This is the cover image to the 2007 video game Bioshock. Featured in this image are the two primary mascots seen throughout much of the game. One is called the Big Daddy and the other is the Little Sister. Without being told which is which, it is clear to the viewer what name refers to which character. While the description of the size is easy to see, the Big Daddy being big and the Little Sister being little, the second part of their names, and its relationship, may not be. If we look at the Big Daddy's general features, we see a large proportioned mechanical humaniod that possesses an intimidating weapon and stance. We recognize the stance, clenched fist, raised weapons, bent knees, as one of readiness for combat. We see the large masculine drill, a weapon whose appearance suggests painful penetration (hooray for Freud), and we see the the large, aggressively posed mechanical body framed around a distinct helmet. Even not knowing the gender of the subject, you can infer it to male. Then we see the small child wearing what appears to be a small smock, the color of the clothing and cut of it implies the child to be female.
I won't read much more from the image since this would get into a discussion of the game's story rather then the image. Anyway, if we view the two figures together, We see the Big Daddy standing in front of the Little Sister, suggesting protectiveness or possessiveness. The child doesn't appear terrified or being held against her will, showing that the characters have some mutual bond. It is clear from the angle of the shot that the source of the Big Daddy's aggression is supposed to be the viewer, and that the Big Daddy is protecting the Little Sister from the viewer. This gives us a glimpse of the game's story, that the viewer in the image is the player that fights the Big Daddy and that the reward is the strange child.
This is as far as I will go due to length, leaving it to the reader to see more. I will, however, leave you with a bonus point. If you recognized that the Big Daddy is wearing a stylized version of an old diving suit and that they appear to be in a aquarium style hallway, you can infer that the setting is sometime in the 50's-60's period and underwater. If you caught this, give yourself a pat on the back (assuming it doesn't have a large drill on it).
Personally I love this game. The story is absolutely amazing. From this image you can also come to the conclusion that they are underwater from the "aqua" look that the glass has. The bond shared by the little sisters and the big daddies is one of the core elements to this game.
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