BioShock

 Xbox 360
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 3152 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,813 out of 3152
  2. Mixed: 178 out of 3152
  3. Negative: 161 out of 3152
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  1. MarkS.
    Aug 16, 2007
    9
    As close to Art as a game has ever come.
  2. LoganS.
    Aug 19, 2007
    9
    Bioshock is fun, but it's horribly overrated by the mags. Which doesn't surprise me. It deserves around a 90% or a 92% It's too short of a game for a solo-only game. System Shock 2 is better than Bioshock IMO and actually has replay.
  3. ArtDang
    Aug 20, 2007
    9
    Playing the demo was awesome, now getting the game a couple days early was great!... Overall the game was amazing, enviorment, music, abilities, etc... youve read the boards. Although I am really happy w/ my purchase, i was kind of disappointed in certain areas of the game... but I wont say anything, not to ruin it for others. But if you ask me I give the game a 8.5 - 9.0..
  4. GuusB.
    Aug 21, 2007
    9
    Absolutely fantastic game, but being the critic that i am it could've been better. The weird checkpoint system takes away too much of the atmosphere in my opinion, also the lack of a multiplayer is a missed oppertunity. Don't get me wrong though, this is a truly fantastic game!
  5. MattB.
    Aug 22, 2007
    9
    This game is beautifully done, period. As was said in another review its downfall is its no-skill-required gameplay, but the storyline and gameplay keep you enthralled nonetheless. One of the best games I have played in a long time.
  6. DrewM.
    Aug 25, 2007
    9
    This game absolutely blew me away. The attention to detail is amazing, the a.i. is good, (but not to the point where they can see you coming a mile away with their back turned,) and the gameplay is just plain fun with the plasmids. The respawn aspect could have been handled differently, but its a small price to pay for the top-notch story and atmosphere.
  7. KenW.
    Aug 26, 2007
    9
    I'm really enjoying this game. I've not finished it yet, but even as I'm progressing this time through I'm thinking about what I'll do the next time. There's nothing I can say about the atmosphere or mood that hasn't already been said, I suppose. There have been plenty of times I've stopped playing and gasped at the visuals or the perversity of a I'm really enjoying this game. I've not finished it yet, but even as I'm progressing this time through I'm thinking about what I'll do the next time. There's nothing I can say about the atmosphere or mood that hasn't already been said, I suppose. There have been plenty of times I've stopped playing and gasped at the visuals or the perversity of a concept. I've felt as involved in this game at points as I did the first time through Halo (when I stifled a cough so as not to alert a Hunter to my presence) and Half-Life 2 with its excellent atmospheric radio chirping and footfalls. Those games rate up high for me and this one belongs with them for the same reasons: innovative, deeply involving, and fascinating to explore. The only gripe I have with Bioshock (so far) is the way I can hear characters talking/walking through closed doors, alternate hallways or separate rooms (ex. the Big Daddy stomping and the Little Sister singing in the underwater corridor across from the Medical Wing, even though it's got thick glass, pressurized air and 20 ft. of deep ocean water between them.). I understand that it helps us know what's coming, but I think that it'd be even more "realistic" to have voices and sounds muted unless they are in the same room/hallway. How hard that would be to do, I don't know. Whatever. I'm digging this game deeply. I hope the experience intensifies, as I'm expecting.… Expand
  8. JamieC.
    Aug 27, 2007
    9
    This game is awesome. It's a game that the 360 has been longing for for a while and it's long development time has really, really payed off. The sense of scale, atmosphere and thought gone into it shine throughout and graphically it looks beautiful. The choices you need to make like weapon upgrading and power enhances need thought and can't be foolishly chosen as it might This game is awesome. It's a game that the 360 has been longing for for a while and it's long development time has really, really payed off. The sense of scale, atmosphere and thought gone into it shine throughout and graphically it looks beautiful. The choices you need to make like weapon upgrading and power enhances need thought and can't be foolishly chosen as it might cost you. You need to think your steps, you need to act on the go, you need to make the right decisions within battles and above all, Big Daddies rock. Get it hands down but if you're unsure, at least rent it please.… Expand
  9. Scott
    Aug 27, 2007
    9
    This game is amazing. The story is one of a kind and held me right up to the end. Worthy of any movie plot. But in the end, I was left wanting more, and it seemed a little short.
    But I guess that's the sign of a great game...there's never enough!!!
  10. BeauM.
    Aug 30, 2007
    9
    It is a truly captivating and phenomenal game. The combat system is so weak though. The plasmids and tonics are brilliant and make the game very fun. The lack of difficulty and imagination from the mobs however is disappointing. Would love to see this game run with a better AI engine and it would be a true masterpiece. Still, this is by far the BEST game I've played since Halo 2.
  11. BryanS.
    Sep 2, 2007
    9
    What a bittersweet experience. Before saying anything else, Bioshock is one of the best games I have played in years. This game is truly a seemless synthesis of unparalleled narrative, impeccable artistry, and innovative gameplay. However, despite its beauty and merit, it is deeply flawed. First, the death-and-revitalization system ends up being nothing more than tedious and unrewarding. What a bittersweet experience. Before saying anything else, Bioshock is one of the best games I have played in years. This game is truly a seemless synthesis of unparalleled narrative, impeccable artistry, and innovative gameplay. However, despite its beauty and merit, it is deeply flawed. First, the death-and-revitalization system ends up being nothing more than tedious and unrewarding. Experimenting with plasmid-based combat is fun to be sure, but not at all necessary or, at times, even practical. Even on the hardest difficulty setting, you can beat the game using only a handful of plasmids. Nevertheless, the game's imperfections collectively amount to nothing more than the equivalent of an ugly mole on the right ankle of Marilyn Monroe. This is an essential experience.… Expand
  12. Blah
    Sep 23, 2007
    9
    Great game, plot, atmosphere, and AI.
