PC Demo - 7pm EST Monday!

[mgpetkos]

From http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/home.html

PC DEMO COMING TO YOU ON MONDAY
August 19, 2007

The wait is nearly over. At 7 PM EST the BioShock PC demo will go live for you to enjoy. We will have exclusive pre-loading at Fileplanet. Set your watches for 7 o'clock!

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to download the latest drivers from ATI and Nvidia that will be available Monday for best performance with your video cards.

- Elizabeth

[neptuneuk]

= w00t


\o/

[Acepilotf14]

Already played the xbox demo...
But I'm sure it will be easier with a mouse...
wootness

[giant384]

YES!!!!
it be better on pc because the quality will be better :P

[DEATHMASTER]

**** this, I'm gonna leave for the beach 4 am. **** this release, I shall not buy this game out of pure hatred (doesn't mean I won't get it, muahahaha).

[Icarusintel]

They sure took their sweet f*cking time. I mean, I already have the goddamned game pre-loaded.

Edit: As an addendum -

They really screwed the pooch on this one. Alright, maybe they were waiting for the drivers, but did it run like absolute shit without them? I would hope not, since the game is releasing on Tuesday. Were they just hoping the drivers would be done on time?

Also, not only did X360 users get a demo almost a week before PC users, but they also got leaked working copies of the game and will be able to play the game earlier in general since they don't have to wait for a patch to unlock. Even with the DX10 and PC-specific UI (which should be a given, and not touted as something special) this still stinks. I think Irrational really f*cked this up, and, from the 2K boards, it's clear I'm not alone. Like others there have mentioned, I'm going to think long and hard before I give them my money ever again. Poor business practices should not be rewarded.
/rant

[Fliko]

Haha, watch only XP drivers come out and Vista users get ultimately screwed

[mgpetkos]

I really think the delayed PC demo is more an effect of that they really, really, REALLY want this to be the greatest game ever made. And that includes a flawless PC demo release (which needs more testing and care than a generic 360 setup), avoidance of release-day patches, demo patches, etc. I could be proven wrong, but this strikes me as a release which is driven by developer care and vision, and not by the bottom line.

[Shakermaker]

Pre-loading the demo. Thanks for the heads-up.

[Evo]

Pre-loading :D

[Gunner]

I was looking for the preload link but I forgot it was in the downloader.

Cool thanks for the info.

[A True Canadian]

I've got to give them credit. They said they would release the demo before the game shipped and they'll do so. Granted it'll be about 5 hours before the game is released, but they did keep their word.

[DEATHMASTER]

pfft.

[Stigmata]

I really think the delayed PC demo is more an effect of that they really, really, REALLY want this to be the greatest game ever made. And that includes a flawless PC demo release (which needs more testing and care than a generic 360 setup), avoidance of release-day patches, demo patches, etc. I could be proven wrong, but this strikes me as a release which is driven by developer care and vision, and not by the bottom line.That's what I thought too. It seems like they're being careful and concerned about the game's quality to a fault.

[CR0M]

Yet again the smart/dumb balance is upset by the wishful thinking and/or generic naivete of the consumer.

[poo poo head]

10 more minutes.

I wonder what the bandwidth providers are gonna see once the clock strikes...

[Qonfused]

Home from the theater just in time for the demo. :D

[Docm30]

Just finished playing it, and I can say I really enjoyed it, especially considering that I thought the game would be shit.

And for those with crappy computers, you are fine; I ran the game with everything turned on and all the options on high, and I swear to god it ran at a playable 20-30 FPS, give or take.

My system is as follows:

AMD Sempron 2400+ over-clocked at 2.0 Ghz
512 megs of RAM
ATi Radeon 1300+ Pro 256 meg (this was most likely the redeeming factor).

[hool10]

I hate when people link you to an official game site or something. Also this reminds me of the Quake Wars beta. Lag and more lag. Plus nobody has the file hosted. :rolleyes:

[Kyorisu]

For teh aussies - http://games.internode.on.net/filelist.php?filedetails=10800

[theotherguy]

This wins, 800kbps. Overtook my previous 5 hours of downloading from another mirror in 15 minutes :rolling:

Glad I hacked FP to get an account!

[mortiz-Redux]

The gameplay is no where near as deep as System Shock 2's was, but, for an FPS it's pretty good.

[Unfocused]

So what happens if I download from one of the torrents from the other thread? Is that a different demo there, with encryption 'n stuff (thx, FP)? The official site is hammered probably, won't load for me.

[Qonfused]

I'm just waiting in line on Fileplanet.

[clarky003]

Shit, I have to wait a month before I can play this decently on a PC :( this one just doesn't cut it.

[giant384]

I'm just waiting in line on Fileplanet.

use the free fileplanet subscription :P

im dling off fileplanet at a great speed of 155kbs on my crappy 1.5mb connection :(

[hool10]

I'm just waiting in line on Fileplanet.
Same. :hmph: On a lighter note I would just like to add these funny comments by Dekstar:
Dekstar: I have a dentist appointment tomorrah
Dekstar: I hope the dentist doesn't play Bioshock, and comes in with a huge drill on his hand
Dekstar: "LET'S SEE YOUR ADAM!" :laugh:

[Shakermaker]

I just came.
What a beautiful game.

[Unfocused]

Can't see a download link on the official page and I'd rather download the available-to-all version of the demo.

[Shakermaker]

Can't see a download link on the official page and I'd rather download the available-to-all version of the demo.

http://www.gamershell.com/download_20697.shtml

[ZoFreX]

Have another mirror! (http://liquidcreativity.net/BioShockPC_FP.zip) This is a west coast server, but I get a decent speed to my UK pc from it :)

[Unfocused]

http://www.gamershell.com/download_20697.shtml

Thank you :) Though the speeds are crap (30-50kB/s) and with my slow connection I'd rather need something resumable. I tried the torrent from the other thread, with a supposedly OK version but it's crawling slow.

[Shakermaker]

The Gamershell link has euro mirrors. Download speeds aren't capped either.

[hool10]

Have another mirror! (http://liquidcreativity.net/BioShockPC_FP.zip) This is a west coast server, but I get a decent speed to my UK pc from it :)
We have a WINNER! :thumbs: Getting around 190KB on that one.

[StardogChampion]

This thread is useless without SCREENSHOTS.

