We Happy Few: 1960's Post War Madness & Psychedelics

     An uneasy feeling of paranoia completely permeates Wellington Wells, an isolated island town located in the southwest of England in 1964.  Compulsion Games' upcoming title We Happy Few is set in a place where players take the role of the only person not being medicated with the drug "Joy" into a life of blissful content and eerie optimism.

     The drug-addled townspeople are against any forms of deviation in their dystopian world, and have been made hyper-alert to those that don't conform to their "perfect" society.  If the townsfolk become suspicious and start to believe you haven't been popping Joy (and thus be labelled a "Downer"), they'll become violent quite quickly in an effort to eradicate anyone not taking their happy pills.  Players must find ways of blending while working out a way to escape the island town.

     In this first-person survival roguelike players begin in an underground shelter with a small workbench and a few supplies, and then exit into a procedurally generated world.  At the players disposal will be a multitude of ways of working it out, hopefully finding new tidbits and clues with each death.  Players will have to rely on a slew of skills such as stealth, combat, crafting weapons and devices, along with the need to hunt for food and supplies.

     One can even take, either purposely or accidentally through tainted liquids, the prescribed Joy yourself in order to appear to conform with this cookie-cutter society.  This proves to be a highly interesting game mechanic taking Joy slowly leads to brighter and more vivid colors in the world, with more upbeat music and other characters won't attack you in this state.  But at the potential cost of overdosing and suffering the consequences of dropping into a slowed down black-and-white world where hunger and thirst come at greater rates.  A brilliant risk versus reward system.

     We Happy few looks to be a wonderful survival roguelike steeped in the same atmosphere of paranoia as Bioshock and is currently slated to arrive on PC and XBox One.

     Source [ Kickstarter ]

Bioshock: Continuing on iOS (Where's the PS Vita version?)

     Shortly after teasing via twitter, 2K has shown we are now getting a return to Rapture via iOS systems.  The tease was hinting a literal return, because iOS users get the 2007 original Bioshock, albeit with some clear compromises in quality.  The frame rate looks a bit low, some fine detailing work seems missing, and the right side controls appear a bit questionable in more than single person battles from the video.

     There are currently no plans for an Android port.
     Which also makes me question, why aren't we PS Vita users receiving something?  It really is a dystopian location.  This is doubly disturbing because I use Android and love my PS Vita(s).  After Infinite, there's certainly an opportunity to open many more stories in this franchise.  In the Bioshock universe there's always a way.

     So far there is neither a definitive release date nor price, although "Summer" and a "premium" price have been stated by 2K.

     Source [ IGN ]

Bioshock Vita: Ken Levine Still Wishes He Could Do It

     Ken Levine has tweeted a few things about the Bioshock Vita that never came.  At one time, E3 2011, it was hinted that we'd be receiving a "unique" version for the Sony Playstation handheld system, but due to Sony and the publisher 2K couldn't quite get the deal worked out.

Wish I could do it myself, but lawyers and all that. I still love my vita.
— Ken Levine (@IGLevine) July 8, 2014

RT @chaddukes: @IGLevine what you had in mind for that game? --I was thinking a Final Fantasy Tactics style thing set in pre-fall Rapture.
— Ken Levine (@IGLevine) July 8, 2014

     Quite interesting to see what might've happened had this game been made.  I'm not the biggest fan of tactics-type games but given the person making it and the franchise, I would've definitely bought it.

     Since the closing and dispersal of Irrational Games it seems even less likely we'll see this type of game. Although the rights are there (2K owns the rights), and because this is a money making franchise, there still remains the possibility of future Bioshock games being produced, just not this one. Especially since it hadn't even begun.

Take-Two Games: Confirms Red Dead Redemption and Bioshock Sequels

     Strauss Zelnick, 2K's CEO, has stated that Red Dead is a permanent franchise along with GTA, Borderlands, and the NBA games- so a sequel is quite likely already in the works.  Since it's been 4 years since the last game, we might even guess at a potential announcement soon- possibly even at E3.

