Metareview: BioShock 2
Feb/100
The return to Rapture may not be as universally exalted as the original adventure, but nevertheless reviewers tend to agree it’s a journey worth taking (again). The enchanting aesthetic of the game world appears to have remained intact in this sequel, which doesn’t veer far from the original’s tone, despite delivering a different message. So, would you kindly dive below and observe what critics have said of Rapture’s reemergence:
- IGN (91/100): “Anyone looking for a first-person shooter that offers more than flat, stereotypical characters and copy-and-paste supersoldier plots, one that attempts to establish a sense of right and wrong and loops you into the decision making process, and one that’s set in one of the most vividly realized settings around should pick up BioShock 2.”
- GameDaily (90/100): “Much of it looks and feels familiar, but 2K Games proved that there is a whole other side of Rapture worth exploring, as well as new and interesting stories to tell. Gripping, wondrous and at times horrifying, it’s a superb effort that opens the door for perhaps another game, but don’t worry about that.”
- GameSpot (85/100): “Rapture may not be as mysterious and intriguing this second time around, but it is nonetheless host to a powerful and moving tale that allows you to better realize — or pervert — [Andrew] Ryan’s principles at your own discretion. Regardless of whether or not this is a return visit to paradise lost, there is plenty to be found here to make it a worthwhile, meaningful, and compelling one.”
- Eurogamer (80/100): “Your passage through Rapture may not be a matter of free will – a challenge someone surely ought to take up with this series — but BioShock 2 argues even within the strictures of fate that mercy and compassion or bitterness and revenge ring loud enough to echo through the lives of those who follow. The result is a less openly provocative game than its predecessor, and one that will capture less attention, but while it may be damned for subtlety it is every bit as deceptive, and perhaps that’s the greater of the series’ illusions regardless of what else a BioShock sequel might have become.”
Metareview: BioShock 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Metareview: BioShock 2
Scientists grow edible insects
Feb/100
Insects are being grown in Costa Rica for the purpose of eating them in work inspired by practices in Africa. Chomping on bugs isn’t a new idea, in va…
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Scientists grow edible insects
3 News Stories Keeping Some South Africans Out of The Water
Jan/100
Three stories in the press over the last few weeks, have given South African’s unusual concerns about swimming off Cape Town’s beaches, surfing around the estuaries of Eastern Cape Rivers and canoeing in the Umgeni River.
Sharks Around Cape Town Beaches
A Zimbabwean man holidaying in Cape Town was killed, when he was attacked by what is believed to be a great white shark at Fish Hoek beach in Cape Town.
Ninety three shark attacks, 12 fatal, were reported in the Eastern and Western Cape beaches in the last 18 years compared to only 19, with one death, on KwaZulu-Natal’s beaches. The shark nets installed there have reduced attacks by 99%, since the 1960s, when attacks were a frequent occurrence. But nets are not suitable for Cape beaches because of rough seas, the presence of whales and seals and the type of sharks.
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3 News Stories Keeping Some South Africans Out of The Water
INTERPOL: Over 2 Tons of Elephant Ivory Seized, 100 People Arrested – Largest Ever Wildlife Crime Operation in Africa
Nov/090
The largest ever transnational operation targeting wildlife crime across Africa has resulted in the arrests of over 100 people and the seizure of more than two tons of ivory.
INTERPOL has announced that the success of “Operation Costa” – Africa’s largest ever transnational wildlife crime operation – was due to the coordinated efforts of police, national wildlife, customs and national intelligence officers across Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
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INTERPOL: Over 2 Tons of Elephant Ivory Seized, 100 People Arrested – Largest Ever Wildlife Crime Operation in Africa
Ross Perot Jr. Wounds Rhino in South African Trophy Hunt, Sues for Second Shot?
Nov/090
Is Ross Perot Jr. taking legal action over the head of a rhino he shot and wounded during a trophy hunt?
The son of former American Presidential candidate Ross Perot – Henry Ross Perot Jr. – is reportedly engaged in a legal battle involving South African wildlife authorities over the head of rhino he wounded during a trophy hunt earlier this year.
Perot supposedly shot a bull rhino at Mkhuze game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, but the animal escaped. However, Perot believes he’s still entitled to his trophy – the rhino’s head.
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Ross Perot Jr. Wounds Rhino in South African Trophy Hunt, Sues for Second Shot?
Earliest apelike human ancestor disproved?
Oct/090
A fossil of the 50-million-year-old Algeripithecus long believed to be the strongest evidence that apes and humans originated in Africa is now bel…
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Earliest apelike human ancestor disproved?
Hyenas! 12 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know, Plus Photo Gallery
Oct/090
Hyenas are not as numerous as you might think: Poison, guns, snares, sport hunting, and habitat loss due to human expansion are taking their toll on the misunderstood hyena.
Hyenas are the subject of perhaps more myths than any other African animal, which has unfortunately led to decades of persecution against these unusual creatures. The rapid expansion of human population into remaining hyena habitat – and the intentional killing of hyenas by humans – will eventually prove to be more than this resilient species can tolerate.
To help raise awareness of hyena conservation, here are 12 surprising things you didn’t know – plus a compilation of beautiful photos. Enjoy!
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Hyenas! 12 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know, Plus Photo Gallery
Japan getting Lost Planet / Ace Combat 6 Xbox bundle
Oct/090
Seems like everyone has to get in on the Elite bundle action these days. Game Watch reports that a new Xbox 360 Elite bundle is headed to Japan, with both Lost Planet: Colonies and Ace Combat 6 baked right in. it also comes packed with the normal Elite goodies — headset, wireless controller and (incredibly flexible) composite cables. Unfortunately, the bundle fails to meet super Elite status, as it contains only a paltry 120GB hard drive.
Still, at ?29,980 (~$330), it’s not a bad deal. The bundle goes on sale in Japan starting October 29.
Japan getting Lost Planet / Ace Combat 6 Xbox bundle originally appeared on Joystiq Xbox on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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#1 Global Security & Health Concern: WATER
Oct/090
Water scarcity resulting from climate change is the number one issue the world will have to grapple with in the future, according to chief climate scientist and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri.
On the one hand, we will have more water around us with sea level rising. On the other hand, though, drought caused by climate change will leave possibly billions of people without clean water.
This will cause great health and global security issues. Most of these problems will be caused by water imbalances.
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#1 Global Security & Health Concern: WATER
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FIFA 11 to tackle online quitters by rewarding players that finish games
Feb/100
It’s the perfect Saturday. You’re rocking your team’s jersey as you settle onto the couch, a Shasta in one hand, bag of Fritos in the other, preparing to hit the pitch in FIFA 10. You head online, get yourself into a match and suddenly you’re up one-nil. And then, just as suddenly, your opponent quits. You go bananas, hurling your controller into the TV. Then your wife comes in and says she’s had enough and takes the kids to her mother’s. A month later, you’re divorced.
It’s a story we hear way too often here at Joystiq. Thankfully, EA is working on a way to punish these quitters — outside of rectifying the fact that they’ve wrecked your life forever — in the next series iteration, FIFA 11. EA Canada’s Simon Humber told Eurogamer these “rage quitters” are a “complex problem.” See, there’s a loophole in the game that allows players to quit within five minutes of starting a FIFA 10 match online, in case there’s a connection issue — but EA is looking for ways to keep players from exploiting that feature.
Humber says that EA is thinking about adding functionality to FIFA 11 that would reward players for finishing matches, rather than try to punish those that quit. As for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa, don’t expect any changes: “We haven’t done anything different for this game as far as I know,” Humber said.
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FIFA 11 to tackle online quitters by rewarding players that finish games