[hool10]

http://image.bayimg.com/nagoaaaba.jpg
http://image.bayimg.com/nagobaaba.jpg
http://image.bayimg.com/nagocaaba.jpg
http://image.bayimg.com/nagodaaba.jpg
http://www.qwiggalo.com/Chronos525/Bioshock%202007-08-20%2008-27-16-34.jpg
http://www.qwiggalo.com/Chronos525/Bioshock%202007-08-20%2008-32-31-89.jpg
http://www.qwiggalo.com/Chronos525/Bioshock%202007-08-20%2008-32-38-67.jpg

Gratz to the 'haus. Rumor has it that it's been pirated too.

[Laivasse]

So what's all the fuss about having the latest drivers? I'm downloading the demo now, but I just tried the Catalyst 7.8's and they completely screwed up Episode 1 for me (on an x1950 AGP) so I rolled back.

Any reports of problems with not-100%-fresh drivers?

[theotherguy]

wtf is this? all I can see are graphical artifacts and I just downloaded the lastest drivers :|

[Sedako]

Before I updated to the latest nvidia drivers, the demo would randomly error out. After updating, the average frame-rate increased and the error no longer occurred.

[theotherguy]

Well I mean ATI drivers. Does this thing even work on a 9800 pro?

EDIT;

Just discovered this game needs SM 3.0





















.... **** THIS!

[hool10]

Well I mean ATI drivers. Does this thing even work on a 9800 pro?
Rofl, no way man! It requires Shader Model 3 which that card doesn't even hope to have.

[Sedako]

Minimum requirement states "NVIDIA 6600 or better/ATI X1300 or better"

[theotherguy]

Jesus ****ing christ. What a waste. I'm not buying a goddamn video card for this game.

[Laivasse]

Anyone running the game okay on an ATI card? If so, what drivers are you using?

[Adabiviak]

Downloading now, thanks! This'll be a nice litmus test to see how the actual game will play on my rig. If it's not up to par, I'll do the upgrade I've been putting off before I play the game. I'd hate to ruin the experience by poor performance.

[theotherguy]

Downloading now, thanks! This'll be a nice litmus test to see how the actual game will play on my rig. If it's not up to par, I'll do the upgrade I've been putting off before I play the game. I'd hate to ruin the experience by poor performance.

Or you know, the entire screen being made of multicolored squares and random triangles...that kind of ruins the experience too. :frown:

[Asus]

Jesus ****ing christ. What a waste. I'm not buying a goddamn video card for this game.I wouldn't upgrade either unless it was for a few games or one I really wanted to play. Although you will be bumping into more and more games not supporting SM2.0. Been going this direction for a year or so now. Games will probably just end up supporting DX10 (SM4.0) / DX9 (SM3.0) to keep it simple.

[giant384]

Well I mean ATI drivers. Does this thing even work on a 9800 pro?

EDIT;

Just discovered this game needs SM 3.0























.... **** THIS!

what do you expect from a 4 year old card?

[Asus]

I'm going to uninstall the regular demo and try out the steam version. Make sure it works fine for when I buy the real thing via steam.

[Kyorisu]

Jesus ****ing christ. What a waste. I'm not buying a goddamn video card for this game.

You do realize how stupid you sound?

[StardogChampion]

Jesus ****ing christ. What a waste. I'm not buying a goddamn video card for this game.
Same boat as me with an X800. Just shelled out for an exercise bike and I probably won't even buy a video card this year.

Check this blog post - http://crankygamer.blogspot.com/2001/07/whats-killing-pc-gaming.html

182,000 out of 424,000 will not be able to play an SM3 game with the top 10 most popular graphics cards

Is that true?

[Sedako]

I'm going to uninstall the regular demo and try out the steam version. Make sure it works fine for when I buy the real thing via steam.

Good idea! *opens steam*

[Asus]

Same boat as me with an X800. Just shelled out for an exercise bike and I probably won't even buy a video card this year.

Check this blog post - http://crankygamer.blogspot.com/2001/07/whats-killing-pc-gaming.html



Is that true?My brother couldn't play Spiderman 3 (SM3.0) on his PC because he has an X800 XL or GTO card. He isn't a hardcore gamer but he plays CS Source and other games sometimes. He has been debating about either getting a Xbox360 controller for his PC or a used gamecube on ebay ($30-40?). Think he is leaning toward the gamecube atm rather than a new video card and controller.

I think a lot of people are in that boat. But then again ATI's SM2.0 cards were 3 years ago and they started shipping SM3.0 cards 2 years ago. Probably time for a new card. 3 years? That's a good life time, especially in todays market where it seems companies are adopting and ditching standards quicker and quicker.

[theotherguy]

I wouldn't upgrade either unless it was for a few games or one I really wanted to play. Although you will be bumping into more and more games not supporting SM2.0. Been going this direction for a year or so now. Games will probably just end up supporting DX10 (SM4.0) / DX9 (SM3.0) to keep it simple.

Yeah, so now I'm basically in limbo. I think I'll just skip over SM 3.0 and get a DX10 card in about a year.

[Laivasse]

Check this blog post - http://crankygamer.blogspot.com/2001/07/whats-killing-pc-gaming.html

My download is slowly getting there...!
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/4752/pcgamingtorrentfq5.gif

[giant384]

Yeah, so now I'm basically in limbo. I think I'll just skip over SM 3.0 and get a DX10 card in about a year.

then you will have sm3.0 and sm4.0 :D

[Qonfused]

15 minutes left.

:D

[Adabiviak]

Or you know, the entire screen being made of multicolored squares and random triangles...that kind of ruins the experience too. :frown:Are you speaking from experience, or will my rig choke on this game?

[Iced_Eagle]

Just discovered this game needs SM 3.0
.... **** THIS!

Haha... Get with the times dude. Seriously, it's been a few years since SM 3 cards have been out. Are you saying you're too cheap to not even get a baseline 6600?

[theotherguy]

Haha... Get with the times dude. Seriously, it's been a few years since SM 3 cards have been out. Are you saying you're too cheap to not even get a baseline 6600?

No, I'm too cheap to upgrade my system from AGP to PCI-E, and at the same time too cheap to buy an AGP card wastefully when I'll need to upgrade to PCI-E anyway for DX10 :x

[Sedako]

I don't see why people are upset that they can't play this game on cards like a 9800 pro.... It's like trying to play the 360 version on an normal Xbox...

