Why We Remember Bioshock's Fort Frolic

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The level "Fort Frolic" is often cited as one of the best parts of the original Bioshock - if not the entire Bioshock series. In this episode I return to the domain of Sander Cohen with a critical eye, to figure out what made this part of the game so interesting and beloved.
Games shown in this episode (in order of appearance):
BioShock (Irrational Games, 2007)
Thief: Deadly Shadows (Ion Storm, 2004)
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (Eidos Montreal, 2016)
Music used in this episode:
BioShock soundtrack
Credits
Alphr: "In conversation with BioShock and The Magic Circle developer Jordan Thomas"
www.alphr.com/life-culture/100...
Contribute translated subtitles - amara.org/v/C3BFT/

[@SoloMael]

Oh, i get it now. The quest marker disappears because Cohen never said "would you kindly."

[@IDoABitOfTrollin]

RogueCrusader because now you are in control

[@masterzoroark6664]

And most interestingly Jack does what Sander wants. Excluding player from the equation, what do you think Jack could have done? Would he leave him after it all or kill him?

[@maverickdarkrath4780]

@@masterzoroark6664 I don't think jack would have killed him, since he wasn't a treat at the moment, even offered him a tonic, where other people tried to gut him, sander was one of the few (if a complete psychopath) allies jack has at the moment ...you know before he has a meltdown in his apartment because you decided to touch the damn piano when he told you to just watch.

[@bubblesmccarthy1069]

It sometimes doesn’t appear when Atlas says Would you kindly and sometimes he does say it and it doesn’t appear it’s not consistent so I don’t think they intended it to be like that

[@PoopyFrikoli]

Bubbles McCarthy it was definitely supposed to be like that, the guy who made this video doesn’t understand the true meaning of this level

[@j.thorgard]

SPOILER: If you kill him and then take a photo of his body you get an achievement. Poetic.

[@Vortal_Cord]

Wasn't it called Irony?

[@robertcocklin314]

I don't think it was like rain on your wedding day.

[@Vortal_Cord]

That remaster was like a free ride when I already paid (on pc anyway).

[@jesslivegaming3825]

If you kill him in Fort Frolic, you'll be able to open the locked chest there. But later in the game you won't be able to get into his apartment. Just FYI.

[@wewlad8697]

John Thorgard how is that a spoiler?

[@SpartanWolf222]

10 years after BioShock and I only now became aware of the plaster splicers.

[@cmanatlan]

Same, that part was new to me. I was 14 when I got the game and probably would have shit myself if I had found them.

[@Gravemaker9036]

I was around 14-15 when I get the game. Trust me those bastards are scary has hell. And I say ARE and not were Cuz every time I replay bioshock I save that gun upgrade as my last task to do in fort frolic so I can literally just run out of there as fast as I can. I'm 25 and still do that. I made a mistake of getting the gun upgrade relatively early my first time and goddam did I regret that.

[@Derek65645]

Honestly, I knew those Plaster Splicers were gonna come at me during my first playthrough, however, I thought they only came at ya on Harder Difficulties. I had mines on Normal. I know I know, it's kinda noobish to put it on Normal. I realize now that they only attack you if you go to that PtTP Station at Sinclair Spirits.

[@valentin19998]

Brian Colfxire holy shit... already 10 years. I'm getting old. I was 12 years old when I got it...

[@arbiter-]

Derek65645 Normal difficulty is not "noobish". Normal is how most games are meant to be played, and honestly, play whatever suits you mate. Nobody became rich and famous by beating a game on the hardest difficulty.

[@KingTwelveSixteen]

Fort Frolic was SUCH a good level that even though I didn't remember ANYTHING about the names of the levels in Bioshock the first thing I thought of when trying to figure out which level it was was that "it's probably the level with the crazy artist dude in it, that one was good".

[@geckoo9190]

Actually I though that it was arcadia forest, that game is full of levels with unic identity, unlike the others in that all levels seem the same.

[@kingvahagn2011]

This game overall is just so ridiciliuosly memorable due to the great world-building and immersiveness. The art style is so consistent across every level that you feel immersed

[@theotherbeatle707]

@@geckoo9190 I love that place too. Also I much prefer the Medical Pavilion for the sheer amount of Well made jump-scares

[@DDdreamer90]

They actually intended for you to sync your attacks to the music during the dancing section? Wow, I remember doing exactly that the first time I played the game. Hell, I was jumping and twirling in sync with it as well. It was amazing. Like a butterfly swinging around a bloody wrench.

[@eyepet2010]

YES! i did the very same thing!

[@ultralurker7579]

I was interrupted by a big daddy. good thing i had spec.ed wrench!

