Hey, remember that Bioshock Infinate game that I was on about? You know, the one that won game of show at the E3 Critic Game Awards? Do you remember me saying they had that crazy demo behind closed doors which had everyone running around going crazy, shitting candy and everything? Well here it is. Enjoy!
Irrational's BioShock Infinite E3 2011 demo was enthralling, exhilarating, and any other word you can pluck from the cavalcade of adjectives that convey astonishment at how a city in the sky and its residents sprang to life and instantly captivated audience members sitting slack-jawed in the 2K Games booth. It was a memorable moment in a show peppered with memorable moments, but it was also a vastly surreal one whose conclusion prompted an unexpected question: What did I just see? Surprisingly, it wasn't the content that ignited some lingering doubt, but rather the method used to display it.
The brief tour through Columbia revealed social upheaval, a blooming relationship between Booker and Elizabeth, and a semi-mechanical monstrosity whose affable name stood in strong contrast to its shrill, and suitably disturbing, cry. And to quote every movie review from Rolling Stone, Infinite proudly brandished its shooter chops with an "action-packed roller-coaster ride" shoot-out amid the city's unique form of transportation. But what was ostensibly a normal demo gave way to something different. Each successive whiz-bang set piece tightened a thread that, if stretched beyond its well-rehearsed limits, would cause the entire illusion to come crashing down.
This wasn't a game demo. It was a movie with in-game actors who performed some approximation of the gaming experience. There were intense firefights; there were charming exchanges of dialogue; and there were even button prompts--all suggestive characteristics of an interactive medium, and yet this was distinctly not. There was no specific moment when this revelation occurred. If anything, it was a combination of things--an almost contrary use of deliberation in firefight scenes, in which shots were aimed, fired, and dodged with mechanical efficiency, versus character development scenes where Booker's perspective was carefully orchestrated to enhance the dialogue and its dramatic impact while it simultaneously attempted to make it look improvised.
This was all wonderful for showcasing the game's malleability, an expectation created by the original BioShock and the way it transcended traditional shooter conventions while retaining the genre's better qualities. In that sense, the demo was a complete success, but for any person sitting in that audience, there was no clear indication of how this same set of events pans out under normal circumstances. In fact, it raised countless questions: How scripted was the interaction between Elizabeth and Booker? Does she always say the same things? How is it possible to navigate the skylines with no sense of danger? What happens if Songbird sees Booker earlier? Is Elizabeth ever really in danger? What happens when a player does something that wasn't just laid out with such exacting means?
These were but a few questions that sprang to mind, and while answers are forthcoming as Irrational and 2K loosen their protective grip, teaser trailers usually generate these kinds of questions--not playable demos. Still, some might be wondering why this was even an issue when games like Modern Warfare rely heavily on similarly scripted demos.
The answer is twofold. First, scripting is a dirty word. It conjures images of enemy soldiers that run to their designated spots in the environment regardless of what's happening around them. Scripting is suggestive of an experience where the player has no real impact on what goes on in the world. Over the past few years, the Modern Warfare series has familiarized and popularized this experience.But there's no such expectation (or more specifically, anticipation) for a similarly structured BioShock game and that's the second part of this equation. The original touted freedom on varying levels, and while some choices admittedly didn't have as much of an impact on the gameplay as originally advertised, the illusion of freedom was still significant and important in differentiating it in a market clogged with first-person shooters.
The E3 2011 BioShock Infinite demo projected no such illusion. It was a tightly controlled and highly entertaining spectacle that inadvertently conveyed the prospect of a BioShock that falls outside the purview of its forebears. At any rate, all of this will probably change as the months go by and we see more of the game. Once Irrational releases a video of the demo, be sure to check it out. It won't produce quite the same disconnect, since it will be a movie at that point, but it will give greater context to the aforementioned rambling from a fan.
Just when I thought I couldn't get any more excited for this game, Eurogamer give us this little bit of information about Bethesda's new open world fantasy adventure.
"A few new tidbits of information on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim have sneaked out of Bethesda HQ, including news that the game contains 60,000 lines of voiced dialogue.
According to PC Gamer, the long-awaited RPG sequel will feature unlimited dragons that can attack at random as you explore the game world.
