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. Czar
    Aug 24, 2007
    10
    This game has it all. Intense game play, amazing visuals, and a simply awesome settings. The art-deco underwater city is just great. I love hearing the latest tape recordings and slowly finding out what is going on. The plasmids are simply cool. Bioshock is a real breath of fresh air. Bioshock has revived the FPS genre for me. Recommend playing on decent specced computer.
  2. WesleyC.
    Aug 24, 2007
    3
    The thing that makes me really, really mad is that you need one of the best graphics cards just to play. Now games these days are so called "Pushing it to the limits" which makes them think that the graphics are the only things that matter! Bioshock is just one lucky game that has good gameplay with next-gen graphics. There is no way that I'm spending hundreds on a new graphics card!!!
  3. JohnV.
    Aug 24, 2007
    10
    Not sure how the FOV really ruins the game or effects gameplay. I also haven't encountered any of these "tons of graphical glitches" and I can always see my mouse cursor. Anyways, this is one of the most amazing games I have every played and even more so goes on to show that a great single player storyline will beat out a rich multiplayer mode any day of the week. It has all the Not sure how the FOV really ruins the game or effects gameplay. I also haven't encountered any of these "tons of graphical glitches" and I can always see my mouse cursor. Anyways, this is one of the most amazing games I have every played and even more so goes on to show that a great single player storyline will beat out a rich multiplayer mode any day of the week. It has all the elements of great gameplay and storline inclusion that in the end, make this one of the greatest video games I have EVER played.… Expand
  4. IanF.
    Aug 24, 2007
    10
    This was worth the wait...anyone who nitpicks this game obviously wouldn't know originality if it hit them in the face. Bioshock is a refreshing adventure in a gaming industry crowded with lacklustre, unfairly hyped games and sell-out franchises (*cough*HALO*cough cough*) turned out on a daily basis. The design is beautiful, and the music and sound effects, combined with a dark, This was worth the wait...anyone who nitpicks this game obviously wouldn't know originality if it hit them in the face. Bioshock is a refreshing adventure in a gaming industry crowded with lacklustre, unfairly hyped games and sell-out franchises (*cough*HALO*cough cough*) turned out on a daily basis. The design is beautiful, and the music and sound effects, combined with a dark, moody environment makes for a breathtaking experience. This is the first game in years that I actually enjoy playing. So what if it doesn't have multiplayer (one of the most overrated features in gaming history)? Bioshock is a brilliant piece of virtual art that any discerning gamer should not be without. More games NEED to be like this.… Expand
  5. IanFerguson
    Aug 23, 2007
    8
    I was disappointed. I don't want my money back, but it wasn't what I was expecting. While it does have an enjoyable story, there is a lot of shooting as well. I'm a big FPS fan and I really enjoyed the story, but the shooting got pretty tedious. I did play it on the hard setting, so maybe it isn't so bad by default. No weapon had a ton of killing power, and thatI was disappointed. I don't want my money back, but it wasn't what I was expecting. While it does have an enjoyable story, there is a lot of shooting as well. I'm a big FPS fan and I really enjoyed the story, but the shooting got pretty tedious. I did play it on the hard setting, so maybe it isn't so bad by default. No weapon had a ton of killing power, and that goes for the plasmids as well. This means that especially nearing the end of the game you have to slug it out with the enemies for quite a while before 1 drops. Even a headshot with the crossbow won't take down all the slicers.

    To kill with plasmids is usually a 2 part move. Most plasmids are there to disable your opponent so you can more easily kill them with your weapons. For plasmids like incinerate that are designed for damage you might need to waste your entire mana bar just to drop 1 foe.

    Also many people as well as myself suffer a crashing bug that shows up while in the menus that open during hacking and when getting a new plasmid or tonic.

    I still think the game is worth buying, but it was not quite as amazing as advertised.    … Expand
  6. DT
    Aug 23, 2007
    10
    If you possess any amount of intelligence, this game will reward what you have. If you possess any amount of imagination, the possibilities are endless. If you lack both, you will find yourself confused, disappointed and bored. No spoilers here, but this game is certainly more enjoyable and is one of the greatest breakthroughs in PC gaming because it succeeds in its subtlety of applying If you possess any amount of intelligence, this game will reward what you have. If you possess any amount of imagination, the possibilities are endless. If you lack both, you will find yourself confused, disappointed and bored. No spoilers here, but this game is certainly more enjoyable and is one of the greatest breakthroughs in PC gaming because it succeeds in its subtlety of applying FPS/RPG conventions while allowing the player to feel as if he is an intricate part of it all.… Expand
  7. EnddorD.
    Aug 23, 2007
    10
    Incredible atmosphere, brilliant story, and fantastic gameplay. One of the best single player games ever.
