The BioShock Backlash: Negative Responses to BioShock Infinite

Bitmob: Critics and gamers adored Irrational Games' BioShock... so why are some of them reluctant to like the idea of BioShock Infinite? We examine the negative responses to the Infinite reveal.

[bearsfaan]

The first game was great, the second was incredibly dull and way too long. That's why I'm not excited about this new game. The new setting can only be a good thing though. I wouldn't want to go underwater again.

[mrv321]

The second one was made by a different developer while the first games developer continued with infinite.

[A Cupcake for Gabe]

It's the HALLOWEEN Effect. Each Halloween Movie was to be different, a new story with new characters. But people loved Michael Myers, and now 10 movies later, its milked.

Each Bioshock game will bring new beauty, new horror, a new iconic Big Daddy, all in that SteamPunk genre that we love. Bioshock 2 was not needed. The Multiplayer was not needed. The entire game although decent, is kind of a hinderance on the unique ideas that are coming with the Bioshock Universe.

It's not as bad as Snake's Revenge, but Bioshcok 2 feels a little out of place. A good game non the less. I can't wait to see what other creative takes the go in future installments. I believe it's safe to assume Infinite 2 won't happen, but another reimaginated world will be created for the 4th installment.

"""Side note: If this new Bioshock is in the late 19th century, Why is there a Big Daddy in the fish tank? I assume that it's just to give that cinematic trailer feel and relate the world. Cause Rapture was about 50 years later. Just a thought.

Cevapi88
That is a good idea. I don't know how they want to tie in the games(other than each having a unique take on the Big Daddy). But if the devs want to connect the stories together, family history is a great idea. That means in about 5-6 years from now, Bioshock 5 can have Time Travel.

[Cevapi88]

if this game is a prequel to bioshock...why not have the main character be andrew ryan's father or have him be the man behind this floating city and have ryan as a kid in the game or something, that would make him the grandfather of the protagonist in bioshock, it would connect the games in a really nice way, plus they could go into the story of how rapture came to be from the mind of ryan as a kid

[njr]

He's right on the money. They pulled a ninja on Bioshock 2, no one realized it was made by different devs. Hell, I had no idea either and found it to be dull as well.

[callahan09]

The first game was great and the second game was an improvement in a lot of ways, but just didn't have that shock and impact that the original had. It was a good game though. I am DEFINITELY not having a negative response to Infinite. I think it looks awesome! And the fact that it's made by the developers of the original not the sequel gives me confidence it have that awe factor that the second one was missing.

[Thrillhouse]

I understand what you mean. Bioshock 2 didn't have the wonder and mystery that Bio1 did, but the gameplay and story (I love love love Rapture's political and philosophical nature) definitely made it one of my favourite games this year.

[k280]

bearsfaan i couldnt agree more. 100% right

[Monkeyboy]

As far as I'm concerned, it can't be BioShock without Rapture...

[Eamon]

More importantly, it can't be BioShock without Big Daddies.

Apparently Big Daddies and Little Sisters aren't in Infinite.

I assume they are using the Bioshock name due to its fame.

[Magris]

Since when does Bioshock = Rapture and Big Daddies?

Bio = Biology = Human Genetics = Manipulation of those genetics to create cool and awesome powers.

And as far I'm concerned, Infinite still has those.

[Lucreto]

They have something like the Big Daddy. The robot with a heart connected to it from the teaser.

[zireno]

Yes finally someone gets it Bio =/= water

I saw a comment a few days ago that said that Bioshock infinite should be called skyshock lol
come on, by that logic the first one should have been called watershock or oceanshock.

I'm very excited about this new game, the setting looks awesome and I'm glad that they have changed some elements that were making the past bioshock games basically the same this will be (or I would hope) the real bioshock 2 instead of bioshock 1.5 like the second one was, don't get me wrong I enjoyed it a lot, but it was more of the same thing.

[turgore]

what ? i saw a big daddy looking thing in the trailer. maybe they aren't called big daddies but are something similar.

[MariaHelFutura]

If this kinda stuff interests you guys, you should look into the more "occultic" views of life. As far as genetic manipulation in the search of perfection/evolution is concerned.

Technology shall bring you what you wish. Technology is no different than magic.

[Thrillhouse]

Bioshock is about what humanity can do when not held back. It's about the previously thought impossible becoming a reality.

A city in the sky definitely encapsulates this.