  13. MattBlake
    Sep 6, 2007
    9
    One of the finest FPSs of all time, without a doubt. This game succeeds most notably in generating an entirely convincing and immersive atmosphere, and sticking with you mentally long after finishing it. It will make you think. It has strong emotional content (perhaps the strongest ever in a videogame) and an incredible musical score, bolstered by beautiful graphics and infallible artOne of the finest FPSs of all time, without a doubt. This game succeeds most notably in generating an entirely convincing and immersive atmosphere, and sticking with you mentally long after finishing it. It will make you think. It has strong emotional content (perhaps the strongest ever in a videogame) and an incredible musical score, bolstered by beautiful graphics and infallible art direction. The gameplay has its minor flaws, and the ending is very disappointing (easy and abrupt), but don't let any such things deter you from playing this game. If you're a serious gamer, this is not to be missed.… Expand
  14. RyanN.
    Sep 7, 2007
    9
    The most innovative game I have ever played. Great use of the old instructional videos with a really creepy twist. Great game top to bottom.
  15. DevinH.
    Sep 7, 2007
    9
    Almost every review that I have seen about Bioshock is complaining about a bizarre game feature that I also do not like. There is absolutely no penalty if you die since the game transports back to where everyone left off before you died except for your sudden health increase. Barring games that are horrible overall, this decision is the worst intentional game design that I have ever seen Almost every review that I have seen about Bioshock is complaining about a bizarre game feature that I also do not like. There is absolutely no penalty if you die since the game transports back to where everyone left off before you died except for your sudden health increase. Barring games that are horrible overall, this decision is the worst intentional game design that I have ever seen in a video game (even more so than the frustrating save system in Dead Rising.) Why the developers did not simply make a newcomer difficulty level for gamers who needed this much assistance is anyone's guess. Oh well. Fortunately, I am still enjoying Bioshock a lot because I just reload my save when I die. If you are using the warping system, than take 3 points off my score. The big daddies are truly the star of the show and are more fun to encounter than most bosses in other games while the other bots are interesting diversions. There are also Splicers you deal with that typically surprise you to help you forget that there are only 5 or 6 different types. The research camera also contributes to the awesome gameplay and is much more enjoyable to use in Bioshock than in Dead Rising. The graphics as a whole package make Bioshock the best looking one overall on the 360 (Gears of War still has better textures though). The sound is very realistic and hearing the great 3D sound coming from your speakers (even they're not from an expensive 3D surround sound system) makes you nervously look everywhere to try and find the hidden splicer making all that racket before he/she pops up right in front of your face. I have heard that there is a great story behind this game and I believe it from the little bits I have heard. Unfortunately, when I pick up a diary and play, it I am also in the middle of a fight. By then, I am obviously more concerned about dispatching the enemies rather than listening to the soft-spoken recorded voices. It is probably a good idea to wait until there are no enemies around you before you listen to the tapes. Bioshock is definitely not the game-defining classic that Super Mario 64 was. In my opinion Super Mario 64 is the only 3D game that truly deserves a 10 out of 10. However, if you play Bioshock without using the cheap warping system, you are in for a very special experience.… Expand
  16. JonD.
    Sep 7, 2007
    9
    Amazing graphics, easily the best ive ever seen on an HDTV. Story was good, Sound was amazing gameplay was amazing although a bit too easy because of the respawn. Ending was decent, ive only seen one and theres 2 or 3 i believe. Last boss battle was nothing special, i beat it on my first try and i almost could never beat a big daddy on my first try and there were a lot more of those Amazing graphics, easily the best ive ever seen on an HDTV. Story was good, Sound was amazing gameplay was amazing although a bit too easy because of the respawn. Ending was decent, ive only seen one and theres 2 or 3 i believe. Last boss battle was nothing special, i beat it on my first try and i almost could never beat a big daddy on my first try and there were a lot more of those throughout the game. Shows potential of the perfect game but in the end was a great game that couldve been the best.… Expand
  17. David
    Jan 24, 2008
    9
    Unparallelled in atmosphere, visual and audio design, this is a near-perfect example of using setting and scenery to tell a story. Gameplay-wise it's a reasonably conventional action-RPG with some interesting twists (evoking strong, positive memories of Deus Ex), but it's the superlative style that lifts BioShock well above the norm.
  18. GabrielR.
    Jan 31, 2008
    9
    The most fun I ever had in a first person shooter ...it is beautiful to look at and the story rolls with the play so well you do not even notice the plot turns and twists you will encounter...only grip is as others have said is not being to explore the city better.
  19. KevinN.
    Mar 7, 2008
    9
    Simply amazing game which only lacks replay value and a ending that could of done better, but it has a great storyline and graphics, Plus if your a sadistic creep you get to kill Little Sisters for precious adam. (But I'd advise you go to a mental hospital first).
  20. Symbolia
    Apr 18, 2008
    9
    Somehow I think reviewers are blinded by its uniqueness. Of course that is a good thing, especially I love the '50s atmosphere. Shooting itself doesn't match those of Halo and Gears Of War. The main disappointment was that your character learns to do everything in just one play through.
