BioShock

 PC
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6069 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5,075 out of 6069
  2. Mixed: 678 out of 6069
  3. Negative: 316 out of 6069
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  1. JamieA.
    Sep 15, 2007
    7
    Your going to get a good bit of solid gameplay from the first half of this game, especially Sander Cohens level, but the last third of this game really lets the rest down - the final "boss" is the most anti-climatic fight ever and your 10 second end movie will leave you feeling empty. As for the whole resurrection tubes debate I thought it was a nice idea (since it means it wont need to Your going to get a good bit of solid gameplay from the first half of this game, especially Sander Cohens level, but the last third of this game really lets the rest down - the final "boss" is the most anti-climatic fight ever and your 10 second end movie will leave you feeling empty. As for the whole resurrection tubes debate I thought it was a nice idea (since it means it wont need to load from quick loads) but in the end takes the fear away from death and makes this feel more like unreal tournament rather than a horror-hold-onto-your-life-as-hard-as-you-can-game.. Wonderful location and setting, big daddy fights can be funnest in the game unless you just lay out electric wire traps which just lead to easy kills.… Expand
  2. K-Oz
    Nov 6, 2007
    7
    The game is graphically amazing. the way they've created rapture is very believable. use of plasmids at times can be very rewarding. but the enemies themselves weren't interesting enough. all the splicers get boring and the big daddies weren't much of a challenge either. the hacking mini game gets very irritating towards the end. also the difficulty level is very The game is graphically amazing. the way they've created rapture is very believable. use of plasmids at times can be very rewarding. but the enemies themselves weren't interesting enough. all the splicers get boring and the big daddies weren't much of a challenge either. the hacking mini game gets very irritating towards the end. also the difficulty level is very inconsistent. it keeps switching from being challenging(in hard mode) to being downright easy every now and then. the story should've been developed more. the ending was disastrously horrible. The story lost tempo towards the end and then just plummeted to it's death. but all said, it's still loads better than most of the other junk available at the market and is definitely worth playing.… Expand
  3. MarkP.
    Sep 8, 2007
    7
    Bioshock is an undeniably good game, but definitely not a great game. I don't understand the incredible hype surrounding this title. It is a fairly polished shooter with mostly nice graphics and an interesting storyline. There is nothing particularly revolutionary or innovative in Bioshock. Gameplay is standard fps fair, with some minor control issues that will likely be ironed out Bioshock is an undeniably good game, but definitely not a great game. I don't understand the incredible hype surrounding this title. It is a fairly polished shooter with mostly nice graphics and an interesting storyline. There is nothing particularly revolutionary or innovative in Bioshock. Gameplay is standard fps fair, with some minor control issues that will likely be ironed out in a future patch. Combat is fun, though fighting the same enemies eventually becomes tedious. The normal difficulty setting is a bit too easy, and switching to hard doesn… Expand
  4. PeterK.
    Sep 8, 2007
    7
    It's a good game, but it's hard to see where all the rave reviews are coming from. In no way is this game better or even anywhere near Half-Life 2 - which is almost three years old by now. One particular problem I found is that, on a 2.2 GHz AMD64 with an 8800 GTS 320 MB card, the very first level (where you crash into the sea) is fast on 'high quality', but as soon as It's a good game, but it's hard to see where all the rave reviews are coming from. In no way is this game better or even anywhere near Half-Life 2 - which is almost three years old by now. One particular problem I found is that, on a 2.2 GHz AMD64 with an 8800 GTS 320 MB card, the very first level (where you crash into the sea) is fast on 'high quality', but as soon as the next level loads, it's one frame every few seconds. No explanation is given where this discrepancy comes from. And this continues when you try to change the settings: the entire game crawls to a halt, including the mouse pointer. Ever tried to change the screen resolution, and can't click on the 'yes' button within 15 seconds? The design is very pretty, though it is not enough to warrant such a high score. The story is basically that of Far Cry, with some dubious morality tale thrown in. There is very little variety in terms of opponents: four major types (humans, Big Daddies and turrets/bots) with eight sub-types between them. Also, they always attack in predictable patterns, jumping a little just before hitting you, etc. The hacking system gets tiresome very, very quickly, just like the fact you have to search pretty much everything if you want to finish the game. The weapon system is interesting, but a bit bewildering in its complexity. More is not necessarily better. Again, the graphics and the whole design are simply gorgeous, but a good game is more than that. It's a feast of colour and shape, compared to the sterile desolateness of Half-Life 2, but it fails to grip you as much. Hence, a 7/10 for a game that is severely over-hyped by the 'official' reviewers who really should know better.… Expand
  5. JonathanA.
    Nov 1, 2007
    7
    While I loved the first hour of the game, I quickly found myself losing interest for some reason. It was very well polished and well done, but it was lacking in terms of innovative gameplay. I think the primary reason I lost interest after getting about half way into the game was because I did not find myself compelled enough by the story, and the only goal I had was to help some stranger While I loved the first hour of the game, I quickly found myself losing interest for some reason. It was very well polished and well done, but it was lacking in terms of innovative gameplay. I think the primary reason I lost interest after getting about half way into the game was because I did not find myself compelled enough by the story, and the only goal I had was to help some stranger that I hardly knew.… Expand
  6. MikeL.
    Sep 5, 2007
    7
    Bio Shock Has very nice graphics on high setting medium settings look poor. The retro artdeco style is nice and it's reasonable atmospheric. BUT the gameplay is hardly uniqiue i don't understand how this game has got such high reviews when more innovative games of 07 have got lower scores! I bet if this was made on the source engine which is dated, it would get a crapier score Bio Shock Has very nice graphics on high setting medium settings look poor. The retro artdeco style is nice and it's reasonable atmospheric. BUT the gameplay is hardly uniqiue i don't understand how this game has got such high reviews when more innovative games of 07 have got lower scores! I bet if this was made on the source engine which is dated, it would get a crapier score at the most 75% overall. But anyway the point is this is I bet this game will end up having a higher scores than say a new and interesting game like L4D and that's another thing it bring nothing to the multiplayer plate! So in conclusion, nice Graphics and a interesting storyline. Un-unique gameplay, predictable and over-rated. Still despite all that it's worth ago! ooh ohh and the DRM thing is outrageous!… Expand
  7. OmbarK.
    Jun 4, 2008
    7
    I love FPS and I love RPGs so I should be loving Bioshock right? Well actually Bioshock turned out for me to be the most overrated game of probably all time, this game doesn't deserve a 96 overall rating. Where did all the perfect scores comes from? Did they actually play the game pass the point where things get utterly shallow and boring? Sure at first the ambiance is great and you I love FPS and I love RPGs so I should be loving Bioshock right? Well actually Bioshock turned out for me to be the most overrated game of probably all time, this game doesn't deserve a 96 overall rating. Where did all the perfect scores comes from? Did they actually play the game pass the point where things get utterly shallow and boring? Sure at first the ambiance is great and you really feel the dark atmosphere, but after a while this game gets as tedious as an MMO. Basically, the only thing you do is kill the bad guys, kill the big daddy, get money, buy weapons back, rinse and repeat, oh and if you're bored you can listen to the tapes you find which are probably the only thing making this game worthwhile because the story was somewhat interesting but that's the only good thing I see in Bioshock. It's an alright game but no way near a masterpiece the critics make it looks like, I'm very disappointed.… Expand
  8. DavidK.
    Feb 10, 2009
    7
    Probably one of the most overrated games of 2007-2008. It 'IS' the sequel to System Shock 2. I paid way too much money for it originally but the price it is now is very good. The scare mood that the game sets is why I would imagine is why it received the original rave reviews. I do not agree. I compare it with the SAW series and the old TV show "The Prisoner" as each of the 8 Probably one of the most overrated games of 2007-2008. It 'IS' the sequel to System Shock 2. I paid way too much money for it originally but the price it is now is very good. The scare mood that the game sets is why I would imagine is why it received the original rave reviews. I do not agree. I compare it with the SAW series and the old TV show "The Prisoner" as each of the 8 bosses is twisted and deranged. Very nice flair with the year 1959 and the mood it sets. If the interface was not so complicated I would give it a nine. After level six the game becomes very hard for the average user. And for me I lost interest as I did with System Shock 2. But if you like a challenge this game is for you.… Expand
  9. Aarond
    Feb 8, 2009
    7
    A unique shooter, very smooth game-play, the blend between almost magical abilities and weapons was highly enjoyable. Unfortunately, it did not place enough enphises on use of different weapons, it is possible to simply max out one weapon or one plasmid to complete. I do recomend playing this title, but its replayability limits itself to one or two times. 7/10.
  10. HelpU
    Jul 19, 2009
    7
    This game has everything every shooter has. And I mean everything. The horror is laughable. And the worst problem I had was the plasmids, either they were useless or they were too similar to every one of them. Typically, there was only one instance you actually used a specific element and even then it didn't feel like much was accomplished. It kept me entertained for a while but IThis game has everything every shooter has. And I mean everything. The horror is laughable. And the worst problem I had was the plasmids, either they were useless or they were too similar to every one of them. Typically, there was only one instance you actually used a specific element and even then it didn't feel like much was accomplished. It kept me entertained for a while but I quit as soon as I reached the final boss. Actually I thought it had a very good twist but the little girl crap was a useless gimmick… Expand
  11. Hoplite
    Aug 24, 2007
    7
    Bioshock really doesn't live up to the hype surrounding it, and its a shame that so many reputable game reviewers weren't able to see past the flash and give the game an unbiased review for what it is: an entertaining but derivative (and at times frustratingly average) first-person shooter that is at most Evolutionary, but never revolutionary, in its presentation. Despite the Bioshock really doesn't live up to the hype surrounding it, and its a shame that so many reputable game reviewers weren't able to see past the flash and give the game an unbiased review for what it is: an entertaining but derivative (and at times frustratingly average) first-person shooter that is at most Evolutionary, but never revolutionary, in its presentation. Despite the open environments the game is almost completely linear - it holds your hand and tells you where to go and when, and while you can choose to go off the beaten path and explore, there's really nothing to be gained by this except the occasional stash of ammo and money. More likely you'll be frustrated by the waves upon waves of splicers that greet you around every corner - getting into massive gunfights everywhere you go kind-of kills the wonder of exploring the environment, which, while impressive visually, falls apart when you attempt to dig below the surface. Everything about it screams "I'm a videogame", from the arrangement of the levels and lack of functional purpose and interaction in many of the environments you explore to the same old weapons selection, which includes all the basics for an fps (pistol, shotgun, SMG, etc.). It seems strange to me from a story perspective that pioneers came to the ocean floor to build a Utopian society and brought with them a massive arsenal, including grenade launchers and gun turrets around every corner (regardless of the excuses for them being there, they simply serve to remind me of every other fps I've ever played). I understand that society has apparently crumbled, but I was promised an FPS revolution, and what I got was braindead AI zombies who rush me en masse (like in Doom and every other FPS ever made), gun turrets around every corner (ditto), linear mission/level design, a pretty standard plot, and a somewhat innovative, if flawed, combat mechanic that involves shuffling between weapons with a handful of different ammunition types and Force Powers (er, plasmids) using the mouse wheel and keystrokes, which can become very annoying when you're fighting a handful of different enemy types in a battle, and lead you to feel like you're fighting the controls rather than the bad guys. I was told I was going to be immersed in this world and be able to make deep moral decisions, but instead of making alliances with the survivors and carefully scavenging for items as I explore a rich sci fi world, I'm blasting (almost) everything that moves and buying ammunition and plasmids from vending machines (why are there a bazillion vending machines that sell armor piercing ammunition and none that sell soda?) On top of this, I find the whole interweaving of the story and game design fundamentally flawed. Why in a world that has supposedly been destroyed by overindulgence in DNA altering drugs, does the gameplay so freely encourage you to shoot up with plasmids? It's the ultimate example of the designers dropping the ball on a chance to weave gameplay into the story in a meaningful way. As the characters in the game bemoan the toll that 'splicing' has taken on their society, the game itself encourages you to get your hands on as much ADAM as you can to boost your abilities (there's no way to get past many areas of the game without plasmids), going so far as to discourage you from leaving a level until you've collected from all the Little Sisters in the area (because, and I quote: "the game can get extremely difficult"). There's no apparent gameplay penalty for over-splicing or over-using your abilities (notwithstanding the obligatory mechinations of the plot), and its a real shame, because its one of many opportunities this game had to actually merge storytelling and gameplay in a revolutionary way Its decent as an FPS, but while it has some novel design concepts (all culled from other games), its not the revolution that I was expecting.… Expand
  12. MitchT
    Aug 25, 2007
    7
    Way too demanding on graphics. I had to replace a perfectly good graphics card with another newer card to run this game and even that new $200 card still runs the game choppy as hell (on low settings). This game is not ment for the casual gamer, thats for sure.
  13. Raya
    Aug 28, 2007
    7
    This game has been over hyped by a lot of the press. Just because the designers actually used an art deco style rather than say the typical cyperpunk/gieger look that too many games go for does not make the game more arty! It's very much like Doom 3 meets Metroid Prime. Very dark and recorded messages scattered around - corridor shooter like doom. Then the missions backtrack around -This game has been over hyped by a lot of the press. Just because the designers actually used an art deco style rather than say the typical cyperpunk/gieger look that too many games go for does not make the game more arty! It's very much like Doom 3 meets Metroid Prime. Very dark and recorded messages scattered around - corridor shooter like doom. Then the missions backtrack around - get this to open this, do this to obtain that. Photograph (scan) to find a weekness - total Metroid. I'm about half way through but I'm affraid it's all getting rather boring! Hope it picks up soon. Considering it's under water the water plays little part - the fish such as there are are arthritic and really poor. Such attention to detail inside whilst the out side just uses the same shaol of 12 'rubber' fish… Expand
  14. KenH.
    Sep 11, 2007
    7
    I have to 2nd others here. There is no death penalty so the game is easy even at hard difficulty. The atmosphere is great but the story falters quite a bit near the end. Its a must-play game but it carries lots of faults. System Shock 1 and 2 are still far superior games to Bioshock.
  15. DeadlyC
    Sep 13, 2007
    7
