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Awesome sleeper title!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: August 31, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I wasn't really tracking this game before I came out. I'm a fairly avid gamer... I've got a PS3, 360, PSP, DS, Wii, and 2 full PC gaming rigs. I've been waiting on Assassins Creed, Gran Tourismo 5, Grand Theft Auto IV, and all the other big name games like everyone else... Of course I heard about Bioshock here and there, but not enough to make the hype noteworthy with all the recent let downs.

Well, it lives up to the hype. The graphics are outstanding. Not anything I've not seen before in other games, but definitely artful and technical enough to keep up with any other game. The story line is both simple and complex, depending on how much you're into that sort of game. For people who just like to shoot and go, they can do that without missing much. But for those who spend extra time on every level, looking in every corner, reading every part of the story, it takes you quite a bit more in depth an satisfies as that level as well.

A couple of my fellow local gamers have whined a bit about the repetativeness of Bioshock thus far... But I purely believe that is because they are not following the storyline at all. To even follow it a little would get all you need to know. I've not found it repetative in the least. I am very glad I downloaded the demo first and was welcomed with a fresh, intense, in-depth game that is keeping me wanting more, more, MORE!!!

BioShock "a masterpiece"

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: September 02, 2007
Author: Amazon User

BioShock is near perfect. However, there are some small problems in the game that should be fixed. The Vita-Chambers prevents the game from having true skills to be needed, simply because you won't die, but these do work in more subconscious ways. Being killed and revived over and over, while it provides no needed skill, will get repetitive and you'll be kicking yourself in the end when you see how much you fail at the game especially when fighting Big Daddies. Seriously, playing this game on Hard, it was literally impossible for me to not die at least once while fighting them... and sometimes I did die over and over again, and it really had me aggravated and made me focused on getting better at the game. Using more strategic elements will help you succeed in not dying as much in BioShock, and this game allows for it tons. Set bolt traps and proximity mines to knock down your enemies with class. Alter the AI so they are no longer your enemy anymore, but now will fight your other opponents. Hypnotize a Big Daddy even, for him to be your personal body guard... Did you get shot? The Big Daddy will take down your adversary in no time at all. So in the end, while the death-system is flawed, being a more proficient player, you'll be rewarded by going through fights with style over "go in the room and shoot the enemies". I'll also add that I barely ever used my artillery, except in Plasmid/Weapon combos.

There are 73 Plasmids in the game, 20 active, and 53 passive. Tonics, the passive Plasmids, allow you to shape your character, depending on how you play. In my first play-through, I used wrench-upgrading, security-bypassing, and alarm reducing Tonics to help me become a stealth-based player, and that's how it played, like a Tom Clancy game respectively. My next play-though, I used Telekinesis and destruction-based Plasmids and Tonics more, no wrench-upgrading Tonics, and I really became a monster with my powers, unlike what I was before. The thing is, I could have changed who I was halfway through the game if I wanted to... the reason for this is because you always have the ability to switch around the Tonics an Plasmids for others in your inventory. This is what separates it from RPGs, there is no character growth in the game, you don't upgrade static powers, being able to switch them completely takes this game away from any real RPG-comparing. Sure it has RPG elements, but it's not one at all. So what you get, is an FPS, but it's no generic FPS, mind you, the game offers you so many options to play the game how you want. If you want to go through the game with only your weapons, go ahead, nothing is stopping you. Some of the things that make this FPS deeper than any out there...: hacking, AI-altering, researching, weapon upgrading, full environment interactivity, exploration, dynamic storytelling, health/"Plasmid power ammo" (EVE) upgrading, Plasmid Power slot number upgrading, etc. Try comparing that huge list to what other FPSs (non-RPGs, though, because BioShock isn't one) offer you. Just try. Everything that this game offers you for character customizability, and then the ability to change that up whenever you feel the need to makes this game revolutionary to the FPS genre. A true classic.

10/10 (close to perfect)

Gameplay - 10/10
Graphics - 9.5/10
Sound - 10/10
Controls - 9/10
Story - 10/10

Anyone expecting a true FPS masterpiece, pick this game up. If you're expecting this go be an RPG (even though the developers have repeatedly stated that it isn't), look somewhere else.

Great Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: October 27, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I liked this game a lot. It has atmosphere, a good interface, and a story line that keeps you going. It can be addictive. As a dad of two teens, I usually don't play much. More often I tell my sons to get off the computer and do their homework. Number one son, who is a gamer, insisted that I try this one, and he was right. Although I am not good at first person shooters, with his advice I was able to stay alive. It is a very well done game. My son finished the game in a few days, but still rated it "pretty good," which actually means very good.

NO REPLAY VALUE!!!

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 9 / 19
Date: September 23, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I beat it in one week only playing it averagly. I mean it was fun...but when you beat it what then? I got none of my powers back and none of my upgrades back. I see 10 out of 10 in what i think was Game Informer (not sure) and I know now never trust the magazines. Always go by the the number one basic rule of gaming try it before you buy it. Next time before I buy any game with great reviews i'm head'n to Blockbuster, what about you?

Great Game Except it Killed my System!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: August 24, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I played the preview available on xbox live. It's pretty amazing. The graphics are out of this world: really smooth and crisp. This game really pulls you in with excellent acting, great graphics and an intriguing story.

This is a first person shooter. It's not for kids with plenty of gore, and some scary moments.

What I'd pay: Full Price. All the way. This is one awesome game. I plan on getting this as soon as possible.

Update: 09-07-07. I rented this, and have been playing it all week. Unfortunately, my 360 froze several times this evening. I did a search: a lot of people have been reporting similar issues. There may be a patch on the way, however you may wish to wait for a bit for the patch to come out. Watch out for this one. The game is amazing. Stellar in every way, except the major thing of freezing up. It got a 10 out of 10 in game informer magazine. It's too bad I'll have to return it before I'm done playing.