[Icarusintel]

Mmmm... my 8800GTX loves this, along with the new drivers. :)

[TheAntipop]

My download is slowly getting there...!
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/4752/pcgamingtorrentfq5.gif

Nice touch with the Fonejacker refrence. :laugh:

[VictimOfScience]

My x850xt pe is now ready for the pasture...;(

Looks like 360 is the way to go for a while (at least when the cooler versions hit the market).

[Zeus]

Don't go on the 2k forums right now..some asshole is posting spoilers in the thread titles.

[Kyorisu]

Don't go on the 2k forums right now..some asshole is posting spoilers in the thread titles.

Yeah I saw all that and laughed. Very similar to;

ZOMG Polito is dead and Shodan has been telling me what to do?

[Alan00000]

Well after 10 hours of downloading time i finally played it and it sucked!

I just didnt feel it. I dont know why.

[Asus]

My X1900GT seemed to handle the demo fine. No stuttering and I didn't turn any settings down (1280x1024). Not sure exactly what the frame rate was though.
No, I'm too cheap to upgrade my system from AGP to PCI-E, and at the same time too cheap to buy an AGP card wastefully when I'll need to upgrade to PCI-E anyway for DX10 :x
I bet one of Nvidia's partners will come out with a 8600GT on AGP. I know Gigabyte has said they will make a DX10 card on AGP, probably ATI chip.

[Qonfused]

I had it all maxed out @ 1280x1024 and it ran like ass. I haven't tried it with some lower settings yet...

[Asus]

The only thing I remember changing was V-sync to off. Didn't want my frames dipping from 60FPS to 30 when it couldn't hit the mark.

[[Dragoon]]

Worked well enough on High with my 7600GT, though it crashed at the loading screen when I got to the second level of the demo. Worked very well on Low settings.

Preloading the full game now :D

[Asus]

delete me

[Laivasse]

If anyone has an ATI Radeon x1950 Pro AGP - or just any AGP ATI card - and you were thinking you should update to the latest drivers in order to get the best from Bioshock, here's a warning: don't. (http://www.ngohq.com/news/11777-catalyst-7-8-agp-issues.html) The Catalyst 7.8's seem to be broken for AGP cards atm.Don't just take some random thread's word for it, take mine: I tried installing them earlier and the CCC was broken, desktop icons were glitching, mouse clicks in Steam were lagging, and that wasn't even in-game... in Episode 1, some effects produce stuttering which make it basically unplayable.

Stick with 7.7's or earlier. Do not download the Bioshock ATI 'hotfix' either, as this installs the 7.8's. One guy on the ngohq boards was eventually forced into a system restore as a result.

[Asus]

Thanks for warning us. I generally don't update drivers unless there is an issue, not just to update. And I also don't use CCC. Just ATI tray tools (http://www.guru3d.com/article/atitraytools/189/).

[Laivasse]

Thanks for warning us. I generally don't update drivers unless there is an issue, not just to update. And I also don't use CCC. Just ATI tray tools (http://www.guru3d.com/article/atitraytools/189/).
Yep, same here on all counts, but I thought I might try updating since there's been so much fuss specifically for Bioshock. I also use Tray Tools instead of the CCC, but I tried installing the CCC this time as a shot in the dark to see if it helped things - it didn't. So anyone who was thinking along the same lines, there you go.

Raziaar also reported problems with these drivers a few days ago (http://halflife2.net/forums/showthread.php?t=129122) but I missed it first time around.

edit: from what I'm reading, the problems seem to only occur in XP, not Vista. So if you're using Vista, take your chances, but if you've got an AGP ATI card and you're using XP, then avoid Cat 7.8, since I've not yet seen a post from someone in that situation for whom the drivers work ok.

[Asus]

I think I'm running Cat 7.6 and they work fine.

[Laivasse]

Just played the demo - works fine on an Athlon 64 3400+, 512Mb x1950 Pro AGP, 2Gb PC3200, all settings high (unchanged) except for V-sync switched off. I'm sure the FPS weren't exactly sky high, but it did at least feel pretty smooth. The only problem was some very noticeable freezing during the intro which at first made me think the game was going to run like crap, but it quickly smoothed out...

Speaking of that intro, it was utterly superb. I was almost instantly turned from a 'maybe' into a 'will-definitely-buy' by the first few moments and the introduction to Rapture. However I didn't find the fighting too enthralling, particularly a quite confusing and annoying bit right at the end.

Still, looks like it's a superb game in terms of setting and atmosphere. Like one of the previous posters, I would like more time just to walk around and soak up the atmos rather than just being forced to constantly fight foes in quick succession like in this demo.

[Kyorisu]

Ran great on my rig even at 1680x1050.

[-Psy-]

EDIT: Yup, my connection decided to time out whilst posting...

[-Psy-]

80KB/s. FFS. This internet connection is ****ing pathetic. I am genuinely pissed off.

[clarky003]

I tried it with an X800 for a laugh, running around in complete blackness with a few fire sprites around was actually a decent result lol.

Edit: But I do agree with valves survey, it is one of the most popular ATI cards and I can understand the frustration for a large amount of PC gamers who know they have to go upgrade. I don't understand why the hell they can't create a unified shader model that includes backwards compatibility.

[Zephos]

No, I'm too cheap to upgrade my system from AGP to PCI-E, and at the same time too cheap to buy an AGP card wastefully when I'll need to upgrade to PCI-E anyway for DX10 :x

Mm. Same problem/s here. If I want to upgrade my video card (AGP), I'll have to upgrade my motherboard, my CPU, my ram, my case, my power supply...

[clarky003]

Yeah must be so frustrating for people, I do agree with that article, it is shooting PC gaming in the foot. That and hardware and software prices are still far too extortionate, if it gets any worse PC gaming will just continue to get more exclusive and more people with pipes and dressing gowns will spawn on the earth.

[Baal]

I loaded the demo up. It ran pretty well actually, and I think most of the settings were on high, but I'm pretty sure I didn't get one of the options, DirectX 10 lighting or something.

But then, when it was loading "Welcome to Rapture," it crashed :(

I think it might be my sound card...it's pretty out of date. I guess I can use my onboard sound, if that is the problem.

[Baal]

;2347457']Worked well enough on High with my 7600GT, though it crashed at the loading screen when I got to the second level of the demo. Worked very well on Low settings.

Preloading the full game now :D

After reading the thread...

Mine crashed too! :( I also have the same video card, but at least I'm not alone. I might have to buy this game after work. The 5 minutes of the demo I played, it looked good. Very good, actually.

Off to work! :|

[[Dragoon]]

After reading the thread...