    Bioshock is in no way, a revolutionary game, Bioshock is a symptom of the dumbing down of games over the years. The Vita Chamber system was present in System Shock 2, but it was far more tactfully done. The player COULD die, if one ran out of money, which makes much more sense for a neo-super-capatilist society, the Vita Chambers amount to free health-care, parasitic anyone? The devolves Bioshock is in no way, a revolutionary game, Bioshock is a symptom of the dumbing down of games over the years. The Vita Chamber system was present in System Shock 2, but it was far more tactfully done. The player COULD die, if one ran out of money, which makes much more sense for a neo-super-capatilist society, the Vita Chambers amount to free health-care, parasitic anyone? The devolves into an exercise in grinding down big daddies even on hard mode, as opposed to thinking tactically about each situation. Moreover, there are essentially, 3 types of enemies in the game. Splicers, no matter how many types there are, they all amount to the same thing with different weapons. Security drones and bots, once the invisibility upgrade is obtained, become a non-factor. And Big Daddies, which provide the games only truly interesting enemy, but again, only two types, that all look the same. The story, could have been so much more, but was flitted away with cheesy plot twists and two dimensional villains. Everyone either is evil, or an inhuman monster, depth there aint. The game ends up becoming this, run into room, be told by an invisible voice what to do, kill splicers, play the same hacking game over and over again, kill all big daddies. The atmosphere, graphics, environments, and art direction are beautiful, absolutley beautiful. Too bad Bioshock is just another pretty face.… Expand
  16. OzzyT.
    Sep 16, 2007
    7
    Ok, it's a brilliant game. Nobody can say no to that. It is however dissapointingly short. It was rather easy and dull for most of the areas. I can't comlain about the graphics though. They were the best I've ever seen. The gunplay is suprisingly fun and the options and the plot are inventive and will stick in your mind. But like I said the length of the game is short. The Ok, it's a brilliant game. Nobody can say no to that. It is however dissapointingly short. It was rather easy and dull for most of the areas. I can't comlain about the graphics though. They were the best I've ever seen. The gunplay is suprisingly fun and the options and the plot are inventive and will stick in your mind. But like I said the length of the game is short. The only missions that last long enough are the boring ones that have boring objectives such as collect this and collect that.... I don't think Bioshock is revolutionary but it sure is fun if you're looking for something to do for a couple of hours.… Expand
  17. TinkulA.
    Sep 23, 2007
    7
    I think a lot of Bioshock's high popularity is due to hype. In the end it's not anything groundbreaking, just another shooter. The UT3 engine does allows some really cool looking stuff and the graphics are great, but there is very limited amount of monsters and all the splicers-types are pretty much the same: just shoot em in the head. There are no choices you can make in the I think a lot of Bioshock's high popularity is due to hype. In the end it's not anything groundbreaking, just another shooter. The UT3 engine does allows some really cool looking stuff and the graphics are great, but there is very limited amount of monsters and all the splicers-types are pretty much the same: just shoot em in the head. There are no choices you can make in the game except whether to kill or save the little girls, so it makes this game just another pipe-run. The plasmids are very ineffective or awkward to use, much easier to just shoot your target rather than try to lure it in a trap or throw stuff at it. The ammo conservation which is supposed to be a key feature of the game means that you try and wrench your targets all the time, after you get a few plasmids it's even better to wrench cause it's the most efficient way. The plot is thought through, but it doesn't really capture you in it. Like Steve W. said, this game is nowhere near classics like Deus Ex or Half-life, but it's better than average still.… Expand
  18. LuhissL.
    Sep 7, 2007
    7
    My initial impression was one of awe at the visuals, both in terms of design and execution. The water, the art deco architecture is really all very beautiful. However, as the game progressed, I found myself getting extremely tired of the same action sequences over and over again. Very little to do other than walk through and get attacked by a crazy person, or a lumbering Rosie. I found My initial impression was one of awe at the visuals, both in terms of design and execution. The water, the art deco architecture is really all very beautiful. However, as the game progressed, I found myself getting extremely tired of the same action sequences over and over again. Very little to do other than walk through and get attacked by a crazy person, or a lumbering Rosie. I found the carnival atmosphere and music especially grating to my nerves. Overall, I give the game a 9 for visuals and sound and a 5 for game play (boring). Averages out to a 7.… Expand
  19. MattB
    Jan 22, 2008
    7
    Pretty graphics, interesting sound effects and little else to bring me back to playing this game once I'd played through it once. Dismal lack of multiplayer and a UI that was obviously crafted for low resolution XBox360. A decent play through but certainly not worthy of all the praise lavished upon it. Not worth $50 bucks for sure. Maybe $30. The game play is hyper linear andPretty graphics, interesting sound effects and little else to bring me back to playing this game once I'd played through it once. Dismal lack of multiplayer and a UI that was obviously crafted for low resolution XBox360. A decent play through but certainly not worthy of all the praise lavished upon it. Not worth $50 bucks for sure. Maybe $30. The game play is hyper linear and it's impossible to game-over from what I've experienced. The plot line is predictable and boring and interactivity with the world is positively uninspired.… Expand
  20. GodN.
    Feb 24, 2008
    7
    Bioshock is somewhat fun, and has a lot of impressive visuals, themes and atmosphere, but it doesn't take long before it wears thin. The combat system isn't much fun once you get over the novelties, the gameplay is repetitive and there's no challenge. Alright game, but very much over rated.
  21. ClintG.
    Apr 16, 2008
    7
    it alright but the hype got way out of hand like waaay out of hand, a few of my friends including myself actually didn't bother playing through the entire game as we got sick of it first and the lack of any multiplayer in an fps these days is not really acceptable anymore. It's a good rent.
  22. SteeleC.
    Jun 29, 2008
    7
    It's a great game, don't get me wrong. The graphics are wonderful, the infinite amount of strategy that can be used to destroy your enemies is very fun, and I particularly enjoy that. Only problems that I have are that it demands a bit much from your system in the PC version, and the SECUR-ROM rootkit. My take on this? If you don't have a particularly good computer, and can It's a great game, don't get me wrong. The graphics are wonderful, the infinite amount of strategy that can be used to destroy your enemies is very fun, and I particularly enjoy that. Only problems that I have are that it demands a bit much from your system in the PC version, and the SECUR-ROM rootkit. My take on this? If you don't have a particularly good computer, and can only play a few games or just rely on integrated graphics, get the XBOX 360 version. Otherwise, go full on ahead with the PC version. Just watch out for SECUR-ROM though.… Expand
  23. AdamD
    Jul 12, 2008
    7
    Maybe worth one play through, borrow it from a friend if you can cause you wont want to replay it. Lots of bright cartoony colors and awful annoying sounds. Hacking is painfuly boring and slows game play. All the enemies drop like 1 bullet and Eve (mana or magic energy) gets used up faster than it should. You basically have to be super conservative and can never really just unload on some Maybe worth one play through, borrow it from a friend if you can cause you wont want to replay it. Lots of bright cartoony colors and awful annoying sounds. Hacking is painfuly boring and slows game play. All the enemies drop like 1 bullet and Eve (mana or magic energy) gets used up faster than it should. You basically have to be super conservative and can never really just unload on some enemies.… Expand
  24. SamP
    Apr 6, 2009
    7
    This is by far not a bad game, and at times is an incredibly good game, but for the most part it is barely above average. It has an excellent plot and incredible environment (Which get old), but the weapons are ultimately average, as is the most important factor, gameplay. This is perhaps one of the most over-rated games I've seen in a while, more so even than COD4.
  25. NickN.
    Dec 11, 2007
    7
    A powerful, innovative game with an excellent story and unique, entertaining gameplay. A creative story and memorable characters make for an immersive gaming experience. However, this game's rating suffers due to the massive number of crashes I had to sort through before I could play and the complete LACK of customer service to help fix my problem brings the game down a lot. Also, A powerful, innovative game with an excellent story and unique, entertaining gameplay. A creative story and memorable characters make for an immersive gaming experience. However, this game's rating suffers due to the massive number of crashes I had to sort through before I could play and the complete LACK of customer service to help fix my problem brings the game down a lot. Also, for those of us who like to modify our games for new, creative gaming will be gravely dissapointed in the non-existance of modding, mapping, and developer tools to accompany this game. Don't get me wrong, though. I still recommend this game to anyone seeking a unique first-person-shooter game. If you can get it to work on your computer without needing tech support, you won't be dissapointed.… Expand
  26. Sacrosanct
    Dec 10, 2007
    7
    I like to compare Bioshock to reading a really good, old novel. It presents an era that few games have traversed; and with it, it brings an anachronistic element that must be seen to be appreciated. I laud this game, not because of its graphical standing, or what reviews it may garner - be they good, or bad. I have found an appreciation for this game, because it aspires to bring an aspect I like to compare Bioshock to reading a really good, old novel. It presents an era that few games have traversed; and with it, it brings an anachronistic element that must be seen to be appreciated. I laud this game, not because of its graphical standing, or what reviews it may garner - be they good, or bad. I have found an appreciation for this game, because it aspires to bring an aspect that is far and few in modern gaming: immersion. It does not strive to have the best physics, the best AI, or to attain the prestige of being a difficult game - in fact, the game is relatively easy; but I believe this is by design, so that the player can continually progress without experincing frustration, or repetition that comes from trial and error of adhering to the "right" combination of buttons in order to progress to the next portion. The game simply wishes to tell a story, and do so as fluidly as possible. I find its ease to be more of a blessing; because anyone whom is not a gamer, can still pick it up and enjoy it - and prove that art, and eloquent portrayal can exist amidst the cabals of games that repeat themselves through recycle and reiteration. In finality, the game is a good jaunt in storytelling from the first person perspective, and is recommended for anyone that enjoys the concept of immersion, so long as they allow themselves to see beyond the game's technical shortcomings.… Expand
  27. SimonM.
    Dec 14, 2007
    7
    A beautiful game that manages to divert your attention from the fact you are playing an utterly average FPS. The story is borderline irrelevant, the action is nothing fancy, the puzzles are low key. The interaction with the environment is unimaginative compared to something like Half Life. It just goes to prove that pretty much every game reviewer in the Metascore list cannot see past A beautiful game that manages to divert your attention from the fact you are playing an utterly average FPS. The story is borderline irrelevant, the action is nothing fancy, the puzzles are low key. The interaction with the environment is unimaginative compared to something like Half Life. It just goes to prove that pretty much every game reviewer in the Metascore list cannot see past 'pretty pictures' Yeah it's ok, its pretty, but it's average.… Expand
  28. KEvinS.
    Aug 29, 2007
    7
    A beautiful game held back by its game play and weak moral choices. The weak game play elements include all of the guns sucking. At certain times, such as the menu screen and exasperatingly simple combat and crappy UI , it was easy to tell the game was basically a port from the 360 with no significant game play changes. The game kinda gets old after a few hours considering everyone looks A beautiful game held back by its game play and weak moral choices. The weak game play elements include all of the guns sucking. At certain times, such as the menu screen and exasperatingly simple combat and crappy UI , it was easy to tell the game was basically a port from the 360 with no significant game play changes. The game kinda gets old after a few hours considering everyone looks the same. I mean they are exactly the same too, just with different weapons and slightly different tactics. It is like a Final Fantasy game if you only fought goblins but they got more health as you played further through the game. The moral choice you are presented with in the game is stupid too. You can either kill Little sisters and get twice as much adam, or save them and get half the adam initially and then the other half as a gift, along with some useless ammo or something. There are two endings, but I don't really think its worth playing again to see the other one that I didn't see. I'm actually playing STALKER again instead. Stalker is a much better game, in its more optimized patched state. A very good shooter with many good aspects, unlike bioshock that was just pretty. Bioshock just goes to show you that a pretty game doesn't mean a good game.… Expand
  29. Avs
    Aug 31, 2007
    7
    Overall: 7, because its a decent FPS by today's standards. I also agree with those who gave it a 8 or lower as they actually point out the worst of the worst. The hype is what gives these reviews their scores, this game is over hyped, its graphics requirement was disappointing for its style of art. Worst off is the fact that wrench > all weapons, and respawn of monsters while Overall: 7, because its a decent FPS by today's standards. I also agree with those who gave it a 8 or lower as they actually point out the worst of the worst. The hype is what gives these reviews their scores, this game is over hyped, its graphics requirement was disappointing for its style of art. Worst off is the fact that wrench > all weapons, and respawn of monsters while interesting, is a bit unnecessary. However, the critics hype it up, and give it ratings it does not deserve, most likely due to the lack of major FPS games out recently. The biggest disappointing factor that shows the truth behind why us gamers rate it much lower than critics for this game is simply because this game was not the flexible, challenging, unique FPS that others like Halflife displayed long ago. The story is weak, especially as it is obvious what is going on before you even crash into Rapture. This kills any redemption value Bioshock has due to its easy and therefore non-thrilling gameplay even on hardest difficulty levels. Story was more audio driven than anything, unlike narrative or script based. Sound is great however, except for some areas with more sound than necessary such as movement when there is none. Art and graphics are great, except they are nothing new than games when the Xbox360 came out, and that their engine could have done much more than a pseudo cartoony rendition with fake blood sprites being the kicker. Choices, while more (in quantity not quality) than other FPS, doesn't create any impact at all. Flexibility in skills and upgrades are non-existent.… Expand
  30. KurtS.
    Sep 25, 2007
    7
    This game is pretty much just a dumb down version of System Shock 2. Game play gets repetitive with only few types of enemies. Most of the plasmids are pretty useless or redundant as are the weapons and despite what the previews said, ammunitions is abundant in the world of Rapture. The actions in only one aspect of the game determine the final ending. Game felt short and the ending was This game is pretty much just a dumb down version of System Shock 2. Game play gets repetitive with only few types of enemies. Most of the plasmids are pretty useless or redundant as are the weapons and despite what the previews said, ammunitions is abundant in the world of Rapture. The actions in only one aspect of the game determine the final ending. Game felt short and the ending was anticlimactic. If you are a fan of the originals you will be disappointed. While the graphics are great, there is no backwards compatibility and are stuck with DX9c or better and then I couldn't get it to run in DX10 mode even after shelling out for a new fancy card. Besides graphics, neat AI behaviours and adept story telling are this game's other saving graces.… Expand
  31. MarkH.
    Dec 17, 2007
    7
    This is a well made game will little or no replayability. You play though it once or maybe twice and then leave in on the shelf. Multiplayer could have made this a real classic.
  32. apaeth
    Nov 7, 2010
    7
    I'm glad I bought this for only $5 on Steam. Any more than that and I would have felt ripped off. Great graphics, theme, setting and all but the game was just too repetitive and boring. It reminded me of an old arcade game but with a bit more depth added to it. Lame puzzles, the same enemies over and over, linear etc...

