Recent reviews by Jay Lay

By the end of my playthrough, I wanted more, and was greeted with the fact they didn't include the DLC in what was a 6yo game they remastered, at the time. We were 3 years in the PS4 gen for clarity. No reason for this. If they just included it, I'd probably not leave a negative review and just say "power through the problems" but I can't. This game is surrounded by anti-consumerism.

Let's make bullet points of issues, I implore you to read these to see what you're in for:

The OG came out in 2010, the Remaster in 2016. They updated the game in 2023 to add their Data Harvester, The 2K Launcher, this update caused Several More Issues for users. Eventually they "removed" it.

When starting the game, you'll be greeted Each and Every Time with a 3-6 second unskippable Pop-Up saying "Connecting" This is the game connecting to 2K's ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, of which No One Will Do, it's optional, and there's No Point.


You're required to get a Fan Patch that MIGHT fix the OVERWHELMING amount of crashes this game has.

This, compounded with the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ AutoSave, makes playing this game Impossible normally.
In B1, the autosave was constant, in B2? It's the start of the level, you can lose Hours of progress because you shot water with electricity and I am Not Kidding that's a Consistent Crash.


There's a Consistent Game Altering Bug, where if you Aim Down Sights while doing something, you can just Lose An Arm, No More Plasmids, No More Guns, and there's only 3 fixes:
Pick up, or put down a Little Sister
Die
Reload.
If you do not aim down sights, you are Handicapping yourself, your accuracy is Awful, and your damage is Less when free aiming. You are Expected, to Use This, and they Broke it. It became so common at one point I thought I may not reach the end with Plasmids.


These Controls. Are a Nightmare. Nobody knew what they were doing. You will have constant issues with Using Plasmids, Choosing Plasmids, choosing Guns, Melee, Aiming, and drill bashing.
If you could've just used the Unused Shift Key, holding it to choose plasmids, not for weapons, it would only be a bit annoying, but solve half these issues. You can't.

You cannot organize your plasmids, so I sure hope you don't want Fire-Electric-Bees, but instead, Security, Fire, and Scout- oH WAIT That's a Consistent Way to lose your left arm! Nevermind!


Honest to god charge 10$ for DLC from 2010.

Bioshock 2 is a short game, alot of the level design is very incoherent and doesn't feel designed for exploration but pure combat with camping spots, there's too many items, you will never run out of ammo. It is a surprisingly easy game where difficulty only effects how much damage you take.

The reason for this is because the game's development was hampered by Multiplayer.

This explains the different philosophy in level design between B1 & B2.
B2's levels are designed for Multiplayer. The shortened length also being due to focus on MP, QA included.

This wasn't a typical TDM MP, this had Several, Sprawling gamemodes most of which people didn't play.
A Lot, of the game's feel, level design, story flubs, pacing, and length, is due to Multiplayer.
I'd argue it is Half the Game. Where half the effort went. They wanted this to be their COD.

They cut the Multiplayer. So you get Half the Effort of the original.
I loved the MP for this game back in the day, and would've expected it to make it to the remaster since the OG still operates on P2P. But they claimed "Server Costs" and I point towards a constant pinging every game launch for someone Who Doesn't Have An Account Linked.

The MP is genuinely unique, if you think of it from the period of time it was out, when competitive MP was just kids saying MLG and small conventions, the MP was meant to be as important as SP, just in it's own vein.

Something to play inbetween SP, or after, a fun addition that adds genuine longevity. Make no mistake, this has the same pitfalls as alot of SP games of the time trying to get that MP/COD money, with too many gamemodes and thus wasted game development/focus, but it feels like the Devs saw unique potential with their format, and it genuinely works. It's Fun As Hell when everyone's mentality is having fun and not clips.

To remove this, is just... so telling. They'll sell you the DLC, but they'll cut a Defacto Important Feature of the game, it was BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP to ALSO be an MP game. I'm just stunned, genuinely, that they went with "Server costs" ♥♥♥♥ off, when the OG is still running. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. Ya'll just didn't put ANY effort into this remaster, nor the original port.
You cut half the work! How is it still ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up!?
You cut half the game! Why is the DLC Separate and 10$!?

It brings to the surface how much This Game, as it is, Right Now in it's Most Playable format, was ♥♥♥♥♥♥ Over by corporate meddling.

There's probably more. I really struggle to recommend this, because It Is A Good Game! This is what introduced me to the series a decade and a half ago. There's alot of nuance, and genuinely good design, you won't get the experience this game brings, Anywhere Else. I Want You TO eXPeRienCE tHiS

But it's hampered by a lack of focus, a lack of QA, a lack of SP focused level design, and constant corporate meddling. Without the MP, I can't make an argument for it's shortcomings anymore, it's just...not as good as the first.

