Curious about Biotech DLC

[Honor]

So what is Biotech really all about? So far, my understanding of it is mostly unappealing. I'm the type of gamer who turns off the blood and gore in a game and if I can't, I either don't buy it or don't play very long.
I saw that families take on more meaning with this dlc and that I like, but what good is it if the rest is beyond creepy. I struggle with some of the things in Rimworld already and it would probably be far worse with Biotech. Even though some aspects of the new dlc are tempting, I should just skip that one.
I've searched for information on it and I know what the brief descriptions say. But I'm sure the best information would come from people who've actually spent time playing that dlc. So what do the experts have to say about Biotech?

[marcusaddamsson]

Well, there certainly are a number of aspects in Biotech that you wouldn't like. Sanguophages for starters. They nearly require you to keep prisoners and do stuff to 'em. Operations are already vanilla, so I leave that to you. Mechs are *very* fun/kewl to use, and every starting map has a resource to claim a mechlink chip. The genetic stuff is fairly sanitary, assuming you don't mind that you're putting a pawn in a machine that will harvest his genetic stuff and make him sad about it for a while. You could buy that stuff from traders, but the best source of genetic mats are prisoners (again)... so might not like that part either. But the genetic stuff is really fun, assuming you have decent choices.

What else is there then? Hrm. Mechs are really fun, but I don't think it's a good fit for ya. And I don't normally say that.

[Astasia]

I don't understand the connection between blood and gore or creepy things and Biotech. The expansion is not about chopping people up and sticking bodyparts together or anything like that. The three main features are children and families, mechanitor content, and genemodding and xenotypes. It sounds like you have a grasp on the children and family content. Mechanitor content is about building and controlling mechanoid units to help with various gameplay functions, with the side effect of pollution management. There is an element of "sacrifice" for making a few of the mechs, but only at the highest tier and it's entirely optional. The gene mechanic adds a bunch of new "alien" type human races to interact with and fight against with unique strengths and weaknesses, and the ability to create your own types by combining genes. The act of obtaining genes involves medically extracting them like a shot to the arm on a fancy table, or buying them from traders, and then you can combine them and install them with a fancy device. Overall the system is basically like an additional bionics layer, except it's not physical and you can copy them endlessly, the challenge is getting a copy of the ones you want which is largely RNG.

If you mean the vampire part, the "sanguophages," these are a very small part of the expansion and easily avoidable. In fact even if you want to see them they are so rare you might not over the course of a long game.

[marcusaddamsson]

right. Kids. ThoseRAwesome. :)

[Honor]

Originally posted by Astasia:

I don't understand the connection between blood and gore or creepy things and Biotech.

That's very intuitive for you to notice that since I was trying to find a way to get my point across without saying what's really on my mind.

If you mean the vampire part, the "sanguophages," these are a very small part of the expansion and easily avoidable. In fact even if you want to see them they are so rare you might not over the course of a long game.

That was part of it and thanks for letting me know it's optional.

[Gnasty Gnorc]

If you don't like necessarily violent games with blood and gore (i use gore loosely in this game's context), I don't think Rimworld as a whole is for you.

Yes, you can play on peaceful mode, but that sort of entirely negates the "survival" aspect of the game.

[gigamelon1981]

I think we should address, what is in your understanding, the gory, and the beyond creepy part of the DLC ? Your reply to Astasia indicating it isn't fully conclusive, to me.

IMHO if i should choose which DLC would fit to those statements is probably the Ideology TBH. I won't go into details on that one as it may disturbing to you. Although it also optional there.

The graphical representation of this game can be interpreted as gory even at the base game, like the heads. Blood of course. But IMHO the Biotech doesn't add more to it. Even the Sanguophages. You can use blood transfusion from your own colonist i think. Almost no graphic to portray the process. Slight pause maybe, and then, poof the blood pack has been consumed. Gone from the inventory, complete with the plastic bag. There also drink directly option like Dracula movies, but again, just pawns staring each other, pauses.

Now it brings to the next one, maybe the idea itself is something you're against with.
Vampires, Robots, Gene modification, Children. Maybe Children in a growing vat ?
Well as Astasia said, they're completely optional. Just don't take the Sanguophage (vampire) quest, don't build any mechanoid (robot) or start the quest, nor building gene modification apparatus, maybe don't build any double bed to solve the children problem. Just pick what you want.

[marcusaddamsson]

"What's Pornography?"

"I dunno... but I'll know when I see it."

[Honor]

So does the front cover picture of Biotech dlc represent Satan, you know, the guy with the horns on his head? That seems to speak for the dlc and that's why I don't want it. Or does that picture represent something else I might not be aware of?

[Grinch]

That's just one of the Xenotypes, an Impid. Other than red-yellow skin, horns, a preference for higher temperature environments and the ability to breath fire, they're just humans.

[Hykal]

"I can handle slavery, drug trafficking, organ harvesting, murder, animal abuse and torture but the presence of Satan is where I draw the line."

[Jigain]

While the character on the Biotech artwork is inspired in design and name by imps (low-level demons in many mythological origins), impids themselves have no connection in-game to anything related to Satan, demons, hell, religion, or anything religion-adjacent.

[XelNigma]

This topic whent from silly, gore in a flat 2d game with minimal graphics, to stupid with concerns that Satan is in mah video games!

Now to play devil's advocate, there's a few mods that let you play RimWorld in a peaceful way and play like a store or hotel, or even casino I recently seen.

And every aspect of the biotech dlc can be ignored. Including the scarry devil men.

[gigamelon1981]

Originally posted by sunirose4:

So does the front cover picture of Biotech dlc represent Satan, you know, the guy with the horns on his head? That seems to speak for the dlc and that's why I don't want it. Or does that picture represent something else I might not be aware of?

I think there's no satan. It supposedly to represent Impish race or some sort, along with another mythical inspired beings like Yeti or Orcs. They have red skin, run fast, but fragile.
In the game, they looks like a red pawn moving at blazing speed, that's all.
Those races are part of the introduction of Biogenetics. You can custom your own pawn skin color, appearance, etc.
Be sure to exclude the Impish when you create the world, if you want to avoid them.

[Lord Freedom]

You should still get Biotech 100% even if you don't like blood and gore. If you turn off hostilities then it basically becomes the Sims but with multiple families and cleaning robots.

[marcusaddamsson]

Earlier today, I stopped by an Armenian deli to get some food. While the lovely ladies were making my food, I sat in waiting/dining area. I haven't slept for days... I rub my eyes.. and decide the best way to keep myself awake is to 'stare' at the shelves at the back of the store... filled with all kinds of foreign food I know nothing about, so I dream of food I've never had while I wait for the food I know about...

And suddenly some lady starts yellin' at me. I look around confused... whadidido? Apparently I'd been staring 'thru' her.. and she was pissed about it. "Why are you staring at us?" Us? It's just her. Odd.

This type I lock eyes with her and calmly say, "Now I'm staring at you. See/feel the difference? I guess next time I'll hide my face with a phone to make you happy?"

My point being, if you could actually figger out what offends people, they'll dream up a new way to be offended. Jeeesh-us.ppl. ;)


***

"Gosh, I think that person looks like the Devil!"

"Funny... I'm pickin' up a Mickey Mouse vibe from him..."

*clucking noises*

"Did you just compare Mickey Mouse the Revered Saint of All Things Disneyish to BeelzabumbumbuuuuUUUUUuuuuummmm.? Cuz that's just OFFENSIVE!"

"Really? I just thought it was Interesting. No funny! Wait, wait wait.. I got a better one! Come back to me...."