    Meh...
  33. Lambda462
    Nov 23, 2011
    7
    I appreciate what they're trying, but it just doesn't work.
    Okay, first off, I'm starting with what some reviewers say of BioShock: It's an AWFULLY bad copy of an older game; System Shock 2.
    Now, if I'm right, BioShock was an attempt to "Modernize" System Shock 2's formula, and they've done it quite well: The story is simply System Shock 2's story with another paint on it, they created a    I appreciate what they're trying, but it just doesn't work.
    Okay, first off, I'm starting with what some reviewers say of BioShock: It's an AWFULLY bad copy of an older game; System Shock 2.
    Now, if I'm right, BioShock was an attempt to "Modernize" System Shock 2's formula, and they've done it quite well: The story is simply System Shock 2's story with another paint on it, they created a quite creepy atmosphere, they have GREAT artwork, sublime voiceacting, and much better gunplay, but they missed the key element:
    The RPG mechanics are gone...
    The RPG mechanics were what made System Shock 2 so good for replaying, and its what BioShock lacks.

    But, now I've got that out of the way, for the actual review:
    BioShock is a FPS with a twist; genetic abilities. With that mean, you can go all Dark Side on your enemies by shooting lightning out of your hands. See what I'm getting at?

    Graphically, the graphics were great for when it released: Beautiful water effects, among them. But, I don't care about graphics, so no further comment there.

    Gameplay wise, the game is cool:
    You get some nice "Tools" to play with, and quite some genetic powers to toy with, so you'll be in for a treat. Each weapon can be modified. I'm saying this becaus it mostly has pretty outcomes for your guns.
    Now, besides fine gunplay, the gameplay, is quite bad.
    Even on hard, the game is terribly easy, not punishing you for dying; only reviving you at some station.
    In System Shock 2(Sorry for this), you really lost money; something that could hurt you in the game(because money was used to hack stuff to, and repair things, etc..>).
    Also something that lacks gameplaywise, is some depth. No, there's nothing wrong with mindless shooters, I enjoy them a lot, but BioShock was not intended to be a mindless shooter, it was clearly intended as a game with deep gameplay. The thing that made System Shock 2 so great, besides a good story, was the incredibly deep gameplay, being able to replay the game multiple times, and get a quite different experience. BioShock doesn't have that.

    Storywise, people who have played System Shock 2 will know it. I won't spoil anything, but it's great, and awesome. But, as with all stories; it'll be fresh for only one time.

    Now, after you read this, dont assume that BioShock's a bad game. It's not. It is bad for what it had to live up to.    … Expand
  34. dreambob
    Nov 20, 2011
    7
    Nice but long for nothing.
    Well,its a nice underwater vintage city that is fun to explore for a will, but after a few hours, it feels like your standard fps. the story and voice acting is good .
    worth playing!
  35. Nostalgium
    Jul 14, 2011
    7
    I found Bioshock very entertaining to some point. They should've done way more with the amazing water effects they had, but I guess Bioshock 2 made up for that part.

