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Worth every bit of hype

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: September 06, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Graphics are amazing. Sound and voice acting are among the best i've ever heard in the game. Gameplay is a perfect mix of slow brooding tension to explosive run for your life action. the game plays on emotions that will have you literally stressed out. There are very few games that have me on an emotional rollercoaster to the point that I have to take breaks to calm down. Though the game is not perfect it is the most fun I have had with a game this year hands down. The story is well written and is the driving force behind the game. I do not want to spoil any of it for you but trust me PLAY THIS GAME. If you liked Resident Evil 4 or Half-life you wont be disapointed if you want a mindless shooter than this game is outta your league. There are tons of puzzles and side missions. And the use of a beacon pointing you in the right direction is advantageous. The game is linear but at the same time allows you to break from the path and explore and re-explore however you wish. Every now and then a game comes along that you can't put into one genre. It makes you excited about the next time you can pick it up and play it. The last game that had me this giddy was Shadow of the Colossus. Go buy Bioshock today.

Simply Amazing

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: September 23, 2007
Author: Amazon User

There's really not much I can say about this game that hasn't already been said. This game is amazing, there's really no other way to put it. From the moment one enters Rapture (the city in which the game takes place) you are immediately immersed in the game's rich architecture. The AI is great, graphics awesome, controls nice, and the abilities and customization options really separate this game from your standard shooter.

However, what truly makes this game what it is, is the atmosphere. You really feel as if you're in a post-apocalyptic world. The deranged, mutated citizens, wandering around looking for ADAM to quench their addiction. Wandering through a level and seeing flickering lights, you hear voices, and see a shadow run down the hallway. You see dead bodies on the ground, apparently in their last moments of life trying to spell out something on the floor in their own blood. It's just amazing the detail the developers put into this game.

But of course, if you don't trust my opinion (and I can't blame you, I can't describe in words how good this game is) then simply look at all the critics praising this game.

EGM: 10, 10, 10 (perfect score, 3 10's from 3 different reviewers)
Eurogamer: 10/10
Gamespot: 9/10
Game Informer: 10/10
Gametrailers: 9.5/10
IGN: 9.7/10
Official Xbox Magazine: 10/10

It should also be noted that gamerankings.com, a site that takes all critic reviews of a game and averages the score, has given Bioshock a 95% based on 74 different media outlets. That makes Bioshock the #1 best reviewed Xbox 360 game OF ALL TIME. It also makes Bioshock the 12th best reviewed game of all time, across all consoles. Check gamerankings.com yourself if you don't believe me.

So, not much else I can say. I love this game, and apparently so do critics. This is the best reviewed Xbox 360 game so far; if you have a 360, there really is no reason why shouldn't own this game.

Not perfect, but a must play

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: October 05, 2007
Author: Amazon User

Ok, so the game is not perfect, as many people will point out. The ending is not nearly as amazing as the rest of the game, know it and get over it, but this game is incredible.

The sheer attention to detail is what sets this game apart. From the strange civilization that has it's own rules, currency, and gene pool to the method of which the story is told - it's a top shelf title.

Honestly, you can make an argument for game of the year for visuals/sound alone, but it's the art direction that makes this game something you will remember.

I'm going to get that big daddy!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: October 03, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I recently got the opportunity to play this game, and didn't quite know what to expect. Having played through the demo already, I knew it would be creepy, but I really had no idea that it would genuinely freak me out. Maybe it is because of the lighting situation in my room. I don't know.

I will say that this game is an amazing experience. The sights and sounds bring you into the underwater world of Rapture. Splicers are after you for no apparent reason, but that won't stop you from having a blast killing them. There are so many fun ways to go about taking out one of your assailants. You are provided with plasmids, which are actually mobile genetic elements that allow you super human abilities (e.g. fire, electricity, telekinesis, hypnotism, ice, etc.) These really add to the gameplay. There is nothing more fun than freezing a splicer and smashing him or her with an old wrench until they shatter or frying a few splicers with 10,000 volts when they are standing in a puddle of water.

There is no multiplayer in the game, and that is my only real complaint. It would be nice to have some cooperative play, but I suppose that would take away from the story to an extent.

The story is pretty solid, and the gameplay is innovative and fun. This game is one of the most visually stunning games I have seen on the Xbox 360. I think that shooter fans should definitely check this one out.

Would you kindly play this game?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: September 05, 2008
Author: Amazon User

How's this for a story? A man becomes annoyed with the current world, a world where the great are taken for granted and told that their toils are either for the people, for God or for the government. In response, he creates a fantastic environment, free from all of these turmoils. A place where all the great men and women of the world can create their own inventions without fear of consequence. In this place, men and women could do what they wanted.

If this sounds like Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, you'd be correct. However, in this particular case, it's also the background story behind Rapture, the under-water city that takes centerplace in Bioshock. Many words have been bandied about about video games and their ability (or inability) to become art; you have folks like Roger Ebert saying the medium as a whole can never attain that goal. My personal thought that was that, as a medium, games haven't made enough strides toward that lofty goal. But Bioshock certainly takes a huge step forward.