  21. DylanS
    May 4, 2008
    9
    BioShock has tooken a 'what-if' situation, and presented it realistically if this did happen. No exaggerating anything - just a leveled down fair set of imagination, and still with the highly-possible science and technology still within reach! It definately has what it takes to take on Halo and other First Person Shooters to claim the crown. However, BioShocks has 1 very BioShock has tooken a 'what-if' situation, and presented it realistically if this did happen. No exaggerating anything - just a leveled down fair set of imagination, and still with the highly-possible science and technology still within reach! It definately has what it takes to take on Halo and other First Person Shooters to claim the crown. However, BioShocks has 1 very disappointing flaw... It only includes story mode ; and is single player only. However, I can understand this - as you are the only person in an army of 1 without any aid except later on in the game ; So it's nearly impossible to think of a creative and reasonable opportunity to add a possible other character[s] that could get involved in multi-player mode. However, there's no exceptions - so I'm forced to give it a 9/10.… Expand
  22. BillA.
    Jun 25, 2008
    9
    Finally, a game that truly satisfies. Bioshock is a masterpiece. I can ramble on about how this game is a work of art. But I wont. Words cannot do justice. do yourself a favor, buy the game.
  23. JacobM
    Aug 17, 2009
    9
    Bioshock is an amazing game that I enjoyed immensely. The dark and eerie atmosphere was so well created that I found it almost overwhelming at points. The plot is much different from any other game that I have ever played or heard of. You are essentially all on your own to escape from Rapture. The plasmids are great, useful, and very creative. However, I did have some problems with thisBioshock is an amazing game that I enjoyed immensely. The dark and eerie atmosphere was so well created that I found it almost overwhelming at points. The plot is much different from any other game that I have ever played or heard of. You are essentially all on your own to escape from Rapture. The plasmids are great, useful, and very creative. However, I did have some problems with this game. Some of the levels were a little too complex, and trying to find certain items was very difficult, because the levels were so big. In addition, the combat is pretty simple and repetitive, except when you run out of EVE and ammo for all your weapons. All in all, Bioshock is a classic game that I would highly recommend to anyone who doesn't want to play keep playing war games with uninteresting plots (CoD WaW) or games that just have you killing one person after another after another (GTA IV).… Expand
  24. PeterA
    Sep 12, 2009
    9
    How can someone not like this game? It has everything a good game should have, good and appealing graphics, a fun and full of exploring and choices gameplay, tremendous music and sound affects and a good and intriguing story. It's a shame it lacks multiplayer but the single-player covers for that, you will want to play it over again for sure. If you don't like this game, you How can someone not like this game? It has everything a good game should have, good and appealing graphics, a fun and full of exploring and choices gameplay, tremendous music and sound affects and a good and intriguing story. It's a shame it lacks multiplayer but the single-player covers for that, you will want to play it over again for sure. If you don't like this game, you don't like playing games at all.… Expand
  25. LionelE.
    Nov 16, 2007
    9
    Clever gameplay and an atmospheric world will draw you in, but it's the ideas and story that resonate even after the game finishes. That's a big accomplishment for a video game; this is one of the few games that can have impact in a way usually reserved for film, books or music.
  26. AlessandroF.
    Nov 19, 2007
    9
    Probably one of the best "alternative" FPS ever. Great story and great gameplay. A "Must have" for everyone.
  27. BenB.
    Nov 21, 2007
    9
    Bioshock has all the elements of a great FPS and then throws in more to create a totally new experience. The controls are easy to use. The plot is excellent and has some great voice acting. They did and excellent job making this place feel like an underwater city.
  28. UncleDougB.
    Oct 17, 2007
    9
    A refreshing game with excellent visuals and compelling story. Gameplay is fine, but could use minor tweaking.
  29. JohnV.
    Aug 28, 2007
    9
    Excellent visuals, engaging plot, top notch voice acting, and an interesting gameplay system help make this one of the most memorable (perhaps best, too) FPS games ever. Although I prefer Half-Life 2, BioShock is probably my second most loved FPS. Halo falls short, I'm afraid. The multiple endings help with replay value, and the relationship between the Big Daddies and the Little Excellent visuals, engaging plot, top notch voice acting, and an interesting gameplay system help make this one of the most memorable (perhaps best, too) FPS games ever. Although I prefer Half-Life 2, BioShock is probably my second most loved FPS. Halo falls short, I'm afraid. The multiple endings help with replay value, and the relationship between the Big Daddies and the Little Sisters is enduring. I'm a fan of Ken Levine all of a sudden. Oh, and in regards to the "adult gamer" who wrote the 0 out of 10 review above for the game's morbidity, you might be an "adult" but you're definitely not mature. Oh...or are you a modern day puritan? Killing Locust in Gears of War is okay (even with the gratuitous blood) but the second you replace already humanoid figures with even more humanoid figures, you call foul? Idiot.… Expand
  30. AllenA.
    Sep 26, 2007
    9
    The fact is that it is an extraordinary single player game, but short, and having no multiplayer to back up the single player, after you beat it its over. Nothing else to do. Just kinda puts a damper from the game that could have been even better.
  31. AnonymousMC
    Feb 18, 2008
    9
    'm a big ps3 fan that owns a 360. I grew up playing on playstation because of all the RPG's. Well, I didn't want to like this game, but I do. In fact, I love it. It is the BEST game on the 360 to date...the best game on ANY next-gen console IMO.
    1. Beautiful storyline--Starts out slow, but definitely picks up.
    2. Great Graphics 3. Great battle system...I love it. 4.    'm a big ps3 fan that owns a 360. I grew up playing on playstation because of all the RPG's. Well, I didn't want to like this game, but I do. In fact, I love it. It is the BEST game on the 360 to date...the best game on ANY next-gen console IMO.
