I'm just wondering if I'm the only one who gets a Bioshock vibe from this game. Thoughts?

It definitely has the steampunk vibe to it, but I would not say bioshock...

Isn't Bioshock one of the influences the developers cite? Maybe it's just comparisons I've seen in the press, but i seem to remember a dev talking about the kind of first-person immersive experience in a world that is similar to Bioshock, Deus Ex etc.

I see no other resemblance than the fact, that you have powers in your left hand and weapons in your right, and the "steampunk" style.

Kind of a chicken and egg thing. Harvey helped to make System Shock (the second one I think). Bioshock is the spiritual successor to System Shock. Also, Arkane helped with different aspects of Bioshock 2, but when asked during the Reddit whether that experience influenced the making of Dishonored Raf said only in the general sense that every experience helps you become better. Considering they haven't shied away from saying Thief is an influence, I don't think they would go out of their way to exclude Bioshock unless it really doesn't factor in.

That's the impression I have anyway, and there's probably gray areas in that assessment. With System Shock being part of the LGS library of titles (and they are influenced by them) along with their appreciation for Irrational Games, maybe they are. They're both looking forward to the new Bioshock.

The styling is different in my mind, especially with the new title. Colors are more muted and the design is gritty to fit with Dunwall being a city ravaged by plague and small town/big city changed by industry clash. I'd have to start watching Bioshock videos again to really compare more, but they both strike me as very different beyond the hand layout as Don mentioned.

I really like this ridiculous questions from people. "Does this seem like Bioshock" "Are the graphics bad" and so on and so forth. I never even thought of Bioshock when I am looking at this game. The influences are mostly Thief and Deus Ex. Just because Corvo is using both his hands doesn't mean it will remind me of Bioshock.

No it does NOT look like Bioshock. Bioshock has some of the best art styles this generation, and it's an art that not many games have matched up. Even the music isn't like Bioshock; one's a straight FPS where you only shoot while the other is stealth. Would really like to know what weird reason you have that made you connect these.

@strifecross

Agreed.It seems like consumers this generation try their damnest to find ridiculous similarites to games, with no purpose whatsoever. Maybe because Bioshock is the ONLY game most people have played where there is so called "fun" and a taste of freedom that very few games tend to have.

Try to enjoy the game and stop wasting time making fruitless similarites like 9 year olds(not specific to you OP,just to people who compare everything obsessively).

Whenever I hear this comparison made between Dishonored and bioshock I want to tip a bus over.

But really, bioshock didn't have stealth from what I remember.

IDK, I wasn't that immersed.

PS. Don Rhode hit it right on the nose.

If it serves as a guidepost and people decide to stick around for the rest of the Dishonored tour, I can think of worse things. It becomes a problem when Bioshock is used negatively---calling Dishonored derivative of BS. That gets me wanting to go full Hulk smash. Being that a lot of GFAQs topics have Bioshock mentioned in some fashion, I've grown used to it. The harder seeds to sow are convincing people this game will be so much more.

Bioshock was also very very linear. It had atmosphere but wasn't particularly immersive. And yeah that is pretty much the only comparison.

Maybe in a steam punk way, but Bioshock wasn't the first thing that came to mind. I liked Bioshock, but I have a feeling that Dishonoured will be one of the most refreshing games we've seen for a while.

Its just an inspiration, but there are tons of inspirations when making this game. And no youre not the only one thinking that. This forum has people almost everyday saw the exact same thing.

If it were only the forum. Every comment on every article: "This looks like a mix of..." "The graphics seem really bad" "This seems clunky"

The only reason why those people say that is because they don't have a firm grasp of how great things come to fruition.

The textures are bad at places yes, but the art style and aesthetic make up for it. And graphics should never matter. We can argue about the immersion factor all we like but the greatest game ever (Deus Ex) has awful graphics and a terribly optimized engine. Yet, one of the most intuative gameplay mechanics of all time.

The game has taken inspirations from a lot of things and that is never a bad thing. After all, there is no original concept or construct, it is all an endless cycle.

The game seems clunky to most people because of the head bobbing and because they think that the game has a lot of "canned" kill animations like the ones in Human Revolution which couldn't be farther from the truth. Yes the head bobbing is odd but I don't mind it and for those who do they know where the Options Menu is. And every animation is fluid with a lot of weight behind it and can be canceled.

The only issues to be addressed are balance, narrative and the overall experience. Let's hope they are as great as they sound (spoiler warning they are can we give Dishonored it's rightful place alongside other great titles now?).

Yes, because 2k made part of it and it's a similer or same system to Bioshock, as far as can be told. Probabely the same engine type.
Though why you'd use that awful, ugly as frakk, bug addled mess that is the Bioshock game engine, or a derivation, beyond me.
Same designers, maybe.

