Determining a Genre

[Rybow73]

The BioShock series thus far has already varied in terms of genre. For example; the first BioShock had larger amounts of horror than the second game did. However, it could be argued that not enough of it focused on the horror element to necessarily qualify it as a "horror-survival game."


Another interesting aspect of BioShock would be its boasting of multiple genres, by not placing it into one particular category.


So, when it comes to BioShock Infinite, what would please you, the gamer, when it comes to defining the genre? We obviously don't know a great deal about the game as of now, but based on what we've seen so far, what would you want it to be? Which genre, or mixture of genres, would please you the most?


This thread is based purely on opinion, and no answer is a correct or wrong one...at least until we know for sure how it'll all turn out.

[v3nd3tta]

I want it to be its own game, its own genre just like the first bioshock. I want to be blown sky high with amuzment. The way bioshock 1 fit the vibe with its time was perfect (literaly). Everything about the game gave some sort of new and old feeling at the same time. The old feeling is that every weapon and plasmid felt iconic just like Super mario, it was its own game with its own secret recipe, its own apeal diferent from the rest. I hope Irational does a good job on this.

[Systemaddict]

I don't think it works in these terms as neatly as one might hope. It's largely elements of other genres, cherry picked where needed, and layered on top of the shooter category. I've always Liked to call it "Intelligent FPS"


I'd be taken aback I think it Infinite wasn't the same, if ti didn't have all the elements we've come to expect; a little horror, a little RPG, and a lot of shooter...


Personally though, i don't think it's very original. It's a lot of other past genres done well, which is fine. As long as they keep true to the story the genre and theme find it's way.

[benporter]

I don't see why genre is so important to everyone; let it become whatever it is, I say.

[adrianis]

Its a shame to define a game by its genre, but every game fits into a genre regardless of similarities to particular titles. Bioshock was a story based linear FPS with minor RPG elements. I say 'minor' because it did have customisation in what plasmids and tonics to use, and it did have development in terms of upgrading those and weapons on a linear path, but there was no real character development and skill development as your skills were as good as your aiming. This is not a comment on the quality of how those


You cant explain Bioshock by saying FPS with RPG elements, but regardless or how well it does those features or how differently it implements them, thats the genre it falls into. I guess you need to decide whether to apply all games to the genres they fit into whilst appreciating the differences within a genre, or to never apply any game to a genre in order to keep people from making assumptions, but we should never make exceptions to one or the other.

[Rybow73]

benporter said:

I don't see why genre is so important to everyone; let it become whatever it is, I say.

This thread wasn't meant to squash Infinite into a genre, but rather talk about what elements of genres everyone would like implemented in. I just wanted opinions on where people wanted to see it go. Like I said, it could be multiple things in one, but what I also mean is that since we have very little information, it'd be fun to see what elements everyone would like.


It's still an opinion thread, and I know BioShock is unique and shouldn't be defined by any one genre.