Mine crashed too! :( I also have the same video card, but at least I'm not alone. I might have to buy this game after work. The 5 minutes of the demo I played, it looked good. Very good, actually.

Off to work! :|

My second time through the demo, on Low settings, it didn't crash. I haven't tried again on High, but it was a little sluggish anyway so I'll probably stick with Low or Medium.

[-Psy-]

My X1900GT seemed to handle the demo fine. No stuttering and I didn't turn any settings down (1280x1024). Not sure exactly what the frame rate was though.

Phew. That's a good thing to know as I have the exact same card. \o/

[Rapstah]

I guess I can use my onboard sound, if that is the problem.

Onboard sound as in the beep card?

[Gorgon]

Nvidia beta 163.44 = great performance driver.

I am running the game on SLI and plus forced 4x on both AA-AF. not even one glitch.

[Evo]

Gah had it crash twice now on 'Welcome to Rapture'

=/

Turned some settings down...if they don't work then gonna turn off Steam Community

[Sir Phoenixx]

When I try to assign quick save and quick load to keys it just says any key isn't useable. Is quick saving/loading disabled in the demo?

I have all graphics options at max, at 1024x768. I don't know the FPS, but it was perfectly smooth, no stuttering, etc. the entire time. I'll go through with FRAPS running and check the FPS. And that's with the older 93.71 forceware drivers with absolutely no glitches. I'd just update the forceware drivers anyways but they removed the option to switch to the "classic" control panel from the new crap control panel.

My pc:

AMD Athlon 3800 X2 @ 2.4ghz
2gb (4x512mb) Corsair Valueselect DDR400
XFX Geforce 7900GS 256MB @ 600/1600mhz
WD Caviar 160GB 7200rpm SATA HDD
Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS

[Evo]

No saving allowed in the demo =/

Shame it ended so quickly! Can't wait for it to arrive :D

[StardogChampion]

Haha... Get with the times dude. Seriously, it's been a few years since SM 3 cards have been out. Are you saying you're too cheap to not even get a baseline 6600?
Isn't the x800 faster than the 6600? But anyhow, most people don't buy these type of cards the moment they come out. They wait a year or two for the prices to go down, so they're not necessarily 3 year old cards to some people.

Luckily I'll be borrowing my bro's 360 though.

[-Psy-]

DAMMIT!

I get to the part after the planes crashes then the screen goes black, you hear the guy then my monitor goes "NO SIGNAL". I can still hear the sounds but then Windows tells me there is a problem with Bioshock.exe.

Downloading the CCC to see if turning on VPU Recovery helps.

[DigiQ8]

AMD 4400+ X2
2GB OCZ Platinum
Geforce 6800 256MB PCI-E

Will my PC handle this game?

[Rapstah]

Digi - your PC will, your card is a little bit outdated, but it still will handle it pretty nicely. Might want to play in lower resolutions though.

[elrasho]

Just rant he demo using the BETA srivers and it runs OK, some noticable stuttering. Im playing at 1024*768 with everythin on MAX

Athlon 64 3200
1GIG Corsair Value RAM
GeForce 7600 GT
On board sound )I know doesnt do the game justice)

Im gonna get this game on PC rather than xbox, its much more absorbing on the PC.... I dont like using controllers for FPS

[DigiQ8]

Digi - your PC will, your card is a little bit outdated, but it still will handle it pretty nicely. Might want to play in lower resolutions though.
what resolution?
1024x756 works?

[Laivasse]

DAMMIT!

I get to the part after the planes crashes then the screen goes black, you hear the guy then my monitor goes "NO SIGNAL". I can still hear the sounds but then Windows tells me there is a problem with Bioshock.exe.

Downloading the CCC to see if turning on VPU Recovery helps.
What Catalyst drivers are you using?

[-Psy-]

I'm using Omega drivers. (The recent ATi ones don't solve the problen) I've found a fix. I just have to choose DVI on my monitor in order to get the signal back. Kind of annoying...

I had a funny moment against a thug whilst hiding behind a pillar. :D

[Nemesis6]

Sweet Sally Struthers, I was right. This game does have pretty tame gameplay.

[ĐynastҰ]

Well ive found a link relating to drivers specifically for Bioshock that have been released by ATI and Nvidia...even AMD :S

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=41827

Which basically breaks down to:

Nvidia : http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x86_163.44.html
and
ATI : http://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&questionID=29041

as people are experiencing black screens, stuttering and freezing etc when using the cards listed. I for one have one of the cards. Havent tried it myself yet, but its worth a look.

I mean hell, this game could be better than Half Li..no i cant say it...

[CptStern]

Sweet Sally Struthers, I was right. This game does have pretty tame gameplay.

tame? what does that even mean? you club people insane people with a wrench and set them on fire .. have you played the game?

[Laivasse]

Well ive found a link relating to drivers specifically for Bioshock that have been released by ATI and Nvidia...even AMD :S

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=41827

Which basically breaks down to:

Nvidia : http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x86_163.44.html
and
ATI : http://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&questionID=29041

as people are experiencing black screens, stuttering and freezing etc when using the cards listed. I for one have one of the cards. Havent tried it myself yet, but its worth a look.

I mean hell, this game could be better than Half Li..no i cant say it...
Just to reiterate to ATI users - this hotfix is not a fix for the problems with Cat 7.8's. If you have an AGP ATI card and you use XP, avoid this hotfix as it will install the Cat 7.8's which will not work for you.

Bioshock looks like it could be a very awesome game. I replayed the demo and revised my opinion of the combat a little after:I took my time to hack the security camera and the turret at the end of it, which made that whole section much more enjoyable (although there was a problem with a security bot getting stuck).
I question whether it will surpass HL2. It has a superb setting and what looks like it could be a great story, but the straight-up shootout combat isn't perfect. On the other hand it makes up for that (as I discovered) with the alternative tactics you can use.

[Rapstah]

Well ive found a link relating to drivers specifically for Bioshock that have been released by ATI and Nvidia...even AMD :S

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=41827

Which basically breaks down to:

Nvidia : http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x86_163.44.html
and
ATI : http://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&task=knowledge&questionID=29041

as people are experiencing black screens, stuttering and freezing etc when using the cards listed. I for one have one of the cards. Havent tried it myself yet, but its worth a look.

I mean hell, this game could be better than Half Li..no i cant say it...

Is that for Vista only?

[Evo]

Is there a time limit on the demo or does it end at a fixed point?