Wounded dragons will apparently be unable to fly, offering an opportunity to engage them on the ground, potentially giving you the upper hand.
Slaying dragons earns you special abilities called dragon shouts. A few examples offered include power-ups that give you fire breath, a lightning strike, the ability to slow down time or a speed boost.
The game's guard system is reportedly getting an overhaul. In contrast to previous games in the series, if you commit a crime in one region guards in a neighbouring area won't automatically be aware of it and collar you on sight.
Bethesda has also confirmed that horses will feature in the game, with improved handling promised over Oblivion. You'll also be able to hop in a carriage for speedy travel between regions or automatically skip to places you've already discovered.
Oblivion's Dark Brotherhood assassin's guild return, along with a thieves guild, a fighter's guild and a mage's guild.
Finally, Bethesda has promised a much larger voice cast has been signed up to deliver that whopping script than worked on Oblivion."
Thank god Mass Effect 3 was pushed back until 2012! Lord knows what would of happened if they were released around the same time.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is released on November 11, 2011
We all know about the Call Of Dutys, Uncharted's and Gears Of Wars being the stars of E3 this year, But here is my top 5 pick of games which might of just flown under the radar, But could just steal the show.
5 - Rage
Bethesda sure know how to make a game. So when Rage was announced a few years back, many people were curious as to what Rage actually was. It turned out to be an action first person shooter with driving mechanics. The game is set after an asteroid hit the earth in 2038 which prompts you and other survivors to re-populate. No idea yet if there will be any baby making in the game or just shooting people in the face. Either way this game looks very interesting indeed.
Rage Gameplay Trailer
4 - Journey
"An exotic adventure with a more serious tone, Journey presents TGC’s unique vision of an online adventure experience. Awakening in an unknown world, the player walks, glides, and flies through a vast and awe-inspiring landscape, while discovering the history of an ancient, mysterious civilization along the way.
Journey’s innovative approach to online play encourages players to explore this environment with strangers who cross their path from time to time. By traveling together, they can re-shape the experience – creating authentic moments they will remember and discuss with other"
Its not often that a game tries something very different form the norm. So when thatgamecompany announced Journey, It felt like a breath of fresh air, Although that gust of air could be sweeping some sand towards your face, as the developers have created a stunning looking desert in which you will roam and investigate. I personally cannot wait to see more of this.
Journey Gameplay Trailer
3 - Dead Island
We all like killing Zombies.... Right? Left For Dead, Dead Rising, Blood Drive..... Okay maybe not Blood Drive, But if Techlands Dead Island is anything as good as there now infamous trailer was, Then we could have something real special on our hands. A beautiful open world holiday resort is the scene in which you will decapitate various types of flesh eating zombies, With a range of interesting fire-power and melee weapons.
Dead Zombie girl... Can't go wrong with that.
Dead Island Stunning Debut Trailer
2 - Battlefield 3
Of course Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is out this year. So should EA delay Battlefield until the COD series has gone away? No, They are not only trying to beat Call Of Duty, but they are looking to destroy it! After releasing several teaser trailers showing off there brand new Frostbite 2 engine which was simply developed for this game (Even using the animation system for Fifa) It is shaping up to be a destructive force in the Modern combat genre. Call Of Duty have a mammoth fanbase, some fans prefer Battlefield. If Battlefield 3 is anything like EA is saying it is, then a huge majority of people may well jump ship. EA will be showing off B3 multiplayer at there Press Conference so stay tuned!
1 - BioShock Infinate
My number 1 choice for game of show at E3. Irrational Games haven't released to much information about Bioshock Infinate,but its enough to show that this is shaping up to be an incredible experience. Fans of Bioshock will be truly excited that the series has taken a break form the depths of Rapture after the rather lacklustre Bioshock 2 pretty much exhausted what was so great from the first offering. Set on a collapsing air-city called Columbia in 1912, That change couldn't be further from the claustrophobic feel of the deep. The more information released on Bioshock Infinate, the more it shows that this is not just another Bioshock game. This game has a few tricks up its sleeve which will be revealed in its E3 presentation in a few days. Its my number 1 pick for a reason so make sure you do not miss it.
Bioshock Infinate Debut Trailer
Bioshock Gameplay Trailer
What do you think will be game of show at E3? Let us know on