It's a good game.
But you can't play it the way any artist who worked on it, wanted you to.

I got tired of the reverse evolution of polish and effort going from the first to this, if you can get it in a bundle it's fine, but on it's own it is not worth it.
Just happy to get to F.E.A.R. 2 now.

Play with Textures at Medium and resolutions from 1080 below to solve "disconnected from server" issues.
All other settings didn't make a difference for me, but it can vary per computer setup.

Good game, it has moments where it feels like the devteam really understood their game after their work on the first, and other times it feels a bit less polished, I'd say it's at times superior and you'll feel like this is a return to the first's peaks, but mostly just a continuation from the first game that doesn't try to be better, just more of the same. Those returns to peaks are very, very fun though.

Honestly I'm fine with having more of the same standards and expectations as of now, than something different that may not click well with me. I can see why some would be upset with no direct upgrades, but I genuinely prefer enjoying more of what I know I'll enjoy, than experimentation that came too soon for me to fully enjoy what came before.

It's Just below F.E.A.R. in quality for me, by a hair.

Get the echo patch.

Good game, I find the sequel superior and that makes me appreciate this one all the more.
If you're someone who was into basically any FPS Esport game, you'll be fine cranking the difficulty to max, as this game's rather easy.

Change controls aswell, here's mine for reference:
4 Swaps grenades
CTRL crouches
Shift Walks
C Slowmo's
Middle mouse Melees
Right click Aim.

Holds up surprisingly well, after the patch and modifying a setting to make it change to my resolution, instead of it's default which would keep it from launching.

Believe it or not, has actually came in handy and felt cool to do.
Good deal too, got it, all the DLC and games up to the last one, for 7$.

Best purchase I've ever made bar none.

While I'm still skeptical of future monetization methods that could be added, as of right now I can say this game only got better as time has gone on. There's still a bit of clunk but if they keep going at this rate they'll have a really solid feeling experience by the end.

With the Big N being incredibly hostile towards other creators quite literally since conception, are again, throwing their dwindling weight around legally, and how the team has been responding with stuff the Big N would absolutely hate to see their IP related to, I can confidently say that, going in with the mindset that I'll likely see anti-consumer practices eventually come, thus far, I've only been impressed.

Just go in with the mindset that eventually, alot of the game may be behind multiple additional paywalls in maybe a year or twos time.
But there's quite alot right now, it is improving, it feels better to play than a year ago. I appreciate that enough to recommend it. My purchase thus far is a solid one, on uncertain grounds.

I consider this one of those titles people should have in their libraries.

It's not a masterpiece that transcends creation or anything, it's a legitimately well crafted experience where the more I played the more I found to enjoy. Generally I expect much less from smaller budget titles, but even my base standards were overcome. Again, it's nothing groundbreaking, but it is legitimately fun.

Imagine if Just Cause was all about having fun the Entire Time. That's this game. Rough, but genuinely worthwhile. Heavy recommendation.

I played this wayyyyy back in the 360 years before Minecraft on consoles was even a consideration.
I had actual Minecraft but I truly considered both games equally enjoyable. And to this day I still feel that way. This is a simple formula, but it's one you can pull up at a moment's notice. Pretty much any emotional state, this game is perfect for, kinda like Kiwi 64.

I straight up only ever pulled my 2005~ 360 out to play this game and when I got a Jtag in 2020, you best believe I put this game on it too. Genuinely fantastic.

From the 360 to the PC version, they don't ask for any more money after the pricetag, there's not hundreds of theseus ship updates, it's a good game I'm confident in trusting long term. Safe to purchase as a consumer.

Works perfectly on Steamdeck, there is a minor issue of climbing 2 block jumps in that you need to aim higher with the joystick than feels natural, but it's incredibly minor, likely easily fixed via control configs and D-pad works flawlessly, I will say on PC with a PS5 controller, the same issue wasn't present.

Also extra mines, UI size options, and 21:9 support is genuinely cool. Price is consumer friendly.
Should be in your library tbh.

The original is better. Get a CRT and go forth.

Absolutely 10/10 game. It's (hopefully) intentionally designed and understands it's identity in a very blatantly known and wonderful to experience kind've way.

However, it being so early on, and the modding scene completely breaking joining random lobbies,and a few other things, I'm worried it will splinter, there's already 2 "bigger lobby" mods, and of course, the less polished one is the most popular, but this means there's 2 communities incapable of joining each other.

There's also no anti-cheat and it's incredibly simple to troll within mere instants. That's gonna happen this early on and will likely be ironed out.