[@geckoo9190]

Yea I didn't feel like a butterfly, I felt like I had butter on my shoes though

[@soniaortiz2820]

I didn't even know you were supposed to dance...all I did was dodge and attack... wish I watched this video earlier.😑

[@Mathaeyos]

Ok, Bon Clay.

[@Deathslayer296]

It’s weird to think that anyone who ever started playing Bioshock but never finished it, in a way, still “beat” Andrew Ryan. They made a choice to not play

[@mongoliandeathworm2994]

A Man choses, A Slave Obeys -Andrew Ryan,1960 Rapture

[@a.d.r.m.7730]

The people who finished Bioshock were the ones Andrew Ryan technically did beat.... They were slaves to the game's objectives. Mind fuckery gold.

[@doom8274]

you're reaching

[@MatthewCampbell765]

I'm reminded of a Rush song that itself was paraphrasing Ayn Rand that said "You can choose not to decide, but you still have made a choice".

[@arlisbartlett403]

I hate geese

[@rodrigoportalesoliva897]

I remember that when I played the game and saw the dude playing the piano, I sat there and there was only one thought going through my head: "I'm supposed to shoot him, right?" It's funny, to me, that you don't actually *need* to shoot him, he'll blow up regardless, but holy shit is Sander's reaction to me shooting the guy funny. "Well, that was quicker than expected." It's amazing!

[@sohamacharya171]

I wrenched him. Nearly died.

[@tanyavanreinz816]

your thinking was right though: put him out of his misery, the poor sap 😁

[@spinningninja2]

I never even saw those plaster splicers goddamn it

[@RaySirSki]

spinningninja2 never just do the missions, wonder through map there’s a lot of things that you’ll probably find interesting.

[@defadera_736]

i was too fucking scared to wander around. i used to play them when i was a kid and was horrified at every turn.

[@rightyboywilson4911]

spinningninja2 yea I'm bummed out about that too

[@notcharlo]

You're lucky, then.

[@NextLevelCode]

I missed them too. Guess I didn't notice the gun upgrade station.

[@Groanola]

Plastered splicers are STILL the scariest enemies in the game to me.

[@DormantRooster]

It's been years since I played the game and I'll never forget that room where they just appear behind you.

[@slvrcobra1337]

There was a similar thing in Bioshock 2 that scared the hell out of me. I think that one involved a Gene Tonic that teleports around throughout the game, and when you finally catch up to it you turn around to see a group of Splicers staring at you.

[@lowresgamr]

Sort of like the weeping angels from doctor who. Maybe it's the idea of a statue chasing you trying to kill you.

[@geckoo9190]

Yea I never allowed them to get me, shoot first, see if they die, later.

[@IanJackson33]

Frostbite Gaming I didn't know there were plastic splicers in the game now I gotta replay bioshock to shocked once again.

[@andrewhy6469]

him: you don't have to kill sander me: flashbacks to shooting him when he showed up

[@Th_Riddler_]

I literally looked up if you fight him because I didn’t want to waste all my ammo just before I fought Ryan

[@salmanhanifa7853]

@@Th_Riddler_ And what a fight that was with Ryan, eh?

[@Fulleraut0]

@@salmanhanifa7853 Hardest boss fight ever, how could the devs only arm you with a golf club that's just plain unfair

[@thecianinator]

If you kill Sander Cohen and take a picture of his corpse, you get an achievement called "Irony". How did you leave that out of this video?!!!

[@Gamesfan34260]

That is just amazing XD I guess he didn't think to take a picture of the corpse or didn't think it was worth mentioning.

[@istvankovacs4154]

Also if you kill him in his apartment and return to Fort Frolic and then Photograph one of his protege's corpse he will send a congratulation message through the radio. Just to emphasize: *HE CONGRATULATES YOU AFTER HIS DEATH.*

[@borob.5168]

@@istvankovacs4154 How can you return to Fort Frolic after visiting his apartment? Isn't the way back there should be cut-off by this moment?

[@markuscraig7945]

Oh yeah i remember that lol the only thing i missed was the clay splicers

[@dgrunklesamiii4615]

@@borob.5168 At any point in the game where you have access to a bathysphere, you can go back to previous levels, even as far back as "Welcome to Rapture".

[@CaptainBagman]

Your comments on the relationship between Sander Cohen and Jack are really interesting, but I think we can go deeper: the relation between those two characters mirrors the relationship between the developer and the player. A single-player action game is like a ballet in which you perform for your own entertainment. The author, the developers, provide you with the scenario and the tools to perform and dance according to a script, with some room for improvisation.

[@cptnoremac]

Interesting thought

[@mobaltazar5040]

Jugal nice write up will keep this in mind

[@supp0rter9]

Never thought about this, but since the whole game was a theoratical comment on videogames itself (and so was Infinite), it seems kinda obvious.

