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. njja02
    May 15, 2018
    10
    One of the finest first person horror games I've ever played. The final 30 minutes of the game are bit disappointing, but everything else is just stellar.
  2. porkchoppal
    Nov 9, 2015
    10
    Out of the dozens of games I have played, Bioshock would have to be my personal favourite. Its strategic, gruesome combat, wonderfully scripted characters and stories, stunning art direction and plenty of replay value. It is not the perfect game, nor the most fun, but it is a masterpiece of atmosphere, writing and mood.

    Positives: - Fantastic script - Layered FPS/RPG combat -    Out of the dozens of games I have played, Bioshock would have to be my personal favourite. Its strategic, gruesome combat, wonderfully scripted characters and stories, stunning art direction and plenty of replay value. It is not the perfect game, nor the most fun, but it is a masterpiece of atmosphere, writing and mood.

    Positives:
    - Fantastic script
    - Layered FPS/RPG combat
    - Excellent visual and sound design
    - Plenty of secret audio logs and upgrades

    Negatives:
    - Rushed ending
    - Half-baked morality system

    Rating: 10/10 (Must Own)    … Expand
  3. epistm87
    Nov 11, 2015
    10
    Absolutely amazing atmosphere and visual design It is a beautiful but strange world. Fascinating environment game play, storyline, sound, and graphics all top notch, loved the water effects.
  4. Corvus_Mellori
    Nov 29, 2015
    10
    BioShock deserves every accolade that has been bestowed upon it. The underground city of Rapture is one of the most immersive and fully-realized game worlds ever created, and the way the narrative unfolds is impressive and original. The level design also shines, allowing you to progress through the levels in a way that fits your own personal playstyle. While the gameplay is great, it isBioShock deserves every accolade that has been bestowed upon it. The underground city of Rapture is one of the most immersive and fully-realized game worlds ever created, and the way the narrative unfolds is impressive and original. The level design also shines, allowing you to progress through the levels in a way that fits your own personal playstyle. While the gameplay is great, it is the story and the setting that really make BioShock the masterpiece that it is; few games possess the same level of narrative strength, boldness, and originality.… Expand
  5. Jodle
    Dec 1, 2015
    10
    Masterpiece.............
    ................ . .
  6. Bladeofwar94
    Dec 1, 2015
    10
    Somewhere beyond the sea a fun as heck game is indeed waiting for me. This game will not be a game you play 50 times over, but those few play through's you get out of it will make you fall in love with Bioshock. The game's atmosphere is excellent and the gun play feels great when you learn the tricks. Game is great for someone who can't live without their dystopia fix.
  7. omer123
    Feb 16, 2021
    10
    this hands down my favourite fps game since half life 2 an absolute masterpiece
  8. MooseNine
    Jan 22, 2016
    10
    It is a most amazing game ever created - in my opinion.
    Extremly addictive story with an amazing "plot twister", great, dark climate and feeling of claustrophobia caused by surrounding us Atlantic ocean and all of that topped with an amazing music that highlights brutality of underwater city - Rapture.
    And yet questionable matter is game mechanics - specialy shooting system what most    It is a most amazing game ever created - in my opinion.
    Extremly addictive story with an amazing "plot twister", great, dark climate and feeling of claustrophobia caused by surrounding us Atlantic ocean and all of that topped with an amazing music that highlights brutality of underwater city - Rapture.

    And yet questionable matter is game mechanics - specialy shooting system what most of the time feels very plastic and gives us conviction of bullets bouncing from enemies.
    But the thing that sustains the positive reception of combat mechanics are plasmids - some sort of "super powers". Thanks to them we can shoot with thunders, fireballs and do many more things.

    Summary:

    Ken Levine (creator of classic System Shock 2) delivered us an amazing piece of work. The world he created in Bioshock is breathtaking and deserved a recognition.
    There are some bugs and problems with shooting system but the story and the world of the game save the day.