    1. Beautiful storyline--Starts out slow, but definitely picks up.
    2. Great Graphics
    3. Great battle system...I love it.
    4. Great art direction--creature & world design is excellent
    5. Tear shedder--the game can make you cry (in a good way)...seriously.

    Anyhow, I'm 100% surprised by this game. I still don't like the 360 much and think the hardware is crap...but this game is top notch and a reason to overlook the RRoD...it's a must own title.    … Expand
  32. SamuelS.
    Mar 16, 2008
    9
    As gripping a narrative that any FPS has a right to have. Never mind the airtight controls, total contextual immersion, and creepy sound design, this game will pull you in and keep you there until the end. Then you may scratch your head a bit and get the notion that reading up on Ayn Rand might be in order, but that's all on you.
  33. TheoY.
    Aug 27, 2008
    9
    This game is, in my opinion, the best and most revolutionary video-game of all time, recently destroying the opinion I held of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for five years. Why is this? Because like Ocarina was the first game to really give its story a soul, to motivate you to save the princess, make you laugh and wrench at your heart at times, Bioshock does something so much This game is, in my opinion, the best and most revolutionary video-game of all time, recently destroying the opinion I held of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for five years. Why is this? Because like Ocarina was the first game to really give its story a soul, to motivate you to save the princess, make you laugh and wrench at your heart at times, Bioshock does something so much greater. It elevates video-games to an art form. This is not to say that the game is perfect, far from it. The story of the protagonist (and NOT the underlying story of the game) falls apart a little bit toward the end and, on Normal and Easy difficulty, you can probably breeze through the game using only your wrench and some select plasmids. However, there's something this game does that none prior has ever done. It's taught us something about humanity. People who play this game will come away from it with their own opinions and lessons learned, and there is little more satisfying than that. It is a roller-coaster ride of fear, emotion and intrigue that ultimately teaches us that perhaps not having all that we seek to attain is what keeps us human. If you really just want to enjoy an amazing story and learn these all-encompassing lessons for yourself, pick Normal, pick up that wrench and get going. If you want challenging gameplay attached to all that great stuff, download the 360 Downloadable content, choose Hard Mode, disable Vita-Chambers from the start menu and enjoy being taught a little something about being human while firing flaming crossbow bolts into horribly disfigured police officers who just won't die.… Expand
  34. RyanC
    Dec 28, 2009
    9
    Bioshock creates an immersive gaming experience through a unique story, followed with a great sound design that will send shivers down your spine. Highly recommended to those who appreciate a story in a video game.
  35. Evan
    Nov 19, 2007
    9
    Good story, great art design, and a great gameworld are the highlights. The too-faithful-to-System Shock 2 gameplay holds it back.
  36. niconline
    Oct 29, 2012
    9
    Bioshock is from beginning to end, a modern day gaming masterpiece. Simply put, it's one of the greatest games of the current era and serves as a high watermark that may not be surpassed for years to come. From the compelling plot and completely convincing atmosphere to the fantastic graphics and attention to detail, Bioshock is the total package. It may have the occasional graphicalBioshock is from beginning to end, a modern day gaming masterpiece. Simply put, it's one of the greatest games of the current era and serves as a high watermark that may not be surpassed for years to come. From the compelling plot and completely convincing atmosphere to the fantastic graphics and attention to detail, Bioshock is the total package. It may have the occasional graphical problem, but in the grand scheme of things, they are all paled by the scope and grandeur of the rest of the game. Much like Atlas Shrugged was for Ayn Rand, who's writing so greatly influenced him, Bioshock is Ken Levine's magnum opus and I for one thank him and Irrational for this great experience. Now, would you kindly go out and buy it already?… Expand
  37. CoDFather
    Aug 14, 2010
    9
    Damn, if only you could rate w/ decimals! This game is almost perfect, a game to be remembered for all eternity, rather than Bioshock 2- 5/10, damn! The storyline; Outstanding, yes, the plane crash is a little lazy, but once you enter the bathysphere, you're entering a world beyond your dreams, the mystery of who you are and who is really to trust, leaves you at the end of your game chair.Damn, if only you could rate w/ decimals! This game is almost perfect, a game to be remembered for all eternity, rather than Bioshock 2- 5/10, damn! The storyline; Outstanding, yes, the plane crash is a little lazy, but once you enter the bathysphere, you're entering a world beyond your dreams, the mystery of who you are and who is really to trust, leaves you at the end of your game chair. The perfect combination of horror, violence, and mystery makes this game deserve all ratings between 9 and 10. Why not 10? Well, I'm hurt to say this, but some of the graphics aren't the best, like when you kill a splicer and they, sort of do that twitch on their way to the floor, and how the graphics and subtitles are supposed to meet with the sound, that isn't the best, nor the worst. In all other categories of what makes a game, a game, 10/10.… Expand
  38. Smartacus
    Aug 30, 2010
    9
    Solid game. I liked it a lot. The unique setting and characters made it fun to play and to watch. Very close to giving it a "10", but some of the repetitiveness and pointless tasks cost it a point.