[@supp0rter9]

***** I guess thats the "room of improvisation".

[@jokybody]

It's actually the whole point of the game I think. Like Andrew Ryan said at the end of the game: "would you kindly" were the magic words so that Jack (the player) would do anything he wants, like a puppet. The story of the game is kind of a metaphor of the relation of power the developpers have on the players, making them do willingly what they want, like puppets, as we, as players, interestingly fully accept it. Don't quote me on that, it's not my theory.

[@effyiew7318]

You don't mention that the reason you let him live is so that when you get to his apartment, you DO kill the dancing splicers. To do so, summons Sander from his hidden room to attack you. After you kill him, you can enter his hidden room to find a weapons upgrade station. Probably the only weapon upgrade station that you can end up not gaining access to because of your choices. Also, after you kill him, take a photo of him and you get the "Irony" achievement. I did this as a joke the first time I killed him and almost fell out of my chair when it showed up as an achievement. Also a similar achievement in Bioshock 2 is when you're in the "Return to the Surface" level, the first animatronic Ryan you reach, behind him there's a golf club. If you use telekinesis to pick up the club and then throw it at him and hit him, you get the "9 Irony" achievement.

[@Darkstar5577]

The reason why Fort Frolic is my favorite level of all time has to do with just how refreshingly different it is from the rest of the game. It's a breath of fresh air before getting to the most explosive act of the story. Like Cohen says at the start, we have entered his playground and participate in his sick game. The whole civil war goes on pause and the player can just enjoy themselves here. There is no arrow telling us where to go or what to do. And the art design and music is phenomenal. Almost hauntingly beautiful. Compared to the rest of Rapture, Frolic is surprisingly intact. Cohen is much more concerned with presenting his image than he is getting involved in the political civil war taking place outside. I love it!

[@fireflocs]

I honestly had no idea that Cohen wasn't a boss fight. The moment I saw him I opened fire, anticipating that he would do the same. I'm not sure what that says about the 'organic moral choice' of it.

[@icecold1805]

He straps a guy with explosives to a piano, made human statues out of a family, orders you to kill for his sexual necrophilic desires and take photos of it... it shows commmon sense of you to shoot first and ask questions later.

[@theQuestion626]

@@icecold1805 I hesitated but was ready to drop him if he tried to get froggy. I let him live. Not sure why. But Cohen was freaking insane.

[@ianbeach23]

I let Cohen live during my first playthrough. The way I saw it, I’ve gone through this whole game slaughtering countless people. Being given the choice to prevent one death, I decided to let him live. Besides, part of me did almost feel sorry for him. It almost seems like Cohen represents the corruption and evil of Rapture itself. He was just an artist who wanted to be loved. And I have a feeling that he only became psychotic after he came to Rapture, seeing the city as an opportunity. Later in the game, when you see the dancers, I always took that as a reward for the player, if they let Cohen live. So yeah, that’s what I did. But I can completely understand why people kill him upon site. He’s pure evil at this point.

[@lfle9933]

@@ianbeach23 Or you can kill him in his apartments? I alwaya do that cause I'm like "bitch crazy asf better dead than alive here" ...... He's also sort of difficult to kill.... If you're playing Survivor Mode that is.

[@naethavenir9422]

I actually didn’t know you could kill him, like I was like dafaq when he popped up behind me with his grand entrance, and I was waiting for him to attack me, but he didn’t so I didn’t bother to, that was my first play through and I’m about to start a new one this time killing him

[@oddnstrangegames8164]

I don't know why, but that guy blowing up on the piano always gets a chuckle out of me.

[@Donut117]

"YOU SICK FUCK" *boom*

[@christiankim6864]

I like to shoot the piano before he gets to say his last words

[@towwong2822]

"Again, Fitzpatrick"

[@steveempiremantra2120]

Odd 'n Strange Games same Lmao

[@LeGronk]

dark, twisted humour

[@mozata6838]

I didn't even know about the plaster splicers because I guess I missed that weapon upgrade. Probably wasn't even that hard to find, silly me. That's awesome though.

[@salthesadmanshark5645]

Me too , i've never encountered them

[@KoryLunaa]

Iirc it's in the basement of Fort Frolic

[@MisterJohnDoe]

Yeah, I never found out about them on my first play through. I guess I thought the door to Sinclair’s was locked or something.

[@lest8838]

I never saw them either

[@hypersilver1111]

It’s actually quite easy to miss. There’s a small switch you have to press in Sinclair Spirits (the place where “How much is that doggy in the window” is playing on the speakers) and it doesn’t really jump out at you.