Here's my proposal, for the next 2 updates within the span of half a year at most and at minimum:

1. Expand upon "lobby options"

Having a choice of save slots and naming, I want a hundred friend saves and a hundred public saves all named dick1-dick100.

Increase lobby sizes, This is a big one, I get balancing, and that is why:

Make difficulty modes, I Really, want to Solo play, and play the intended way, AND play the funny way. I respect what's here and if it gets any sillier than it is well designed and scary, I guarantee, it will lose appeal. So instead, have variety. I've met a ton of various people with different play styles, having that stuck behind not just A mod, but 2 mods basically competing, will probably splinter the community. Nip it in the Bud.

Turn up/down/off death penalties. Again, have an intended difficulty mode with it's restrictions and such, but not having this on by default means people can't just intentionally die and cost the game that way, especially in bigger lobbies.

Obviously make it so people don't have quite as much control over the ship somehow. I think it'd be interesting if there was an auto-pilot you HAD to wait on if one of the crew died with the only key to the ship's shaft. Maybe it can be more than one key, but having a dedicated ship guy would matter alot more that way, and it would keep griefing down somewhat, I dunno. If anything, don't let randoms block the door, but also definitely still let ME and my friends block the door.

Length of day, stamina recovery, enemy spawn count and variety, loot amount, cost amount options.

Really just make it so people have absolute freedom to do with their lobby. Again, have a difficulty meant for the fully intended experience, I still want that, but I also wanna slap ♥♥♥♥.

2. Quality of Life
Generally just bug fixes, but primarily expanding upon what's there.

I don't think we need new moons, I think having to scroll at anytime during the monitor process would give me a headache, so instead, expand upon what's there already, have more outside, more weather affects, like...uh...I dunno man have 2 eyes staring down at you to expel megalophobia fears, and you have half the time to leave or he literally eats the world. Inside areas honestly...just need like, 8 rooms more each. The level design is honestly pretty solid, it's maze-like, memorable, and confusing, but you constantly feel like you're making progress.

More enemies, loot, blah blah, but most importantly:

Make making suits not only easier, but something that's easier to share. A menu in the game to change colors at minimum would be aight. I've made a handful of my own suits already, and while that texture sheet gives me a headache, I can work with it, and with mods it's surprisingly simple to do. I think instead of adding more suits to buy, just have suits you can download and sync across players. Most people are gonna wanna be doom guy with his ass out, or their own special boi suit than in just in their pajamas.

BODYCAMS! Bro it'd be super cool to watch the perspectives of people while on the ship, especially when you get lamps and turn the lights off, buying radios is cool, but an upgraded purchase could be a helmet cam or something, and you can even set up monitors for each individual player and have it spread out to see them all at once. Idunno that might be alot.

Obviously the Mimic but...I've seen alot of people's ideas for one and, I'm kinda surprised at them I'll say.

Okay, so, they need to be Just a Crewmate like you, visually. I know Amourongous has made this concept infinitely generic like a Minion, but work with it, have them hide on the ceiling or running around, record lines they hear from players, and then at some point, make them go to whatever player if they're alone. This way, the voice doesn't get lost through someone else speaking, and it gives the player both hope and Actual Ungodly Fear. Because they either spotted a friend, or were spotted long ago by someone who's not a friend and is making their move.

Don't...Just...make them clearly a monster with a crewmate as like, a tongue, I don't even think they understa-

Honest to god just put a gun in the game, and when people finally go to use it, it just kills themselves. It'd be ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ hilarious.

A portable radar that only tracks players, make it cost prohibitive, like, if you do get one, you're only getting one. It doesn't swap between players, it just shows them around a limited area, think fnaf without the cameras.

Speaking of cameras, have some in the facilities, a device you can buy that lets you see through some of them on the ship, or on foot. Give the cameras healthbars, they eventually zap causing sound and stop working. That's a light suggestion.

What most people do when they find something big, is run outside, drop it, then run back in. So, what if we had a wheelbarrow, or, a Slow as ♥♥♥♥ drone/little robot man that brings small stuff back. It can, in a full day, bring 4 items back to the ship. It has infinite charge, but it's slow, as, ♥♥♥♥. that way there's a slight variety to bringing stuff outside. More of a time saver, and the idea behind it is mainly to justify the next idea:

Honestly make the jetpack even pricier or remove it, it's such an easy troll to end a long game for strangers either in loss of money, or exploding inside the ship, it's loud as ♥♥♥♥, hard to control, and I honest to god can't think of a reason for it that another idea couldn't do better. Like a tiny little robot man who's slower than ♥♥♥♥.

Otherwise, it's some solid ♥♥♥♥ all around. My main concern is worrying the modding community will further divide the game. I'd make it modding the game less necessary a top priority, because right now the community is Incredibly splintered in that server browser.