Good bioshock I'm hoping. Bioshock 1 and 2. That, unlimited stuff, system.

Not stupid Bioshock Infinate.
Sadly the painted style is similer to Bioshock Infinate. Not B1 and 2.
Hopefully they stick to just the the graphics in similarity.

If they put anything else similer in it, it's FUBAR'd.
I strongly suspect it is.

Saying somethings like Bioshock, and meaning the latest game, Bioshock Infinate, not a good thing now.

And also there's the steampunk thing.
Well, all steampunks got stuff in common.

Just happens that Bioshock series is prominant in games for a steampunk style.

I think in the end the comparisons to Bioshock will only help to bring more fans (Bioshock fans) over to Dishonored, especially those waiting for Infinite.

They are not the same designers and I don't see why you are constantly involving 2K in these forums. You are seriously deluded.


The pallet is similar not the art style. And you can't say Bioshock Infinite is stupid based on objective claims so that opinion can be completely dismissed.


They haven't put enough in it to make some sort of connection and you haven't justified your concerns even once since you start spamming your doomsday prophecy.


Yes, we get it, you don't like the new Bioshock. Mind filling us in why?


You don't say...


Good thing Dishonored isn't steam punk and some vague resemblance of it.

Bioshock is linear? that game has like 3 alternate endings which is freaking rare nowadays and in terms of gameplay, you can go ADAM hungry and harvest little sisters or save them. Anyways Arkane Studios did the art for Bioshock so you can see some art style similarities, and in terms of gameplay this game obviously has more stealth elements to it. I haven't seen something boss like in Dishonored that are intimidating like the Big Daddies or Big Sisters that were in Bioshock that could contest your skill sets so I can't tell the play style progression and skill balance (tall boys and elite guards are common). hopefully this game has boss fights that are actually challenging and not ends up being a "FIND THE EXPLOIT and kite the Mofo until it drops" disappointment (cough cough Elder Scrolls can't make a decent memorable boss battle, level scaling + Increasing HP != challenging).

^As far as I know Arkane did level design for Bioshock 2 not art. Also, for a "play like you want" game Bioshock was very linear. Its nowhere near the open mission based level design from games like Thief (which Dishonored is based on). It's also more linear than System Shock 2, the very game it is inspired by. That being said Bioshock is a very good game indeed, for it's own reasons. But apart from the powers and rpg lite systems it dosen't resemble Dishonored at all actually

EDIT: To explain the difference a bit clearer. This is the most complex level I could find of Bioshock during a quick search: http://guides.gamepressure.com/bioshock2/gfx/word/990762640.jpg
As you can see the level is a maze of relatively linear corridors, and you have to visit most of them to proceed anyway.

This is a map of one of the floors in a regular Thief level: http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080703192419/thief/images/7/72/T2_M12_map_PAGE002.jpg (sorry for bad quality)
The level is an open house with several floors and windows and doors and ladders everywhere. The route you take is up to you, as long as you reach your objectives

Here is the most mazelike map I could find in Thief: http://images.wikia.com/thief/images/7/73/T2_M5_map_PAGE002.jpg
Even though this is a maze as well, you can easily see how it is buildt much more open ended than in Bioshock. The objective in that level is get home (top left) from the pub (bottom right), the route you take is up to you.

Really rare for a game to have a lot of endings these days? Nope. And having a lot of endings doesn't mean your game isn't linear. Bastion is linear and it had two endings which was basically a multiple choice question. That's what many games do as well, not making a proper ending but just something that you need to replay in order to see (or watch on YT).

There are no boss fights in the game. It's just a set of situations and the way you approach your target. That's good design.

It's exactly like System Shock:
Here is your goal. Oh, no! Something happened that prevented you from going through. You must go to that place and come back again so you can proceed.

Pretty much that.

^Yes but the floors in system shock was much more open (later in the game anyways) and its corridors connected at many different places. Bioshock is more streched out and mazelike. Like this: http://www.sshock2.com/ss2walk/medsci1.png

Exactly.

so wait, you only consider the level (environment) and level progression as the only variables in determining if the game is linear or not?

No. I also consider things like the game holding you by the hand and not giving you the option to stray off the path and even punishing you for it in some games. Also the way the narrative is conveyed. It is mostly level design though. Although most open world games are linear as well. You are just left with a sandbox in which you can do anything off missions. On a mission you are fairly constrictive and that's what makes the narrative hurt the gameplay.

A lot of people I know have this issue with the GTA series. They don't want to start the story because it restricts them too much. Instead of the game using its narrative to introduce to its world and create a sense of non-linearity, it just follows the WoW logic with the quests. Bioshock is no a linear game, period.

I personally don't have a grudge against linear gameplay; it can be more effective at telling a tight story.