[@SharkByteOfficial]

This is LITERALLY the only boss I remember! Only because I was watching my cousin play and as Cohen is majestically walking down the stairs my cousin shoots the trip wire crossbow thing as Cohen is going down the stairs and immediately dies... it was the funniest moment we had in that game.

[@godsclown4419]

HAHA that sounds hilarious, I wish I could see that

[@WSBM14]

I love how this level illustrates the player character's abilty to improvise and think for himself, now that Atlas isn't up his hind end

[@HenkkaArtGames]

I didn't know Jordan Thomas was involved in this level but now, after realizing it, it makes perfect sense. To me, "Robbing The Cradle" is perhaps the best video game level ever made. The buildup to that level, the lore behind it which is told in small fragments throughout the game in NPC discussions, notes and cinematics is perfect. The only bad thing about the level is that you can really only experience it once in its fullest effect.

[@Selestrielle]

+

[@Vortal_Cord]

He was also lead writer and director on bioshock 2 and went on to make the magic circle. Talented man.

[@HenkkaArtGames]

***** He also has a KZbin D&D gameplay series called "Dice With Death RPG - D&D 5e with PERMADEATH". Jordan is the Dungeon Master. I haven't yet watched it apart from a quick look but the character permadeath with player being removed and replaced in the group is an interesting take.

[@oceanman2811]

FilmGamer play prey

[@sedthh]

should have went with "would you kindly subscribe and support me on patreon?" at the end

[@GMTK]

I don't wanna force anyone!

[@kakyemakye]

no

[@jeffm2029]

Extra little tidbit about Sander Cohen; If you kill him and take a picture of his body, you get an achievement :D

[@rareroe305]

Even better, the achievement is called "Irony."

[@ronkariessenpai2231]

LOOOL. FUCK I ONLY KILLED HIM XD

[@germinalaramburo2831]

I didn't appreciate it entirely when I played it. Thanks, man. This is, again, a great piece of video.

[@SketchySoup_]

Everything about Fort Frolic was perfect for me, the music, the level design, the creepiness, I basically tip-toed through the level admiring everything. Sander Cohen...now he made the level what it is, he made you watch your step. Honestly when I saw the name "Cohen. S." on his apartment I got excited that I'd be hearing from him again, I also thought that was a cool little addition (like an Easter egg). I refused to kill him, in a weird twisted way I admired his character greatly.

[@cryingpopefrancis8858]

He is easily my favorite antagonist, if not my favorite character overall.

[@robo3007]

I want to take the ears off, but I can't...

[@byeah4277]

Robin Powell ITS MY FUCKING CURSE!

[@Shinigami13133]

Honestly, that audio log made me really sympathize with Cohen, to me it read like a plead for relief from the insanity his splicing has caused him, he's no longer able to create genuine and beautiful art anymore (ala the little scene at the bathysphere Which I think is quite amazing despite its morbidity) only dark and honestly drab tributes to his lost passion.

[@HDico2013]

Plaster splices? What the.... Ive been through the game 3 times and I gave NEVER seen those oO

[@Kytota]

You gotta activate a well-hidden Gun Upgrade kiosk.

[@fulldisclosureiamamonster2786]

Kytota If by "well-hidden," you mean, "easily findable," then yes, it's well-hidden.

[@a.d.r.m.7730]

The only way to activate them is if you go into Sinclair's liquor store which is in the very back of the map on either the first or second floor of Posiden Plaza and then open the trap door to upgrade your weapon.

[@Charsept]

Gotta explore harder, lol

[@Monika-di7vv]

I've played it about 20 times and see them every time

[@jon-umber]

I haven't played Bioshock since 2007, but watching this reminds me just how absolutely phenomenal its art direction was.

[@ballacaust]

I can never ignore the back of that SMG: l0l"

[@Kaiwala]

Same!

[@marmikemp3767]

XD

[@thenukethatblewupblackmesa7053]

The nutcracker segment was my favorite part of bioshock 1, it immediately caught my attention and it was the most enjoyable moment ive had in a horror game.

[@Raybro16]

I actually played this level recently while replaying Bioshock. with what happens with Cohen when he sicks splicers at you with the music, I took it a step further an fought a big daddy for the last little sister in the area and made sure i didn't kill the last of the splicers before i killed it. it was a fantastic moment (^:

[@3KiwisInABucket]

So in two playthroughs I apparently always missed that weapon upgrade, I guess I'll keep an eye out for it when I play the remaster!

[@awd3n]

Missed it too.. haha! :D

[@hariman7727]

I missed it because I killed Sander Cohen. That was my only disappointment in killing that sadistic monster.

[@mikemarks6136]

I love everything about this channel mark!

[@GMTK]

Thanks!

