Bioshock is one of those games that you can’t pigeonhole into one category. Is it an FPS? While you play it from the first person viewpoint, and there are guns to shoot, you would be doing this game a great disservice if you write it off as a simple Halo-style blastfest. Is it an RPG? Well, the stat upgrade and skill development systems are almost as complex as any RPG skill tree. Is it a survival horror game? Well, there are things that are just as gripping and disturbing as any Silent Hill game. Considered a spiritual successor to Irrational games’ System Shock 2, BioShock is a blend of several different genres that features a powerful narrative, unique gameplay mechanics, and a breathtaking underwater setting.
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When E3 hit and Mass Effect 2 was officially revealed, we learned that the fate of your Shepard character rests in your hands: your decisions will ultimately determine if (s)he lives or dies. Apparently BioWare felt this needed clarification, and though it explained a few things, it only served to muddy the waters.

I’m sure there’s more nuance to what was said, but isn’t it much more fun to jump to conclusions? (After the jump!)

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Remember the old days of the FPS genre? You know, Doom, Wolfenstein 3-d, Duke Nukem and such. This was back when you developers didn’t have to reinvent the genre with some fancy graphics engine, Havok physics, or even complex AI. No sir, all you needed was a gun and a bunch of enemies to shoot. Rise of the Triad is a lesser known relic from that era. Created by a subsection of Apogee developers known as the Developers of Incredible power, Rise of the triad was another fun early FPS blast fest. It also added a few unique tricks of its own to make it all the more enjoyable. I’m shocked that no one developed a console version of this game as they did with Doom and Wolfenstein.
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Michael Bay, a man so closely associated with explosions that the image with this post was the only to come to mind, has decided to leave action movies and his hit Transformers franchise behind.

Reported on IMDB he says “After the three and a half years I’ve spent making these movies, I feel like I’ve had enough of the Transformers world. I need to do something totally divergent, something without any explosions.”

The second chapter in the live action Transformers saga, Revenge of The Fallen, releases next week, and Paramount Pictures has already announced intentions for a third film in July 2011. Michael Bay already said no to 2011, adding he wanted to take a year off and he’s come back 2012. Sounds like 2011 may be the date with a new director.

UPDATE: Michael Bay is not Quitting Transformers

What are the top five things you should do in Mass Effect before diving into the sequel? Find out in this week’s Keep Playing!

(Show notes after the jump!)

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Beside Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy IV was my personal favorite of the 8 and 16-bit Final Fantasy games. Millions of other players enjoyed it as well, as it included an epic plotline, memorable characters, and top-notch RPG action. Following in the footsteps of Final Fantasy X, VII, and XII, Square has seen fit to expand on the universe of Final Fantasy IV with an all new sequel, The After Years. Originally released as a mobile phone title in Japan, Square has bought the title over here in an episodic format on Nintendo’s WiiWare service. The main title is available for 800 Wii points, while the chapter ‘Rydia’s Tale’ is available for 300. Subsequent releases will be released throughout the coming months for 300 Wii points each with the final chapter priced at 800 Wii points. You’ll reunite with old friends, meet new ones, and hopefully save the world one more time.
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Last time we went to BotCon. As soon as we stepped on the plane to go home, E3 started. Catch up on all your E3 news here! Also, reviews of Terminator, Conan O’Brien on the Tonight Show, and much more!

(What did you think of the E3 announcements? Leave a comment below!)

Audio Netcast Details
Subscribe to the Powetcast on iTunes
Direct Link: Powetcast Episode 12: E3 and the 80s

Show notes after the jump!
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The original Osman was a Turkish Sultan who established the Ottoman Empire and ruled it until his death in 1326. The Osman in this week’s Lost Classics is apparently the brother of Capcom’s Strider Hiryu who lives in a futuristic version of the middle east. He can crawl up walls, do flips, and dispatch enemies with the greatest of ease just like Capcom’s ninja. However, there is a good reason for this, as Osman was created by several former Capcom staffers, including Kouichi “Isuke” Yotsui, who also created Strider.
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