Update 09-10-07. My XBox360 is now DEAD! I got the Ring of Fire. Please research carefully before deciding to purchase this game.

Oh heck, it's probably not related. It sure is frustrating, though!

Update 4-12-08. After I cooled down about my XBOX 360 melting when I played this title, I ended up putting it on my Christmas wish list. Lucky for me: I got it. I ended up playing the whole thing in the following weeks. I can now say that I finished it and enjoyed every minute. It is a solid title with a lot to like.

Shockingly good game!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: August 26, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Bioshock is an innovative shooter that allows players to pass the game through different methods. This game is not like any other shooter out there, it allows you to use weapons or plasmids to defeat your enemies. The great aspect of Bioshock is that it you find yourself using both guns and plasmids thoughout the game. Changing between the two is rather simple and straightfoward.

Of course you cannot talk about the game without mentioning its amazing visuals. The setting of the game is a failed underwater utopia whose citizens are deformed and hostile. I can go on talking about Bioshock, but no words can describe how beautiful the game looks and how entertaining it is to play. I highly recommend all Xbox 360 owners to buy this game!

Best Game I've Played

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: August 26, 2007
Author: Amazon User

First off, I don't like paying sixty dollars for any video game, and I hate many because they become boring fast and are very dull. Therfore, boshock is absolutly worth it, because it is the most immersive, thrilling, and FUN game ever! Halo, gears, Obliviion, and Mario are up there, but nothing can compare to this experience. It's even better than all of the magazine reviews say (10/10). This game is like being in a horror/science fiction movie, only a hundred times better. I was skeptical, but it's absolutly worth it! Buy it!

One of the best in a long time

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: October 12, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Let's face it...gamers have seen an ad nauseam stream of FPS's set in post-apocalyptic or dystopian (or both!) environments before. Yawn. But this game has actually succeeded in creating a fresh new place that immediately draws you in and has you wanting to explore the environment. Rapture is by turns beautiful, fantastic, disturbing, and creepy. The plot here is actually engaging too. There's plenty of shooting baddies in the face, but this isn't another mindless shooter, and it wraps a great, challenging gameplay experience in a compelling story and environment. This is a must-buy!

Buy an Xbox 360 for this game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: October 13, 2007
Author: Amazon User

BioShock is an original and amazing game. The graphics are incredible even on a SDTV. The graphics remind me of Oblivion. The sound is good w/o dolby 5.1 and very realistic and immersive with my dolby 5.1 headphones. The story is very thoughtful and Rapture is a great fictional setting for this game. What I really like about the environment is that it looks very believeable, like someone was really living there. Many random objects lie around rooms creating an eerie atmosphere. The AI is very advanced and the enemies are fierce and they know how to surprise attack the player and use guerilla tactics. I love the plasmids/gene tonics and the upgradable weapons. I think this game is better than Halo 3 in terms of single player. If you don't have and Xbox 360 get one to play this game.

Wow. Just "wow."

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: February 21, 2008
Author: Amazon User

OK, maybe a little more than just "wow." This is hands-down the most engrossing and haunting game I've ever played. Granted, I'm not a hardcore gamer; more of a dabbler. But this made me think of the first time I played the original (and still the best) HALO. Or the first time I played MYST.

From the original moment I entered the building that led down to this undersea city to the moment I left, I found much to love. The design--it's not just the art deco architecture, which is amazing, but the audio--the music, the propaganda blared over loudspeakers in certain areas, the splicers' (bad guys) dialogue, the sounds of pipes dragged across a concrete floor, the sonorous whale noises in certain sections, even the silence and static add to the creepy immersion into this f-ed up world. And the overheard phrases of little sisters talking to big daddies (the big bads in the diving suits) as they let them know that they're "ready for dream time". Can't get that out of my head.

Adding to the completeness with which the creators built this world are the short animations or flash cards that appear when you gain new powers, the story that unfolds through both your actions, voice cues from Andrew Ryan, radio messages from different factions trying to help you or warn you away; even the ways you gather weapons, powers ranging from electric shock (my personal favorite) to sending a swarm of bees to distract opponents. One power, "enrage" even lets you turn your enemies against each other, letting them do each other harm so you can pick off the remainders.

It forces you to make choices throughout the game that affect how it ends. Gather parts along the way and invent weapons or tools. Or gather money along the way and buy them. Gather ammo or gather money and buy. Buy/create the anti-personnel rounds (great against some enemies) or use your resources to buy/create motion detector mines (great in other situations). Save the little sisters or "harvest" them. Use the available slots for powers like telekinesis (needed to gather from high ledges or inaccessible areas or hurl objects at enemies) or hypnotizing big daddies (really helpful in certain parts of the game).

I loved the flexibility and the consideration of how all these elements intermingled in a story that felt like a cross between an old Doc Savage pulp fiction novel, Ayn Rand's the Fountainhead, and others I can't mention without going spoiler-y. And when I say "felt like", that's not to say that they just ripped them off; just captured the tone of those, while creating a dark original story.

I loved that story's twists and turns, the sense of discovery, wonder and sometimes disgust that came with it. There were no false notes; just dead-on action, suspense and entertainment.

Oh yeah--I also loved blowing stuff up, hacking safes and robots with machine guns, setting traps for enemies, foraging for supplies, shooting down enemies crawling across a dark ceiling with glowing metal hooks for hands and all the other things that come with a good action game.

I can't wait to play this again choosing different powers along the way to spend more time in the world of Rapture.

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