Is "Burial at the Sea" worth it ?

[soap]

If so, tell me WHY. I want to be able to know if I will enjoy it or not.
I'm not sure about buying it because I was mixed about BI. The gameplay was OK, classic but fun. The graphics/environment/cutscenes/staging were great. What I didn't like was the scenario, that thing was made to blow your mind and makes the game pretentious in my opinion. (I read explanations about the ending, and it's still pretty cool even though it's ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥).

So, what about BatS ? Is it good ? Does the gameplay make it worth it ? Is it only for fanboys ? Because giving Elizabeth a new weird look and making this game take place AFTER BI (is that right ? I'm not sure) seems like more ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to me.

[☢ GoldFish (SVK) ☢]

Well... to each his own I guess.
Graphics, style and art is undoubtedly a point where we can agree, but I for one found gameplay of BI mediocre at best but loved the story very much. There isn't much mindf*ck in games in general so I have to compare this to some movies - I've seen my share of pretentious wannabe mindf*cks (Donnie Darko for one), then I've seen my share of actual good mindf*cks (anything from David Lynch), and I've found BI fall into the second category, definitely. I hated the audiolog approach to the story though, it's just not my thing.

Now to answer your actual question - gameplay of Burial ep. 1 is very similar to Infinite (as you're playing as Booker), with slight insignificant improvements here and there. Episode 2 is a bit different (you're playing as Elizabeth) and you have to rely on stealth more, definitely a refreshing experience. Story is quite good, I think you might even find it less "pretentious". It has its share of plot twists though.

The opening of Episode 2 is masterful piece of art that should be played by even a non-fan in my opinion.

[soap]

Originally posted by GoldFi$h {SVK} #GET SHREKT:

Well... to each his own I guess.
Graphics, style and art is undoubtedly a point where we can agree, but I for one found gameplay of BI mediocre at best but loved the story very much. There isn't much mindf*ck in games in general so I have to compare this to some movies - I've seen my share of pretentious wannabe mindf*cks (Donnie Darko for one), then I've seen my share of actual good mindf*cks (anything from David Lynch), and I've found BI fall into the second category, definitely. I hated the audiolog approach to the story though, it's just not my thing.

I understand you find the gameplay mediocre, but as someone who doesn't play a lot of FPS, it's still fun because I haven't done this over 9000 times yet.
I wouldn't have placed BI in the second category, but to each his own, as you said. A good example of good ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ in games would be Antichamber, but it is very different from BI.

Originally posted by GoldFi$h {SVK} #GET SHREKT:

Now to answer your actual question - gameplay of Burial ep. 1 is very similar to Infinite (as you're playing as Booker), with slight insignificant improvements here and there. Episode 2 is a bit different (you're playing as Elizabeth) and you have to rely on stealth more, definitely a refreshing experience. Story is quite good, I think you might even find it less "pretentious". It has its share of plot twists though.

The opening of Episode 2 is masterful piece of art that should be played by even a non-fan in my opinion.

Ah, should I watch a Let's Play of the first one and play only the second one then ?
And by the way, are these games just fanservice ? Seems like the second one is really good, but they still may be just here to make the hardcore fans happy ?

[☢ GoldFish (SVK) ☢]

I probably wouldn't label Antichamber as mindf.ck per se, but it is different and stands out in the crowd, no argument there. A great game.
Now to Bioshock - my point of view is biased but both episodes are pretty well worth the purchase imo, definitely enjoyable for people that are not hardcore fans. Hell I don't even consider myself a hardcore fan, I'm fairly critical towards the game (+ series) and I've got my share of disagreements with it, plenty of things could be done better (one of them being gameplay (for me ;) ).

Then again, there's a difference between not being a hardcore fan and not liking the base game (or its story). It also depends if you played the original Bioshock (you didn't have to love it, for one I didn't even like it the first time I played it). If you did play it and didn't hate it, the purchase of both episodes is very recommended. If you didn't it's optional, but still enjoyable. Both episodes are a pre-quel to Bioshock 1 so it's not totally necessairy to play the first. Bioshock 2 is unrelated to Infinite/BaS. In any case, even if you've never been to Rapture before, the art side of it will captivate you nonetheless, this I'm sure of.

Both of the episodes expand and complete the Bioshock story (not only Infinite), you'll find out some interesting things, discover what has Rapture in common with Columbia, find out the truth about the very first Bioshock and Atlas, see what do Big Daddies have in common with the Songbird, see the conclusion of the whole Elizabeth story, explore art-like environments, collect more audiologs, shoot some enemies, use new vigors plasmids, hack some turrets, stealth-kill some splicers (now in HD), and see some kick-a*s cinematics (one being a lobotomy POV).

Take from that what you will :)
Just stay clear of Clash in the Clouds if you're not a fan, that one is a fan service. BaS episodes - not so much.

I would never choose watching a gameplay over playing the game, but meh. What I would do though is to watch some review videos, they should give you a clearer idea of whether you'll like the game or not.

[whitecrow]

I didn't care for the first episode but I really enjoyed the second.

[mszombiemonster]

If you didn't enjoy BI that much, I wouldn't pay full price for BAS, and just wait for a really really good sale on it. I absolutely love BI, so BAS was fantastic to me. I will agree though that part two is much better than part one and the opening is beautiful.

[JurrJurr_Dawny]

YES YES A HUNRED THOUSAND TIMES YES. YOULL BE BLOWN AWAY. go watch an explanation afterwards and youll be sitting there in awe afterwards

[mellamoger]

If you found annoying the narrative in BI, I don't think you would like the Burials: they also can be confusing, and the story is similar (continues where BI finished). The gameplay in Episode 1 is similar, while in Episode 2 is more stealthy.

