System Shock 2 was one of the most phenomenal games i have ever played. Through its use of atmosphere, RPG and FPS hybrid gameplay and intriguing storyline it was and still is one of my favorite games of all time. So why has so many people never heard of this game? Well unfortunately for System Shock 2 the previous year a little game called Half-Life was released onto the world, (similar to the release of DOOM a year before the original System Shock) ultimately eclipsing the critical success of the game. This coupled with some frustrating bugs that were included in the game such as a broken weapon degradation system made this game join the ranks of "The best games you never played."

Fast Forward to 2007

Bioshock is set to be released this summer, and already people are worried that "The spiritual successor to System Shock 2" will befall the same fate as the Shock series. With the impending release of the most hyped game this year, Halo 3. I am personally hoping that the few months between the games is enough time for the game to receive the necessary fanbase before Microsoft unleashes the big guns. Seeing Bioshock fail would probably mean the end of any Shock game being made by Irrational, all of which are deserving of much more then they have received. It would be a massive disappointment to see another (seemingly) brilliant game once again go under the radar.

Do you think this game is doomed to fail? Either by bad luck of the entire shock series, or just bad timing? Will Halo 3 eclipse Bioshock much like the previous system shocks? Do you hope it succeeds?

How can a 360 game affect the sales of a PC game?

I guess he means the 360 version of Bioshock.

I can see what you're saying Nags, it is true though many of the 360's future big games share a similar science fiction/shooter theme, for casual gamers they only need one, and arguably that one game will be Halo 3.

With that said Bioshock is really a very different game, the publisher (2K I believe) needs to be smart in its marketing to differentiate the game, convince people that its not just another shooter.

That's going to the 360?

Pfft, sif get that version. :P

*buys $2000 pc*

System Shock 2 had next to no lead up marketing. Bioshock is a very different beast with the game constantly appearing in 'most anticipated' lists and plenty of general press coverage.

Bioshock will be fine. It probably won't be a best seller but it will certainly sell a lot more than System Shock 2.

Echo El Pres

System Shock 2 just sorta appeared in gaming magazines to rave reviews. After E3 last year, Bioshock has received much better marketing, with whole feature sections dedicated to the game's unique setting... and scary little sisters running around and so forth.

I'd be surprised if it tanks.

Yeah, the point the President makes is a fair one. The game is anticipated by pretty much every gaming critic (critique?) out there at the moment, some have it as their most anticipated games, most seem to have it within their top three. That alone will garner enough interest in the title for it to be a reasonable hit for the 360 (and PC) when it releases. Plus at the moment it seems like people aren't as interested in Halo 3, either because the hype train hasn't begun yet or because they are learning from their mistakes with Halo 2. Either way, this lack of interest (at the moment) will hopefully see these people branch out into other games while they do wait for Halo 3, and with any luck BioShock will be one of them.

If it hits in June (which seems to be when it will), I think that's the perfect time for the game to find its place. Halo 3 won't be out until November, give or take, so that's plenty of time.

As for the actual game itself, well like most people it is one of my big games of this year. I don't have the privilege of knowing much about either System Shock title because I'm not a PC gamer, but regardless I am still anticipating BioShock massively. What we've seen so far is awesome and I'm sure what we will continue to see will be the same. Plus, it's a game set in an underwater city. That's just fucking cool!

(I'm a big fan of water related things...)