[@mikemarks6136]

Mark Brown​ your welcome keep the content coming! 👍

[@ShadyShadok]

agreed! One of my favourite channels at the moment! :)

[@reksie7816]

What!!? You didn't have to kill Cohen?? I feel terrible.

[@RanDieBam]

I accidently "interrupted" the dancers' rhythm in Cohen's apartment because I wanted to play some nice notes on the piano for them, and then I had to fight him and actually was sorry for doing so :(

[@ladylunaginaofgames40]

@@dgrunklesamiii4615 wow, Karma's a bitch.

[@alexanderking9462]

me too. i just blatantly murdered him.

[@feeler85]

Hey. Do not forget "The wild bunny" The whole fort frolic was well made creepy as hell place. Sander Cohen is one better made game antagonists. And After Arcadia My personal favourite level, in Bioshock.

[@moXon460]

Hector Rodriguez is one of my professors at my university.

[@GMTK]

Please don't murder him with bees.

[@sirmuz]

If you do decide to murder him with bees, please feel free to take a picture of his corpse to present to the world.

[@alexrobles9708]

What happens if you kill him with bees in the game?

[@Wildlander]

Another well-crafted, informative, and thoughtful video Mr. Brown. Thanks so much for your contributions - you are an inspiration to me and many others!

[@AlfonsoSRT]

The dance part was probably my favorite in the game.

[@ToyKnives]

Getting the “Irony” achievement for taking a photo of Cohen’s corpse is my favorite Bioshock moment. The devs didn’t force me to take his picture, it wasn’t even an optional mission or something. Taking his picture is the natural conclusion to his twisted story, and the achievement gives the player a pat on the back for fulfilling that story.

[@Johny40Se7en]

It's cool how you put it with the 'snuff film' thing. Reminds me of Manhunt, when Starkweather's pulling the strings, puppeteering and choreographing your moves through sections of the game. And speaking of pulling the strings. Only now I really noticed that Sander Cohen must be one of the few people in Rapture who don't manipulate you by using the iconic term "Would you kindly...". Amazing game, and wicked video butt. "Fly away little moth! fly! fly! 😜

[@Azazel5021]

the original bioshock is still one of my favourite fps games . way better than infinite

[@Evan-up5py]

Better gameplay-wise, but not a better story. Infinite and Burial at Sea was a masterpiece

[@Not_a_Lizard_]

Never liked the original Bioshock. I found the gameplay boring and frustrating at times, and the story had this SpecOps thing where they want to make me feel bad for some things when they didn't give me a choice to avoid them. Bioshock 2 and Bioshock Infinite had more entertaining gameplay and actually made me care about the story. Specially Infinite managed to make me really care for what could happen to Elizabeth. All of this is my opinion, of course.

[@Evan-up5py]

The Lizard Wizard We don't talk about Bioshock 2...

[@SergioSergio12345]

Evan we do now, specially since now we have a remaster of it So yeh....

[@xBINARYGODx]

I know it's popular to claim Infinite had better gameplay, but I fail to see how, and usually no one explains why they think that. Bullet spongy enemies that just run straight at you, a Halo-style gun system that is for some reason mixed with an upgrade path that feels counter to it, and redundant and infective plasmids(I mean vigors), player customization is heavily reduced, etc. I feel that BI actually has the worst combat (it felt like a slog to me, and I would frequently try to rush it get to something more interesting), and that B2's improvements give it the overall superior gunplay. That said, I never had a problem with the first game's systems, or the choice of gun vs plasmid-power. BI should have either removed the gun upgrades (easier to balance, easier to make sure the player doesn't end up with subpar weapons for some particular encounter where the ones upgrade nicely are not around), or should have allowed you to carry a lot of weapons as in the first one. Restricting to 2 guns works in Halo because the guns are always the same (one needler is the same as any other, for example), and so the choice is a strategic one of which two to carry from the ones currently provided (and enemies can be balanced around a set group of weapons). Eh, whatever - opinions and buttholes and all that.

[@Bubbysworldrules]

One of thee best videos I’ve seen on KZbin, still holds up to this day, cheers.

[@tesshuijting8302]

100k subscribers, congrats! Glad to see this amazing channel is slowly getting more attention.

[@GMTK]

Thanks! Really pleased to hit that goal.

[@netob4758]

Once again, a great video. Thank you, Mark!

[@LN.2233]

are you a codexer?

[@netob4758]

?

[@LokiOwl]

This is an all-around wonderfully thought out video and, not only makes me want to play Bioshock, but makes me think about my favorite parts of games, not just the game as a whole. Subscribed.

[@jorgeg.s.2838]

I love everything in your videos, and when you nail down your subtitles like in this one I can enjoy them to their full extend. Thank you, Mark!