    After Fort Frolic, for me, the game fell apart and became boring, until the plot twist of course. But after Sander Cohen's part, the game became extremely repetitive and boring, even when playing on hardest difficulty.
  36. LevelsAndGear
    Oct 10, 2011
    7
    I usually avoid deep story driven games because my time is limited, and my memory is poor. Bioshock is a game that was suggested to me by a few friends, and had received critical praise, so I finally gave in. After an initial disaster with the Telekinesis plasmid almost made me quit, I stuck through the gameâ
  37. Mashley
    Nov 9, 2011
    7
    Honestly didn't get the hype about this game. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the story and the setting but the gameplay and overall experience just didn't cut it for me. I didn't think it was bad, far from it, but it's nowhere near as good as the critics make it out to be.The ending is especially bad.
  38. josincano
    Oct 14, 2012
    7
    Lo cierto es que estoy algo decepcionado con el juego. Me esperaba un Half-Life 2 submarino y me he encontrado con un juego correcto.
    El juego es tremendamente repetitivo y las misiones se reducen a un "ve a tal sitio y coge tal objeto o mata a tal tipo" , los combates estan bastante mejor gracias a los plásmidos pero todo el rollo de mejorarlos, cambiarlos o comprar equipamiento    Lo cierto es que estoy algo decepcionado con el juego. Me esperaba un Half-Life 2 submarino y me he encontrado con un juego correcto.
    El juego es tremendamente repetitivo y las misiones se reducen a un "ve a tal sitio y coge tal objeto o mata a tal tipo" , los combates estan bastante mejor gracias a los plásmidos pero todo el rollo de mejorarlos, cambiarlos o comprar equipamiento es demasiado engorroso con 8000 máquinas diferentes cada una para una función.
    La historia es interesante y mejora en el final del juego pero tampoco me ha entusiasmado.
    Gráficamente el motor es de sobra conocido por lo que tendremos buenos efectos de luz y personajes bien modelados.
    En definitiva un buen diseño y una gran ambientación pero demasiado repetitivo.
    GRAFICOS: 9 SONIDO: 8 JUGABILIDAD: 6,5 DURACION: 7    … Expand
  39. jZero
    Oct 7, 2013
    7
    BioShock does a great job of atmosphere. The environments, music, story and art style combine to create the fantastic underwater city of Rapture. There are some tense moments against some well designed enemies as you progress through this "utopia" as it's falling apart. The mechanics are where the game loses some of its shine. The weapons and plasmids while interesting aren't wellBioShock does a great job of atmosphere. The environments, music, story and art style combine to create the fantastic underwater city of Rapture. There are some tense moments against some well designed enemies as you progress through this "utopia" as it's falling apart. The mechanics are where the game loses some of its shine. The weapons and plasmids while interesting aren't well balanced. It seemed to force playing enemies a certain way. Beating ranged big daddies with certain weapons and plasmids was almost impossible while others almost made it too easy. The customization with buffs and the invention mechanics are deep but don't feel gameplay changing. If you can get used to the mechanics BioShock has a lot to offer.… Expand
  40. Desthro
    Aug 8, 2014
    7
    Bioshock.
    This game was supposed to be the spiritual successor to a very powerful game, System Shock 2. The environment and the story are supposed to be dark and horrifying, with every piece you learn building up to a terrifying and emotional breakdown as the game progresses.
    Does Bioshock deliver? Yes and no. The game is fanciful and beautiful, a graphical piece of art at the time.    Bioshock.
    This game was supposed to be the spiritual successor to a very powerful game, System Shock 2. The environment and the story are supposed to be dark and horrifying, with every piece you learn building up to a terrifying and emotional breakdown as the game progresses.

    Does Bioshock deliver? Yes and no.
    The game is fanciful and beautiful, a graphical piece of art at the time. But if we just wanted to look at pretty things, we wouldn't play games right? And that is where Bioshock's ultimate problem lies, it is a beautiful, polished game on the outside, but on the inside it is affected by a hideous gameplay, and so-so story telling.

    The gameplay is repetitive from within itself, go here, do this, kill the big daddy, get some more juice and pump yourself up. It's boring and unimaginative; it was cool the first, and maybe even second time it happened, but once you realized it for what it was, it quickly became stale. The boss at the end was incredibly contrived, I found him to be an incredibly comical looking, shallow villain. He wasn't scary, or monstrous, but colorful and without real history or depth. The developers tried to sell him off as someone that went mad with his lust for power and evolution, but in the end he was just another NPC to destroy.

    The storytelling was borrowed from System-Shock's progressive method of sharing what happened in audio logs. This is a fantastic way of sharing a story, though the characters that leave the logs need to be believable, true and above all, REAL to us. While the story of how Rapture was conceived, built, rotted from within, and eventually collapsed was intriguing, the delivery was poor, and you couldn't connect as easily with the former inhabitants of Rapture due to the lack of emotional connection with the characters who left the logs behind. In System Shock 2, I was dying to find the next log, the next piece of the puzzle, the next E-mail that might explain what was going on. In Bioshock, I wasn't that excited, and the game's plot was static and predictable.

    Some might argue that comparing it to System Shock isn't fair and that it should be judged on it's own merits. I disagree because this game is riding on the coattails of greatness and promised an experience that would rival its spiritual predecessor. It didn't completely live up to expectations.

    It is, though, at least entertaining, and is worth playing. Do not expect it to be a groundbreaking, game-changing experience however. It is neither of those.    … Expand
  41. jim109109
    May 30, 2012
    7
    Pros: Great story, relatively fun gameplay. Cons: Extremely easy, linear, simple. The gameplay itself is a linear FPS with few depth, and you get no penalty for dying. Overrated, but the game is still fun.
  42. stvartak
    Sep 17, 2012
    7
    I recently bought a new computer and decided to go back and play some of my favorite older games with the graphics jacked way up, just to see how much better they look. When I did this with the original Bioshock, it reminded me of a few things, both good and bad, about this game. GOOD: The graphics are stunning, both technically and aesthetically. The art deco design of the underwaterI recently bought a new computer and decided to go back and play some of my favorite older games with the graphics jacked way up, just to see how much better they look. When I did this with the original Bioshock, it reminded me of a few things, both good and bad, about this game. GOOD: The graphics are stunning, both technically and aesthetically. The art deco design of the underwater city of Rapture perfectly captures the look and feel of an era. With settings maxed out, Bioshock looks as good as any game I would hope to see today, five years after its initial release. Also, as a shooter, Bioshock is pretty much unsurpassed. Enemies are quick, smart, and well-armed, and level design provides plenty of cover and obstacles. BAD: Bioshock really is just a shooter. When it was released, there was a lot of attention paid to the "moral choices" involving the Little Sisters, but in the end, the choices you made painstakingly through hours and hours of gameplay culminate in...two irritatingly brief cut-scenes, one if you took the good path, one for the bad. Yawn. And Bioshock's incredible visual style distracts from the fact that it is almost perfectly linear. Thanks to the many bits and pieces of backstory and Ayn Rand philosophy that are gradually uncovered as you progress, the game feels deeper and more nuanced than it really is. SUMMARY: Bioshock is worthwhile no matter what style of action-adventure-RPG you prefer, but I believe it will appeal most to fans of straightforward, Doom-style shooters who just want to get their blast on, albeit in some of the best-designed game environments in recent years.… Expand
  43. faceless-1
    Apr 2, 2013
    7
    Very good game and spiritual successor of system shock. Story and graphics style is awesome. Combat is fun thanks to the plasmids. Gameplay is something between System Shock 2 and Doom 3.
  44. triplettt
    Oct 14, 2012
    7
    Although there is not questioning Bioshock's greatness, i found it has more flaws than people make out. maybe its just not my kind of game but it seemed to be a bit dull through most of it.
  45. santo_ameno
    Jul 17, 2013
    7
    I must say I've got a problem with this one. The whole setting of the game is imbued with an unprecedented amount of artistry, the background of all events is incredibly rich and consistent. Rapture is enchanting beautifully designed location and ubiquitous art déco feel. The history is quite good and I just loved the characters and audio layer of the game (incredibly good voice actingI must say I've got a problem with this one. The whole setting of the game is imbued with an unprecedented amount of artistry, the background of all events is incredibly rich and consistent. Rapture is enchanting beautifully designed location and ubiquitous art déco feel. The history is quite good and I just loved the characters and audio layer of the game (incredibly good voice acting and music). All of this creates a coherent universe which significantly exceeds the technical aspects of the game itself. Bioshock as a game just doesn't offer enough fun. I accept the plasmids because the story behind them is plausible, but i just can't find justification for tonics. The gameplay isn't satisfying the guns don't give that special feel, permanent lack of ammo and too much plasmids to choose the tonics the hacking vending machines adam eve Power to the People Gene Banks Gatherer's Garden Health stations bots turrets photos everything... much exaggerated. The game mechanics is overcomplicated and bewildering.
    Also the level design (in macroscale as a route from beginning to end) isn't very sophisticated I would say it's like small villages sparsely placed by the main road Fort Frolic for example. Unnecessary detour to Fleet Hall and Poseidon Plaza justified only by the designers willingness to add extra content to the game (although I think mentioned location are well designed and eye-catching) heck, why couldn't you just walk straight to bathysphere. Most of the game player seems to travel from node to node.
    I think the game tries to be too long everything goes well if you are driven by plot you gather informations and audio diaries but then you reach a moment in which writers took a pause. It's easy to forget what and why you're supposed to do. The best choice would be to cut those moment since they contain only shooting & fighting and those aspects of the game doesn't defend themselves.
    Another disadvantage of Bioshock is the design of the enemies they aren't very diverse, their animation is poor and they're ugly. Just ugly (and I don't mean scary). Some characters and events related to them are insistently weird. Too mature, too bizarre... you can't really identify with them or with their motives and choices.
    I've got really hard time finishing it some moment are really dull but I'm glad I did it finally.
    Yes, I agree the game is overrated but I will not score Bioshock to 0. And I will not discourage anyone to buy the game.    … Expand
  46. gracjanski
    Nov 22, 2015
    7
    The beginning ist really great: atmosfere, the background, philosophy. But after 2-3 hours the game becomes average and you begin to see the weak sides of this game: you are immortal, bad controlling, few enemies, childish dialogues. there are much better shooter out there. But the end is a masterpiece of videogames: DO THE GOOD side and rescue the sisters, the end sequence is brilliant.
  47. lawilson
    Jun 24, 2013
    7
    'BioShock' is a game that you have to play to find out what everyone is talking about—and it is definitely worth the time—even though I tend to ignore horror games. I loved that the gamemakers allowed Objectivist philosophy to heavily influence the game. The thought of living in a world inspired by Ayn Rand should terrify any sane person, but the player of 'BioShock' must navigate the'BioShock' is a game that you have to play to find out what everyone is talking about—and it is definitely worth the time—even though I tend to ignore horror games. I loved that the gamemakers allowed Objectivist philosophy to heavily influence the game. The thought of living in a world inspired by Ayn Rand should terrify any sane person, but the player of 'BioShock' must navigate the ruined aftermath of that retro-futurist nightmare, while fighting tortured madmen, managing resources, and solving puzzles along the way. Sadly, I did not finish this game. I became enamored with the 'Fallout' series at the time, and 'BioShock' fell off my radar through no fault of its own. I would like to finish the game, so that I can fully appreciate the dystopian intersection of intellectual and adrenaline-pumping gameplay as wrought by Irrational Games.… Expand
  48. SL539
    Dec 26, 2015
    7
    This is a game I was never able to truly get into, perhaps it's because I started off with BioShock Infinite. However it's a very good game, from what I've seen and the little I did play. Very cinematic for an FPS game. Sorry can't really give much more of a review - I just wanted to clean out my old review since it was pretty stupid.
  49. yokerclown
    Dec 5, 2014
    7
    Great pre-game of that, what "Bioshock: Infinite" saved and done more goodly, than here!.. But dont forgetting about that fact, that this is really one of the best "first person shooter games" ever!
  50. SupaChigga
    Nov 19, 2013
    7
    Single Player/Multi Player (2/2)

    (If the single player is better than the multiplayer, review this section as if it had no multplayer) (If the multiplayer is better than the multiplayer, review this section as if it had no single player) Gameplay (1/2) Visuals/Story (2/2) (If the visuals are better than the story, review this section as if it had no story) (If the story is    Single Player/Multi Player (2/2)

    (If the single player is better than the multiplayer, review this section as if it had no multplayer) (If the multiplayer is better than the multiplayer, review this section as if it had no single player)

    Gameplay (1/2)

    Visuals/Story (2/2)

    (If the visuals are better than the story, review this section as if it had no story) (If the story is better than the visuals, review this section as if the visuals didn’t matter)

    Accessibility/Longevity (1/2)

    (Review this section only on Accessibility if the game has no longevity) (Review this section only on longevity if the game isn’t accessible)

    Pricing (1/2)

    Wildcard (0)

    This is a guideline for how to properly review games. Many reviewers like to get a “feel” for a game, and arbitrarily give a game a score that they believe it deserves. This results in wildly different scores between different reviewers, and vastly different scores between similar games. This guideline addresses these problems and scores games fairly and consistently. This guideline also gives scores that are usually similar to the metacritic score.