[dirthurts]

I like the idea. It should be cool. Even though you can see for miles, you're trapped.

[BDSE]

What negative response? Are they making this up?

[Anon1974]

I wasn't aware that there was any negative feedback. I mean, all they've really shown is a trailer, which I thought was very cool. So far the comments I've heard have been pretty damn positive.

Bioshock was one of my favorite shooters in recent memory. I have Bioshock 2 but haven't played it yet, but I'm eagerly anticipating having the time to give it a run through. Personally, I'll save my criticism of this title till I actually have it in my console and I've spent a few hours with it.

[darkdoom3000]

I've mainly been hearing good stuff.

Rapture was getting kinda crowded.

[SKUD]

AIRSHOCK

[darkdoom3000]

does_not_make_any_sense_consid ering_the_first_one_wasn't_ named_watershock.jpg

[Eric Barrier]

Wait what!? Did I miss Auqashock?

[VersusEM]

I think BioShock Infinite looks pretty good, hell better than the first one. It just looks differnt.

[mistajeff]

i think the biggest thing that tarnishes the idea of infinite right now is bioshock 2. imagine if they hadn't cashed in on the first game with bioshock 2 and had waited all this time to announce the successor to bioshock; this. people would've been way more excited, i think. looking at all the bioshock infinite stuff really makes bioshock "2" feel even more like a cash-in. oh well.

[big_silky]

I think it's just way too soon to be talking about a new Bioshock, especially when it wont be out for another 2 years or so. the meh of part 2 is still too fresh in peoples minds.

[Ummm Da Dum]

loved bioshock 1. was unique style of FPS game with a great story. Bioshock 2 seemed like a rushed addon.

Bioshock 1 was in development for years. (given that they had to develop an engine to run the game on) but am sure when they developed bioshock 1 they spent years writing a story to make sure to grab the audience attention. this didnt seem to be the case with bioshock 2. the game came out about 18 months after the first one. you cant enhance a game and write another great story in that time.

now it seems like the same issue with bioshock 3. change the scenery will sell it. NO. spend some time writing a great story first, then enhance the game to fit the story

this is why i love the MGS games. The story comes first.

[Magris]

Bioshock 2 was made by a different developer.

The developers who made Bioshock 1 immediately started working on Bioshock infinite after they completed the first one.

So they aren't really rushing this one.

[Human Analog]

Lets get some facts straight. EA owns the rights to the System Shock name. Therefore we will most likely NEVER see another one unless EA milks it's ownership of it and ruins it by letting an incompetent developer work on it.

Irrational Games will probably never aquire the right to it (even though it is Kens IP. Such is big business).

This ones really inportant so listen up! Bioshock 2 and all of it's ideas (good and mostly bad) have nothing to do with the original group of designers. 2K just used the name for a selling point. Ken, and his team were already long gone and thinking of "Infinite". This will be the proper addition to the Bioshock world of ideas. Notice how I said "addition to the Bioshock World"? it is not a sequel. Bio = life, and Shock is self explanatory. The games created under the Bioshock umbrella are social, political, and religious statements. Each deserving of it's own individuality. The same way the Corvette has the Chevrolet name and so does the Chevette. For you younger folks, look it up. They don't make it anymore, and for good reason.

It also is a brand new game engine. All of this information is readily available to the ones who are willing to read beyond the trailer, and headlines. But as far as I'm concerned, the ones who already know are the ones that really matter anyway.

It is NOT called Bioshock 3! It's brand is Bioshock. The model is Infinite. Does this make any sense or am I thinking out of my ass?

[CobraKai]

I don't get it. When a sequel is released and it's more of the same, people cry foul. When it's different, people cry foul. I guess there is no pleasing people.

I for one love Infinite. I'm glad they changed the locale, yet still make it feel decidedly Bioshock. A floating city has just as much intrigue as an underwater one.

Now here's hoping the next one is in outer space!

[Highatus]

to be honest I wasn't interested when they announced Bioshock Infinite, but after reading about what its going to be about it definitely has my attention.

[blodulv]

Infinite should've been the original sequel/prequel to Bioshock. The first game was/is one of my favs... But returning to Rapture again for Bioshock 2 was a complete let down for me. Playing as a Big Daddy wasn't all that appealing either.

[ColManischewitz]

It's important to keep an open mind, especially on info based just on a mere trailer.