"I pretty much know the ones that I can assure you are permanent. It's obvious that GTA is a permanent franchise as long as we keep delivering this incredible quality; it seems quite obvious that Red Dead is a permanent franchise."

     This is pretty good news, as Red Dead Redemption was a huge and engaging experience and I've grown tired of all the Grand Theft Auto games.  We could use another good western game, the only two I've played that were this and Call of Juarez: Gunslinger.   Hell, I wouldn't mind a "Grand Theft Castle" or "Red Dead Renaissance" type game set in a fantasy realm or medieval era.
     Regardless, if it's considered a "permanent franchise" there'll be another game sooner or later.

     As for the expanding or continuation of the Bioshock franchise, Zelnick said this:

"We haven't given any color on how you should think about it yet except we do believe it's beloved; we think it's important [and] certainly something that we're focused on; something 2K Marin will be responsible for shepherding going forward. I don't want to say much else except to agree with you. I think there's a lot of upside in that franchise."

     Which means it might be a mere consideration at the moment, but because its popularity and "commercial potential" it stands to reason that they're looking for a way to continue the series after the dispersal of Irrational Games- there's an infinite amount of money waiting to be made from it.

     On the plus side of things 2k is focusing on the right aspects of making games and not just profit mongering:

"The risk of just [releasing more games] is that you end up just bulking up your release schedule and that isn't really what consumers want. Consumers want better, not more," Zelnick said.

     There's always a risk of receiving another glorious flub like Duke Nukem Forever.  Many might lament the potential for another The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, but honestly, I actually enjoyed The Bureau in how it broke away from the typical XCOM play and would fully enjoy a similar departure.

     Source [ Gamespot ]

Bioshock Infinite: Burial at Sea Part 2: Launch Trailer

     Look at this wonderful launch trailer for Irrational Games' wonderful Bioshock Infinite's last DLC add-on.

     "See the world through the eyes of Elizabeth, as she continues her journey through Rapture in a film noir-style story that provides players with a different perspective on the BioShock universe."

     I know what I'll be playing tonight...

     Burial at Sea Part 2 is available now.

Bioshock Infinite: Burial at Sea Part 2: Release Date and it'll be 5-6 Hours Long

     My love of the Bioshock universe is great, and with Infinite, I loved it despite it's flaws.  Then we got Clash in the Clouds- a story-less series of combat challenges, which I honestly had no interest in.

     A while after that we were given the underwhelming Burial at Sea Part 1, which ultimately felt like a prologue to something.  It was like the Bioshock version of a Borderlands 2 Headhunter Pack- minimal content passing itself off as full DLC.  (note: I did enjoy it, and just wished it were much longer, maybe have more stuff to do, more enemies, and places to search)  It was too short to hold enough substance, making it feel less than worthwhile- it took me well under 3 hours to complete and I'm a very slow player.  I like to take the time to search and look at posters and background elements, to really dig in, but the return to Rapture made it feel like it was mostly empty.  There just wasn't enough substance.
     Those were my 2 biggest complaints about Burial at Sea Part 1 - brevity and emptiness- which I mentioned in my review of it.

     But Ken Levine Tweeted this:

RT @AnthonyRav: @IGLevine Whats the estimated length of the dlc for a completionist? -episode 2? 5, maybe 6 hours.
— Ken Levine (@IGLevine) February 3, 2014

     Which gets my hopes revved up again.  I always want more Bioshock so I'll be buying Burial at Sea Part 2 to finish the story, and hope they find a way to get a new Bioshock Infinite on the PS Vita.  The Infinite name should provide ample ways of telling stories with the same characters in new and interesting ways- they have INFINITE POSSIBILITY!  Where is our full on evil Elizabeth as a main baddie?

     Burial at Sea Part 2 will release March 25th globally.

Bishock Infinite: Burial at Sea: Episode Two - Exclusive Preview Clip

***Potential Spoilers***



     Irrational Games posted this nice preview of the upcoming 2nd part of Burial at Sea.  Of course we knew it would be from Elizabeth's perspective from earlier interviews.  From the video I like the body of what looks to be the Booker/Comstock from the 1st Burial at Sea being dragged away, and then a sort of grayed "tear" looking Booker giving Elizabeth help once the body is gone.
     And then there's Atlus in person.

