Oh man, where did the idea for this game come from? I mean this is one dark and creepy em-effer of a game. 2K studios really out did themselves on this one. I’ve only had a working Xbox 360 for a few months but I’ve played a pretty good variety of games in that time and I have no qualms about placing this game at the top of the list in terms of quality.
First off let me say that this is one of only a few games that I’ve played that truly delivered on the “next gen” gaming experience. Every aspect of BioShock has been executed with the utmost of care and attention to detail. The first thing you’ll notice is the amazing graphics, I mean just looking at this game is a feast for the eyes. The dark, brooding nearly derelict underwater city of Rapture takes on a life of it’s own as you progress. You’ll find yourself searching every nook and cranny to find just a few more dollars to spend.
The sound in this title is probably my favorite aspect of the game (and that’s saying something). From the crazed ravings of the splicers (what’s left of the inhabitants of the city) to the low, whale-song moans of the Big Daddies heard from afar, creepiness abounds in Rapture. Then there’s the music. The game is set in 1960 so the soundtrack sounds like a tea-party at granny’s house (if granny and all her friends were insane). Awesome.
Gameplay is a half-and-half mix of standard FPS fare and “magic” powers gained from gene-splicing. The controls are tight and responsive but in today’s gaming market that’s to be expected. But BioShock does everything so well it’s worth noting anyway. Upgradeable weapons and powers lend a bit of role playing elements and the progression of upgrades is balanced and well executed.
Rarely in games do you find a true mystery based story (or at least one that you can’t figure out in the first five minutes), but this on will keep you guessing right through the final act. The story may be a bit confusing at first but the urgency conveyed by the voice acting will keep you hooked. I want to give you a good idea of what the story is about, but I really think I’d be doing you a disservice by giving it away. Suffice to say that it’s riveting, it’s creepy, and by the end it’s mind blowing.
I know this reads more like an ad for the game than a review, but I truly am hard pressed to find anything to gripe about when talking about BioShock. There is no question that this game deserved all the critical praise it received, multiple gaming sources touted it as game of the year including the Spike Video Game Awards and G4TV’s XPlay. I don’t know what else to tell you folks, if you own a 360 you need to own this game. If you can’t swing the $60 price tag, grab it used from Amazon (running around $30 now) or rent it from Gamefly. You won’t regret it, I promise.
The Gamer Hero
Gamer Hero Score: 10/10
