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System Shock 3
Yesterday on Digg.com I noticed that there was a link to a leaked copy of the PC Bioshock demo on Piratebay. Being a System Shock fan from way back I simply couldn't resist downloading the demo, which, due to immense popularity of torrents, downloaded in less than half a day. (Which is pretty impressive for having a DSL connection out here, somewhere west of nowhere!)
Anyhow, I decided to give the demo a whirl this morning, foregoing my normal morning news reading routine and man, all I have to say is "WOW"!
Bioshock has the potential of being a massive hit, which strikes me as funny considering the lacklustre sales, if legendary status of its spiritual predecessors: "System Shock" and "System Shock 2", two of the greatest (and scariest) games ever made.
(Actually, "Deus Ex" and "Deus Ex 2" probably also be classified as direct decedents of the System Shock games, however, the Deus Ex series floundered even more than System Shock and also lacked some of the atmosphere that made the System Shocks so very special.)
What becomes apparent as you venture into the Bioshock demo is that the designers absolutely loved System Shock and wanted to create a true heir to the series in every way possible, which, if the demo is any indication at all, they have done in spades!
The Plasmid and Weapon system of Bioshock is definitely reminiscent of the System Shock's upgrade system, but with even more cool options. There are even ghosts and tape recorded messages spread around the fallen underwater paradise of Rapture, which is a complete nod to System Shock 2.
I was able to get through the demo in about an hour (yes, on easy mode), which ends with a projected message from Rapture's creator; Andrew Ryan, which obviously sets up Ryan to take on the roll of omnipresent malevolent force, much like System Shock's infamous SHODAN.
It's somewhat hard to imagine that the outer space environment world of System Shock could be successfully replaced with an art deco inspired underwater setting, but somehow the designers pulled off the migration flawlessly and gorgeously. It's amazing to sit back and recall the faux 3D worlds of the Ultima Underground games (The first games to take the faux 3D concepts of games like Castle Wolfenstein 3D and Doom, add the dimension of height and turn the environment into an action RPG experience) that gave rise to the original System Shock and how in just a few short years we're now playing games that look better than most early CGI movies, with amazing fire, water and physical effects.
I guess my biggest hope is that Bioshock will be enough of a cash cow that somebody will consider System Shock 3, which any hard core fans will remember ends with a pretty decent cliff hanger.
Posted by Dylon on August 21, 2007 9:42 AM |
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Comments
Interesting post! I remember when System Shock was first introduced and remember thinking of how cool it was and how technology has evolved so much.
By the way, I gave you a little shout out here: http://lifeonmanitoulin.blogspot.com/2007/08/oh-how-we-love-thee.html
April 2008