[Nemesis6]

The graphics are nice and the setting is awesome but the gameplay stinks of 360. Another way of putting it: When I hit something with a melee weapon for the first time in Prey, I got the same feeling as I got when doing that in this game. This game is gonna be a 7.5 I think. .5 because of the extra features in the game.

Evo, it ends at a specific point. Cliffhanger.

[TheAntipop]

Fixed point. It's a good ending, it leaves you really wanting to continue.

[Nemesis6]

At which point I wait for the right time and RELOADED*COUGH*.

[Evo]

Yeah thought it was the set-point, had to check though :p

[sharp]

My textures are f*cked up. I only see fire and some small sprites and last but not least I don't have a visible mouse cursor eather. Radion X800 card here

ugh :(

[Laivasse]

My textures are f*cked up. I only see fire and some small sprites and last but not least I don't have a visible mouse cursor eather. Radion X800 card here

ugh :(
Then you won't be able to play the game. Bioshock requires a card capable of Shader Model 3.0. The X800 only supports SM2.
http://halflife2.net/forums/showpost.php?p=2347359&postcount=51

[Rapstah]

My current problems: I updated my drivers since I couldn't get past the first level (where the batysphere enters Rapture) and for a while my computer wouldn't run the game at all. It started working again, but it's choppier than before the driver installation (especially when looking at fire), my textures seem to have lower resolution (most notable when looking at the whale while going near Rapture), and I have many graphical glitches, such as being able to see the edges of the map when I'm underwater.

I suspect that this has to do with the new NVidia driver I installed, since it gave a Microsoft error message about not believing that it would work with XP (which I took for regular MS crap) and asking if it should overwrite a System32 file. I actually believe it's the system32 file that's causing it, since I reinstalled the old driver.

What really puzzles me about the situation is that when the driver installation wanted to overwrite the Sys32 file it said that it was overwriting my existing file with a older version of itself.

Any ideas?

[Warbie]

The graphics are nice and the setting is awesome but the gameplay stinks of 360. Another way of putting it: When I hit something with a melee weapon for the first time in Prey, I got the same feeling as I got when doing that in this game.

Not sure what you mean by this. The melee is wonderfully meaty.

I wish all my 360 games had gameplay that stunk of this.

[Zeus]

I'm thinking of upgrading for bioshock, crysis, unreal tournament 3, hl2 ep2, ect..
current specs:

Nvidia Geforce 6800 GT (latest beta drivers)
Windows XP SP2
AMD Athlon 64 3700+
2 GB RAM
Soundblaster X-fi sound card with 5.1 speakers

I'm thinking about a new processor (preferably dual-core) and graphics card (DX10 capable for vista in the future)..I ran the Bioshock demo on high (also 1280x1024) and it was a little bit choppy. Other than upgrading my RAM from 1.5 to 2 GB, I haven't upgraded in about 2 years, so I'd like to get my pc a bit more up to date.

[mortiz-Redux]

Not sure what you mean by this. The melee is wonderfully meaty.

I wish all my 360 games had gameplay that stunk of this.

I think he means for example when you investigate a body then hit one button to collect everything as oppose to choosing what you want. No inventory is also a downer, one of the gameplay mechanics in System Shock 2 for instance was maintaining your inventory, carrying stuff you needed and dumping stuff you didn't and re-sorting your inventory to fit in that Shotgun you just picked up. In BioShock you can carry pretty much anything, there's no space issues. Afterall, organizing an inventory on a console could be considered tedious (though I am aware of console games that do have inventory's). There are other mechanics that have some-way gone to replace it in BioShock, such as organizing your plasmids etc. BioShock's interface has obviously been toned down and made simpler (compared to SS2) and the reason for that may be due in part to the joypad. Not that I have a problem with simple interfaces, afterall I love Half-Life 2 and you can't get much simpler than that, just it's simpler than many people expected.

[ktimekiller]

no sm3.0 cards cant play?

[Warbie]

I think he means for example when you investigate a body then hit one button to collect everything as oppose to choosing what you want. No inventory is also a downer, one of the gameplay mechanics in System Shock 2 for instance was maintaining your inventory, carrying stuff you needed and dumping stuff you didn't and re-sorting your inventory to fit in that Shotgun you just picked up. In BioShock you can carry pretty much anything, there's no space issues. Afterall, organizing an inventory on a console could be considered tedious (though I am aware of console games that do have inventory's). There are other mechanics that have some-way gone to replace it in BioShock, such as organizing your plasmids etc. BioShock's interface has obviously been toned down and made simpler (compared to SS2) and the reason for that may be due in part to the joypad. Not that I have a problem with simple interfaces, afterall I love Half-Life 2 and you can't get much simpler than that, just it's simpler than many people expected.

These could simply be design decisions that have no bearing on platform. After all, one man's dumbing down is anothers streamlining and less buttons and simpler is generally regarded as better when it comes to game design. If ever there's a point in Bioshock that I wished for an inventory to allow management of collected items then i'll likely agree that its omission is a bad thing. Having played the demo and seen/read the spectatular reviews i'm prepared to think they've made the right choices.

[mortiz-Redux]

These could simply be design decisions that have no bearing on platform. After all, one man's dumbing down is anothers streamlining and less buttons and simpler is generally regarded as better when it comes to game design. If ever there's a point in Bioshock that I wished for an inventory to allow management of collected items then i'll likely agree that its omission is a bad thing. Having played the demo and seen/read the spectatular reviews i'm prepared to think they've made the right choices.

You've got to ask yourself though, if BioShock was coming out just on the PC would 2K gone the way they have done with it? Personally I think if BioShock was just a PC game we'd be getting something a lot more similar to System Shock 2. As it stands BioShock is a good FPS (and the makers have never said it was anything other than an FPS), but at the same time, you'd have to ask to makers of BioShock why they've taken it more down the traditional FPS route than the hybrid route of it's spiritual predacessor. The only criticism I can make in this reguard is that the gameplay is certainly a lot more, standard. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy games that don't push the boundries of gameplay in radically new directions (like HL2) but SS2 really was something a bit different when it first came out and I just think it's a bit of a shame that with BioShock they've taken the more traditional FPS route. Whether that was down to platform issues I have no idea. Though of course they've always said BioShock would be an FPS.

[Warbie]

Ken Levine has mentioned in a few interviews that the shooter elements of SS2 were lacking and that they chose to label Bioshock as a fps to not alienate more casual gamers and because, unlike SS2, it actually delivers on this front. I really don't see Bioshock as being more traditional or standard than SS2 - there are changes, but the essence of what made SS2 stand out for me is still there - and feel the only consideration that has been made is due to the obvious differences in control between the pc and 360.

