by Bret

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Morn!

I’m going to meet an old Uni mate today. So that’s nice.

Catching up is excellent and recommended. In this case, I know hilarity will ensue as it always does. Together, I and this fella came up with a cast of really weird characters that I’ve mentioned before- the Inquisition.

Legmouth, Sensipenis, Panface, Emotobot, Mortod… the list goes on. Oh wait- Manbrella too. I really ought to tell you more about them one day, if I can find a non-offensive way to do it. I tried drawing them- it did not go well:

Meanwhile, I completed Bioshock last night (perhaps I was a tad further in than three quarters!). Well, blow me down… the title does make sense and so does all the other stuff I was iffy about. Vigors are still vague but I guess they’re something to do with quantums. Anyway, words eaten.

Tomorrow!

 

[sociable]

Our Daily Beard

Weeee.

I’ve been playing my way through Bioshock: Infinite slowly but surely. I think I’m about three quarters through.

I still don’t like the title. It should have been Bioshock 3, or a whole new series. Or am I wrong?

I’m loving the gameplay. Great combination of tactics and frantic action. Elizabeth as support is cool- it’s so good to have a helpful NPC who you don’t have to babysit.

I’m loving the plot too, with its wibbly wobbly dimensional quantums. It’s fresh and interesting with a nice mystery to discovery ratio. The setting is great too- it’s Bioshock in the sky, with a religious leader instead of an industrialist. Great, pretty, stylish.

I think what bugs me is the vigors. Okay, nothing in the setting is explained in detail- you’re meant to be along for the ride- but the whole drink it and gain powers thing could just do with a bit more detail, surely? I can’t decide if I like how similar it all is to Bioshock 1 and 2. I mean, it’s just the same game but in the sky and with quantums happening. Plus the inclusion of a bird and a chick.

I keep expecting a revelation that this is all the dream of the Bioshock 1’s character, or a direct alternate-world version of Ryan’s Rapture.

The plot pulls it through for me because, despite some similarities, it’s original and strong. There are some great twists and turns and really strong characters, including Booker, who has a lot more personality than past Biojocks.

It’s not clear why Elizabeth runs around the place in a corset no matter how many shops you pass. Girl has awesome lung capacity.

 
[sociable]

Our Daily Beard

Morning has broookeeeeen!

Today I thought I’d just pass on the awesome news that the new Thief will indeed be an X1 title. Well, by awesome, I mean rubbish for those who don’t intend to buy it. For those on the fence, finally we have a game that could make the X1 worth the dosh.

Bereft of numerical signifier, this latest Tea Leaf offering will likely be a reboot rather than a sequel, like Tomb Raider.

“The team at Eidos-Montreal is thrilled to confirm that THIEF is coming to Xbox One. The next generation of home consoles allow us to create the best and the most immersive THIEF game ever. The feedback we have received so far is simply amazing and we can’t wait to show more of THIEF at E3 this year” said Stephane D’Astous, General Manager, Eidos-Montréal. Nobody knows why he kept shouting the word ‘thief’.

Get your tease on here: http://www.thiefgame.com/

The appearance of complex gadgets always annoys me in medieval games, but there is some precedent for weird tech and suchlike in Thief so I’m going to allow it.

 
[sociable]