  39. Human
    Sep 21, 2010
    9
    This is one of those few games that comes along every once in a while that makes you question what can be done in gaming, in terms of environment, atmosphere, and writing. The combat isn't the best I have seen though, but it is competent enough to play through the game and enjoy it. It is very good looking, creepy, and the story has moments that may blow your mind. The big downside is theThis is one of those few games that comes along every once in a while that makes you question what can be done in gaming, in terms of environment, atmosphere, and writing. The combat isn't the best I have seen though, but it is competent enough to play through the game and enjoy it. It is very good looking, creepy, and the story has moments that may blow your mind. The big downside is the pacing, it doesn't get really good until the middle and the last third limps along. I'm not saying the middle is the only good part, but the middle is excellent and the rest is just really good. At least worth a rental.… Expand
  40. TheQuietGamer
    Mar 8, 2011
    9
    Bioshock is a game I found hard to review, part of me wanted to give it a perfect 10, but I couldn't bring myself to do it because there is one part in the game where for a little while your bored, granted it does get fun again shortly after that, but it still hinders the experience, the game immediately sucks you into it's creepy yet wonderful world, the graphics are unique and remind meBioshock is a game I found hard to review, part of me wanted to give it a perfect 10, but I couldn't bring myself to do it because there is one part in the game where for a little while your bored, granted it does get fun again shortly after that, but it still hinders the experience, the game immediately sucks you into it's creepy yet wonderful world, the graphics are unique and remind me a little of Fable just because there different from what others are doing, the sound is almost always perfect though there are times where you'll hear people screaming and talking at the same time which makes it disorienting at times, and the controls are great, granted it doesn't do anything new as far as gameplay than your basic FPS, but it does what most other games can't, it makes you feel, this is a truly unique game just shy of perfection, a must buy.… Expand
  41. misery1990
    Oct 24, 2011
    9
    BioShock is a very important game,has great story,great visuals and fun gameplay.BioShock is a first-person shooter set in the fantastically unsettling city of Rapture,a metropolis built under the sea by the megalomaniacal Andrew Ryan.The story is one of the reasons that makes the game so awesome (I've never seen such an original story) .This game is definitely one of the best I've everBioShock is a very important game,has great story,great visuals and fun gameplay.BioShock is a first-person shooter set in the fantastically unsettling city of Rapture,a metropolis built under the sea by the megalomaniacal Andrew Ryan.The story is one of the reasons that makes the game so awesome (I've never seen such an original story) .This game is definitely one of the best I've ever played!!!!!… Expand
  42. chazwozzer
    Jun 30, 2012
    9
    A breath of fresh air in a sea of mediocrity. Well done.........................shame Bioshock 2 is just really an add on, fingers crossed for Bioshock 3, please dont f### it up!!!!!! Please!!!!!
  43. xispo
    Apr 6, 2011
    9
    This was the last game I played all the way through - I found it immensely immersive: the art style was amazing and immediately sucked me into the deco deterioration of Rapture. I thought the pacing was good and loved the biotics aspect to the game. One of those games in which I grew sad toward the end as I didn't want to stop playing.
  44. BoneyMSomewhere
    Apr 8, 2011
    9
    I just have three words, Story, BAD-ASS (compound words count as 1), Abilities. From the get go this game had my attention and didn't drop it. I liked all the narrative, from the treasure hunt finds to the subtle clues as to the depth of Rapture. This game broke so many barriers on so many fronts and yet I'm going to have to ding it for its controls. It's a compelling piece of artI just have three words, Story, BAD-ASS (compound words count as 1), Abilities. From the get go this game had my attention and didn't drop it. I liked all the narrative, from the treasure hunt finds to the subtle clues as to the depth of Rapture. This game broke so many barriers on so many fronts and yet I'm going to have to ding it for its controls. It's a compelling piece of art shrink wrapped in a clunky interface.… Expand
  45. Jon-Ryo
    Oct 14, 2011
    9
    Smart, Atmospheric, Instantly recognisable, Iconic, just some of the words I'd use to describe this game, the story is actually for me, the best part of the game, it has a mature theme througout and it draws you in and throws in twists and rhetoric questions that question the very nature of gaming. The gameplay is a mix of First person shooter with a few RPG style elements in the powersSmart, Atmospheric, Instantly recognisable, Iconic, just some of the words I'd use to describe this game, the story is actually for me, the best part of the game, it has a mature theme througout and it draws you in and throws in twists and rhetoric questions that question the very nature of gaming. The gameplay is a mix of First person shooter with a few RPG style elements in the powers you can access and upgrade. Bioshock is a great game with a great story that really involves the gamer, Highly recommended.… Expand
  46. MightyMole
    Jun 1, 2011
    9
    The shooting mechanics and controls may not be anything special, but this game has one of the most unique settings in video games. Throw in the eerie atmosphere, quirky characters and one of the most memorable plot twists in video game history, and you have what makes BioShock one of the greatest games this generation, if not of all time.
  47. MechMarine
    Jun 8, 2011
    9
    A disturbingly intelligent game which is a gem in a sea of uninspired shooters. Bioshock overwhelms the likes of Halo, Call of Duty and their various clones with its sheer mental concepts. It is not just a point and shoot game like others, it is a fully made movie in which you get an active part instead of watching. While you do shoot a lot of people, most likely it is the characters andA disturbingly intelligent game which is a gem in a sea of uninspired shooters. Bioshock overwhelms the likes of Halo, Call of Duty and their various clones with its sheer mental concepts. It is not just a point and shoot game like others, it is a fully made movie in which you get an active part instead of watching. While you do shoot a lot of people, most likely it is the characters and not the weapons you will be remembering when you are done. The lack of a multiplayer was a bit of a put down, but not as much as what a horrible multiplayer would have been.… Expand
  48. EastonReviews
    Jan 10, 2012
    9
    Burger island FTW! It's so good! This game sucks! What a twisted intelligent masterpiece! This game is confusing! I am lost, I need help! What level am I on? This game is just wierd!