    That's why i give this game 10/10. Not becouse it is a perfect game - becouse perfect games doesn't exist - but becouse this game is polished in most of the key aspects that let game recipient realy dip into the virtual world which feels so real and alive. So this is 9/10, but in my personal feeling 10/10.    … Expand
  9. l12345h
    Jan 22, 2016
    10
    Where to start with Bioshock. The beautiful world of Rapture as you descend into it, only to discover what really lies in it about 5 minutes later, the creative plasmids, difficult enemy AI, hearing splicers screaming from several rooms away, accidentally activating an El Ammo Bandito and becoming terrified all the splicers will run after you, accidentally walking into the path of aWhere to start with Bioshock. The beautiful world of Rapture as you descend into it, only to discover what really lies in it about 5 minutes later, the creative plasmids, difficult enemy AI, hearing splicers screaming from several rooms away, accidentally activating an El Ammo Bandito and becoming terrified all the splicers will run after you, accidentally walking into the path of a machine gun turret. Overall Bioshock is one of e most unique fps games I've ever played and I highly recommend it.… Expand
  10. mitsosgk22
    May 4, 2017
    10
    For me, this game is the best game of all time. Despite some technical issues, that most of the games that released in 2007 were facing, this is a special experience that reached perfection in almost any aspect. Interesting and unique plot, fantastic environmental story telling, challenging gameplay with plenty choices on combat, crafting and upgrading items and abilities, and amazingFor me, this game is the best game of all time. Despite some technical issues, that most of the games that released in 2007 were facing, this is a special experience that reached perfection in almost any aspect. Interesting and unique plot, fantastic environmental story telling, challenging gameplay with plenty choices on combat, crafting and upgrading items and abilities, and amazing atmosphere and art direction. It has aged well and I recommend this version over the remaster, except if you buy it on the next gen consoles.… Expand
  11. TwistedCritic
    Mar 13, 2016
    10
    Bioshock is one of my all-time favorite games. It's atmosphere is as damp as the city of Rapture itself, and it's literally underwater! It's gameplay is captivating, having you scavenge for supplies and make use of the city's genetic experiments to combat the obstacles around you and use your environment to your advantage. It's world is quite unpleasant, but there's no place I'd rather be, really.
  12. iglive95
    Mar 21, 2016
    10
    One of the best games, if not THE best game, I've ever played. The atmosphere is great, the plot is great, the gameplay is great, everything about Bioshock is great. Rapture will pull you in with its deep background, and will never leave you, even years after you've beaten the game. Deep story with a lot of philosophy behind it. The disappointing last act is Bioshock's only weakness, andOne of the best games, if not THE best game, I've ever played. The atmosphere is great, the plot is great, the gameplay is great, everything about Bioshock is great. Rapture will pull you in with its deep background, and will never leave you, even years after you've beaten the game. Deep story with a lot of philosophy behind it. The disappointing last act is Bioshock's only weakness, and even so I couldn't recommend a game highly. Play it.… Expand
  13. Khyle
    Mar 3, 2017
    10
    A masterpiece of audiovisual narrative, with the unbeatable atmosphere that only the most memorable video game scenarios can manage to achieve, BioShock remains as an enthralling, fun, intense and almost flawless FPS.
  14. tonz003
    Apr 10, 2016
    10
    One of the best game ever (for me, all Bioshock episodes). Art direction harmony is unbelievable and the feeling of the whole game is awesome. It is a cult game! Is somebody did not play with it, it is a must. All the Bioshock episodes have some unique feeling which games still can compete with now days games!!!
    Thank you for giving us this interactive story!
  15. villaverd
    May 31, 2016
    10
    Mi juego preferito de la séptima generación sin duda. Es cierto que mirando ahora la jugabilidad no es lo más puntero del mundo, pero cumple más que bien, pero donde más reside el encanto de este juego es en la historia, y qué historia! La manera en la que te la cuentan y como te das cuenta de todo es brillante, tanto como la ambientación de este juego. Un juego que se debe jugar sí o sí.
  16. DeyvsonCaliman
    Jul 25, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bioshock is a singular shooter. At the beginning it looks a little as a horror survival, the dark ambience and the fact that you can store health rations and “eve” syringes. Eve is like mana, that your character spend to use skills similar to magic, but that are in fact genetic improvements. Soon after the beginning you can see why this is a shooter, although an uncommon one.