When you think back to what made SS2 great, is it inventory and simple stats management or the strong sense of being trapped on a spaceship the choices the game asked you to make resulted in? I've come away from the Bioshock demo (6 or 7 times now, each time noticing and trying something new) with a greater sense of Rapture being an actual place than HL2 managed in its entirety. When Ken rabbited on about each room having a purpose and history I wrote it off as developers spiel, yet when I walk into a restaraunt, see the decor, knocked over tables, blood, I get an eery sense what might have happened here - the bar scene from the Shining springs to mind, you can almost shut your eyes and see people walking about. The detail and consistency of design is enough for it to feel like an actual place. This is what SS2 managed in its day and what Bioshock looks to do it better, but this time with decent combat.

[ktimekiller]

can anyone answer me question before I DL it? does it require sm 3.0?

[Laivasse]

It does, it's been covered repeatedly in this thread.

[Baal]

Jesus ****ing christ. What a waste. I'm not buying a goddamn video card for this game.

This is a couple of pages back, and I'm sure you've already got your fair share of bashing, and rightfully so.

You have a four year old video card. What do you expect, to run every game ever made on that card? The salesman who sold you the card may have told you that this will be the last card you will ever need, but he was probably not being completely honest.

You probably need a whole new upgrade. PC gaming isn't cheap, you should know this already. Jesus, you've been here longer than I have. Don't you remember all of the upgrading talk before HL2 came out? This is the exact same thing all over again. New generations of games means tougher hardware requirements.

This post goes for anyone else who wants to complain about system requirements :|

[hool10]

So my system is a quad core, 2GB of gaming RAM, and a 8800GTX. http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=7309927 My mom asked if I wanted breakfast this morning and caught me playing it. I was swimming in the water and my mom was like "wooow! That looks really good! Much better than ping-pong". :) I had an old system too (X800XL, 1GB of RAM, and a P4 2.8 CPU). I was fortunate enough to get a good Summer job and planned for it almost a year in advance. I have Vista too but it runs poorly so I'm sticking to XP. I think you guys know the settings but the resolution is at 1680x1050. *Kinda bothered about AA though. Also the mobo on-board audio is in HD.

[Ravioli]

my specs in sig. It runs perfect, everything on high! I dont know the command to show FPS but im gona check with fraps later.

Loved the intro, and the game was better than i thought it would be.

[StardogChampion]

Don't you remember all of the upgrading talk before HL2 came out? This is the exact same thing all over again.
That's not entirely true. Half-life 2 didn't have a cut-off for shader models. So if you had an older card it would still run. Whereas here we have a situation where it won't even run at all.

[Shakermaker]

Just played through the whole demo for the first time and I am thoroughly impressed. Great sound, great visuals, great atmosphere.

I've come away from the Bioshock demo (6 or 7 times now, each time noticing and trying something new) with a greater sense of Rapture being an actual place than HL2 managed in its entirety. When Ken rabbited on about each room having a purpose and history I wrote it off as developers spiel, yet when I walk into a restaraunt, see the decor, knocked over tables, blood, I get an eery sense what might have happened here - the bar scene from the Shining springs to mind, you can almost shut your eyes and see people walking about. The detail and consistency of design is enough for it to feel like an actual place.

That's what I like best about this demo: you really have a sense that every encounter and every room is unique. All foes you meet have their own little conversations which are not generic but actually add to the story. Lots of game studios claim that their game is a movie-like experience, while it's just an on-rails shooter with a major scripted event once and a while. For me, this demo finally achieved a level of sustained immersion that made me forget I was playing 'just a game'. Can't wait for the full version.

[hool10]

As usual Steam screws up on another release. :hmph: Decrypting 13min after it was "released".

[Gorgon]

can anyone answer me question before I DL it? does it require sm 3.0?

=====================================================================
BioShock(R) ReadMe
=====================================================================

Developed by : 2K Australia

Distributed by : 2K Games

=====================================================================
Table of Contents
=====================================================================

1) System Requirements

1.1 Operating Systems
1.2 Minimum System Requirements
1.3 Recommended System Requirements
1.4 DirectX(R)

2) Performance

2.1 Resolution
2.2 CPU speed
2.3 Memory
2.4 Better Performance for your Game

3) Troubleshooting

3.1 Installer Issues
3.2 Video Card Issues
3.2.1 Framerate Stuttering on NVIDIA Cards
3.2.2 Pixel Shaders
3.3 Sound Card Issues
3.4 Control Issues
3.5 AMD(R) Dual Core Timing Issue
3.6 Virtual Memory
3.7 DX10 Issues
3.8 Installation failure

4) Updates to the Manual

5) Game Play Hints for BioShock

6) Web Links

7) Technical Support

8) Copyright Notice

=====================================================================
1) System Requirements
=====================================================================

1.1 Operating Systems
---------------------

Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP (SP 2)
Microsoft Vista(TM)

1.2 Minimum System Requirements
-------------------------------

CPU: P4 2.5 GHz single core.
System RAM: 1GB
Video Card: Pixel Shader 3.0 compliant video card with 128 Meg Ram and floating point frame buffer blending.
Sound Card: 100% DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card
Hard Drive: 7 GB

1.3 Recommended System Requirements
-----------------------------------

CPU: 3GHz dual core processor
System RAM: 2 GB
Video card: Pixel Shader 3.0 compliant video card with 512 Ram (Nvidia(R) Geforce(R) 7900 GT or better)
Sound Card: 100% DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card
Hard Drive: 7 GB

1.4 DirectX
-----------

DirectX 9.0c or DirectX 10

=====================================================================
2) Performance
=====================================================================

2.1 Resolution
--------------

It is recommended that when running the game on a minimum specification machine screen resolutions of either 640*480 or 800*600 be used. On a recommended specification machine resolutions of 1152*864 should provide good performance. On a high end machine 1280*1024 on a standard 17 inch LCD monitor will give very good performance.

2.2 CPU Speed
-------------

BioShock is optimized for dual core machines. If the game is run on a single core machine then a processor of 2.5GHz or better is required to get reasonable performance. The higher the clock speed of the processor the better the game will run. Most dual core machines will be optimum for BioShock

2.3 Memory
----------

Memory or RAM can sometimes greatly affect game play. Machines with less memory will access their hard disk more frequently to load data, which causes sporadic pauses in game play. Machines with a lower end processor and video card that has 256 MB of RAM or less, should make sure that there are no active running programs in the background. This will optimize performance and make the gaming experience better for the user.

