Bioshock versus System Shock

Which game do you think will become the biggest classic?

Or alternatively, do you think that Bioshock will live up to the gameplay of it's spiritual predecessors? 

I think Bioshock will be the better game, but System Shock 2 will always be considered the best because of pure nostalgia.pundog

I don't think nostalgia has anything to do with System Shock 2's reputation. The game was good then and it's good now. 

[QUOTE="pundog"]I think Bioshock will be the better game, but System Shock 2 will always be considered the best because of pure nostalgia.Lilac_Benjie

I don't think nostalgia has anything to do with System Shock 2's reputation. The game was good then and it's good now. 

I don't think nostalgia has anything to do with System Shock 2's reputation. The game was good then and it's good now. Lilac_Benjie

SS2 and Deus Ex are superb games, just not really that accessible to newer gamers. Sadly.foxhound_fox

This is the main reason I fear Bioshock may not live up to the gameplay of System Shock 2. 

By the way, have you played Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines? You would most likely enjoy it.

[QUOTE="Lilac_Benjie"]I don't think nostalgia has anything to do with System Shock 2's reputation. The game was good then and it's good now. foxhound_fox

that's their strenght though. Nobody makes such games anymore, so there wasn't a chance for them to be surpassed. Unlike more traditional FPSes, where the progress is quite fast. Bioshock will in reality have to compete with normal FPSes, so even if it wins it will be surpassed eventualy. SS2 ad dx carved their own unique niche where they simply have no competition 

This is the main reason I fear Bioshock may not live up to the gameplay of System Shock 2.

By the way, have you played Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines? You would most likely enjoy it.

Lilac_Benjie

that's their strenght though. Nobody makes such games anymore, so there wasn't a chance for them to be surpassed. Unlike more traditional FPSes, where the progress is quite fast. Bioshock will in reality have to compete with normal FPSes, so even if it wins it will be surpassed eventualy. SS2 ad dx carved their own unique niche where they simply have no competition AdrianWerner

[QUOTE="Lilac_Benjie"]This is the main reason I fear Bioshock may not live up to the gameplay of System Shock 2.

By the way, have you played Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines? You would most likely enjoy it.

foxhound_fox

Yeah I love it. It has a very sadistic take on romance dialogue in an RPG. ;)

Indigo Prophecy started off incredible, but in the middle half of the game it introduces silly dance dance revolution type gameplay, and the storyline for the final section of the game is ridiculous.

that's their strenght though. Nobody makes such games anymore, so there wasn't a chance for them to be surpassed. Unlike more traditional FPSes, where the progress is quite fast. Bioshock will in reality have to compete with normal FPSes, so even if it wins it will be surpassed eventualy. SS2 ad dx carved their own unique niche where they simply have no competition AdrianWerner

Sadly System Shock 2 was overlooked because it was released in Half Life's shadow, so it's freeform gameplay never truly influenced the game industry like Half Life did.

"Lemmings" who have never played System Shock 2 before have no idea what they are in for. ;)

No. But I have been extremely interested in playing it! It looks just up my alley. foxhound_fox

do it. With fan-made patches it's easily one of top5 games of last gen. 

[QUOTE="Lilac_Benjie"]By the way, have you played Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines? You would most likely enjoy it.foxhound_fox

I just checked, and Bloodlines is also on Steam - if you don't mind the program, it's $20 there. Though TBH, I'm not sure how unofficial community patches and such would work with a downloaded version. :(Makari

I've got a non-Steam version of Bloodlines, so I can't be certain...but community/non-Steam patches definitely work for Steam versions of X3: Reunion and The Longest Journey, so I'd bet that they also work for Bloodlines.

Back on topic, I doubt that Bioshock will be as good as System Shock 2.
Citing Deus Ex: Inivisible War as my example, I'd say that improved graphics, better AI and multiplatform-ness don't automatically equal a better game.

I belive Bioshock will be an excelent game.. You can never be sure until the game is finally out, but i really belive it will be great.. But, on the other hand, i'm SURE that it won't be able to match greatness that is System Shock 2.. Today games strive towards technical perfection through simplification of game mechanics and because of that they lose some of the atmosphere, story and depth that past games had. It's not nostalgia, like someone already mentioned on this topic, but an observation from someone who has played games for a long long time.

Let't take Doom3 for example.. Today gamers find it scary but, to be that, you must play in a complete dark (even though entire game is dark by itself.. ironic, isn't it) and your speakers or headphones set to REALLY REALLY LOUD. Quick and cheap scares provided by a suprise to your senses, a simple screamer, nothing more. But how many times will you fall for a screamer? How long does it take me to realize that every new room i enter will have a monster or that monsters will spawn whenever i pick up a weapon. What do you have left when suprise factor is gone?? Really really loud sounds, good looking textures on monsters and a boring, monotonous game. Don't get me wrong, this is not about Doom3 exlusively, but it was just easiest to pick apart :)

What i't trying to say is that you have to play System Shock 2 to find out what immersion in a game actually is. You live with your character, you empathise with it. I was in a tiny room searching for ammo and nanites when i heard a mutant scream somewhere outside.. Then everything went quiet again. For 10min i was stuck in that room and didn't want to get out, that's how scared i was. I mean, i was aware that i could go out, die, then load, then load again, etc.. But i didn't want to do that. I wanted to survive like it's really my life on the line. I won't say anything more to spoil a game. But sad thing is that games today don't have that kind of atmosphere anymore. Today games i play carelessly, die alot, load alot, standard routine. It's like my only motivation is to actually finish the game rather than enjoy playing it when it should be other way around. Bioshock will be great but it won't be what SS2 was in terms of atmosphere and gameplay, let alone surpass it. Another argument for that is that Bioshock is console title and you probably know where i'm going with that :) 

I think Bioshock will be the better game, but System Shock 2 will always be considered the best because of pure nostalgia.pundog

I don't think Bioshock will be better, it looks damn good but SS2 was brilliant. 

Both System Shocks were critical successes that started cult followings. But both were commercial failures. I see Bio Shock being no different. :(Carmilla31

I think you're wrong. Both System Shocks were complex games which didnt appeal to masses and hence they failed. I think irrational is well aware of that and will simplify the gamaplay to make it more appealing for console crowd and that's why i think it will be a success and also why it won't live up to it's spiritual predecessors..