    The review score is based out of 10 points. There are no “half” or 0.5 increments. It is impossible to have a score above 10 or below 0. The review score will change as the game gets new dlc, drops in price, or if more secrets are found through the game increasing its appeal.

    The scoring is split into 6 sections. The first five sections can add a possible 2 points to the final score. The first 5 sections are Single Player/Multi Player, Gameplay, Visuals/Story, Accessibility/Longevity, and Pricing.

    Notice that 3 of these sections have two parts. These particular sections will be scored based on the stronger part of the game of the two. For example, if a game has a lousy single player campaign, but an excellent multiplayer component, that section will be based solely on the multiplayer as if the single player did not exist. This allows games to be based on their own merits, as many unnecessary features are shoehorned into video games by publishers to reach a “feature quota”. Games that excel in both areas of a section don’t receive should be noted in the written review, but cannot increase the score past 2 in that section. However, it can be taken into account in the final section

    The final section can add 1, add 0, or subtract 1 to the final score. This final section is the “wildcard” section. This section is for how the reviewer “feels” about the game, but limits this only to this section, rather than the entire 10 point review. This section can include any positive or negative point that was not covered in the previous 5 sections.    … Expand
  51. ShawnD
    Dec 13, 2017
    7
    Great ideas, bad execution. 7/10

    The concept and art style of the game are great, but the actual gameplay is pretty bad. I'm not just saying that because it's 2017 and I'm unfairly judging a 10 year old game; I had these same complaints when Bioshock came out. The combat is horribly unbalanced and poorly thought out. The wrench and the tommy gun are probably the only weapons that work    Great ideas, bad execution. 7/10

    The concept and art style of the game are great, but the actual gameplay is pretty bad. I'm not just saying that because it's 2017 and I'm unfairly judging a 10 year old game; I had these same complaints when Bioshock came out. The combat is horribly unbalanced and poorly thought out. The wrench and the tommy gun are probably the only weapons that work well and have appropriate levels of ammunition. It feels like the designers originally wanted the game to be survival horror, but they also wanted the game to be fun, so they went half way and created a game that is neither scary nor fun. It always feels like there is a shortage of resources that forces the player to switch back and forth between weapons and plasmids, but the shortage leads to a feeling of anger and frustration.

    Pistol:
    Maximum pistol ammo is 48 bullets, but it can easily take 15 bullets to kill enemies later in the game, and that's with all of the pistol upgrades and playing on normal difficulty. If the enemies are going to be bullet sponges, I should be carrying 200 bullets. Is the game supposed to be survival horror where I'm sneaking around due to a lack of bullets, or is it supposed to be a fun game where I shoot things? The game has no sneaking and it has no bullets, so I get the worst of both worlds.

    Shotgun:
    Bioshock has the worst shotgun in any shooter I have ever played. Its effective range is a couple yards even though it fires 00 buckshot. In real life, buckshot's effective range is about 50-100 yards. It should be possible to shoot things across the room and have them die in a few shots. The original Doom shotgun and the Duke Nukem 3D shotgun are a lot closer to how a shotgun should work. Bioshock is a bit more like Doom 3 - the shotgun is useless. In addition to doing no damage and having no range, it has a 4 round magazine. It might be more effective to swing the shotgun like a baseball bat.

    Camera:
    The inclusion of a camera for research is just mind boggling. Here's how this plays out: You'll buy 100 camera ammo then take about 5 pictures per encounter for every enemy you encounter. Just run up to them and keep clicking the mouse button until it says it didn't take a picture because the score was too low. After seeing maybe 5 of each monster type, you'll have every monster type maxed out. Then you'll never use the camera again. What was the point of including this in the game? It's just mindless busy work.

    Grenades:
    The grenade launcher is awesome, but the ammo limits are stupid. You get a max of 6 of each type, and it takes about 6 grenades to kill a big daddy on normal difficulty. Since every other weapon in the game is basically useless against a big daddy, this means you'll carry grenades just for the sake of killing big daddies. It's like the game is mocking the player. We get this amazing weapon to carry around, but we can't use it on anything because that ammo is reserved for killing one specific enemy type.

    Chemical Thrower:
    This is another one of those really bizarre design choices. The chemical thrower can do all 3 types of elemental damage - fire, cold, electricity. The cold and electricity essentially do no damage, so those act very similar to the plasmid powers. This means you would be expected to freeze an enemy with the thrower and then switch to a different weapon to inflict damage. This is a horrendous idea. Switching back and forth between guns and plasmids is easy because it just involves right clicking. Switching back and forth between guns is a lot more involved because it involves hitting different numbers on a keyboard, and people playing on console would probably switch weapons using the D pad. It's a lot clumsier than clicking a single button to toggle back and forth. The chemical thrower seems like an idea that would work if it were possible to assign it as a plasmid power instead of a gun. Since that isn't possible, you'll probably just resort to using the plasmid versions of elemental damage and not using the chem thrower at any point in the game.

    Enemies:
    Bioshock is one of those games where enemies blend into the background very easily. I find myself using the fire plasmid just because it marks targets effectively. I can always see an enemy that is on fire.

    The damage in the game is so incredibly broken that I'm certain this is the reason the game gives free respawns when you die. On normal difficulty, 2 shots from a big daddy rivet gun will kill you, and there's no way to dodge them other than line of sight.This means you will die all the time. If one of your hacked devices fires a stray bullet that hits a big daddy, you will die in a few seconds unless you are already behind cover. Rather than fix the stupid amount of damage done by enemies, the game just gives the player a free respawn with no loss of equipment or ammo. They know players would be punching their monitors if the game did a game over screen every time that happened.    … Expand
  52. Nuker
    Jun 26, 2015
    7
    - Good: Mood/Atmosphere, Art Direction, Audio
    - Mixed: Gameplay, Story, Writing, Setting
    - Bad: ---

    Overrated game in my honest opinion, i rushed this game at the end because i was bored.
  53. agurczuk
    Jun 21, 2016
    7
    A very atmospheric first person shooter with an interesting story ,

    In game you are put in the shoes of a airplane crash survivor who finds himself in the middle of the ocean. Only to discover an entrence to an underwater city called Rapture. The city once glorious is now falling apart. It also is overrun by twisted for a lack of a better word mutants. You are led by a voice on the    A very atmospheric first person shooter with an interesting story ,

    In game you are put in the shoes of a airplane crash survivor who finds himself in the middle of the ocean. Only to discover an entrence to an underwater city called Rapture. The city once glorious is now falling apart. It also is overrun by twisted for a lack of a better word mutants. You are led by a voice on the radio following his advice in a hope to escape the city without dying. In order to do that you use a wide array of weapons with aid from Adam - a genetic rewriting fluid that essentially gives you magic powers.

    What I liked about the game. Definitely the setting - Rapture is extremely well designed with a very unique and constant atmospehre which holds out through the whole game. The enemy design is interesting and fits the setting. All locations, missions and progress make sense and push the story ever forward. Ammo is scarce - you value each shot and try to save every bullet as much as you can - which adds to the atmosphere. The big daddy's are pretty scary and first encounter with them is really unforgeable.

    What I didn't like was definitely the combat design. Enemies run around what feels like frantically around and are extremely hard to hit. What others might consider a plus it felt more annoying than anything else. Also all of them seem pretty tanky so you need to put a lot of bullets to put them down. Another thing I disliked was the camera mechanic - having to take pictures of enemies to learn their weaknesses might be a good idea but in a game where stealth is next to not existent having to take pictures of enemies in the middle of gunfight is a bit silly.

    Overall I really did enjoy the game and can recommend it mostly for the ambience and atmosphere it comes with.    … Expand
  54. ashketchum
    Mar 10, 2018
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bioshock is a good game. However, it starts off with a lot more potential than it ends up with. You can see that there is an interesting setting in this underwater city, but you can only go to select places, which leads to it feeling restrictive at times. Some of these locations, like Fort Frolic, are memorable in design, while others, like Arcadia, feel bland. There is a good range of Plasmids to choose from, though, which allows for different ways to attack enemies. The penultimate escort section of the game, however, feels tedious and forced in to lengthen time, and the final boss is a bit of a letdown, compared to how much the game hypes it up. The game is great at setting atmosphere, though, with it's use of sounds, and the stylistic posters and pictures of some locations also help to increase tension, such as with Sander Cohen. A good game, with some missed potential.… Expand
  55. brendo214
    May 21, 2019
    7
    I'm not gonna lie. This game was disappointing. People hype this game up so much, and I don't think this game deserves it to the degree it gets it. The story was good, but it's better in theory than it is in practice. The combat is aight, nothing special. The best part is easily the setting, but that kind of gets pushed aside in like the second half of the game, and that's pretty upsetting.
  56. Cafe_8bits
    Apr 5, 2020
    7
    This game its a great shooter, with an amazing ambientation and level design. Bioshock its great, and have a memorable story. Im glad to had replayed this game.
  57. GraysonUA
    Mar 31, 2020
    7
    Шутер з різними здібносятми, в антуражі ретрофутуризму. Досить атмосферний, сюжет пробує дивувати, але не завжде викликає цікавість. Стрільбу поступово починаєш смакувати.
  58. Rustick
    Jul 7, 2022
    7
    пока что не успел пройти до конца атмомфера очень хорошая геймплей довольно интересный
  59. Otacat
    Jul 7, 2020
    7
    점수는 나왔던 2007년도를 생각해서 7점 줍니다. 솔직히 지금 플래이하면 딴 게임들에 비해 이제 많이 좀 딸리죠. 제가 이 게임을 한게 좀 오래되긴 했어요. 한 3년 전에 리마스터 나온거 끝냈습니다. 게임 플레이도 재밌게 할만하고, 배경도 판타지 세계 같은 거여서 어드벤쳐 같은 느낌 있고, 미스테리 요소가 꽤 많아 여기저기 둘러보는 재미도 있고 첨에는 주인공이 좀 성격이 없어서 별루 였는데 나중에 스토리 반전도 있고 리틀 시스터 구하기도 하면서 몰입되는 캐릭이더라고요. 나왔을 때 점수 매겼으면 10점 줬을 거예요. 그런데 지금 시대로는 게임이 많이 오래 됬네요. 그래픽도 별로지, 할 수 있는 게임 플레이도 딴 게임보단 적지, 스토리도 약간에 반복성과 그냥 시대차가 있는 뭐 그런거 있잖아요.점수는 나왔던 2007년도를 생각해서 7점 줍니다. 솔직히 지금 플래이하면 딴 게임들에 비해 이제 많이 좀 딸리죠. 제가 이 게임을 한게 좀 오래되긴 했어요. 한 3년 전에 리마스터 나온거 끝냈습니다. 게임 플레이도 재밌게 할만하고, 배경도 판타지 세계 같은 거여서 어드벤쳐 같은 느낌 있고, 미스테리 요소가 꽤 많아 여기저기 둘러보는 재미도 있고 첨에는 주인공이 좀 성격이 없어서 별루 였는데 나중에 스토리 반전도 있고 리틀 시스터 구하기도 하면서 몰입되는 캐릭이더라고요. 나왔을 때 점수 매겼으면 10점 줬을 거예요. 그런데 지금 시대로는 게임이 많이 오래 됬네요. 그래픽도 별로지, 할 수 있는 게임 플레이도 딴 게임보단 적지, 스토리도 약간에 반복성과 그냥 시대차가 있는 뭐 그런거 있잖아요. 그래서 7점 줬습니다.… Expand
  60. Kemp
    Mar 12, 2021
    7
    I think maybe my perception of this game is a bit skewed by the fact that I am playing this game in 2021, and video games have advanced a lot since it came out. It still holds up as a good game, but I do not see how it is the masterpiece everyone says it is. That said, having played all three games in the series now, I do think the original is the best of them.