Bioshock Infinite: A Possible Songbird Explanation

     Spoilers ahead.

     Throughout Bioshock Infinite Booker and Elizabeth are chased by the entity called Songbird.  Evoking the Big Daddy and Little Sister relationship of the earlier Bioshock's, it made me wonder- who is in the Songbird?

     One clue is a Voxophone recording of Jeremiah Fink left near some design blueprints:

A Child Needs a Protector

These holes have shown me yet another wonder, though I’ve yet to see the application for it. They illuminate a merger of machine and man that is somehow the lesser, yet the greater, of both parties. The process seems to be irreversible. Perhaps, though, Comstock will have some need of this kind of thing to keep watch in that tower he is building.

     The implication being that Fink may have seen Big Daddies and based the Songbird on it.  Furthermore, if he did use another being in it, why was it so protective of Elizabeth?  (I also like the Big Daddy and Little Sister in the background of the scene of Songbird's death)  It would be worth mentioning that during the death scene blood comes out of the Songbird- see pic above.

     Here's what I'm thinking- mind you this is kind of far fetched- it is based on complete guesswork.
     Considering the path Elizabeth is heading in through the Burial at Sea DLC, becoming a violent protector of alternate versions of herself, maybe with her vengeful path she either puts a Booker or Comstock in the Songbird...
     ...OOOORRRRR...
     ...what if she puts a version of herself in it as a punishment?  Cage-ing the bird.  She does wear the bird and cage necklace- that I believe at one point during Infinite is the opposite of what you chose earlier, then returns shortly after.  I could be mistaken on that though.  (I would also note that it could be a creator's oversight- but NONE of the Elizabeths at the baptism are wearing the necklace.)

     Granted the Elizabeth in the suit theory is highly implausible, but a Booker or Comstock from another time or universe would be highly possible.  Anyways, this is just me thinking about the Bioshock Infinite game, and possible connections to the DLC.
     Then again, would Fink have let on if he had help from another Elizabeth?  He was essentially pilfering tech from other universes... then again, with Comstock's resources he may have found another interesting person to fill the role for Fink.
     I don't know- there are a few paradoxical issues I have with the end of Infinite anyway, so I'll post more stuff about this later.

Playstation Vita: How to Fix the PS Vita's Sales Problem

     I see Sony has a 3 part plan for the problems the PS Vita is suffering...
          ...and I see that they are horribly misunderstanding it's difficulties.
     It might be of note to mention that I've made no efforts to hide how much I love the Vita in previous blog posts, it knocks the 3DS out of the park as a gaming system.  Honestly, it's a tremendous piece of hardware, and the lagging sales could be fixed in a fairly simple manner.

     The issues with the Vita are quite easy to spot-

1. COST!  The cost of the system, and the proprietary memory cards, is absurd.  
2. Games.  Games.  GAMES!  More games.  More exclusivity and original games.
3. Stop pushing the remote play.  We bought a portable system to play it PORTABLY, not to be tethered to a console (I'm looking at you Wii U).  It's a feature, not a selling point.

     Sony is making a bit of headway though, with the announcement of a more cost effective Vita (large price drop) and a slew of indie games.  But if they really want to compete with Nintendo in the handheld systems department- give us things we want.  

     What do we want?

     We want more games.  Everyone that already owns a Vita will tell you the same exact thing- MORE GAMES.  I bought a Vita quite a while back and my only complaint is the game selection.  Sure I've got about a dozen games I really like on it, but where are all the heavy hitters?  The kind that rival Nintendo with the Zelda series.  More games like the exclusive Assassin's Creed: Liberation, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, and Gravity Rush.  All three of these were amazing games, and players would like more of them.

  

     We want exclusive games.  Good freakin' lord- can you imagine what a new game that takes place in the world of The Last of Us could do on this system?  A NEW version of Dark Souls, a NEW Borderlands or a NEW Bioshock would cement this portable gaming system as THE system to have. 