    This game happens in a submerged city that you found seemly by accident after your plane crashes in the middle of the sea. The society in this city is some kind of libertarian utopia that went bad, resulting in its destruction. There we can find many places collapsing to the ocean around, and its inhabitants, the splicers, which are the result of genetic modifications by a substance called ADAM, designed to improve humankind with supernatural powers, but that in the end made its users lose their minds. The splicers are aggressive and attack you on sight.

    As you progress, you find the little sisters; little girls with super regenerative powers that you can kill to either get ADAM or take ADAM from their bodies in small quantities letting them alive. Depending of your decision about them the end game changes. These girls suck ADAM from dead bodies with syringes, while being protected by the bid daddies, a big mutant holding mechanical weapons. As you progress through the game, you learn that they both are educated and genetically designed to behave as they do.

    You are constantly receiving direction from both a woman that takes care of the girls and thank or reprimand you according to your actions towards them, and a man, which appears to be in distress and wants you to kill the man who idealized this city, Andrew Ryan. As you learn about the city it is very interesting the political views expressed by Ryan, he is some kind of a social Darwinist, which sees the modern government as the means to rob the best from their work to sustain the parasites.

    As your approach him is harder and harder to see him as an evil villain, he is more of a idealist. He built this city under the water because he knew the governments from the rest of the world would never let a free society exist like that. The great plot twist you learn is that you are an assassin specially trained to kill Ryan for his ideas, even though his failure already condemned the city. Our character is trained in such a way that is impossible for him to act in any other way, hence Ryan famous phrase “a man chooses, a slave obeys”.