    The combat must have been    I think maybe my perception of this game is a bit skewed by the fact that I am playing this game in 2021, and video games have advanced a lot since it came out. It still holds up as a good game, but I do not see how it is the masterpiece everyone says it is. That said, having played all three games in the series now, I do think the original is the best of them.

    The combat must have been pretty revolutionary for the time. The AI is really good even by today's standards, and the plasmids are pretty fun to play around with. The world is probably the coolest part of the game, but it's dragged down, for me, by the fact that you don't really form a relationship with any characters in it. There are characters, but your interaction with them is solely via them talking at you over the radio. That said, Andrew Ryan is at least a pretty compelling character.

    It's not a masterpiece for me, though, because the story is just decent. Everyone says it is a masterpiece, everyone says Ken Levine is a brilliant storyteller, but I just don't see it. After playing all of the bioshock games, I do think this is the strongest story, and perhaps one of the best video game stories ever at the time it came out, but it really does not even come close to the standards that have been set in recent years. Granted, my experience may have been tainted a bit by the main twist being spoiled for me because it has become so notorious. But great twists should still be compelling even if you know they're coming (e.g., the Red Wedding), and this was not at all. This is still a good game, but I really do not understand why everyone loves this series so much.    … Expand
  61. cryptocreeper
    Oct 16, 2021
    7
    Interesting and gloomy world with well-designed locations and good story. I like RPG elements like weapon and skill upgrade. It seemd to me the game not require an exploration of weak points of enemies, so sometimes I feel that it doesn't matter what skills or weapons to use. Shooting doesn't really feel real, like you use toy weapons with plastic bullets. But game has very good sound,Interesting and gloomy world with well-designed locations and good story. I like RPG elements like weapon and skill upgrade. It seemd to me the game not require an exploration of weak points of enemies, so sometimes I feel that it doesn't matter what skills or weapons to use. Shooting doesn't really feel real, like you use toy weapons with plastic bullets. But game has very good sound, design, and some scenes are well remembered.… Expand
  62. BenzoSt
    Jul 12, 2022
    7
    The story and environment of this game - the dilapidated ruins of a utopian underwater city called Rapture in 1960 - is incredibly imaginative. The stylish and somewhat cartoony graphics contrast unnervingly against the violence and dark psychological overtones. Unfortunately, the gameplay gets repetitive at times, since everyone is essentially a drug-addled lunatic who is out to kill youThe story and environment of this game - the dilapidated ruins of a utopian underwater city called Rapture in 1960 - is incredibly imaginative. The stylish and somewhat cartoony graphics contrast unnervingly against the violence and dark psychological overtones. Unfortunately, the gameplay gets repetitive at times, since everyone is essentially a drug-addled lunatic who is out to kill you … just because. I think this game would have been better if it involved less combat and perhaps some interactive dialogue. The story reaches a very interesting and surprising climax.… Expand
  63. TEG_17
    Feb 6, 2022
    7
    Классная атмосфера, классный сюжет, средненький шутан.
  64. SuperClaudio64
    Feb 28, 2021
    7
    Gioco che trovo sopravvalutato a livello di trama, ma divertente per il suo gameplay. Bioshock è un gioco Ok e mi ha divertito molto, ma mi aspettavo di più a livello narrativo visto che tutti lo elogiavano sempre su quel aspetto. In ogni caso mi è piaciuto ma non lo considero uno dei migliori giochi di sempre.
  65. tufekciero
    Mar 12, 2021
    7
    BRONZ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  66. Yaav13
    Apr 7, 2022
    7
    My truthful honorable incorruptible conclusive rating of this considered game: 7.
  67. AngryGeek
    Jun 8, 2022
    7
    It is one of my favorite games with its mysterious and tense atmosphere. We are playing the adventure where we live in a mysterious city under the sea.
  68. Murdockk
    May 12, 2023
    7
    Fena bir oyun değil. Oynarken eğlendim yer yer sıkıldığım noktalar olsa da genel kanım iyi.
  69. co3676
    Jul 1, 2023
    7
    Yedi. .
  70. RiccardoC.
    Oct 10, 2007
    6
    not worth the hype, on a not-top compurer it won't go smooth and that will bring playng bioshock quite a pain. If u're low on money get orange box, much better.
  71. CoryA.
    Aug 31, 2007
    6
    Simply average and mundane. The graphics are nothing to behold (just because it's shiny doesn't mean it's next-gen material). The gameplay is average as well, and the AI (below average, like every other FPS out there). The only thing that stands out? The audio. And I'm only speaking for the voice acting, nothing else. It's simply appalling that this game is given Simply average and mundane. The graphics are nothing to behold (just because it's shiny doesn't mean it's next-gen material). The gameplay is average as well, and the AI (below average, like every other FPS out there). The only thing that stands out? The audio. And I'm only speaking for the voice acting, nothing else. It's simply appalling that this game is given perfect scores when it's so mediocre.… Expand
  72. GlenV.
    Oct 10, 2007
    6
    Great graphics and a fairly interesting story but far too easy and far too much of the same thing each and every level. Nice underwater setting (really believable that a constantly leaking city is still habitable! really!). Ok - was probably dumbed down for the console boys?
  73. jrocknyc
    Aug 23, 2007
    6
    Decent, but overhyped and overly complex.
  74. TerryD.
    Aug 30, 2007
    6
    Man, I must be missing something - I just don't see the wonder of this title. Yeah, it
  75. B.G.
    Sep 10, 2007
    6
    Maybe I was wrong in expecting some kind of System Shock 2.5, but then again, maybe Ken Levine shouldn't have been boasting around about the game being a "spiritual successor" of said title. To me, Bioshock is as overrated as HL2 - instead of exploring a living (yet hostile) world as we did in SS, I feel like riding some kind of ghost train with scary monsters being thrown at me Maybe I was wrong in expecting some kind of System Shock 2.5, but then again, maybe Ken Levine shouldn't have been boasting around about the game being a "spiritual successor" of said title. To me, Bioshock is as overrated as HL2 - instead of exploring a living (yet hostile) world as we did in SS, I feel like riding some kind of ghost train with scary monsters being thrown at me every now an then. The suspense of a good horror-game is killed in frantic shooting and fiddling with the somewhat unintuitive controls (which I couldn't re-map for my own needs as the game seems to reserve the keys I'd like to use for whatever bloody purpose !)- for a game that promises such "sophisticated" ways of killing off your opponents the overall pace is way too fast and customisible controls should be a standard in every first person game, be it a simple fps or something that pretends to be something else. It's a shame the interesting setting und beatifully executed graphics desing are wasted to such a run-off-the-mill FPS - maybe Irrational should have stuck with their original concept of "secret-nazi-underground-lab", that way, everyone would have known what to expect ...… Expand
  76. MarkusS.
    Oct 28, 2008
    6
    I don't understand the hype about that game. Of course the scenario is creative but the rest is in my opinion absolutely boring, the story is stereotyped and the ending is disappointing. It's average.
  77. JoshQ
    Apr 26, 2009
    6
    If you think the combination of a somewhat cool story, poor weapon ballistics, extremely small arsenal and variation of enemies, zero interaction between the other characters, and extremely repetitive world with small linear levels packed into a very short game is cool then this game is for you. On the other hand, I personally was part of the pre-release hype, and optimistically played If you think the combination of a somewhat cool story, poor weapon ballistics, extremely small arsenal and variation of enemies, zero interaction between the other characters, and extremely repetitive world with small linear levels packed into a very short game is cool then this game is for you. On the other hand, I personally was part of the pre-release hype, and optimistically played through the game once all along knowing I was just playing the game to beat the game and received no enjoyment from it.… Expand
  78. Mithras
    Nov 17, 2007
    6
    The game got way too high ratings, it truly did. The game was good. It was a good shooter with fantastic atmosphere and great graphics; but it was still just a GOOD shooter. It seemed to fulfill all the needs that a game has, and not go any further. There were quite a few weapons, more than one way to approach a situation, and a sufficient plot, but in the end, the game was pretty The game got way too high ratings, it truly did. The game was good. It was a good shooter with fantastic atmosphere and great graphics; but it was still just a GOOD shooter. It seemed to fulfill all the needs that a game has, and not go any further. There were quite a few weapons, more than one way to approach a situation, and a sufficient plot, but in the end, the game was pretty mediocre due to all the flaws and lack of any features to set it apart from so many other games. Someone mentioned that "apart from the vita chambers" the game was great. The thing is, the vita-chamber "never-die" thing was probably the greatest flaw of the game in my eyes. The game ALMOST had this great atmosphere of eeriness, making the player feel tense and fearful, but after the point that the player realizes there are absolutely no repercussions for dying, all the tension just disappears. You can run right at a Big Daddy and hit it with a wrench, no problem. Big, seemingly insurmountable mobs of splicers? Run at them, attack, die, run at them, attack, die, repeat. There's no tension when you realize that you can "die" as much as you like, and you lose absolutely nothing; no progress, no items, no money... nothing. After the atmosphere was killed for me, the attraction for the game really died off. I played the game on hard, and it was unbelievably easy. The plot was also worked up to be a big feature of the game, but I never really got into it. The endings were let downs, both of them. The story itself was poor also: For example, Andrew Ryan was built up to be this huge bad guy throughout the game, and at the end the game goes "OH! Got you! Lets ignore Andrew Ryan and concentrate on this new bad guy that we never really concentrated on before!" I never really found the last boss that evil of a character, because he seemed to be some sort of last minute idea in the plot. The plot was also filled with holes, like how the vita-chamber works for you and not anyone else: "it only works for Andrew Ryan's gene's" the game says, and then "you're a clone of Andrew Ryan". Oh! Okay, that makes sense. ...Right until the point where Andrew Ryan dies. And doesn't come back. There were lots of other small holes in the plot, none of them major, but enough to make me shake my head and deteriorate my view of the plot. Gameplay-wise, the game was good, but had, once again, some significant flaws. Things like the standard pistol bullets becoming absolutely useless after the splicers suddenly get stronger about half-way in the game. I unloaded an entire 25 bullet pistol clip into a splicer's face, and the guy didn't die. He was close, but he wasn't dead. I was almost dead, and before I could reload, I was dead, but the splicer was still alive. This was the fully upgraded pistol too. And you keep finding more pistol bullets after that point. Little things like that irritated me enough to make me frustrated with the gameplay. Everything this game seemingly had going for it - creepy atmosphere, 'revolutionary gameplay', deep plot - all had enough flaws in them to make me seriously question what the reviewers were thinking. Deus Ex, that game had player choice! Indigo Prophecy, that game had plot! Doom 3, that game was scary; I actually cared about getting hit by enemies! There are so many better games, and so many ways in which this game could have improved, and this makes me wonder why the average score is 96%, when this game is not that close to perfect.… Expand
  79. MarvioS.
    Sep 3, 2007
    6