  49. CRITIC17
    Aug 1, 2011
    9
    Most likely the greatest video game of all time, (why would it have a higher rating than every game except GTA IV on here). Only Ken Levine could make a game based off of Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism and make it work. The game tells a wonderful and compelling story filled with horror, action, philosophy, morality, romance, revenge, and redemption. Hands down my favorite game of allMost likely the greatest video game of all time, (why would it have a higher rating than every game except GTA IV on here). Only Ken Levine could make a game based off of Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism and make it work. The game tells a wonderful and compelling story filled with horror, action, philosophy, morality, romance, revenge, and redemption. Hands down my favorite game of all time. The atmosphere of the game is just beautiful, just beautiful and wonderful. Rapture is seriously one of the scariest damn places on the planet. Just walking around a corner is horrifying. The graphics were spectacular. The best of its time, at the time of its release, and still quite wonderful today. BioShock is truly the PERFECT game. "It was not impossible to build Rapture under the sea, it was impossible to build it anywhere else." -Andrew Ryan-… Expand
  50. Sulteh
    Aug 8, 2011
    9
    Unique and addicting. Throughout my hours of playtime, I have never once been bored. This game brings a brand new feel into a vast open world. It's not your ordinary FPS, where shooting your way through is the best way. BioShock has countless ways to play. ..."No two players will ever play the same." - This quote could not be more correct.

    Bioshock makes you use all resources given to you    Unique and addicting. Throughout my hours of playtime, I have never once been bored. This game brings a brand new feel into a vast open world. It's not your ordinary FPS, where shooting your way through is the best way. BioShock has countless ways to play. ..."No two players will ever play the same." - This quote could not be more correct.

    Bioshock makes you use all resources given to you (although not always obvious) to allow you to survive. You must always be aware of your surroundings and stay on your toes, if you're not then it is impossible to survive. By far the best single player game I have ever played.    … Expand
  51. joker21player
    Mar 8, 2012
    9
    This is one of those few games that gets the story and the play-style so well. It has originality and action that keeps you coming for more. I actually found the gameplay hard to be repetitive and the twist of the story was just jaw-dropping. This didn't get 10/10 for me just the RPG element is very low in this game. This is a definite must-play. You cannot afford to miss such an amazingThis is one of those few games that gets the story and the play-style so well. It has originality and action that keeps you coming for more. I actually found the gameplay hard to be repetitive and the twist of the story was just jaw-dropping. This didn't get 10/10 for me just the RPG element is very low in this game. This is a definite must-play. You cannot afford to miss such an amazing adventure that this game has to offer. BTW, that guy in the cover is what also makes this game close to the 10/10;one of the best AI devised.… Expand
  52. whitewi666
    Nov 15, 2011
    9
    This game is brilliant! In 2007 it was underrated hit!!! If you missed this game you should play it now!!! Story is awesome! Graphics are amazing! Writing this review made me wanna play it again! Just play and see it for yourself.
  53. WSMcCready
    Nov 22, 2011
    9
    The thing that most stands out about Bioshock, is that unlike other most other games it possesses an interesting and involving storyline and world. As a Politics student, I found the references to ideas of Ayn Rand's philosophy of a lawless, individual centric world realised here in the context of a previous period of history to be utterly captivating, and not overly ridiculous either.
    A    The thing that most stands out about Bioshock, is that unlike other most other games it possesses an interesting and involving storyline and world. As a Politics student, I found the references to ideas of Ayn Rand's philosophy of a lawless, individual centric world realised here in the context of a previous period of history to be utterly captivating, and not overly ridiculous either.
    A world in which every crazy and often unpleasant scientific experiment is permitted, where the strong feel no compunction to take advantage of the weak. A world in which the worst essences of humans is given scope and license to be explored. All of this is what so enthralled me about Rapture.
    The game itself is not perfect. Despite the very interesting notion of plasmids (power ups in essence), it quickly becomes clear that a few will be your primary choices for the majority of the game. And despite the menace and creepiness of the game's atmosphere, this can be sadly suspended a bit at times owing to what feels like stupid, unreactive AI behaviour.
    But despite this, the world drips with character and a decaying perverse charm to such an extent that you will regularly spend time just wandering around, dreading the thud thud thud that you often hear long before you lay eyes on one of the ferocious Big Daddies.
    I couldn't recommend Bioshock more. To an FPS fan of COD leanings, this is by no means as slick or polished, nor do the controls feel as exact and sharp. But the slightly clumsy interaction felt in keeping with the ethos of this world, dilapidated and creaking as Rapture is. You never feel overpowered, you always feel as though you could be overwhelmed and are forced to think as a result.
    If nothing else, if you're looking for a sense of place in a game, if you want a game with strong philosophical and political commentary, both overt and often more subtle. Then Bioshock will be a delight to experience, rough edges permitting.    … Expand
  54. TTW107
    Feb 14, 2012
    9
    The minute I put this in and my character was just thrown into this crazy world I knew I would love the hell out of this game. It's unlike any game you will play and has one of the best atmospheres ever in my opinion. The little sisters are crazy creepy!
  55. Carlitoxic
    Mar 27, 2012
    9
    A game with a inmersive setting, elegance and impressive art. In addition it is entertained, interesting and with many personality. The classic unforgettable one.
  56. PrinceHandsome
    Mar 16, 2012
    9
    Bioshock is refreshing and original, even years past it's release. The atmosphere is creepy, but utilizes actual eerie moments than jump scares. The only complaint is that near the end of the game it opts to fall into samey corridor shooting, and sacrifices it's atmosphere for action, but this is a small flaw in what is otherwise a perfect game. A must-have for any shooter, puzzle, or horror fan.