[@czechmeoutbabe1997]

You make Mondays so much better. Thank you.

[@voxlvalyx]

Ironically enough, even though I played through Bioshock in its entirety about six years ago, I can't remember a single thing about Sander Cohen or his level. Literally nothing; not a single clip from that part of the game used in this video was even remotely familiar to me. I don't even recognize the name Sander Cohen. I think I need to play Bioshock again.

[@RBlatman]

Sander Cohen is also prominent in Bioshock infinite, burial at sea. Out of all the twisted characters in the Bioshock series, he is one of my favorites

[@tanyavanreinz816]

A genuinely eloquent description of what Cohen is, desires, and the essence of the level itself. Your words resonate with depth and insight, painting a vivid tapestry of Cohen's character and aspirations. Thanks

[@lordfrieza3792]

Sander Cohen is easily one of my favorite characters of all time.

[@PeterHatchFilm]

I really love your show Mark! I think it's become my favorite youtube channel. Really looking forward to the rest of Boss Keys. I'll be giving to your patreon the moment I'm not incredibly poor. I'd love to see your analysis of the 3D Metroid series (Prime 1-3, Other M, Federation Force), but I know how much work goes into your videos so I feel bad making a request. Keep up the awesome work Mark.

[@GMTK]

I'd like to do a Metroid-style Boss Keys in the future!

[@ClicoVision]

"The Wild Bunny by Sander Cohen: I want to take the ears off, but I can't. I hop, and when I hop, I never get off the ground. It's my curse, my eternal curse! I want to take the ears off but I can't! It's my curse! It's my fucking curse! I want to take the ears off! Please! Take them off! Please!"

[@vedantagrawal9530]

I come back to this video every once in a while. I've never played this game. But the narration and the visuals always pull me back.

[@ComposerKuandohan]

You have this amazing way of pointing out the extremely well thought out aspects of video games. It really helps accentuate the genius that some of these video game designers have.

[@notoriouswhitemoth]

The plaster splicers and having a central hub - if I wanted to design a level around backtracking, that's how I'd do it: make sure that every time the player has to turn around, there's something to mix things up and keep the game interesting Mark, I would love to see you do a miniseries along the line of Boss Keys about what you feel are the best and worst boss fights and why.

[@Tunzor]

Fantastic, really makes me want to go back and play Bioshock.

[@tukos7370]

Just watched the latest episode (s1e3) of Westworld and remembered this. Thank you for making this video Mark.

[@medhros]

Incredible video! Your channel should have milions of views!! Thank you very much for this immersive and smart analysis of this beautiful artistic section of Bioshock, one of my favorite games.

[@Jordanectomy]

I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forget Eve’s Garden. How dark that encounter was, finding a woman’s corpse on a bed with cash under the mattress, and a recording labelled “pregnant”. It made me feel a pit in my stomach. Very, very good storytelling...

[@DiamondDoggie]

Great video. Really made me think. Guess I'll have to re download the game again.

[@noahsayles8]

The effort you put in to describe and lay out what the game gave to us is astonishin. Thumbs up.

[@BW-go3ih]

I think he it felt so memorable because it wasn't a contrived road block to advance levels and gameplay hours, it was a random psychotic encounter, ON TOP of everything that was already going on. He came in and controlled every person fighting for that very thing. He was in essence, trolling.

[@goobgo]

This channel is like Extra credits and Lessons from the Screenplay had a beautiful baby

[@giomjava]

I thought it was his superpower - to turn people into marble (plaster?) statues. The sick artful things he did to the population, his imbalance, the fact that he'd be pretty much the only powerful one left in the city and would terrorize any other remaining inhabitants, pushed me towards ending him. Fort Frolic is definitely one if the best levels in game history and Sander is one of the more memorable antagonists.

[@TannyWanny]

amazing video as always Mark

[@infantasyde9919]

This was bloody fantastic. Nice work mate

[@JackQuintonAudio]

It's cool to see Arin Hanson's name on the supporter list. I did ask my self if he watched your content after hearing him speak about level design on an episode of mario maker.

[@404nonexistent]

Srsly, keep up the good work with these GMTK vids. Your retrospectives are on fleek. 👍👌

[@GMTK]

is that a good thing

[@404nonexistent]

Mark Brown I did say good work didn't I? lol ;) But seriously, you made a subscriber/patreon patron outta me.

[@GMTK]

:D Thank you!

[@kerushun]

This is one of my favourite videos on all of KZbin. Brilliant stuff.

[@moses3167]

Congrats on hitting 100K. With all the hard work you put in, you deserve it!