    I have found home!! I really don't know why the "official" reviews of this game are so great; True, the production values are unquestionable, everything from the graphics, to art direction, to music, voice acting and mood are spot on, but that's it!! Game play is linear and boring, the sotory, tough I haven't finished yet, seems flat (and I can't really see it getting I have found home!! I really don't know why the "official" reviews of this game are so great; True, the production values are unquestionable, everything from the graphics, to art direction, to music, voice acting and mood are spot on, but that's it!! Game play is linear and boring, the sotory, tough I haven't finished yet, seems flat (and I can't really see it getting any better), the RPG/FPS mix/trade off is abysmal, other games, such as Deus Ex achieved this brilliantly. The weapons managemnt system is way too complicated for such a fast paced game, and in the end you can get through the whole thing with your machine gun, so what's the point? This is the quitenssential example of :" A well polished turd is still a turd", in fact there should be a screenshot of this game under that phrase on a dictonary :) In the end the game play is no better then Quake2 was 10 years ago, this is just a tech demo IMHO.… Expand
  80. KevinZ
    Jan 30, 2009
    6
    This game was decent. Rapture is an amazing world, and levels are generally interesting. The atmosphere is good, and it remains creepy throughout. The characters are generally interesting and disturbed. However, it is far from perfect. They made a big deal when this came out about your moral choices having an effect on the world- the only choice is whether or not to kill the Little This game was decent. Rapture is an amazing world, and levels are generally interesting. The atmosphere is good, and it remains creepy throughout. The characters are generally interesting and disturbed. However, it is far from perfect. They made a big deal when this came out about your moral choices having an effect on the world- the only choice is whether or not to kill the Little Sisters, and you wind up with the same amount of Adam either way. The story line is incredibly disappointing after the plot twist- given the great setting I thought they would have been able to come up with a better conclusion. The second half of the game feels like it was rushed out the door, and you lose any motivation to do anything. In general, Bioshock is a great idea with fair to poor implementation, especially in the second half, where they seemed to have run out of creativity.… Expand
  81. GabeM
    Mar 13, 2009
    6
    Great setting and weapons. Guns come with upgradeable parts but it gives out so many upgrades that it eliminates replay value. However the different types of ammo are a nice addition to the weapons. Too bad the plasmids (special powers Jack receives) are fairly worthless besides two of them. The research minigame also hurts this game quite a bit. The twist thrown in half way through this Great setting and weapons. Guns come with upgradeable parts but it gives out so many upgrades that it eliminates replay value. However the different types of ammo are a nice addition to the weapons. Too bad the plasmids (special powers Jack receives) are fairly worthless besides two of them. The research minigame also hurts this game quite a bit. The twist thrown in half way through this game is horrendous but if you can look past that for its undertones on objectivism you might like the story aspect. Insanely easy game however.… Expand
  82. MattS
    May 28, 2009
    6
    I was quite impressed the first hour of gameplay (most of the demo). The ingame cutscenes were spot on and the action led me to believe I was going to play a game to be remembered. Starting with 10P. Story. Not bad but not great. I can't really review it because I couldn't bare to finish the game. The choice between killing and not killing children seemed a silly and a lame I was quite impressed the first hour of gameplay (most of the demo). The ingame cutscenes were spot on and the action led me to believe I was going to play a game to be remembered. Starting with 10P. Story. Not bad but not great. I can't really review it because I couldn't bare to finish the game. The choice between killing and not killing children seemed a silly and a lame attempt at a good/evil alignment tracker, but thats just my opinion. Gameplay. It becomes incredibly stale, fast. Enemies were very scary at first. Combat is a lot like doom 3, enemies bust out when a new weapon is received, or objective, etc. But its the same lame 3 enemies (brainless monster, brainless monster with plasmids, robot) the entire time. Plasmids seemed like a redeeming value, and at first I was excited to see what new plasmid I would get. Sadly, I soon realized only one or two plasmids are actually worth using in a fight, which made the combat very bland. I could go off listing all the worthless plasmids and how they are ineffective in combat, but I wont. I will just say the the only effective plasmids distract and hurt. So there are two. They made an option to make guns and ammo. Ammo is lacking in the game so making ammo is essential. Yet the time I took collecting all the random parts and junk just to make a few bullets or grenades seemed not worth the effort. Hacking is a bore with the puzzle being either really easy or impossible (I played enough pipe dream as a kid). While this game is extremely stale in level design and enemy combat, it gets worse. The game creators give you a camera which they expect you to take pictures of the same ole junk they made during combat no less. (-1P) Graphics. They were stunning at times. But as the game progressed there were no attempts at using them to make a great environment. The beginning of this game is as good as it gets (period). (-1P) Originality. NONE. Those who claim otherwise have not been playing video games for long. This game is a crappy clone of System Shock 2, which is a much better game. For newer gamers, this game is like Doom 3 with magic and less enemies. (-1P) Pre/Post-Hype. This game wins as the most overly hyped game I have ever known. Congrats Bioshock. … Expand
  83. sammyLOL
    Jun 9, 2009
    6
    This game really is a piece of overblown shit. So glad i bought it for 5 bucks off of steam. There is nothing interesting about this game. The aura it tries to create is completely destroyed by the clunky fighting style and an often frustrating learning curve. I wish the character had an inner ear so running didn't have the feeling of constantly running into shit. The graphics annoy This game really is a piece of overblown shit. So glad i bought it for 5 bucks off of steam. There is nothing interesting about this game. The aura it tries to create is completely destroyed by the clunky fighting style and an often frustrating learning curve. I wish the character had an inner ear so running didn't have the feeling of constantly running into shit. The graphics annoy the hell out of me, the lighting is completely overdone and exaggerated. I also love that the enemies spastically and unrealistically move like they are on crack, making it nearly impossible to headshot a moving target. The game progression and upgrades are also total bullshit, what is with the whole hacking mini-game? I didn't play this game to do something i could find on shitty internet game websites. Only buy this if its, like, way on sale.… Expand
  84. StefanoG
    Jan 21, 2010
    6
    I was a bit disappointed by this game, it is not by any means a successor to system shock. It's just another FPS with a cheesy storyline, that seems to pop up from a sci-fi b-movie of the '60.
  85. MichaelC.
    Nov 11, 2007
    6
    Really nice game... bad theme... I simply do not understand the modern need for every new first-person-shooter to be based on horror... I appreciate modern conventional warfare much better and so far only Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and several of the Rainbow Six series have been "real" (including Vegas and Raven Shield and its sequel). I would have given this game a 9 but the theme and Really nice game... bad theme... I simply do not understand the modern need for every new first-person-shooter to be based on horror... I appreciate modern conventional warfare much better and so far only Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and several of the Rainbow Six series have been "real" (including Vegas and Raven Shield and its sequel). I would have given this game a 9 but the theme and its redundancy just disgusts me.… Expand
  86. Edi
    Dec 23, 2007
    6
    Great atmosphere, decent story, somewhat predictable, no character choice (ie: not really an RPG) as by the end, every character will have nearly every upgrade, thus being nearly identical. "Crafting ammo" is not a real selling point, as you simply pick up crap and it makes ammo based on a few forced ammo choices. Also, ending choice is more black and white than... black and white?
  87. ChrisD.
    Aug 21, 2007
    6
    Not worth the money. buy half-life 2. Graphics are very bad. fine, if that's a given. Most reviews are claiming the combat is good. Combat? You mean zombies running at you? that's this amazin AI? What, becuase they are talking about mixing martiinis, they are intellgient? The days of greusome stupid designs are over. Unreal engine is over.
  88. KoshG.
    Aug 27, 2007
    6
    Nice art direction and high production values, but not very difficult. Double endings and "moral choices" definitely overrated unless you're an ethical simpleton. 7/10. Then -1 for $ value: ridiculous SM3.0 requirement forcing me to upgrade my otherwise perfectly viable X850XT graphics card.
  89. RussG.
    Nov 12, 2008
    6
    The game really wasn't that great. I played it through to the end, but found it to be relatively boring. The theme of the game was new, but there really wasn't anything groundbreaking or "awesome". The plot was somewhat predictable, but original. The game just wasn't fun enough to deserve a 96 on metacritic. It isn't up to par with HL2 or half of the top 20 games. I The game really wasn't that great. I played it through to the end, but found it to be relatively boring. The theme of the game was new, but there really wasn't anything groundbreaking or "awesome". The plot was somewhat predictable, but original. The game just wasn't fun enough to deserve a 96 on metacritic. It isn't up to par with HL2 or half of the top 20 games. I never said the game was bad, it just is no where close to great.… Expand
  90. ThomasH.
    Apr 12, 2008
    6
    I'm tired of people comparing how overrated this is to Half-Life 2, yes Half-Life 2 was overrated, but it was a great game and only overrated by 1/10, but this... thing is far more overrated by far. The graphics are good, but old fashion at the same time (the background is like a painting, literally, like the original Half-life but with half the quality) the innovation of this game I'm tired of people comparing how overrated this is to Half-Life 2, yes Half-Life 2 was overrated, but it was a great game and only overrated by 1/10, but this... thing is far more overrated by far. The graphics are good, but old fashion at the same time (the background is like a painting, literally, like the original Half-life but with half the quality) the innovation of this game wears off after 20 min, and the excitement wears off 20 min after that, then comes the middle of the game [MAJOR SPOILER ALERT] (the part with the insane "artist" who traps you in his large studio) and then comes the part where I just stopped playing (Ryan Industries) [/MAJOR SPOILER ALERT] and the game was fun during some parts (I didn't want to leave the wharf, I just wanted to stay in that level and role play) while others were boring (Ryan Industries) and it just got tiring after a while. Now some people might say that its revolutionary combining rpg with fps and how you can change how you kill enemies and all these upgrades and such, but what people don't know is that this revolution already happened, in 1999, with this games spiritual prequel System Shock 2. In fact Bioshock is basically just System Shock 2 in 1960 instead of in the 2100s, at the bottom of the ocean instead of in a space ship 60 billion miles from earth, and there is more than one person who's still remotely human (besides yourself). This game is tedious after a while, its innovation already come from the people who created it (Back in 1999) and the overly shiny graphics get annoying after a while.… Expand
  91. Turbonutter
    Dec 23, 2010
    6
    "A beautiful smooth veneer finish over a flawed, ultimately hollow core" would sum this title up for me perfectly. The setting and overall theme were done quite well, and the conveyance of exploring a now-ruined underwater dystopia is executed very well. To my eyes, that was where the excellence stopped, and the mediocrity begins.