  57. RAWZ95
    Apr 11, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Games produced by 2K are well known for delivering a haunting, intense and immersive atmosphere. "The Darkness" gave us a compelling character caught up in a war against himself and "Borderlands" put us in the seat of a post apocalyptic world where survival was the only priority. Despite having a different developer, The "Fallout" series was renowned for perfecting the "dead world" concept, but Bioshock requires no atomic bombs or weapons of mass destruction to offer such a depressing, haunting and immersive story. Welcome to rapture, a city at the very bottom of the Atlantic ocean. A plane crash in the game's beginning sees you seek this city for refuge, but refuge is the last thing you could ever hope to find. The city of Rapture has recently been completely devoured by its very own creator, Andrew Ryan. He has single-handedly torn the fine fabrics of civilisation and turned the citizens of this once great city against themselves. The question that constantly comes to your head whilst playing the game is "Why am I down here and what use am I in all of this?". It's quite simple really. Atlas, a man who's identification is never completely found out, has contacted you through a radio system and is basically telling you what to do in order to save his family and leave Rapture, but the task isn't quite that simple. Bioshock is not what most people would expect this "shooter" to be. Yes, it is a shooter, but heavy RPG elements, such as creating and collecting different types of gadgets from all sorts of places, strengthen the games concept and make it much more compelling from every point of view. The enemies are where the game really gets interesting. The main foes that you'll encounter are demon-like "Splicers". These creatures are the previous tenants of the city and have been transformed by some sort of substance which is unknown. Apart from these are the famed "Big Daddies", monstrous warriors whose sole task is to protect "Little Sisters". Little sisters are demonic little girls who may sound innocent, but will call for their big daddy's protection at first glance. If you manage to defeat one of these beasts, then you'll have either the choice of saving or "harvesting" the Little Sister. Harvesting will give you a large amount of ADAM, a genetic substance which can be used to buy upgrades at different outlets. Exploring the dark and gloomy world of Bioshock will suck you in and leave make you compelled to continue the epic journey at any available moment. The setting has been pulled off with the utmost perfection and the mood and atmosphere is executed with precision. Every vending, upgrade and enhancement machine is a stunning addition to the sea-water-soaked and rotting hell hole that is Rapture. The game can most certainly make you feel depressed at times, which is as much good as it is bad. Thankfully, the story develops into a more frantic and in-depth plot, so that the depressing times are perfectly balanced with the lighter sequences. This makes for a flurry of mixed emotions during play time. The vast depths of the sea would seem like a you could only be in one type of setting: dark, gloomy, hopeless and eerily creepy. This is true in some cases. The levels are always very dark and glum, but compensation for this came out of the dozens of variations of settings that are present in the game. A giant freezer, a decrepit theatre and hotel complex, a geothermal power plant and even a forest are just some of the settings that this game will deliver to the player. It's no lie, this game is full of twists. The main plot spirals into different disturbing and frantic scenarios and over time, the true enemy reveals itself. The story mode is also much more than adequate for a first person shooter. The only bad thing about this game is the lack of multiplayer. It would be a very nice concept to see players go at each other in a team deathmatch style mode or even team up for campaign co-op, because the game is just so amazing that its unlikely that finishing the campaign will satisfy your lust for the secrets of Rapture. This is definitely a recommendation for 2K's next game in the series. In summary, you'd be absolutely mad to miss one second of this game. The price of this game is getting lower and it is arguably the best game going for its price. Don't think that Bioshock isn't taking itself seriously, and forget all the criticism that you may have heard, this game is a must have and should be owned by any fan of the formula that makes games as good as this one.… Expand
  58. tekneek344
    Jun 28, 2012
    9
    Well-written, immersive narrative. Top notch dialogue and voice acting, and amazing atmosphere. Rapture is easily my favorite fictional failed utopia overrun by cosmetic steroid abusing half-mutants. I would never visit, but I think of it fondly. It has a lot of action/adventure and survival horror elements, but more importantly, a lot of violence. And you can never have too much violenceWell-written, immersive narrative. Top notch dialogue and voice acting, and amazing atmosphere. Rapture is easily my favorite fictional failed utopia overrun by cosmetic steroid abusing half-mutants. I would never visit, but I think of it fondly. It has a lot of action/adventure and survival horror elements, but more importantly, a lot of violence. And you can never have too much violence in a game, can you? No, of course not silly! On top of letting you shoot stuff (which is reason enough to buy most things) you get to set things on fire with the flick of your wrist, freeze things, and throw people with your mind. Makes me feel like a jedi, but less Ewan McGregor-esque.… Expand
  59. Kryptonite42O
    Nov 8, 2012
    9
    The game that made me want .... no NEED an xbox 360. A very unique style of gameplay with the telekinesis and such. The story line fit well with the whole atmosphere of the game, very creepy and eery. This was the very first game I purchased for my console and I wasn't left disappointed. The graphics were amazing at the time. Replay value is pretty slim, but still worth a purchase.
  60. esmond
    May 24, 2016
    9
    This games environment,story and gameplay still holds up to today and still give that refreshing and original feeling. I found the most joy in the progression in the game as I upgraded my weapons and ability's. Although the game is amazing, it is not perfect with the biggest concern being the difficulty. The game is a little to easy and the only way it tries to challenge you is by throwingThis games environment,story and gameplay still holds up to today and still give that refreshing and original feeling. I found the most joy in the progression in the game as I upgraded my weapons and ability's. Although the game is amazing, it is not perfect with the biggest concern being the difficulty. The game is a little to easy and the only way it tries to challenge you is by throwing bullet sponge enemy's at you that can get annoying. Those gripes aside the game is a must play for anyone looking to play a solid fps.… Expand
  61. shprea
    Jun 21, 2013
    9
    Where Bioshock excels is not in it's gameplay, but rather its excellent atmosphere and compelling story. There were moments when playing Bioshock where I just stopped to admire the detail and effort put into Rapture. The only gripe I have with this game is the hacking system which, while novel at first, gets very annoying very quickly. This is a must play game and one of the best FPSWhere Bioshock excels is not in it's gameplay, but rather its excellent atmosphere and compelling story. There were moments when playing Bioshock where I just stopped to admire the detail and effort put into Rapture. The only gripe I have with this game is the hacking system which, while novel at first, gets very annoying very quickly. This is a must play game and one of the best FPS games to date.