Andrew Ryan is a visionary the likes of which his namesake Ayn Rand would possibly write about in Atlas Shrugged. He exemplifies the qualities of a Randian hero and showcases Rand's philosophy of objectivism. He created the city of Rapture and filled it, much like John Galt in Atlas Shrugged, with the visionaries of his land. Rapture soon was a thriving city that emphasized science and growth and the importance of the individual. They dabbled in creating plasmids that changed a person's DNA, enabling them to do feats the likes of which had never been seen before.

Then something happened.

Flying over the Atlantic sea, you are Jack, a person who was destined for greatness, if you ask his parents, and whose plane is now crashing into the sea. Jack is apparently the only survivor of the plane wreck and swims to a lone building, a light house it seems, that beckons him onward. Eventually, he goes into a blathysphere and enters into the world of Rapture. But this isn't the Rapture originally envisioned in the pre-recorded film he watches as he journeys into the city. It is a city comprised of deadly machines, once-human monstrosities named Splicers who are insane and, of course, the Big Daddies and Little Sisters.

Bioshock concerns itself with the gray area between right and wrong. This dichotomy between right and right is what fuels everything in Rapture. Roaming the landscape, the Little Sisters are twisted abominations of little girls who locate corpses (which they call "Angels") and harvest Adam from them with a long needle. More grotesque is that bottle at the other end of the needle that the Little Sisters drink from. Dutifully following them are the Big Daddies, giant brutes in ancient diving gear. These...things...are at the heart of the story and Jack's survival depends on them and whether he can harvest the Little Sisters or set them free.

The conscience of the gamer is represented in two mysterious figures, Atlas (another allusion to Rand) and Dr. Tenenbaum. Atlas seemingly wants Jack to save his family and explains that the Little Sisters are anything but the human girls they appear. He nudges Jack to put them out of their misery and take the Adam they harvest so he can survive and save Atlas and his family. On the other shoulder perches Tenenbaum, another mysterious individual who created the Little Sisters and seems to want to do anything possible to save them. They are the obvious angel and devil sitting on Jack's shoulder, but the question is...which one is the angel?

To go into further detail would be to spoil this amazing story. Along the route, twists and turns abound with moral, ethical and philosophical questions aplenty. What's interesting is the way Bioshock presents a stark opposition to Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. Rand's heroes always contain the same qualities that Andrew Ryan exemplifies. But here, the artists behind Bioshock seem to be questioning these qualities by presenting a situation so familiar to Atlas Shrugged, and yet, so far removed.

It is literate, thoughtful, disturbing and moving. Even if the gameplay didn't live up to the story, Bioshock would be worthy just for this reason.

Luckily, that's not the case. For the gun hungry, sure, Rapture is filled with guns aplenty and even presents opportunities for you to craft your own upgrades. But that is just scratching the surface. Everything goes back to the story. Plasmids are located across the ruined debris of Rapture and contain the keys to recreating your DNA. Some early examples of Plasmids are the ability to shoot electricity from your hands to being able to set things on fire to telekinesis.

But these plasmids aren't only used for fighting. Minor puzzle-solving crops up, some of which require plasmids in the same way as gear in Legend of Zelda. The biggest puzzle is how to take down the game's variety of enemies. While you can definitely charge in, guns blazing and sometimes survive, cases will present themselves where such tactics will end with you on the bad end of the Big Daddies' drill. Instead, you can create your own traps and war zones. Using plasmids, the environment and, of course, your weapons, you can create elaborate traps that will bring a smile to your face.

A lot of games coming out right now that use the Unreal 3 engine don't look as spectacular as they could. In particular, character models tend to look shiny and/or completely ugly. This is not the case with Bioshock. Everything comes together, from the disturbing scenery, the art deco architecture to the the insane creatures and characters populating the world.

Shadows and lighting also create a sense of atmosphere that drips heavily, much like the water pouring down the walls. It's stunning. The only complaint (and it is minor) is that the frozen portions you can melt don't look very convincing. When things melt, they don't leave anything behind. The only reason it sticks out is that the rest of the game is absolutely beautiful and amazingly crafted.

None of this would be as effective, though, without superior sound. And Bioshock has that (mostly) in spades. The voice work is stunning throughout and the actors provide a great sense of dread. The audio diaries do an exemplary job of providing the backstory, but also work the best in crafting dread and terror. Some of the most disturbing things occur listening to them. Unfortunately, sometimes the characters' lines are repeated too often, ruining the disturbing nature of their dialogue.

Musically, the game is also amazing. It flits into the picture at key moments, increasing the tension before it will flow away. You might not even notice it's there, but that's why it's so good.

You know, the funny thing about hype is how people react to it. Game journalists can go blue in the face trying to get people interested in forgotten gems such as Psychonauts, Beyond Good & Evil and Stranger's Wrath, and since they weren't financially successful they become these gems. When a game sells incredibly well and is hyped to the max (both of which fit Bioshock), people say "over-rated."