    The story holds up about as well as a cardboard cutout in    "A beautiful smooth veneer finish over a flawed, ultimately hollow core" would sum this title up for me perfectly. The setting and overall theme were done quite well, and the conveyance of exploring a now-ruined underwater dystopia is executed very well. To my eyes, that was where the excellence stopped, and the mediocrity begins.

    The story holds up about as well as a cardboard cutout in a windstorm, as most of it is told not via in-game events but by picking up random tape recordings scattered throughout the ruins. There was one major plot twist, but by the time it occurs most people would have seen it coming anyway. The weapons, though reasonably balanced, were all pretty standard fare - nothing we haven't seen before. The plasmids, which should have really set the game apart, were only marginally useful save for the one or two strong ones; the rest were relegated to use only for the few virtual stop-gates that required their use for you to pass.

    By the time I was done playing - which, by the way doesn't take all that long - and had followed the cookie-cutter "good" or "evil" path, I left with the feeling that I could have had much more. I think the initial reviews were made by journalists who played through the first hour or so of the game and were really just absorbing the theme and environment. Had they dug a bit deeper, they would have seen the shiny surface give way to the flaws that lurk underneath.    … Expand
  92. Tramm
    Sep 14, 2011
    6
    I actually found this game quite boring. Its starts out really well, with a nice story to set the mood, but the further you get into it, the whole magic aspect kills the gameplay. If you like that kind of shooters, i can understand the score, but i ended up playing it solely for the story.
  93. Cunin
    Jul 19, 2011
    6
    Just registered to thumb up mcremi's review lol, though I won't give it a so low score.
    It's good looking, yes, but the gameplay mechanics are kinda boring and repetitive. You're in a small room, the doors suddenly closes, a bunch of enemies all looking the same appears, and so on.
    I'm sure the developers only worked on the graphics and forgot to make a game with them. Reviewers that gave    Just registered to thumb up mcremi's review lol, though I won't give it a so low score.
    It's good looking, yes, but the gameplay mechanics are kinda boring and repetitive. You're in a small room, the doors suddenly closes, a bunch of enemies all looking the same appears, and so on.
    I'm sure the developers only worked on the graphics and forgot to make a game with them.

    Reviewers that gave it 100/100 should do a different job, like in a coal mine or something...    … Expand
  94. AlienSpaceBats
    Oct 8, 2013
    6
    Pretty standard FPS fare, little more than a watered-down (pun intended) System Shock 2, a visually outstanding but with an all too familiar story (Atlas is Polito, Fontaine is Shodan) and gameplay (security stations, turrets, cameras, Vita Chambers Quantum Bio Reconstruction Machines, etc.) overrated and over-hyped, but a decent shooter; nothing more.
  95. mez
    Dec 1, 2011
    6
    I seem to be way outside mainstream opinion on this one. I was a huge, huge fan of System Shock 2 and I was so looking forward to playing its 'spiritual successor'. Maybe I was expecting too much, but BioShock did very little for me. I feel a bit bad criticising it because it's obvious that a lot of love and care went into making it, and while it isn't a bad game, for me it never got aboveI seem to be way outside mainstream opinion on this one. I was a huge, huge fan of System Shock 2 and I was so looking forward to playing its 'spiritual successor'. Maybe I was expecting too much, but BioShock did very little for me. I feel a bit bad criticising it because it's obvious that a lot of love and care went into making it, and while it isn't a bad game, for me it never got above mediocre.

    It's just a formulaic run and gun shooter. The missions often feel contrived and arbitrary, and are almost entirely based around finding random widgets in some far corner of the level (and there's an escort mission in there as well, ugh). While you're doing that you blast your way through waves of interchangeable enemies - almost all of whom run straight at you - using the usual array of FPS weapons. That's it. For all the game's highfalutin' concept, there's no depth whatsoever to the gameplay - just strafe and fire, strafe and fire. The much-heralded plasmids add very little. They're just guns with different animations. Shoot someone or set them on fire, it makes no difference.

    The setting and story are above average, although the levels all look very similar and the Objectivism stuff is a bit undercooked - it's really just a standard trouble in paradise thing with some Ayn Rand inspired sound bites over the top. The diary tapes add some colour, but for some reason I couldn't make myself care about any of it. I found the twists predictable, and the single moral choice you have to make in the game (whether to harvest the little sisters or rescue them) has no bearing at all on the gameplay, only on which ending you get. It feels utterly meaningless.

    There's nothing terribly wrong with the game and I so desperately wanted to love it, but its lineage can't hide the fact that it's just another bland FPS. I cannot understand what these huge scores and breathlessly uncritical reviews are based on. I almost feel like I haven't been playing the same game.    … Expand
  96. thesamiad
    Jul 28, 2012
    6
    I can understand why this game is thought of so highly by others. The world you descend into is fantastically engrossing, with perfectly executed period music and decorations. The story is a good, the graphics are decent, and the gameplay is fun enough.

    But everything is ruined for me by one thing - those darn vita tubes. Basically there are tubes dotted about all over the levels and if    I can understand why this game is thought of so highly by others. The world you descend into is fantastically engrossing, with perfectly executed period music and decorations. The story is a good, the graphics are decent, and the gameplay is fun enough.

    But everything is ruined for me by one thing - those darn vita tubes. Basically there are tubes dotted about all over the levels and if you die you are respawned at the last tube you went past. The problem with this is that whatever damage you've dealt out to the enemies stays with them, so you don't lose anything from just dying over and over again until you finally defeat your foes. This makes a mockery of the whole game; you might as well attack the hardest enemies with your wrench and save your ammo because you'll just respawn with no negative effects.

    This takes away all the suspense and fear from the game. Add to this enemies that respawn at random, a lack of weapons that are hideously balanced (a powered up wrench better than a shotgun?!), and a system of augmentations that don't really help all that much, and this is a game with so much potential and so much right that falls short of where it could have been.    … Expand
  97. iseeall
    Apr 9, 2015
    6
    A mediocre rail shooter with excellect graphics. Any comparisons to Deus Ex 1 or Deus Ex Human Revolution are way out of place. In Bioshock the levels are linear, and enemies appear at scripted events, sometimes from behind (hello, Doom 3). In Deus Ex (or Hitman before Absolution) you could plan different approaches to a level, use different tactics. Here you just follow the next waypoint.A mediocre rail shooter with excellect graphics. Any comparisons to Deus Ex 1 or Deus Ex Human Revolution are way out of place. In Bioshock the levels are linear, and enemies appear at scripted events, sometimes from behind (hello, Doom 3). In Deus Ex (or Hitman before Absolution) you could plan different approaches to a level, use different tactics. Here you just follow the next waypoint. And even if at some point you go back thru the places you've already cleared these places will again be full of enemies, or new ones will break thru a wall. You pick a shotgun - and hello Serious Sam: the screen goes black, and enemies run to you from the darkness from all directions. Hacking electronic devices is all about solving increasingly difficult "water pipes" puzzles which get annoying pretty fast. Also, levels are littered with trash and objects with which you can't interact. This makes spotting enemies, moving and finding loot difficult and doesn't make a more interesting game.… Expand
  98. Joben
    Dec 22, 2012
    6
    It's System Shock, but it's wearing clown makeup and it borrowed the gun mechanics of Serious Sam.

    I understand why people like this game. But to me is seems like a bit of a goofy mess. The setting and enemies are hard to take seriously if you think about it for 30 seconds, which makes being scared or creeped out almost impossible. Rather than being visceral as one would expect from    It's System Shock, but it's wearing clown makeup and it borrowed the gun mechanics of Serious Sam.

    I understand why people like this game. But to me is seems like a bit of a goofy mess. The setting and enemies are hard to take seriously if you think about it for 30 seconds, which makes being scared or creeped out almost impossible. Rather than being visceral as one would expect from horror game most of the combat feels like it's lifted from an arcade shooter. The Ayn Rand philosophy that pervades the story is pretty anvilicious. Sometimes I think it's a parody of games that try to shoehorn in "deep" subtext. Most of the time I think it's just an egregious example of pretentious twaddle. The story is mostly dull and forgettable. I literally can't think of a single characters name at this time or remember a single thing about them or what they did.

    About the only thing I really liked about it was the twist that explains all the things your character does that make no sense. I'm trying to avoid a spoiler here but my point is there's a bit of story near the end that works as part of the narrative, AND gets weirdly meta. It's glorious. I suppose the graphics deserve mention too. They were obviously a labor of love. They are detailed and at time haunting. I find the cartoonish character style absolutely horrid however.

    I wanted to love this game, but even though Rapture is buried deep beneath the waves Bioshock is disappointingly shallow. I guess if you're young and never played the games this is a "spiritual successor" to you might find some value in it. But if your a fan of Looking Glass Studios type of game this will seem like a dull echo of their greatness.

    I gave this game a 6 because it obviously has high production values. But overall it basically defines average. There wasn't really anything new here. Every good mechanic was borrowed from previous work in the field.    … Expand
  99. Duskspark
    May 12, 2013
    6
    If you have ever played System Shock 2, you'll immediately notice the sumularities. From how plasmids are in a way exactly the same as the psionic powers, to the wrench as a melee weapon. It could have been equally good, if not better, but its recycled feeling and unprecise gunplay mechanics, it's a dragged down experience that easily makes for one of the most over rated games in history.
  100. loftystrings
    Aug 8, 2013
    6
    Probably the most overrated game of all time. True Rapture is beautiful and amazing and I was kinda surprised by the "twist" but it wasn't spectacular. However the biggest problem is the controls and lack of it. The guns don't pack any punch and the button used to aim down the sights is oddly placed. Great concept but it did not live up to it's potential
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best PC Game of 2007
3
#3 Most Discussed PC Game of 2007
2
#2 Most Shared PC Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. PC Gamer UK
    95
    A dark and astonishing masterpiece...I spend my career, and my gaming life, waiting for a moment when a game just astonishes me, when I can't believe what I'm seeing, what I'm doing. BioShock has five. [Sept 2007, p.66]
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  2. Eurogamer
    100
    The hours spent playing this masterpiece were the perfect encapsulation of why videogaming is such a favourite waste of time for so many of us. Thrilling, terrifying, moving, confusing, amusing, compelling, and very very dark. BioShock isn't simply the sign of gaming realising its true cinematic potential, but one where a game straddles so many entertainment art forms so expertly that it's the best demonstration yet how flexible this medium can be. It's no longer just another shooter wrapped up in a pretty game engine, but a story that exists and unfolds inside the most convincing and elaborate and artistic game world ever conceived.
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  3. IGN
    97
    There is art here, despite what many would say isn't possible with games, from Roger Ebert to game designers like Hideo Kojima... BioShock stands as a monolithic example of the convergence of entertaining gameplay and an irresistibly sinister, engrossing storyline that encompasses a host of multifaceted characters. This is an essential gaming experience.
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