Last week I was invited to 2K Marin to check out the PS3-exclusive downloadable content, and I must admit, at first I was a little skeptical. Was this just going to be some new map or maybe an added boss fight like we have seen in DLC from other developers so many times before? I wanted something more, something that would breathe new life into my love for the game -- and that's exactly what I got.
The new content is completely separate from the actual main game; these 3 new add-ons can be selected on the main menu. All 3 challenges offer a different style of game: there's still some combat, but they're more puzzle-based requiring a bit of strategy. So not only are you going to fight your way through, but you also have to think about how you're going to go about it.
World of Hurt:
Worlds of Hurt was the first DLC mode I was shown, and it is definitely more of a combat-based challenge. You start off in this huge circled room with many of the game's different vending machines, 8 doors lining the walls and a Little Sister who is stuck in a glass room in the center. It is up to you to clear all 8 chambers surrounding you so that the Little Sister can leave safely. Each of the 8 differently themed chambers contains different types and amounts of enemies, so you may go into a chamber that contains one Big Daddy, or a chamber that has several...maybe a chamber with several different Splicers or security bots.
Before the first room, you are given a wrench, a handgun and a few bullets, but other than that you have nothing else. When you go through one of the 8 doors to your challenge, you walk into a room that has a glass floor which allows you to look underneath you at what evil awaits. This allows you to go back to the main hub so that you can purchase items, weapons, and plasmids to prepare for your encounter, or upgrade your weapons or yourself for the big fight. Each chamber offers different strategies to beating each challenge, whether you want to defeat the enemies by using a lot of weapons or by using a lot of plasmids. Also each chamber itself offers many different resources as a reward after you get your kills.
A Shocking Turn of Events:
A Shocking Turn of Events is a puzzle-based challenge and is set in a gorgeous Rapture carnival where a Little Sister has somehow got herself stuck on top of a Ferris Wheel. Here, your main goal is to restore power to the broken-down Ferris Wheel to free her. There are very few enemies in this challenge, but don't be so quick to kill them--could they possibly be a part of the solution? Explore around this desolate carnival looking for ways and different resources to help you restore power to the Ferris Wheel. While you are exploring, why not play a few carnival games? There are actually fully playable carnival-style games that can win you prizes and items.
The I in Team:
I was not able to see the I in Team because 2K is keeping that one behind lock and key as a special treat for PS3 owners when they download the content on November 20th. I was, however, told that you will be given no weapons and your goal is to figure out how to separate the Big Daddy from the Little Sister by using the environment around you. I am really looking forward to trying this one out.
So there you have it. This PS3-exclusive downloadable content is the perfect excuse you were looking for to buy BioShock again--this time for the PS3. Keep an eye out for it on November 20th on PSN for $9.99...I know I will definitely be downloading it!
Related Links:
BioShock Info
BioShock Videos
BioShock Trailer