Ignore the hype machine. I know you're tired of hearing about it. But give Bioshock a try, if you haven't yet. Download the demo for your PC or try it on Xbox Live. It is a game that's definitely worth everything that's been said about it and more.

It is art. And no words by ignorant movie critics will change that.

Great game but NOT FOR LITTLE KIDS!!! Be forwarned.

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

Part Ayn Rand, part Jules Verne, and lot of other influences make up this game. Set in 1960, the undersea world of Rapture is a utopia built by Andrew Ryan. A place were science and humanity is allowed to flourish without any moral or ethical boundaries. Unfortunately everything has gone horribly wrong and you end up in the middle of it. This is no ordinary FPS because shooting your enemy may not be the best solution. This is one of those games were you have to think and take your time. There are also ethical issues that you have to figure out for yourself. And your decisions do effect how the game ends

This is definitely not a game for kids. There is a lot of realistic violence and situations involving killing children. Let me clarify that. In the game there are genetically mutated girls called "Little Sisters" and a giant drill-wielding mutant called "Big Daddy" protects them. Where there is a "Little Sister" there's a "Big Daddy". Now to take on "Big Daddy" you have to intake a substance called ADAM to increase your ability and effectiveness through the game and the only to get ADAM is by defeating a `Big Daddy" and then extract the ADAM from the "Little Sister". But there is a catch, to get a massive amount of ADAM you basically have to kill the "Little Sister". You can choose to save the "Little Sister" and remove the mutation but you only get a little bit of ADAM. In other words do you kill for the greater good or do you try to save everybody you can?

The game controls are intuitive and easy to pick up. The story line is engaging and thought provoking and there are also puzzle games that are necessary if you want to gain a tactical advantage.

I haven't finished playing the game so you don't have to worry about any spoilers but this game is different than most of the FPS games out there but it is definitely worth picking up. But keep in mind that the violence is brutal and other aspects of the game may make some people re-think getting it. This game is more for the adult crowd.

An FPS for thinkers

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: September 01, 2007
Author: Amazon User

A previous review has compared this game with other FPS out there, and concluded that this game as 'lacking'. In my opinion, he has completely missed the point of this game. This game is quite a genre of its own; if you play it just like other stereotypical FPS out there(i.e. blindly shooting everything in front of you), you are going to miss a lot of fun.

Unlike other FPS, this game encourages you to come up with creative ways to defeat powerful enemies(i.e. Big Daddies).I have set my difficulty level to the 'hardest' level, and I choose the 'good' path(and as you know, it is always tougher for good guys.), I just don't find this game 'too easy' at all. To give you an example, when I first encountered Big Daddy, it was many times stronger than myself, my character just weren't strong enough to duel face to face with it. Big Daddy just seemed impossible to be defeated at that moment. In this situation, I was forced to figure out creative solutions; finally, I come up with an idea that can defeat it without any harm myself. This kind of gameplay gives you a sense of accomplishment, and is much more satisfying than blindly shooting at your enemies(i.e. stereotypical FPS).

This game is just different from any FPS out there, and you have to play it with a different mindset to fully enjoy it.

Unzip Him Mister B!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: October 16, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I am a 40-year-old dad and husband who has been going to work sleepy-eyed for the past week, as I've been up until 3:00 a.m. every night/morning, playing BioShock. I've been playing video games for 25 years, and I honestly have to say this is one of the most original and engrossing games I have ever played. It's so refreshing to play something that isn't the same old thing.

I really enjoy Ayn Rand books, so Rapture was an easy "world" to get into. The story is awesome and with the options available to the player, you can play this game 100 times and play it 100 different ways. If you like FPS and can handle some scary moments (for me, it was when my wife tip-toed in my gaming room at 2:00 a.m. and touched my shoulder), this will be a time-zapper you will not regret.

BioShock

First time reviewer, long time gamer

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: September 02, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I have aggressively avoided FPS games (Halo, GOW, MOH, etc) because of the aiming systems - I suck at it. However, this game is so much more than your run-of-the-mill shooter. The story is incredible and the graphics are excellent. As one other reviewer wrote, if you treat it like any other FPS, then it will disappoint. The game play and storyline combine to create one of the scariest (regular episodes of goose bumps), immersive and overall enjoyable gaming experiences of all time - and that is not an exageration!

Can you say Halo 3 Killer!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: August 27, 2007
Author: Amazon User

2K Studio has done it again!
With the Ultimate 1st Person Shooter known as BIOSHOCK!!!
2K does the FPS like no other Bioshock can go into the amazing list of titles they have banged out over the last few years (Prey, The Darkness)
This is a must own for anyone with a 360, It's fun and once you get your hands on it you will not let go.
This title raises the bar to a level That's Rare in this day of age of the same old stale games

Without a doubt Game of The Year
Beg, borrow, and steal to get this game.........
FLAWLESS 10/10

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