206: Bioshock (with Joseph Hooper - Crossplay Conversations)

Dave Jackson — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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Bioshock is a title that carries weight, nearly 20 years after its 2007 release by 2K Boston and 2K Australia, and it feels like one that every gaming podcast eventually talks about. And hey, it's our turn this time- Bioshock has long been a favorite of mine that I've revisited through the years. But when put under the Tales from the Backlog microscope, does it hold up under pressure or does it spring a leak? Listen in to find out.

Guest info: Joseph Hooper (he/him)

Check out Crossplay Conversations https://www.youtube.com/@crossplayconvos
Check out Can't Pause on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@cantpause
Check out Player Player https://playerplayerpod.com/

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Title Card
0:26 Introductions
5:25 Our Histories with Bioshock
9:20 Top-Level Thoughts
14:25 Story Setup
21:30 Learning Backstory Via Audio Logs
26:40 Rapture and Ideology
35:18 Big Daddies, Little Sisters and Moral Choices
44:24 Combat Mechanics
54:00 Some Immersive Sim DNA
1:03:29 Combat Balance & Difficulty
1:13:26 Visual Design and Music/Sound
1:22:27 Who Do We Recommend Bioshock To?
1:24:38 Joseph's Podcasts and YouTube Channel
1:28:26 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
1:30:13 Spoilers- Would You Kindly? and Fontaine
1:44:48 Spoilers- Rapture's Downfall
2:01:37 Spoilers- Other Major Players
2:14:00 Spoilers- Big Daddy and Endings

Music used in the episode is credited to Garry Schyman unless otherwise noted. Tracks used: Under the Sea (Bobby Darin), Welcome to Rapture, Mr. Bubbles - Little Sister, Dancers on a String (Reprise), Through the Docks, Cohen's Masterpiece, Leaving Rapture

Gameplay footage used with permission from World of Longplays on YouTube, gameplay by Spazbo4. www.longplays.org

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

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146: System Shock 2 (with Doug Lief - Nostalgium Arcanum)

Dave Jackson — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

System Shock 2 **(Looking Glass Studios/Irrational Games**, 1999) contains one of the most iconic images in gaming (the scifi horror Medusa-esque SHODAN) and one of the most iconic spiritual sequels in gaming (the Bioshock series), but I still feel like experience with System Shock 2 itself is relegated to those who were there playing on PC in 1999. What was it about this game that made it so foundational for the Bioshock series and so many other modern games? Well, it's a good thing I have this podcast to dig into it!

Guest Info: Doug Lief, host of Nostalgium Arcanum podcast

TIMESTAMPS
Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:19
Story Setup/Story Thoughts 13:43
Presentation 30:10
Gameplay 41:00
SPOILER WALL 1:11:09

Music used in the episode is credited to Eric Brosius. Tracks used: Medical, Engineering, Hydroponics #1, Science, Hydroponics #2, Operations #2, End Cutscene, Credits

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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

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Tales from the Backlog - Episodes Tagged with “Irrational Games”

206: Bioshock (with Joseph Hooper - Crossplay Conversations)

146: System Shock 2 (with Doug Lief - Nostalgium Arcanum)