    It’s a very interesting game, specially the way the plot develops, murking the validity of our efforts. The only negative point is about the character death in the game. There is no real consequence, we are just spawn back into the fight, this takes away a lot of the challenge the game could pose. In this case they should have had a more traditional approach, with death meaning the necessity to try again since the beginning.    … Expand
  17. alexaltair
    Mar 28, 2018
    10
    Beautiful world, unique. Graphics, music, all are the best what a good dev can make. A new classic.
  18. Miniapplefan
    Jan 26, 2017
    10
    Truly a masterpiece. Atmospheric is the best word to describe Bioshock. Its graphics are a little better than average although its sound design is on another level. The cackle of a splicer, the groans and stomps of the Big Daddies, the garbled 1950s music, all of it is just so well done and brings the otherwise desolate halls of Rapture to life. The retro-futuristic design of the machinesTruly a masterpiece. Atmospheric is the best word to describe Bioshock. Its graphics are a little better than average although its sound design is on another level. The cackle of a splicer, the groans and stomps of the Big Daddies, the garbled 1950s music, all of it is just so well done and brings the otherwise desolate halls of Rapture to life. The retro-futuristic design of the machines and Art Deco design scheme show how much the developers researched the time period and the style to get everything right. The plot was interesting enough for me and kept me avidly playing until the end although I can see why people thought that it got kinda drab after a certain point. As for the hacking - its isn't required to play the game although learning to master it will make the game noticeably easier (who doesn't want flying machine gun turret drones helping them out?). Overall a game that was way ahead of its time and still continues to be amazing today.… Expand
  19. DinoGeek65
    Apr 10, 2017
    10
    Bioshock has some of the best narrative and visual storytelling I have ever seen in a video game. It is a journey unlike anything I have played before, and shows that video games can be an art form!
  20. gautamkumar633
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    One of my all-time favorite games. A great morality-based system, full of plot twists and political dimensions, brilliant gameplay, great characters as well as memorable villains. Andrew Ryan will go down in gaming history as one of the greatest villains. The graphics and depiction of Rapture is just a thing of pure beauty which is complemented by a suspenseful soundtrack that is eerilyOne of my all-time favorite games. A great morality-based system, full of plot twists and political dimensions, brilliant gameplay, great characters as well as memorable villains. Andrew Ryan will go down in gaming history as one of the greatest villains. The graphics and depiction of Rapture is just a thing of pure beauty which is complemented by a suspenseful soundtrack that is eerily haunting. A must play.… Expand
  21. kourtin
    Sep 17, 2017
    10
    Masterpiece of all times. Although its PC version is pretty buggy the story, environments, characters and all about Rapture makes this game one must play at all cost. I totally recommend it if you are into gloomy atmospheres, bizarre situations and you are into stuff like George Orwell's 1984
  22. madamateur
    Nov 24, 2017
    10
    This game has been among my favourites for a decade, it's wonderful and original. The ideas, the concept and the execution have but few minor flaws. overrall it is an incredible experience.
  23. tudormink
    Jan 8, 2018
    10
    Bioshock is a first-person shooter that uses its masterfully crafted plot to guide you through a world of politics, violence and mystery. Its a must-play for any gamer.
  24. Paprda
    Jan 26, 2018
    10
    I've just started to play again after 10 years from release date and I have to say the game is just brilliant in every aspects ! Have to say I play REMASTERED version,with better resolution and textures,but otherwise it's still the good old Bioshock !
  25. JonsGone
    May 1, 2020
    10
    Perfect game, if such things exist.
    Story is amazing.
    Weapons actually change when you upgrade them, which may not seem like such a big deal but happens so rarely in games that it's worth to point out.
    Endings are relatively easy to figure out.
    Memorable characters.
    Everything is a personal offense to squeamish people.
    Must play.
  26. osdann
    May 2, 2018
    10
    bioshock 1 is the best game i ever played, with his great story and his epic end ^^
  27. killerloop
    May 22, 2018
    10
    While it might not have as many options or pathways as the intelligent deus ex - what it does do is create a world you have never seen before, tell a story you have never heard, and give you gameplay that is slightly more simple version of the masterpiece that is system shock 2. I just loved the game and the storyline. The only thing I didn't like was that you rarely meet anyone thatWhile it might not have as many options or pathways as the intelligent deus ex - what it does do is create a world you have never seen before, tell a story you have never heard, and give you gameplay that is slightly more simple version of the masterpiece that is system shock 2. I just loved the game and the storyline. The only thing I didn't like was that you rarely meet anyone that doesn't want to kill you, I would like the occasional person that says, "Hello," and doesn't try and stab you in the back.… Expand
  28. Hagal
    Apr 21, 2021
    10
    Playing through it for the fourth time now, 2021. Games this good is not made nowadays. Damn its good. Gameplay, Setting (Rapture) & World. Together with TW3, Bioshock 1 & 2 is still the best game purchases I´ve ever made.
  29. Jay_Pickens
    Jul 24, 2018
    10
    Simply a masterpiece. There's nothing wrong with this game. Pickens approves! So, I think there's only one more thing to say... would you kindly play this game?
  30. Grachechkovski
    Jan 26, 2020
    10
    Re-enacted this landmark game in the Remastered version many years after the first pass around 2008-2010. It's still great, dynamic, exciting. It's a pity that the Atlas was fast this time on the medium difficulty: the explosions, the shooting and the increase of enemies did not cause the Challenge in me - all the clip of all the ammo from the revolver, all the shotgun and pilaf cartridgesRe-enacted this landmark game in the Remastered version many years after the first pass around 2008-2010. It's still great, dynamic, exciting. It's a pity that the Atlas was fast this time on the medium difficulty: the explosions, the shooting and the increase of enemies did not cause the Challenge in me - all the clip of all the ammo from the revolver, all the shotgun and pilaf cartridges are ready.
    The game for all time.
    Huge thanks to Ken Levin and the whole 2K team at the time for this creation.    … 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.
    Read full review
  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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