[@Larry]

In all honesty, all of this was lost on me. My main memory of Cohen's area was being pissed off at all the backtracking I had to do in it.

[@grandekeba]

Same

[@ZamboinElite]

Exactly my thoughts. He is good in concept but it felt like filler. Like an episode of a TV series that sits in between two major plot heavy stories that go together. For whatever reason everyone stops what they are doing to focus on villain of the week who is not mentioned going forward. In fact if you were to watch the two episodes it separates back-to-back you would miss nothing, it is as if the episode never existed. It only served to pad the length of the season. Sander Cohen is an interesting set piece, a cool level. But it feels like they didn't know where to put him so they just put him in a side-room to waste your time before you can progress to more important matters. There are instances where this is done to a positive effect, in that it doesn't feel like a waste of time at all. The Witcher 1 comes to mind and the events of Chapter IV. Right as things begin to come to a head it transports you away from the action and questions you were dying to ask are left unanswered. At first I felt put off but I knew if I pushed on I would find those answers. In this process I began to appreciate the deliberate pacing and tonal effect Chapter IV had on the game. There can be value and quality to an episode like this and there is, it just comes at a time where it feels as though you have been cheated out of your progress as this is just before you meet Andrew Ryan. This story was worth telling, the quality is evident as laid out here. But the relationship this story has with the player depends entirely on their disposition and their relationship with the game as a whole up to this point. You are either going with the flow and down for anything or are presented with a lengthy fetch quest that feels like a chore because of where it falls in the narrative structure. People play games for different reasons. If you are all about the gameplay then the action of Fort Frolic is a playground. If you are still a fan of the gameplay but you are conscious of pacing and the overarching story, this can be seen as a slog and merely a diversion which diminishes your enjoyment of the level. I feel like the placement of the level should have been earlier at a point where Atlas and Ryan were being overbearing and hostile. Pulling you towards objectives that might not have made sense for your character or you as the player. Then suddenly you are taken away from this tug of war and given a mission that creates introspection about your actions and allows for a reprieve from the role you have been forced into due to your reliance on others to survive. You are given a task but not one that is rooted in conspiracy and devious intent. As you begin to play you see this is nothing more than a game, a show you are taking part in. Your relationship with Cohen is what makes his tasks feel different, there is no threat of the world ending, no opposing forces enacting their will upon you. He isn't trying to shift the political status quo and he is given more character than someone like J.S. Steinman who is just an obstacle. This section is a story isolated from the rest of the game but ties into it thematically. It acts just like a filler episode, but when you choose to use this format you have to be conscious of its placement in the story.

[@ThePluralApostrophe]

Don't forget the part where Cohen first sends spider splicers after you and their A.I.'s pathfinding can result in one clipping through part of the ceiling, leaving it unkillable, thus preventing you from entering Fort Frolic. The only fix? Hope you have a save from before you went to Fort Frolic, as leaving and returning does nothing...and even if you have a save prior to your first trip to Fort Frolic, the bug can still occur, with no real rhyme or reason. This STILL exists in the Bioshock Collection, as well.

[@jarkokoo]

Sometimes, when shoveling thru KZbin comments, the shovel says "clank!" and you instantly think "did I hit the treasure chest here?!". This time my friend I feel like I hit the chest alright. Thank you for a very inspiring analysis, especially on the matter of placement of story/gameplay beats in the whole concept. :)

[@xBINARYGODx]

I think the main problem, ignoring anything wrt to the content itself, is where it is placed in the game. The narrative is headed straight to finally getting to the big man himself, and then your pulled off track. I was fine with this as sometimes when I enjoy a game, I don't want it to end, so something delaying the conclusion that is in itself good makes me happy. However, I can see why many other players might not like having a pit stop shoved into the game right before Ryan. I feel the level should have come sooner in the game - perhaps more towards the middle or early-middle, so it could have felt better for more people to be doing something that seems secondary to the main plot.

[@md.tahmeedhossain9409]

BioShock is unique as a shooter, letting you make the choices and bear the consequences. A timeless classic.

[@hongcuong]

Wow, very organic topic! I did not realize that till I watch this! Thanks, man!

[@gnarly441]

I love bioshock and I'm so glad you made this video it gives fort frolic the credit it very much deserves and I'm happy to see other people appreciate the details and work that went into this awesome level of the game

[@Seth_M-T]

Violence and classical music are a match made in heaven. I wish more games developers understood this...

[@RaYmOnDrOiD]

Do not kill Sander Cohen in Fort Frolic, Would You Kindly?

[@MisterJohnDoe]

Yeah, wait until you get to his apartment first.

[@willmaster1920]

Frik now I cant

[@kitsunefoxx9701]

I killed him on fort frolic then i saw him at his apartment wth

[@90grahamcracker]

What a fantastic video. You made me understand why this was always my favorite part of the game.