     Note that I specifically say "NEW" versions- we don't want more ports of console titles we already own.  We want portable experiences that the other companies and consoles cannot provide.  Less ports and more originals.  Real Triple-A titles that we can play on the go.  Sony, you have an immense potential with the Vita, so why aren't you using it? 

     Hell, new and compact versions of an Elder Scrolls or Fallout could go a long way to boost sales.  Killzone: Mercenary was a great start to the portable first person experience, but we want to see what the Vita is truly capable of.  

     Maybe, if Sony wants to sell some Vitas really, really badly- they could just make The Last Guardian a Vita exclusive.

     How many would get a Vita if it showed off better exclusive games with tons of creative ingenuity?  Make more games for kids and females.  Seriously, just the females portion of the gaming market has to be like a bajillion extra buyers.  Focus on creating games that appeal to their tastes.   And as for the kids- if they could release a Pokemon or Monster Hunter type game?  Instant profits.

     As much as it pains me to say this, there needs to be more grinding JRPGs for the Vita.  Many gamers are clamoring for it- why not listen to the consumers Sony?

     And while we're at it how about a screen capture?  

Bioshock Infinite: Burial at Sea: Part 1 Review

This is really Elizabeth's story.

Infinite Spoilers Ahead

     Burial at Sea Part 1 sees our already known, but slightly older Elizabeth (confirmed to be the one from Infinite) paying a visit to a new version of Booker DeWitt in what could very well be one of an infinite number of slightly varied versions of Rapture- which would explain things like the difference in how the Plasmids are used.

Rapture Revisited

     My initial complaint about this game is that we don't really get to explore the pre-ruin Rapture.  Anyway- our view of pre-fall Rapture is severely limited, and it feels very small and underpopulated.  Wasn't this supposed to be a flourishing undersea paradise?  Where the hell is everyone?
     There are small conversational bits you can overhear about people questioning Andrew Ryan's choices.  Familiar name drops, seeing the already disturbed artist Sander Cohen beginning to crack, and the start of the populace becoming suspicious of Ryan only adds the slightest touch of depth that Rapture once held.  It just isn't enough to be as immersive as any of the main games themselves.  This particular piece of Rapture, be it the original or a slightly different one, just feels empty.

     That leads me to my next thought- why would Ryan sink Fontaine's building when it was so devoid of people.  There are so few splicers there that it makes me question why bother?  Just send in one or two people to mop up a few mad splicers.
     Or- if he could see what was coming, why wouldn't Mr. Ryan gather up these human foreshadows into one place- a large group of them and then cut them off?  We get to witness only a couple dozen of the first to crack- why haven't some of the ones displaying signs get herded into the mix?

     As for the combat- it is sadly disappointing.  The rarity of finding ammo and salts is still around.  There are now respawning enemies,which should be a nice addition, but there just aren't enough to go around.  And while I thoroughly enjoy using the new Plasmid Old Man Winter and then microwaving splicers into exploding with the new weapon-Radar Range- it's disappointing because there's barely anyone to use them on.  There isn't enough salt or enemies to effectively lay traps and have a good time with the fighting.
     Then there's the Air-Grabber the renamed Skyhook from Infinite.  Because this section of Rapture we are confined to is so sparse it feels shoehorned in.  They could've given us a giant building to explore with a massive Skyhook system linking all the floors together, but no, we are given a couple of tiny enclosed areas where the rails are almost useless.  Such as the last battle- good luck using the rails there- out of the 5 times I hopped on to get away, I was snagged off immediately 4 of them.  Even with a Motorized Patriot as a distracting piece.

     Burial at Sea's biggest problem is brevity.  I spent a lot of time roaming and looking at all the posters and listening to conversations, and I still beat it in under 3 hours.  We were led to believe we would get a grand look at Rapture before the fall, and the scope we got was so small it's not really worth it.

Is Elizabeth Becoming a "Comstock?"