In some way, it's a total fan content. I mean, both episodes are awesome (specially the second one), but they are meant to be enjoyed by the ones who freaked out with Infinite.

Originally posted by GoldFi$h {SVK} #GET SHREKT:

The opening of Episode 2 is masterful piece of art that should be played by even a non-fan in my opinion.

THIS. And also the ending, closing the circle in such a poetic way.

[Dictaorofcheese]

I don't have Burial at Seas Ep. 1 & 2 on steam, but I have them on Xbox 360. I personally loved both episodes. I would recommend you should get both because when I went over to a friends house to try out BaS I automatically skipped to ep. 2. Bad mistake. There were some parts my friend had to fill me in on because I didn't play the first episode, which annoyed me. So I recommend both episodes for the fun content and the dark story. I personally enjoyed BaS ep 2 better because you had to be stealthy, which felt very very fresh to me considering how Bioshock 1, 2, and infinite were solely based on shooting everything to hell. But from my experience with not understanding some stuff since I skipped the first episode I would recommend both episodes.

[BeCoolia]

I would recommend getting BatS since it's a great continuation of the BI story and gives a new viewpoint into the world. Even though the game in whole is obviously more story heavy, just experiencing BatS is really cool no matter how great the gameplay.

In conclusion, you should get it. Just do it.

[soap]

jesus, so much stuff to answer, you crazy people

Originally posted by GoldFi$h {SVK} #GET SHREKT:

I probably wouldn't label Antichamber as mindf.ck per se, but it is different and stands out in the crowd, no argument there. A great game.
Now to Bioshock - my point of view is biased but both episodes are pretty well worth the purchase imo, definitely enjoyable for people that are not hardcore fans. Hell I don't even consider myself a hardcore fan, I'm fairly critical towards the game (+ series) and I've got my share of disagreements with it, plenty of things could be done better (one of them being gameplay (for me ;) ).

Then again, there's a difference between not being a hardcore fan and not liking the base game (or its story). It also depends if you played the original Bioshock (you didn't have to love it, for one I didn't even like it the first time I played it). If you did play it and didn't hate it, the purchase of both episodes is very recommended. If you didn't it's optional, but still enjoyable. Both episodes are a pre-quel to Bioshock 1 so it's not totally necessairy to play the first. Bioshock 2 is unrelated to Infinite/BaS. In any case, even if you've never been to Rapture before, the art side of it will captivate you nonetheless, this I'm sure of.

Both of the episodes expand and complete the Bioshock story (not only Infinite), you'll find out some interesting things, discover what has Rapture in common with Columbia, find out the truth about the very first Bioshock and Atlas, see what do Big Daddies have in common with the Songbird, see the conclusion of the whole Elizabeth story, explore art-like environments, collect more audiologs, shoot some enemies, use new vigors plasmids, hack some turrets, stealth-kill some splicers (now in HD), and see some kick-a*s cinematics (one being a lobotomy POV).

Take from that what you will :)
Just stay clear of Clash in the Clouds if you're not a fan, that one is a fan service. BaS episodes - not so much.

I would never choose watching a gameplay over playing the game, but meh. What I would do though is to watch some review videos, they should give you a clearer idea of whether you'll like the game or not.

i found a better example of ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, Hotline Miami. I loved this game's plot. (dont know about the 2nd one though)
links between Rapture and Columbia plot-wise ? If they work, this has to be GREAT.
if this is refreshing, why not. bioshock 1 was awesome.
I didnt even plan to touch CitC. looks horrible to me.
i thought I could in this case, because BI shines (to me) in his aesthetics/design/cinematics. but it looks like a good game so i'll probably just end up playing it next sales.

Originally posted by mszombiemonster:

If you didn't enjoy BI that much, I wouldn't pay full price for BAS, and just wait for a really really good sale on it. I absolutely love BI, so BAS was fantastic to me. I will agree though that part two is much better than part one and the opening is beautiful.

that was my plan since the beginning ! gaben wont take my money !
jesus, part two is THAT good ?

Originally posted by JurrJurr_Downy:

YES YES A HUNRED THOUSAND TIMES YES. YOULL BE BLOWN AWAY. go watch an explanation afterwards and youll be sitting there in awe afterwards

sorry man, but that's just what i said in my very first post on this thread. i dont care if you tell me its good if you dont try to explain it at least a little bit. (jesus, i'll have to watch an explanation afterwards ? looks like it's as confusing as the main game ! )

Originally posted by mellamoger:

If you found annoying the narrative in BI, I don't think you would like the Burials: they also can be confusing, and the story is similar (continues where BI finished). The gameplay in Episode 1 is similar, while in Episode 2 is more stealthy.

In some way, it's a total fan content. I mean, both episodes are awesome (specially the second one), but they are meant to be enjoyed by the ones who freaked out with Infinite.

Originally posted by GoldFi$h {SVK} #GET SHREKT:

The opening of Episode 2 is masterful piece of art that should be played by even a non-fan in my opinion.

THIS. And also the ending, closing the circle in such a poetic way.

after all these comments, i think i'm gonna buy them anyways. i didn't hate infinite, else i wouldnt be playng it again ! (...why am i playing it again)
Okay, no spoilers, but I heard the ending was Elizabeth beaten to death by bad dudes , so I'm not that convinced.



well i guess someone here has to go buy some games. thanks everyone !

[Dictaorofcheese]

Originally posted by sfeer:

thanks everyone !

Your very welcome. Enjoy the fun.