For good performance we recommend at least 1 Gigabyte of system memory. For optimum performance we recommend at least 2 Gigabyte of system memory.

2.4 Better Performance for your Game
------------------------------------

A faster graphics card on a slower PC may receive significantly increased frame rates and performance benefits when Shadow Maps are turned off and Texture Detail, High Detail Post Processing, and Real Time Reflection mapping is also turned off.

For best performance, we recommend a dual core processor and either a Nvidia 8800 or an ATI(R) Radeon(TM) X1950 or 2900XT equivalent card.

If performance issues are observed then it is recommended that the user selects a lower screen resolution and lower details setting from the video options screen. If the user is not using an EAX(R) compatible sound card then disabling "reverb" from the audio options screen will also improve performance.

=====================================================================
3) Troubleshooting
=====================================================================

3.1 Installer Issues
--------------------

The BioShock installer will automatically patch to the latest version of the BioShock game application as part of the install process. YOU MUST BE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET IN ORDER TO INSTALL THE GAME.

A progress bar will show the state of the patch download. Please do not interrupt the download or deactivate your internet connection during the download. If the download does not complete successfully, you can attempt to restart the download using the Start/Restart button.

The downloader uses internet proxy and port settings as set up through Internet Explorer. If you have not set these, you can manually configure proxy and port settings in the BioShock installer. If you're not sure what values to put here, contact your ISP or 2K support at http://www.2kgames.com/bioshock/support/.

Some internet security software may detect this download as a Trojan or other compromisation of internet security.

3.2 Video Card Issues
---------------------

You can determine what video card is installed in your computer by right-mouse clicking on "My Computer" and choosing the "Properties" option. Once the "System Properties" menu appears, left-mouse click on the "Hardware" tab and choose the "Device Manager" option. Select "Display Adapter" to view your machine's video card. Search the web for your card to download updated drivers.

After installing updated drivers you should also reinstall the current version of DirectX. Select "My Computer" and then right click the drive holding the BioShock CD. Browse the CD for the DirectX folder by clicking on the Open option. Open the DirectX folder and click Install.exe to reinstall DirectX 9.0c.

Reboot the computer after installing new drivers or DirectX. This will ensure that any modified Windows files are fully updated or installed properly, prior to playing BioShock.

If DirectX 9.0c isn't the current version of DirectX, you can download the most current version at: www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx

NOTE: Section above is written for Windows XP users. Other Windows Operating Systems may perform differently.

3.2.1 Framerate Stuttering on NVIDIA Cards
------------------------------------------

There are known framerate stuttering problems when running the game on some NIVIDIA graphics cards. If you experience these problems, you should install the latest NVIDIA drivers. You can find drivers that are known to work with Bioshock at:

http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_bioshock_downloads.html


3.2.2 Pixel Shaders
-------------------

BioShock requires support for Pixel Shader 3.0 or higher to run.

3.3 Sound Card Issues
---------------------

You can find out your machine's sound card by right mouse clicking on "My Computer" and choosing the "Properties" option. Once the "System Properties" menu appears, left mouse click on the "Hardware" tab and choose the "Device Manager" option. Select "Sound, video and game controllers" to view your machine's sound card. Search the web for your card to download updated drivers.

After installing updated drivers you should also reinstall the current version of DirectX. Select "My Computer" and then right click the drive holding the BioShock CD. Browse the CD for the DirectX folder by clicking on the Open option. Open the DirectX folder and click Install.exe to reinstall DirectX 9.0c.

Reboot the computer after installing new drivers or DirectX. This will ensure that any modified Windows files are fully updated or installed properly, prior to playing BioShock.

If DirectX 9.0c isn't the current version of DirectX, you can download the most current version at: www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx

NOTE: Section above is written for Windows XP users. Other Windows Operating Systems may perform differently.

NOTE 2: If users experience reduced volume voiceovers during game play while the master volume is turned up, go into the Windows Volume/Playback Controls and set the Wave volume to max. This can be found in the Start/Programs/Accessories/Entertainment/Volume Control.

3.4 Control Issues
------------------

Some PC keyboards can't recognize 3 or more simultaneous key presses; the keyboard buffer for the system overloads and, in some cases, will return a system beep.

3.5 AMD Dual Core Timing Issue
------------------------------

Some older machines that have AMD dual core processors may experience problems running the game. If you have such a system, you should first visit the AMD website and obtain the latest processor drivers. You can also install an AMD provided driver which addresses a timing issue from the BioShock DVD. You should only install this driver if you are confident that it is appropriate for your system (i.e. you have an AMD dual core processor).

3.6 Virtual Memory
------------------------------

BioShock requires virtual memory to run properly. If your virtual memory settings are not correct, you may experience stability problems.

To configure virtual memory:

On Windows XP

- From the start menu, open Settings/Control Panel.
- Double click the System icon.
- Select the Advanced tab.
- Click on the Performance/Settings button.
- Select the Advanced tab.
- Click on the Virtual memory/Change button.
- Select the drive that BioShock is installed on.
- Select the "System managed size" radio button in the "Paging file size for selected drive".
- Click the Set button.
- Click OK multiple times to return to the desktop.

On Windows Vista

- From the start menu, open Settings/Control Panel.
- Select System and Maintenance.
- Select System.
- Select Advanced System Settings.
- Click on the Performance/Settings button.
- Select the Advanced tab
- Click on the Virtual memory/Change button.
- Check "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives"
- Click OK multiple times to return to the desktop.

3.7 DX10 Issues
---------------
If you experience graphics corruption or stability issues on Windows Vista using ATi DirectX 10 hardware (eg Radeon HD 2xxx), please launch the game in DirectX 9 mode. This is done by right clicking the Bioshock icon in the game explorer and selecting "Play-DirectX9".

On some video cards when running DirectX 10, it is possible that the game will start in a non-full screen mode. To reset to full screen mode, go to the options/graphics options screen and toggle windowed mode on and then off. This should rectify the problem.

3.8 Installation failure
------------------------
If the installation fails for some reason then it is possible for the installer to be left in a state where installation can no longer be completed. In this situation it may be necessary to close down windows and restart the computer.