     The ending of Burial at Sea is extremely telegraphed.  If you paid attention during the game for Infinite, the clues are all placed well in advance in a heavy handed manner for this DLC.  What starts as a promising noir detective story ends with a predictable and sloppy twist.  This might as well have been called- The Infinite Failings of Booker DeWitt.
     With Bioshock Infinite's multiverse ending opening the door into endless possibility, why did we get another version of Booker as the bad guy?  When will we see him as the hero- in a role of redemption instead of a target of vengeance.

     Maybe we can find out why Elizabeth spouts off about morality, leads Booker on a chase to find Sally, then helps kill him.  Why not just walk in and kill him, we've seen that tears can be used to kill, so why the run around?  Sure she wanted him to remember his actions, but why not just make him remember by telling him?  For Booker it would've been a giant slap in the face to remember all this right at the end- trying to save one little girl and then recalling his abhorrent actions.  The purposeful misleading of the voice actor- being Booker instead of Comstock- doesn't help either.  Comstock wanted to leave his mistakes behind and start a new life, then he gets hunted down by an alternate version of the daughter he accidentally killed while attempting to not let her get taken by an alternate version of himself.  That's some messed up stuff on it's own.

     Perhaps the next part of Burial at Sea will give us a more in depth perspective of her actions.  She pretty much planned a murder in her quest to eliminate the Comstocks of the multiverse.  I'm also curious as to where all the evil versions of Elizabeth are.  This DLC definitely gave her a distinctly darker tone.  We are given the barest of glimpses into what Elizabeth may become- and that's it.  Maybe we can see a Booker/Comstock hunting an Elizabeth that is committing acts of wrongful violence.  What if she is killing the Booker's that start on the path to Comstock, but haven't had their chance to repent and fix the mistakes made and thus alter their futures.
     When will we get a perspective that paints her as a villain she is on the way to becoming?  Will she see that becoming a force for vengeance might be a bad thing?  Maybe a different Booker and Elizabeth pair might show up together and change her path.  Or how about the Luteces?  We know they are up to strange business, as usual.
     Elizabeth has unlocked near infinite power, and needs to learn the cost of wielding it.

     All in all, I can't wholly say Burial at Sea Part 1 provides nothing of true substance to the Bioshock namesake- but I feel a bit ripped off after paying for the Season Pass, as this content was as minimal as could be.  Now mind you, I don't "not like it," it's just I felt there should be more content to this installment.  One can only hope that Burial at Sea Part 2 will fill in the emptiness and justify the lack here, give us a compelling reason to complete Elizabeth's story.  If Part 2's story is good enough I wouldn't mind it being as short as this one.

Bioshock Infinite: Burial at Sea - News and Fact From Myth Trailer

     Ever since Bioshock first released I've been infatuated with Andrew Ryan's submerged utopian city Rapture.  Bioshock Infinite's Colombia was a great place but something about the sunken and claustrophobic Rapture really caught my mind.

     Here's an interesting promo video: Fact From Myth



     With the upcoming Bioshock Infinite: Burial at Sea: Episode 1, we not only get to return, but we get to see it as a living, thriving place before the fall.  In addition many items will have the names reverted to their original Bioshock counterparts- Salts are Eve, Voxophone are Audiologs, and for the newer things like Kinetoscopes and Skyhook- they'll get new names Need-to-Know machines and the Air Grabber respectively.  This will apparently all be explained in the game, and I look forward to seeking these out.

     Answers to why many of the Bioshock's denizens had specific abilities will be given as well.  Such as why the Big Daddy's had giant drills and the reason why the Houdini Splicers had teleportation powers. 
     Although, despite injecting the Plasmids like in the original, we'll be drinking them like the Vigors of Infinite.  And of course, we'll get some new ones like Old Man Winter, a fan designed freezing power.

     It has also been noted that supplies won't be as easy to obtain.  There'll be a bit of a struggle to maintain enough, and Elizabeth won't toss too many extras.  This would signal a return in difficulty to that of Rapture.


     It is set for release, as Irrational Games has said, "before the Holiday Season," at $14.99 or as part of the Season Pass.  This will be the 2nd DLC after Clash in the Clouds, the non-story based pack of combat challenges.