Shorten Bioshock, would you kindly?
I’m a happy gamer. Don’t get me wrong. I know you’ll read the title and be like “WTF?!21 R U F N CRAZY !!1/?” and, to answer this question: maybe. However, I’ve been playing Bioshock for quite some time now. Killing away the hours icing, frying, burning, and even hypnotizing. I’ve waited. Oh how patiently I’ve waited. Hanging on to every last level for some element of resolve. But the game just goes on. And on. And on. And on. And on. I mean, I know gamers complain about games lacking longevity. And usually the argument is posed that a game is far too short, and, as such, that is normally the case. But allow me to pose the argument that games, just like other mediums of the entertainment industry, could go on for too long.
To put this in some sort of filmic perspective take The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, or The Good Shepherd, for two examples. Both of these movies are gems, and each highly engrossing efforts. HOWEVER, Like both movies, Bioshock feels like its suffering from over-exposure. It’s trying so very hard to twist, and to turn, and to shock, and to sway, but there’s only so many re-inventions of the same narrative I can hold on to. I feel as if I’m being alienated further and further from the concept I put so much mental stock into. The twist was brilliant, better yet; fantastic! But laying all your cards down on the table with so much of the game still to go? If you’re going to hit me with something, leave me breathless. Blind-side me and leave me for dead. Don’t hit me, allow me to regain full awareness, and give me ample time to get over it and move on.
I’ll end this as I began - I’m a happy gamer. Bioshock is a fantastic game, and elevates the XBOX a notch further. But I believe anyone can have too much of a good thing.
bs angel wrote:
I was actually chatting with a gamer buddy a few nights ago on messenger and he was discussing this exact thing. He hasn’t completed the game yet and can’t get himself motivated to finish it (I saw your newer article where you did complete it. Good job!) even though it is an absolutely amazing game.
Posted 07 Sep 2007 at 8:37 pm ¶
Lou wrote:
I too was talking to a friend recently who was supporting the argument. I’m glad it isn’t just me; I had this theory that with the amount of people hailing praise upon the thing I might just be a black sheep in the bunch. It is indeed a fabulous slice of gaming, none the less. One more reason for the PS3 to sit-in alone and cry into its Ben & Jerry’s at night.
Posted 08 Sep 2007 at 1:44 pm ¶
bs angel wrote:
Yeah, the criticism (although I don’t think it is necessarily that as much as it is simply observation) seems focused on the sheer length of the game and nothing else. I bet the RPG people didn’t even bat an eye at the game length though.
Posted 14 Sep 2007 at 11:07 pm ¶
AlanVa Ac wrote:
R u kidding me???
It’s awsome
Make it longer i say
Posted 04 Aug 2008 at 4:55 am ¶