Cyker: Yeah no worries; GOG's forum system is really archaic and it doesn't make following threads easy. It almost reminds me of the chaos of Usenet back when that was a thing!
Norwood01: I think your experience during the earlier section is simply part of the game, but I understand your confusion: You’re instructed to tidy up the Aspiration Platform, but Joey (housed in a vacuum cleaner unit!) declines to help. It would’ve made better sense if he’d gone about his business ineffectually, and, when questioned by Foster, said something like, ‘This is going to take hours, Foster. Maybe you need a better plan,’ which would’ve hinted the player in the right direction Instead, as you note, he simply watches from the sidelines till you give him his cue to deal with the bunting. The puzzle is clever because it’s counterintuitive: you think you’re doing one thing (tidying the area), while in fact you’re doing the very opposite.
Cyker: I wasn't sure about that originally, but after watching some walkthroughs and long-plays, Joey definitely supposed to start vacuuming some of the dirt spots when you highlight one of them and select the Joey option.
But again, he's also supposed to follow you around that area, and doesn't!
I'm convinced the bug is related to some sort of script trigger in that area as, in every single other area, NPCs move about and do stuff and Joey follows you around - It's only this one where they're all static and he is stuck where he spawns!
Norwood01: With any luck your email to Revolution will help resolve the issue, in which case I’ll purchase the game again and play it through to the end.
Cyker: I hope so too - It's a really good game so far; The writing is right up my alley. It's at least level with Telltale Games' writing, which is a big complement, but unlike Telltale Games, the actual gameplay is also good, and doesn't suck like a lot of their later games! (QTEs in an adventure game! And in dialogs!! What were they thinking?!)
It's just weird that we're the only people who have mentioned this bug so far - It's pretty game-breaking! I suspect it's crept into the GOG build specifically as nobody seems to have had it on any other version...
When searching, most of the hits I've found have been an elevator bug in the original 2D BASS, where Joey also won't get into an elevator!! XD
Interesting point about Joey assisting in the cleaning process as, if I remember correctly, he point-blank refuses when Foster asks him in the GOG release, which is just downright contrary, especially as he eventually cooperates over the bunting. You’re right about the lack of movement in this scene too, and it’s not just Joey. The droid tells Foster the cleaners are working hard to tidy the area, when in fact at least one of them remains more or less stationary throughout. I wanted to 'fix' it with the crowbar.
Like you, I found plenty of online references to the elevator issue in Beneath a Steel Sky, but hardly any about the one we’ve encountered, which does seem unique to the GOG build. Also, I’m sure you’ve noticed the camera sometimes sticking inside the character models – a glitch the Revolution website mentions, which was supposedly fixed. Looks like GOG got sold a dud.
It’s a pity, because, like you, I was very much enjoying the game; it looks amazing, the story is engaging and, apart from an over-emphasis on hacking, the puzzles are well-judged. The only real downside is some of the acting. The woman voicing Orana, who’s attractively modelled and clearly intended to be a sympathetic character, has all the charisma of a speak-your-weight machine.
Good luck with your enquiry to Revolution. If they resolve the issue, do post again, so that I and other players can give it another try.
