Remasters, revivals, collections — they are all the rage in gaming. Publishers know there’s money to be made from going back to a successful product, and gamers appreciate the chance to get all of a game’s DLC or expansions in one package. Hayden Meikle looks at two recent releases.
BIOSHOCK: THE COLLECTION
For: PS4, Xbox One, PC
From: 2K Games
The originals: Bioshock (2007), Bioshock 2 (2010) and Bioshock Infinite (2013).
The new release: Upgraded versions of all three games to look a little shinier and play a little smoother on new consoles and gruntier computers. Includes challenge game modes, director's commentary, and the brilliant ``Museum of Orphaned Concepts'', essentially an in-game gallery of abandoned design concepts for the games.
My impressions: I loved Bioshock from the first few moments of the original game. And ``original'' is the key word here. The tale of the underwater utopia gone wrong, the game's mechanics and gameplay, and the spectacular design elements combined for a truly special experience. Bioshock 2 was more of the same, while Infinite was a glorious end to the trilogy. This collection might lack any massively significant additions, but it was a thrill to revisit the first Bioshock, especially as it looked so sharp. An all time great collection that belongs on every shelf.
DESTINY: THE COLLECTION
For: PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360
From: Activision
The originals: Destiny (2014) plus various expansions.
The new release: Includes the base game plus expansions The Dark Below, House of Wolves, The Taken King and Rise of Iron.
My impressions: This collection offered a completely different experience for me as, somehow, I had missed the Destiny excitement and never actually played the game before. Obviously, I had heard plenty about it, but otherwise went in with my eyes open. Sci-fi/RPG shooters are not exactly my genre of choice, but I'm finding Destiny has a really nice balance between hardcore role-playing elements and straightforward shoot-em-up action. The upgrading system is extremely simple, and the story campaign is interesting enough (though confusing) to make the repetitive gameplay elements bearable. I've only dipped my toe into multiplayer modes but they seem to be ideally placed to extend the game's lifespan. I might have been late to the Destiny party but I am expecting to be one of the last to leave.