  8. Rob
    Aug 23, 2007
    0
    Horrible bugs, poor wide screen support and extremely restrictive DRM put this title on the 'Avoid at all Costs' list. Publishers need to wake up and understand that people will pay for a quality game. When the DRM inhibits legit buyers from enjoying the game, it should never make it into the product. The DRM in Bioshock ensures that many legit buyers will be using cracks for Horrible bugs, poor wide screen support and extremely restrictive DRM put this title on the 'Avoid at all Costs' list. Publishers need to wake up and understand that people will pay for a quality game. When the DRM inhibits legit buyers from enjoying the game, it should never make it into the product. The DRM in Bioshock ensures that many legit buyers will be using cracks for the game in order to enjoy the game.… Expand
  9. jrocknyc
    Aug 23, 2007
    6
    Decent, but overhyped and overly complex.
  10. PaulT/
    Aug 23, 2007
    10
    Simply brilliant, a true successor to System Shock 2 at last. One of the best gaming experiences I have ever had. The future of games is alive & it is Bioshock......
  11. EC
    Aug 22, 2007
    10
    WOW! Just... wow. Such an amazing game from the graphics to the sound to the plot line. First off, the graphics are gorgeous! Rendered using a modified version of the Unreal 3 engine, everything is rendered with great detail and with amazing physics (which is needed in a game with lots of fire and telekinetic powers). The artwork in it is also quite awe inspiring from the creepy splicers WOW! Just... wow. Such an amazing game from the graphics to the sound to the plot line. First off, the graphics are gorgeous! Rendered using a modified version of the Unreal 3 engine, everything is rendered with great detail and with amazing physics (which is needed in a game with lots of fire and telekinetic powers). The artwork in it is also quite awe inspiring from the creepy splicers to the monstrous Big Daddies. However, the thing that kept me in is still the amazing plot. You're hurled into the middle of quite an adventure with almost no details (kind of Half-Life-esque) and you just find your own way around. The weapon/plasmid(superpower) system works really well with an endless combination of strategies you can use to defeat the enemies in the game (which at times just come out of the darkness and swarm you from 20 sides) It's probably one of the best done games I've ever had the pleasure of playing and is just purely amazing. Anyone who's a fan of plot driven first person shooters NEEDS to get this.… Expand
  12. AndrewW.
    Aug 22, 2007
    8
    Reasons it wasn't that great: No enemy variety Not difficult Tired plot Too easy to buy your way out of ammo shortages/trouble Weapons don't cause desired destruction You c an do cool stuff with plasmids, but all the really fun things you have to painstakingly set up which makes the game feel canned. All this game really nails in my opinion are the environments and graphics - Reasons it wasn't that great: No enemy variety Not difficult Tired plot Too easy to buy your way out of ammo shortages/trouble Weapons don't cause desired destruction You c an do cool stuff with plasmids, but all the really fun things you have to painstakingly set up which makes the game feel canned. All this game really nails in my opinion are the environments and graphics - you could have the same experience watching somebody play it as playing yourself.… Expand
  13. robertHaggarty
    Aug 22, 2007
    10
    The game was very long and it took me a day and a half of nonstop play to beat it. The story line was one of the best ones ive seen in a while and the game play is flawless. Use of the plasmidsmakes for an all around fun time. The graphics are also to die for, making this one of the best titles on the xbox 360 "A MUST BUY"!!!
  14. DaveA.
    Aug 22, 2007
    1
    Horrible bugs out of box. Unable to see mouse cursor. Horrible FOV for widescreen users. Tons of graphical glitches. I expect this quality from EA. I'll just be waiting for Starcraft 2 now. Blizzard never goes wrong.
  15. JesusY.
    Aug 22, 2007
    10
    So fresh and original. A little weird at first but well worth the time. Engrossing with plenty of re-playability. The art-deco Rapture is one of the most interesting worlds created in a video game. Reminds me of myst in a weird way.