====================================================================
4) Updates to the Manual
=====================================================================

For further information on BioShock please check the official website:
www.bioshockgame.com

=====================================================================
5) Game Play Hints for BioShock
=====================================================================

For further information on BioShock please check the official website:
www.bioshockgame.com

=====================================================================
6) Web Links
=====================================================================

Visit for the latest updates, patches, and game communities:

BioShock Support: www.2kgames.com/bioshock/support

BioShock Homepage: www.bioshockgame.com

Cult of Rapture: www.cultofrapture.com

2K Games: www.2kgames.com

Latest NVidia Drivers: www.nzone.com/object/nzone_BIOSHOCK_downloads.html

=====================================================================
7) Technical Support
=====================================================================

For US Support
Phone: 1-866-219-9839
Email: usa@take2support.com

For Canadian Support
Phone: 1-800-638-0127
Email: canada@take2support.com

For UK Support
Phone: 0870 124 2222 (Calls charged at UK National rate.)
(7 days a week from 8am to 10pm - excluding bank holidays)
Email: take2@europesupport.com

www.take2games.com/support

=====================================================================
8) Copyright Notice
=====================================================================

? 2002-2007 Take-Two Interactive Software and its subsidiaries. Developed by 2K Boston and 2K Australia. BioShock, 2K Games, 2K Boston, 2K Australia, the 2K logo, the 2K Boston logo, 2K Australia logo, and Take-Two Interactive Software are all trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. in the USA and/or foreign countries. Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows Vista Start button, are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. The ratings icon is a trademark of the Entertainment Software Association. All rights reserved. All other marks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. The content of this videogame is purely fictional, is not intended to represent or depict any actual event, person, or entity, and any such similarities are purely coincidental. The makers and publishers of this videogame do not in any way endorse, condone or encourage engaging in any conduct depicted in this videogame.

[hool10]

LOL! An update that starts at 80% right after it unlocks. :laugh:

[DigiQ8]

LOL! An update that starts at 80% right after it unlocks. :laugh:
which still stuck at 80% for me

[hool10]

I got it all updated and now Steam is saying "Failed to Contact Key Server". Wtf does that mean? :rolleyes:

[DigiQ8]

I got it all updated and now Steam is saying "Failed to Contact Key Server". Wtf does that mean? :rolleyes:
means Steam :D

[hool10]

Ok now it's working. Jeebus Steam. See ya guys later...

[Harryz]

I envy you guys.

*Kicks PC*

[HunterSeeker]

You make it sound like the game is out allready :(

The demo was great. It ran smoothly on low but my video card could be newer as well.

[hool10]

Aww man is this game great. :naughty: I was at some part and buying guns from some machine I hacked. Then a Windows error popped up. I also lost all my progress for the entire level. :flame: Idk why they didn't put in checkpoints. Also Be sure to cremate that body. You get some plasmid thing that restores some health/energy when you hack anything.

[Evo]

Gargh!

So tempted to show the spoilers....but resist!

D:

[hool10]

Oh just great. It resets the control settings too each time you exit the game. :bonce: *Actually all the settings.

[The Brick]

Am I the only one that had problems with the 5.1 audio positioning and mouse speeds? The 3 sensitivity steps xboxcontroller mouse movement is terrible. And any sound more than a centimeter left of your crosshair plays solely through the front left speaker, and vice versa. Am I the only one experiencing this?

[Asus]

Closing the game properly resets the settings? I wouldn't expect it to hold settings if your game crashes.

[Gorgon]

lol the full game out now on torrent site (PC).

**** it, I ain't pirating this game, this is an excellent game which worth spending on ?35.

I'll wait few more days for the UK release. must resist :D

[Septih]

Game crashed for me at:

The bit near the 2nd toilets with the hackables and the security alert

did i miss much after? Also love the retro pipe game for hacking stuff :P

[TheAntipop]

Nah, you're pretty much at the end of the demo there.

[Septih]

K, I won't rush to replay then :P

Not sure whether it's better to buy on steam ($55 is ?25ish nowadays yeah?) or get the box delivered for ?24

the forum doesn't support the pound sign, you're kidding!?

[Asus]

the forum doesn't support the pound sign, you're kidding!?#
/kidding

[hool10]

Eh that's it for me tonight. It's been a blast and there is too much to do in the game. Now I can photograph stuff and research enemies. The pipe game is often unfair too. They just put dead ends all around the start and it's impossible. Also the Big Daddies are friggn impossible. They literally fly at you and if you walk away to give yourself some dodging room, they got a terrible rivet gun. It's common to find yourself dead 5 times with 1 daddy. I'm saving the girls btw. Also the death system is terrible. You respawn in some electric tube thingy which is instant.

[Fliko]

Eh that's it for me tonight. It's been a blast and there is too much to do in the game. Now I can photograph stuff and research enemies. The pipe game is often unfair too. They just put dead ends all around the start and it's impossible. Also the Big Daddies are friggn impossible. They literally fly at you and if you walk away to give yourself some dodging room, they got a terrible rivet gun. It's common to find yourself dead 5 times with 1 daddy. I'm saving the girls btw. Also the death system is terrible. You respawn in some electric tube thingy which is instant.

Are you playing on hard?
I'm on medium, and the pipe game is insanely easy, and the Big Daddy was easy, I didn't die once when I first took him on, and I took on his friend who didn't seem to have a girl around him after I took him on..

But man, it is a blast

[StardogChampion]

K, I won't rush to replay then :P

Not sure whether it's better to buy on steam ($55 is ?25ish nowadays yeah?) or get the box delivered for ?24

the forum doesn't support the pound sign, you're kidding!?
Doesn't steam add tax? So it might be ?30 or so.

[hool10]

Doesn't steam add tax? So it might be ?30 or so.
Nope.
Are you playing on hard?
I'm on medium, and the pipe game is insanely easy, and the Big Daddy was easy, I didn't die once when I first took him on, and I took on his friend who didn't seem to have a girl around him after I took him on..

But man, it is a blast
I'm on medium too. I have the slow down ability and easier puzzles too. The strongbox puzzles always are hard but the health stations are easy. Things I have learned when fighting daddies:

Don't put them on fire! They don't get hurt much and then you got a flaming falcon punch coming at you!
Zapping him gives you 3-4 seconds of time to take a shot at him. He goes back to normal after that one shot though.
Electric shotgun ammo does nothing against him.
Zapping him in water also does nothing.

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/4742/motivator371152ds6.jpg It went off the charts...literally. :eek: