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[A Human Becoming]

Just listened to the Bioshock Infinite spoilercast after finishing the game today (I've skipped over all spoiler talk in later episodes too). Mike was much less negative than I expected based on his demeanor on the show beforehand. Overall everyone seemed to have finished the game feeling more positive than I did. I think by playing it in the long sessions the combat became too tedious. It does show I was very invested in the game; the world and atmosphere sucked me in from the beginning. Unfortunately the incredibly frequent, long combat sections drained my enthusiasm so by the end I didn't enjoy the ending. The game would have been better if the combat and been reduced with some story sections taken out.

I didn't think this got the attention it deserved on the spoilercast, so I was to reiterate:

Spoiler

fuck those ghost fights. Three fucking awful times.

 

[BlewHedgehog]

I had only listened to the first 20 minutes or so before the whole Ryan Davis thing derailed my day, but... maybe I'm just a cynical bastard,

Spoiler

but the introduction was laughable to me. It was as bad as when the kid died at the beginning of Heavy Rain in terms of being choreographed emotional manipulation.

Not that I think The Walking Dead is the greatest thing ever, but it took more balls to kill Lee off instead of Clem.

Aw, bro. Not that you were in the wrong here at all, but I definitely clicked than expecting LoU and got sucker punched with Walking Dead spoiler =(

 

[firehawk12]

Aw, bro. Not that you were in the wrong here at all, but I definitely clicked than expecting LoU and got sucker punched with Walking Dead spoiler =(

Ah sorry man.
Since they were doing spoilers for everything, I didn't really think about it when I wrote the post.

Nailed it.

Are you going to cry when in Call of Duty: Ghost Dog Edition, they

Spoiler

make you shoot your dog in the head in order to save the president?

lol

 

[LiK]

Just started the TLoU spoilercast aka the BioShock Infinite hatecast. lol

 

[ArjanN]

Are you going to cry when in Call of Duty: Ghost Dog Edition, they

Spoiler

make you shoot your dog in the head in order to save the president?

lol

Only if it's a little girl dog.

 

[A Human Becoming]

Just started the TLoU spoilercast aka the BioShock Infinite hatecast. lol

Is that where Mike turns super negative on BI?

 

[LiK]

Is that where Mike turns super negative on BI?

Actually, most of the criticisms came from CJ.

 

[slaughterking]

I had only listened to the first 20 minutes or so before the whole Ryan Davis thing derailed my day, but... maybe I'm just a cynical bastard,

Spoiler

but the introduction was laughable to me. It was as bad as when the kid died at the beginning of Heavy Rain in terms of being choreographed emotional manipulation.

I feel the same as you. The predictability of most major plot points was the games biggest flaw in my eyes. It being so well executed and acted made it still an enjoyable experience, but nothing stuck with me.

 

[eznark]

Just started the TLoU spoilercast aka the BioShock Infinite hatecast. lol

Now I'll listen!

 

[Einbroch]

Mike's my favorite. They're all great, but Mike has great comedic timing and is like a not-quite-as-bitter version of Jeff Gerstmann.

Great spoilercast btw.

 

[Neuromancer]

Mike did a great job hosting, I especially enjoyed the intros.

 

[SuperPac]

Actually, most of the criticisms came from CJ.

It wasn't criticism or bashing or hate per se, it's comparing one very lauded, critically acclaimed game from this year to another. Especially in the gameplay department. As I said on the podcast before I like Bioshock Infinite's story and setting—it was the gameplay that I found tired, tedious and really weighed things down for me. Whereas the mechanics in TLoU were very natural and do something I really like in games — give me the tools to approach the game any way I want and set forth interesting situations/scenarios for me to deal with, maybe giving me subtle pushes to try certain things. Bioshock Infinite had...none of that? Here are a buncha tears you should definitely use because we're just going to stream enemies out at you. It's a different approach that I'm sure I found just fine at one time but it doesn't sustain for a 12+ hour game anymore.

