The Genius of BioShock's Level Design

[blackdog]

Another good example (I see in the comments HP already saw it), should we have a more prescriptive topic title?

 

[Sentura]

Yes, no other companies other than Naughty Dog, Valve and Thatgamecompany have ever used these techniques! Most game developers have no clue what they are doing! How dare they use other navigational tools?! Showing players the way with a reticle is so clunky! 

Aside from the smug, patronizing intro - yes, these are important elements to use, but that doesn't mean that they can't be used in conjunction with other navigational tools. Most if not all tools have trade-offs that should be weighed against each other by the designer for the context of the game or level. A linear game works differently from a sandbox or even an open world game, so why would you apply the same rules to all 3?

[blackdog]

This was recently published, an interesting look at a particular part of the game

knew I shouldn't have watched it, thought it would be spoilery since I haven't played the game yet ?

[FMPONE]

53 minutes ago, blackdog said:

This was recently published, an interesting look at a particular part of the game

knew I shouldn't have watched it, thought it would be spoilery since I haven't played the game yet ?

This was an awesome watch

[2d-chris]

yeah it's so awesome how that area worked, throws a wrench in the game, and it needed it, mid game, it's time for a change  

[FMPONE]

1 minute ago, 2d-chris said:

yeah it's so awesome how that area worked, throws a wrench in the game, and it needed it, mid game, it's time for a change  

What's so funny is, when he showed all those moments of Bioshock, those are the most vivid memories I have of the game all these years later. The good ideas stick in your head !

[-HP-]

2 hours ago, blackdog said:

This was recently published, an interesting look at a particular part of the game

knew I shouldn't have watched it, thought it would be spoilery since I haven't played the game yet ?

Deffo play this man.

[blackdog]

4 hours ago, (HP) said:

Deffo play this man.

I have it  but have never got around to play. For Bioshock I had a problem with the Art Deco, I couldn't stand the style when it came out, also tried the demo on the Xbox and didn't intrigued me (:o). Infinite, for some reason, got me much more curious, but wanted to play the first before playing it.

Now checking my Steam library, looks like I have Bioshock remastered just because I own the original(?)! that is a motivator. I think I'll bump it up in priority

[Radu]

25 minutes ago, blackdog said:

I have it  but have never got around to play. For Bioshock I had a problem with the Art Deco, I couldn't stand the style when it came out, also tried the demo on the Xbox and didn't intrigued me (:o). Infinite, for some reason, got me much more curious, but wanted to play the first before playing it.

Now checking my Steam library, looks like I have Bioshock remastered just because I own the original(?)! that is a motivator. I think I'll bump it up in priority

I had the same issue when it first came out. The style and movement just didn't appeal to me. It wasn't until I bought the series on a discount during last summer's sales that I would give it another shot. Now it's one of my favorite games. I liked it so much that I replayed through it immediately after my first playthrough.

Edited October 19, 2016 by Radu

[dux]

Don't bother with bioshock remastered on PC it's a shit port.

[Sprony]

1 minute ago, dux said:

Don't bother with bioshock remastered on PC it's a shit port.

They never learn!

[-HP-]