[@TheMarcusprivitt]

Great stuff, Mark. Outstanding. Keep it up!

[@jackpetrola4897]

7:57 The realization.

[@rafrak]

I find it interesting that you decided not to spoil the single best moment that made me remember that level for the rest of my life: Irony.

[@DashiSmash]

spoil how?

[@rafrak]

There is a certain achievement called irony that you get by doing something that is completely unnecessary at the end of this level. The developers recognizing the players actions with that achievement is one of my best gaming memories. But Mark didn't even mention it in passing, I guess so he wouldn't spoil it.

[@DashiSmash]

oh i must have missed that in my playthrough o_O

[@thricewrithed]

Dash Jubei irony is an achievement you get if you take a picture of sander cohen after killing him

[@tomiathisflex7706]

Superb channel. I look forward to your videos

[@mundomundovich2265]

I must say that your channel is quite interesting. I love Bioshock series, love good games in general, and I like channels like yours. Keep up the good job!

[@electrobolt9962]

This is my favorite level on the game, and Sander Cohen is the best villain you meet.

[@LN.2233]

make a video about Splinter cell Chaos Theory

[@LN.2233]

Wologan B. The level design , graphics and AI which I would say has even more depth than all the Bioshock games. Chaos Theory was ahead of its time in terms of AI as a stealth game and it has pretty great level design with lots of ways to manipulate AI and complete your objectives.

[@JacobHermant]

Congratulations on 100k subscribers, Mark! Bioshock is one of my favourite games of all time, and this was a stellar video!

[@kasares17]

Great analysis, Mark. Keep up the good stuff!

[@Th_Riddler_]

Sander Cohen never says would you kindly - it’s really cool because you act of your own free will, buts it’s disturbing because of what you do with that free will

[@agschool708]

I think Sander wanted Ryan's approval.

[@UpstreamNL]

Good video. Thank you for your work!

[@carlosnajera1815]

Great vid! Thanks for the analysis.

[@user-fo4su9nf1u]

Clicked on the video because I could not remember what Fort Frolic was. I only really remember Medical Pavillion. Frolic felt like a cutscene.

[@Mortablunt]

I couldn't stand him. I always killed him then moment I got the chance. Slowly.

[@hariman7727]

I remember Sander Cohen, and shooting/bashing his face in after he put me through the wringer, and had people killed for "art". I was annoyed that I missed the gun upgrade though, but didn't regret my earlier choice too much.

[@aolson1111]

mechbgum You must get confused easily.

[@Charsept]

Exactly the same for me!

[@magicrainbowkitties1023]

The Medical Pavilion, I felt, was FUCKING POWERFUL. Not only did it give you insight into the world of Rapture and how shallow and insane its people had become, not only did it give you worldbuilding on the many ways Adam was used, but it was a great way show how pressure, monotony, and unrealistic personal standards can destroy a person. I will remember that level till the day I die.

[@SuperSunshine321]

I'm a simple man. I see a Game Maker's Toolkit video, I press the like button.

[@dbartholemewfox]

+Scootch Magoo You tasteless philistine. You are truly a simpleton. Anyone with an ounce of class could see that a lollipop's raison d'être is rectal insertion, while peanut butter is delightfully delicious

[@AbCDef-zs6uj]

I'm not a simple man. I'm a gender fluid female-presenting pre-transitional tri-gender(less) lesbian male (zlees/zorps).

[@BruhILeftTheOvenOn]

Your editing with Cohen's voice and the blackouts AMAZE ME

[@drunkenqueen3077]

Great video! You said everything right about this level and Sander Cohen. Out of all Bioshock antagonists, he's probably my favourite.

[@Tuckdragon]

yay more gmt! :D

[@JeSuisGrand]

Anyone else notice Arin Hanson (AKA Egoraptor, AKA the Grump of Game Grumps) on the top tier Patron list?

[@Rhyno012345]

The climax of the final splicer battle set to classical music is still one of my favorite gaming moments. I remember chuckling to myself on my first playthrough of that part. So absurd and darkly humorous. Another thing I like about this level is the dramatic use of the song "Dancer's on a String." It was one of Bioshock's most memorable and haunting melodies, and it fit this level perfectly.

[@toadart4232]

Pleasure listening to your analysis. Props!

[@Kinos141]

Most memorable part, but I completely forgot about this level. lol

[@smackerlacker8708]

I cannot lie.... I totally forgot about Fort Frolic. I always remember the plastic surgeon, though.

[@videogamesare1]

Loved this video analysis and the level, memorable indeed

[@IronAngelRX14]

Great channel! Very informative!