 

[LiK]

It wasn't criticism or bashing or hate per se, it's comparing one very lauded, critically acclaimed game from this year to another. Especially in the gameplay department. As I said on the podcast before I like Bioshock Infinite's story and setting—it was the gameplay that I found tired, tedious and really weighed things down for me. Whereas the mechanics in TLoU were very natural and do something I really like in games — give me the tools to approach the game any way I want and set forth interesting situations/scenarios for me to deal with, maybe giving me subtle pushes to try certain things. Bioshock Infinite had...none of that? Here are a buncha tears you should definitely use because we're just going to stream enemies out at you. It's a different approach that I'm sure I found just fine at one time but it doesn't sustain for a 12+ hour game anymore.

Yea, it's criticism and that's okay. I disagree with some of it and that's okay too. I agree with everything you said about TLoU tho.

 

[BlewHedgehog]

One of my favorite things about this podcast is the variety of tastes among the hosts. Not a single other show I listen to gave half a shit about Sly 4, and they seem to spend months discussing military shooters. I'm very grateful for the spectrum of topics and super-niche stuff that finds its way into the show. That said, it makes the Bioshock Infinite talk take on a weird form. On one hand, Mike has played plenty more FPS than myself, so it makes sense that his tolerance for some not-so-fresh gameplay inclusions would be lesser than mine. On the other, CJ and Phil want to like the game for the aesthetics in spite of the fact that they aren't fans of the genre at all. Solely on the basis of having gotten to know your personalities over the last few years, I'd never let CJ's opinion of an FPS sway the decision of whether or not I'd pick it up.

Bioshock has just been weird, because normally you guys are the most diverse and relatable voices in gaming podcasts and I'm struggling with the fact that, for once, you guys have found something to be uniformly apathetic about that I truly dug. I'm excited to listen to the LoU show, but am not looking forward to more articulate reasoning as to why this thing I like is bad.

Anyway, the show's great. When I'm out of school next year, I'll donut.

 

[Neuromancer]

am not looking forward to more articulate reasoning as to why this thing I like is bad.

Eh I wouldn't really look at it like that.

 

[mik]

Now you know what it's like to talk about LittleBigPlanet with these assholes.

 

[LiK]

Now you know what it's like to talk about LittleBigPlanet with these assholes.

I will never understand your love for LBP.

 

[mik]

I will never understand pure joy and child-like mirth.

I know.

 

[LiK]

Floaty jumps FTW.

Ah, I see.

 

[rookiejet]

I bristled at Greg's interpretation of Joel's protectiveness of Elly from Bill's gay-ness.

EDIT: omg so many possessives

 

[stewy]

I bristled at Greg's interpretation of Joel's protectiveness of Elly from Bill's gay-ness.

EDIT: omg so many possessives

Did I say protective? I hope not. I was referencing how uncomfortable the subject made him, much like I assume most father's feel when the prospect of discussing sexuality comes up with one of their children.

That was the point I was making. Sorry if it came across as something else.

 

[SickBoy]

I'm just going to call this my hate on CJ discussion of the Last of Us spoilercast:

Spoiler

First, I didn't get the same sense of the surgeon's voice recording that he did. Unless he heard a different one... the one I'm thinking of is at 8:38 in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWTzlcVqJaE ... Certainly some of what he said showed that a cure was not a certainty, but he seemed wildly optimistic.

Second, it's a completely unfair comparison to say you'd sit and listen to a voice recording in The Last of Us but you'd just go about your business in Bioshock. Far as I can tell, there was no way to play them and move at the same time... which might explain why he didn't care to listen to the others in the game.

While I'm at it, I also thought Mike was terribly wrong when he said

Spoiler

the hospital wasn't a facility where a cure could be synthesized. I think Greg was probably right when he questioned the ability to distribute a cure, but still, a 21st century hospital facility, even in a shoddy post-apocalypse state should be able to perform the same kind of research that went into 19th-/early 20th-century medical science. I think the story has more impact anyway when you accept the idea that Ellie is truly the key to a cure.