  16. MarkS.
    Aug 22, 2007
    10
    This game has it all. Great gameplay, graphics, sound, voice acting, and atmosphere. There is little to complain about with this title. From the opening cutscene, you get drawn into the world of Rapture. The dark atmosphere of the game is enhanced by the familiar sounds of old music hits from way back. When the action is at low state, you can hear sounds coming from other rooms, such as This game has it all. Great gameplay, graphics, sound, voice acting, and atmosphere. There is little to complain about with this title. From the opening cutscene, you get drawn into the world of Rapture. The dark atmosphere of the game is enhanced by the familiar sounds of old music hits from way back. When the action is at low state, you can hear sounds coming from other rooms, such as water trickling and voices. While the lack of true widescreen support is disappointing, there is no reason that anyone even remotely interested in FPS games shouldn't rush out and pick this up now, provided you meet the minimum hardware requirements. Turn the lights down (better yet OFF) and get lost in the undersea world of Rapture. Bioshock is, without a doubt, the best FPS since Half Life 2… Expand
  17. StevenM.
    Aug 22, 2007
    10
    It is hard to imagine giving this game anything less than a perfect 10. I agree there are minor glitches. However, the immersive atmosphere and the relentlessly intense action make this a must have. A true masterpiece of storytelling and design.
  18. 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.
  19. ThomasB.
    Aug 21, 2007
    8
    The game is intense and the weapons are not the same old shot gun, 9mm and rocket llaucher. Even though the plasmids are reminesent of the Jedi Knight games, the do make the fighting much more entertaining. However the environment and interactiveness of the game is nothing special at all. In those aspects, its just like any other FPS.
  20. Chris
    Aug 21, 2007
    10
    In most first person shooters, where everything is laid out in black and white. You shoot, move on, and shoot some more. But in Bioshock you have to plan ahead, look at what is there and formulate a plan to get past it. You have to juggle resources just in order to survive. That and an excellent story and narrative add up to one on the most engrossing and jaw-dropping games I have ever played.
  21. AMikeS.
    Aug 21, 2007
    10
    The closest thing to actually being in a movie released so far. An incredible piece of interactive fiction.
  22. JoshB.
    Aug 21, 2007
    8
    All in all a great game. Exquisitely well done graphics, the music, the atmosphere, the game play revolution. So many choices on how to tackle the situations and puzzles. A very high replay value.
  23. ShaunD.
    Aug 21, 2007
    10
    I want to start off by saying that I am not a PC gamer; in fact, I prefer consoles. But in the case of Bioshock, I couldn't choose.Amazing atmosphere, wonderful AI, and the best water effects ever in a game make this one of the greatest games in recent days.
  24. Ben
    Aug 21, 2007
    10
    All I can say is WOW, if the full version game is anything like the demo we certainly have a game that is going to be like no other for years to come. I have the game pre-loaded and pre-ordered on Steam and I am waiting in anticipation for the game to go gold. This game is more than just cheap thrills to give you a scare once in awhile, I actually felt tense throughout the whole demo,All I can say is WOW, if the full version game is anything like the demo we certainly have a game that is going to be like no other for years to come. I have the game pre-loaded and pre-ordered on Steam and I am waiting in anticipation for the game to go gold. This game is more than just cheap thrills to give you a scare once in awhile, I actually felt tense throughout the whole demo, wondering what the heck else is going to happen and when. I believe a good game eases you into the action and bases it's scares not on all the enemies that jump out, but on the anticipation of when and where something will happen, keeping up the suspense throughout and keeping the player on edge and making them feel the tension. I believe by the demo, Bioshock has done this. just like System Shock has done years before it. Great stuff.… Expand
  25. JimD.
    Aug 17, 2007
    10
    This game is absolutely amazing. The art design in it makes the game seem surreal yet real at the same time. It makes you feel as though you are actually part of a story. For me it is the perfect balance of story and action!
  26. HenryJ.
    Aug 16, 2007
    10
    The greatest video game I've ever played. Who cares about multi-player. No multi-player game I've played ( and I've played a few!) has ever come close to this. Immersive, scary and 'original' - this to me is the key. Somebody actually created something original in the gaming industry, progress at last. HALO 4? No thanks. BioShock has clearly shown regurgitation is The greatest video game I've ever played. Who cares about multi-player. No multi-player game I've played ( and I've played a few!) has ever come close to this. Immersive, scary and 'original' - this to me is the key. Somebody actually created something original in the gaming industry, progress at last. HALO 4? No thanks. BioShock has clearly shown regurgitation is no longer enough any more in the gaming industry. Now go out and buy it!… Expand
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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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