes and stability?

I wouldn't mind revisiting but I can easily wait if there are still problems to be ironed out.

 

[Mozendo]

You mean First Person Melee level

but i use guns

Does this still blow on PC? In terms of crashes and stability?

I wouldn't mind revisiting but I can easily wait if there are still problems to be ironed out.

There still are issues, I've crashed when using the gene banks if you jumps on some objects like some chairs and some couches you get instantly teleported around them but aside from that it's good. running on a 4690k with a 2GB 770 and reaching above 120+ frames with everything maxed out

 

[BlizzKrut]

Does anyone know if they fixed the random crashes on Minerva's Den?

 

[graybot]

Crashed just as I picked up the final recording in Fort Frolic (PS4)

Had meticulously gone through the level, collecting all items and finishing up camera research in nearly all the enemies...froze on the map screen and the last auto save was at the start of the level

Rather annoyed and doubt I will bother to go back to it

 

[rbanke]

Does this still blow on PC? In terms of crashes and stability?

I wouldn't mind revisiting but I can easily wait if there are still problems to be ironed out.

I recently played through the first one on PC and it crashed constantly for me. Bad enough that I was rotating through 3 saves for each level because I was getting a lot of corrupt saves. It took me forever to complete because I'd lose 15 minutes of progress to a crash and get frustrated and quit. Still love the game though so there's that.

 

[EJStyleS]

On sale on the EU PSN though...so that's something? £29.99 from £45.

 

[Booker.DeWitt]

has the ps4 version been patched yet? I am planning to buy on black friday

 

[Count of Monte Sawed-Off]

has the ps4 version been patched yet? I am planning to buy on black friday

I deleted them a couple weeks ago, but I don't think there have been any patches, and at this point I doubt there ever will be.

It is playable though, so if you can get it for cheap you might as well.

 

[Bedameister]

has the ps4 version been patched yet? I am planning to buy on black friday

Nope, nothing. I also don't think we'll ever get a patch.
But the game is still definitely playable. It's just a pitty that such small easy to fix bugs got in there.

 

[Gator86]

Nope, nothing. I also don't think we'll ever get a patch.
But the game is still definitely playable. It's just a pitty that such small easy to fix bugs got in there.

Disgusting. I'm probably going to pick up a used copy in the next few weeks. What a waste of what could have been a definitive collection.

 

[Chabbles]

This series could use a PS4 Pro patch, infact, this series deserves a Pro patch!

 

[DOWN]

This series could use a PS4 Pro patch, infact, this series deserves a Pro patch!

The game deserves any support or patch in general but they aren't bothering

 

[Josh5890]

I just finished the first Bioshock game on PC. I bought it several years ago with a Bioshock 2 pre-order on Steam but never played much of either of them. Since I got the remastered version for free, I decided to give Bioshock 1 a real try. Granted I chickened out and put the difficulty on easy but I enjoyed my time. The setting was cool. The characters were interesting to say the least. I'm glad I finally played it.

One sour note: The game kept crashing for me. I started saving randomly but I estimated that I lost two hours of progress combined because of this. That did dampen my experience a bit. I hope Bioshock 2 will be better when I get around to playing it (less crashing lol)

 

[Booker.DeWitt]

so I was reading the xbox one version is superior? will stick witht he xbox one then

 

[Chabbles]

The game deserves any support or patch in general but they aren't bothering

Seems that way, doesn't it. No labour of love here, just a cash in by and large.

 

[muzzymate]

Well this is disappointing. I've reported that Bioshock 1 in the Collection only outputs stern audio out of the Left and Right speaker on an Xbox One. Surround Left, Surround Right, and the Center channel do not output any audio on the Xbox One. Bioshock 2 and Infinite properly utilize all 5 speakers.

After going back and forth in a support ticket with a nice tech gathering details about my set up and performing various troubleshooting steps, another individual responded and then promptly closed my support ticket. Evidently the ticket was going to start violating some SLA.

Hello Chuck,

I have come across your message and reviewed the messages you submitted and received. I understand that Bioshock 1 you do not have 5.1 Surround Sound. I know how discouraging this must be. As a fellow gamer, I truly understand that we players, in order to fully enjoy the game need to get the real experience provided by the next gen and TV's we have. Unfortunately, after further investigation, Bioshock 1 doesn't support 5.1 Surround Sound.

I apologize for the inconvenience. If you ever have any another questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to open a new ticket, as it would be our pleasure to assist you further!

Of course, that's factually inaccurate, as the desktop version and PS4 version works correctly with 5.1 surround sound. The original 360 version had it too. This is obviously a dumb oversight that they are apparently refusing to correct (see the original PC release of the remastered Bioshock 1 which just didn't surface the option to change from stereo to surround audio until it was patched in).

So basically the response is similar to the hilariously sad response of the "Help! I can't stream Bioshock The Collection" support article. http://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/227187228-Help-I-Can-t-Stream-BioShock-The-Collection

Will never buy another Blind Squirrel project again.

 

[Booker.DeWitt]

Well this is disappointing. I've reported that Bioshock 1 in the Collection only outputs stern audio out of the Left and Right speaker on an Xbox One. Surround Left, Surround Right, and the Center channel do not output any audio on the Xbox One. Bioshock 2 and Infinite properly utilize all 5 speakers.

After going back and forth in a support ticket with a nice tech gathering details about my set up and performing various troubleshooting steps, another individual responded and then promptly closed my support ticket. Evidently the ticket was going to start violating some SLA.



Of course, that's factually inaccurate, as the desktop version and PS4 version works correctly with 5.1 surround sound. The original 360 version had it too. This is obviously a dumb oversight that they are apparently refusing to correct (see the original PC release of the remastered Bioshock 1 which just didn't surface the option to change from stereo to surround audio until it was patched in).

So basically the response is similar to the hilariously sad response of the "Help! I can't stream Bioshock The Collection" support article. http://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/227187228-Help-I-Can-t-Stream-BioShock-The-Collection

Will never buy another Blind Squirrel project again.

that sucks, I will buy this only if it is 10 bucks

 

[Lt-47]

Will never buy another Blind Squirrel project again.

They aren't the one who decide what get fixed or not, 2K does. And unsurprisingly they don't care at all, another cheap port with zero support

 

[muzzymate]

They aren't the one who decide what get fixed or not, 2K does. And unsurprisingly they don't care at all, another cheap port with zero support

You are right. Frustration got the better of me. I should direct my frustration more at 2K then Blind Squirrel. B.S. probably had a budget and timeline given by 2K and this is what they were able to deliver within those restraints. I should know better living the development world. I'm rescinding that statement.

To me, I'm just annoyed that 2K doesn't seem to carry as much respect for their property, for something that left an impactful mark on my gaming career.

 

[Gator86]

They aren't the one who decide what get fixed or not, 2K does. And unsurprisingly they don't care at all, another cheap port with zero support

I feel like everyone deserves blame on this one. BS seemed to waste time adjusting things that weren't a problem or didn't need fixing. Why spend time changing the Andrew Ryan statue at the lighthouse entrance? Why isn't there fucking AF? Yeah, 2K is the ultimate villain here, but fuck Blind Squirrel anyway. Everything they touch is a a jank mess. Any time I'm playing a game and their logo comes up I cringe.