Still, it was a good listen. It was interesting to hear about all the little easter eggs I apparently missed...

I also agree with the sentiment that a sequel isn't really all that desirable. I mean, I would buy it, but I'd also play a game "brought to you by the team that made The Last of Us" (and have fewer second thoughts about it).

I thought the comparison between The Walking Dead and The Last of Us was interesting, too... I agree with Phil and co. that TWD had more emotional impact for me, even though the overall writing/direction are better in TLOU. But like everyone else, this game is a significant contender for my game of the generation

 

[rookiejet]

Did I say protective? I hope not. I was referencing how uncomfortable the subject made him, much like I assume most father's feel when the prospect of discussing sexuality comes up with one of their children.

That was the point I was making. Sorry if it came across as something else.

I am projecting my own insecurity into the matter. I am sorry for bringing it up. You don't have to explain.

 

[SuperPac]

Second, it's a completely unfair comparison to say you'd sit and listen to a voice recording in The Last of Us but you'd just go about your business in Bioshock. Far as I can tell, there was no way to play them and move at the same time... which might explain why he didn't care to listen to the others in the game.

Well, I didn't even try to move during those so even if I could I wouldn't have. I picked up those items, saw they were Marlene voice recorder and a doctor's, and sat there, crouched, in the menu, listening to them. After listening to a bunch of recordings in Bioshock I'd play them but not really have any care for what was said because 90% of the time it was not information I particularly cared about or wasn't important.

Also

Spoiler

did the doctor not say she didn't have fungal growth in the limbic region of the brain? The cause of her immunity is uncertain. Maybe I read the other bit in a text log, but it did seem to me that if she didn't have the thing in the brain that other patients did that cutting her brain open was unnecessary.

 

[firehawk12]

Also

Spoiler

did the doctor not say she didn't have fungal growth in the limbic region of the brain? The cause of her immunity is uncertain. Maybe I read the other bit in a text log, but it did seem to me that if she didn't have the thing in the brain that other patients did that cutting her brain open was unnecessary.

Yeah, this is what is said in the log.

 

[mik]

While I'm at it, I also thought Mike was terribly wrong when he said

Spoiler

the hospital wasn't a facility where a cure could be synthesized. I think Greg was probably right when he questioned the ability to distribute a cure, but still, a 21st century hospital facility, even in a shoddy post-apocalypse state should be able to perform the same kind of research that went into 19th-/early 20th-century medical science. I think the story has more impact anyway when you accept the idea that Ellie is truly the key to a cure.

Hey--it's Utah. We're way more primitive than 19th-century medicine.

Just kidding. But seriously:

Spoiler

the notion that among the Fireflies there just happened to be a trio of competent neurosurgeons and that the hospital, 20 years post-apocalypse, was in sufficient repair to support the operation, still seems like it would be a real reach for me to consider offering Ellie as a sacrificial lamb.

 

[Massa]

The Last of Us

Spoiler

I just can't comprehend how someone can reach the end of the game and even consider sacrificing Ellie.

I thought the comparison between The Walking Dead and The Last of Us was interesting, too... I agree with Phil and co. that TWD had more emotional impact for me, even though the overall writing/direction are better in TLOU. But like everyone else, this game is a significant contender for my game of the generation

I thought they were comparing one scene in specific from each game, not the games on a whole.

 

[eznark]

I'm not going to play TLoU but people are calling it predictable as though that is in contrast to Infinite. Did anyone really not see the ending coming after the very first elevator ride when Comstock tells DeWitt he knows him perfectly well? I mean, c'mon. Talk about predictable.

 

[Neuromancer]

I'd like to someday experience the same kind of joy and surprise as Mike at having a game set partly in my city. But it will probably never happen, apparently Baltimore isn't as exciting as New York or LA.

