BorealStargazer
Published
I'm a nerd so I will probably play it anyway. An average player probably shouldn't bother. Do not buy the game on Epic.
Modify EGL manifest to circumvent the bugged 2k launcher:
"LaunchCommand": "","LaunchExecutable": "Binaries/Win32/ShippingPC-XGame.exe", Also highly recommend modifying DefaultEngine.ini to make intro videos skippable.
Crackling out of the box. Repeated listening to audio recordings and animations is known to "accumulate crackling", eventually corrupting audio ad infinitum. If you use wireless headphones, replug the USB dongle, others say it helps. Other then that, only relaunching the game helps.
May not respond to keyboard in window mode (crucial, as it heavily relies on keyboard). Switch to fullscreen.
Typically crashes every 30 min to 1 hr with the notification of "Rendering thread exception". Could not figure the pattern, but using melee or sniper rifle seems to trigger it more often (no proof tho). Rely on autosave to carry you, as the game has no manual save option. If you can launch the game "directly" (not from Epic Launcher/2k), try to give it admin privileges. If you have native version, try using it instead. Other than that, you're out of luck.
Sometimes the mouse breaks and stops responding after you use skyhook on the rails. You can switch directions via keyboard but can't move the camera (hence, leave the rail). May be caused by obstructions on the rails (cargo containers). No known solution; terminate the game and relaunch from checkpoint. Try to use rails sparingly.
Broken in many ways than one since the latest "QoL" patch in 2022. Still waiting for fixes in 2024.
LaunchExecutable : "Build/Final/Bioshock2HD.exe"
The game occasionally minimizes to tray and alt+tabs to other applications. Closing everything except the game helps avoid it.
Freezes for several seconds when opening menu or map. Similar to Bioshock 1, but somewhat worse.
Infrequent CTDs, usually in heavy areas. I recommend saving often (even despite the freezes in the menu).
Can be launched via Epic with Wine (or probably Proton as well), but 2K Launcher needs to be circumvented. Since normal Steam parameters are not in use here:
- Install the game via Epic (which should be already installed via Lutris)
- Locate Epic's manifests. Typically stored inside a wine "container" emulating Windows instance, if you use the default Epic location, it should be here: /home/%username%/Games/epic-games-store/drive_c/ProgramData/Epic/EpicGamesLauncher/Data/Manifests/
- Manifests have an extension .item but internally are text files. Open them one by one and check the parameter called "InstallLocation" until you find the specific manifest for Bioshock 2. Make a reserve copy of it, just in case.
- Find the parameter "LaunchExecutable". In the vanilla manifest, it holds the path to 2K Launcher. Replace this path with "Build/FinalEpic/Bioshock2HD.exe".
- Launch the game via Epic client.
Save often!
none
Can be launched via Epic with Wine (or probably Proton as well), but 2K Launcher needs to be circumvented. Since normal Steam parameters are not in use here:
- Install the game via Epic (which should be already installed via Lutris)
- Locate Epic's manifests. Typically stored inside a wine "container" emulating Windows instance, if you use the default Epic location, it should be here: /home/%username%/Games/epic-games-store/drive_c/ProgramData/Epic/EpicGamesLauncher/Data/Manifests/
- Manifests have an extension .item but internally are text files. Open them one by one and check the parameter called "InstallLocation" until you find the specific manifest for Bioshock. Make a reserve copy of it, just in case.
- Find the parameter "LaunchExecutable". In the vanilla manifest, it holds the path to 2K Launcher. Replace this path with
"Build/FinalEpic/BioshockHD.exe". - Launch the game via Epic client.
The only problem I encountered so far is occasional freezes when hacking devices and saving the game. The game often "thinks" for a few seconds before reacting in these cases.
gamemoderun %command% -nosplash
disabled intro videos
Occasionally Character model disappears when selecting equipment, using the store, exploring wardrobe or using the forge. Happens in menus, the rest of the game works as usual.
gamemoderun %command% is a must, without it the game won't launch.
Game does not launch on Proton 6, 7 and 8, even with suggestions from other users.
-novideo
-novideo PROTON_FORCE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1
If using Fedora with NVidia, make sure that your NVidia drivers are active! (Fedora is known to occassionally bork them during kernel updates). Reinstalling drivers helped in my case.
Not sure if cars flickering is a thing with Re-Mars-tered or Linux (original on Win did not have that problem). Other than that - yeah.
Damaged cars keep flickering between intact and damaged versions when used, especially obvious with EDF vehicles. Afaik does not impede gameplay.
Needs Proton 7 to run properly.
Does not launch properly on any of the latest Steam Proton versions. Crashes to desktop without generating any error logs.
gamemoderun %command% -DX12 -fullscreen -gpuCrashDebugging
Does not work on Fedora + Nvidia. Main menu is a complete slideshow, and you can't move forward.
Rolled the Nvidia driver back to 550 and tried different Proton versions (7..9) to no avail.