 

[eznark]

I'd like to someday experience the same kind of joy and surprise as Mike at having a game set partly in my city. But it will probably never happen, apparently Baltimore isn't as exciting as New York or LA.

 

[LiK]

I'd like to someday experience the same kind of joy and surprise as Mike at having a game set partly in my city. But it will probably never happen, apparently Baltimore isn't as exciting as New York or LA.

i finally got Boston even tho most of the layout and some buildings are kinda wrong.

 

[SickBoy]

The Last of Us

Spoiler

I just can't comprehend how someone can reach the end of the game and even consider sacrificing Ellie.

I thought they were comparing one scene in specific from each game, not the games on a whole.

They certainly were just comparing one scene only. And that's mainly what I was commenting on, though I think it does sort of extend to both games on the whole.

 

[mik]

Yeah, it was just that one segment--but there are lots to compare. Especially the endings.

 

[Neuromancer]

I know. Our one game. =\

From what I played of it it looked like a generic city, still, I'll take what I can get.

 

[SickBoy]

Also

Spoiler

did the doctor not say she didn't have fungal growth in the limbic region of the brain? The cause of her immunity is uncertain. Maybe I read the other bit in a text log, but it did seem to me that if she didn't have the thing in the brain that other patients did that cutting her brain open was unnecessary.

Spoiler

Yeah, I thought that was kind of the point. That it was there but not attacking the portion of the brain the infection usually does.

 

[Massa]

Don't know if you guys heard about it but Tokyo Jungle Mobile is out for the Vita and it's pretty awesome. I remember P1P was one of the few who appreciated the original Tokyo Jungle so I thought I'd post here, as the game is 50% off until next Tuesday (it's $3 now).

 

[Whimsical Phil]

Don't know if you guys heard about it but Tokyo Jungle Mobile is out for the Vita and it's pretty awesome. I remember P1P was one of the few who appreciated the original Tokyo Jungle so I thought I'd post here, as the game is 50% off until next Tuesday (it's $3 now).

Oh, I bought it.

 

[Massa]

Oh, I bought it.

Yeah, just listened to the live show. You're a man of great taste!

 

[eznark]

I don't see it in the store anywhere?

 

[Massa]

I don't see it in the store anywhere?

You have to go to the Playstation Mobile tab.

 

[eznark]

They don't list those in "new releases"? Such an awful store, Sony.

 

[Messi]

New episode? its usually up by now no?

 

[SuperPac]

New episode? its usually up by now no?

It's a-comin'!

 

[SuperPac]

And it's up!

349: Bears The Logo Of Your Favorite Sports Team

This week! More Animal Crossing: New Leaf, NCAA Football 14, Gran Turismo 6 demo, The Walking Dead: 400 Days, Tokyo Jungle Mobile, Mii Plaza 3DS mini-games, GTAV trailer, new Ratchet & Clank, lightbar problems, pinball arcade kickstarters, favorite light gun games, ROM hacks and more!

Audio: http://traffic.libsyn.com/playerone/07_15_13-Episode349.mp3
Blog: http://www.playeronepodcast.com/349
Video: ???

 

[eznark]

Interested to hear what Mike has to say about the pathetically busted NCAA...and how long these damn nerds will let him say it.

 

[eznark]

Greg going all neighborhood watch over the Zimmerman joke was a real highlight.

 

[Oxx]

The episode should have been called Big-Boy Version.

 

[LiK]

Mike is so cynical XD

 

[HamPster PamPster]

You all laugh about controller fans but the Logitech Chillstream was the best controller I ever owned. I still miss the little trooper. Speaking of 3rd party controllers - let me use this thread to whine that my 3rd party 360 controller doesn't work on Super House of Dead Ninjas HD even though my wired 360 controller does. Its the only steam game I own that behaves that way

 

[mik]

Mike is so cynical XD

What? I didn't say a word during that whole first segment.