    9.4/10    … Expand
  62. MrFluffy63
    Apr 11, 2013
    9
    This is my favorite game. It is almost perfect, and while this is a blast, no game is 10/10 for me. In case you have not heard, BioShock is a FPS that is like no other FPS. It has an amazing story, best graphics, and solid gameplay. And the game has an amazing creepy feel too it. No character is drawn-out, and the choices are remarkable. But this game is not for kids. Swearing, buckets ofThis is my favorite game. It is almost perfect, and while this is a blast, no game is 10/10 for me. In case you have not heard, BioShock is a FPS that is like no other FPS. It has an amazing story, best graphics, and solid gameplay. And the game has an amazing creepy feel too it. No character is drawn-out, and the choices are remarkable. But this game is not for kids. Swearing, buckets of blood, sexual themes, and just plain ol' adult themes invade every part of this game. And while it all is amazing, it is not perfect. Gameplay gets repetitive and boring. You feel like an invincible robot at the end (*cough*Halo*cough*). And the human character models just suck. They are really bad. But there are some cool RPG moments sprinkled on top of this cake. So after all this blab, would you kindly buy this game?… Expand
  63. KuragariSan
    Mar 24, 2013
    9
    Somewhere, there exists a list of games that should be played by everyone. Not necessarily for being the best games, but to teach what games were, to teach a gaming history. A list of revolutionary games. A list of games that changed our conception of what gaming could do as a storytelling medium or gameplay mechanics that changed genres. On this list, there is Bioshock. Very rarely does aSomewhere, there exists a list of games that should be played by everyone. Not necessarily for being the best games, but to teach what games were, to teach a gaming history. A list of revolutionary games. A list of games that changed our conception of what gaming could do as a storytelling medium or gameplay mechanics that changed genres. On this list, there is Bioshock. Very rarely does a game come along with the atmosphere and story that Irrational Games is able to weave so intricately.

    Story: If you haven't heard by now, Irrational (formerly known as 2K Boston) are master storytellers. Bioshock tells the story of Andrew Ryan, Frank Fontaine and your character Jack. Placed in the undersea city of Rapture, which was created by Ryan and hijacked by Fontaine, Jack is thrown into a city of chaos and destruction that was once a paradise for the scientific community and those who considered themselves freethinkers. Without giving too much away, your character is guided through a city of leaks, murder and every sin imaginable all in a bid to get back to the surface, or at least that's what you think. Bioshock throws you for a loop by the end, giving you choices, all the while slowly prodding you in the right direction and letting you explore to your hearts content. This story truly is a masterpiece of gaming and the only complaint I could really give is that the second half of the game starts to feel a bit stretched. Still, you'll be hard pressed to find a story more enthralling and a world that will suck you in more than Irrational's creation.

    Gameplay: While Bioshock is a FPS, it plays more like an adventure game and at times, a survival game. On the hardest difficulties, you'll probably start to run out of ammo, you'll probably be scrounging for health packs and more than likely you'll die a number of times. Is the game difficult, even on the hardest difficulty? Not if you have the time. Death carries no real penalty aside from the annoyance of finding your last location and if you get there quick enough your enemy will still be there with the last bit of health remaining. That's right, almost no recharge. The controls can be a bit clunky at times while playing on the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, with the weapons/plasmids selection wheel being a bit finicky and slightly annoying at times. The fact that it pauses the game really breaks you out of the action and serves as a constant reminder that, yes, you are playing a game.

    Visuals: You could say "graphics", but that's not where Bioshock excels. Visuals, however, provides a whole different answer. Graphically, Bioshock is showing it's age; muddy, repeated textures, corners and tight corridors to mask a shallow field of vision, sharp edges and rounded objects that tend to look a bit grainy on the curves. If you were to compare it to a Battlefield 3 or even Halo 4, you would be sorely disappointed. But Bioshock's visuals are far better then that last sentence sounded. While graphically, Bioshock is aging, the aesthetics of the game are gorgeous. The Art Deco style shines in Rapture, completely selling the world Irrational created, not just in the game but as a living, breathing (well, in context a crippled and wheezing) city. The character models might not be anything special, but again, the slightly cartoonish art style, masks the aging graphics giving the game a look that, while it's not particularly modern, still holds up well against many other games who's aesthetics don't allow for such graceful aging.

    Sound: Orgasmic? Maybe not. Bioshock's voice acting is spectacular and the sounds of Rapture are stunning, but if you're playing on Xbox or Playstation you're being treated to regular stereo sound, which really removes a lot of the immersion when wearing a headset or using surround sound speakers. If you're the type who only has the speakers on their television, then you won't notice the difference. Aside from technical limitations and annoyances, Rapture's soundtrack is just about perfect, making great use of the aesthetics of the area, period music and set pieces to give music when necessary, silence when building tension, eerie creaks and groans of the city, the screams of splicers and the moans of Big Daddies before they disembowel you.

    Final Thoughts: If you don't believe that video games can tell a moving, complete story of artistic merit, then Bioshock is the game to change that opinion. It's not a "summer action flick" type of game like the Call of Duty series or your average shooter. Instead, it's a calculated, but incredible game that has very few flaws, most of which are derived from technological limitations. The PC version is the best way you can play Bioshock as it remedies most of the irritations included with the console versions, but regardless, Bioshock is a game for the ages and one that will be remembered as one of the great games of the current generation of games.    … Expand
  64. leeemmott
    Apr 9, 2013
    9
    Since I' am into a lot of fps games I buy ed this game and I' am really pleased with it the storyline is great and you get a lot of upgrades to use like telekinesis simple makes you grab anything and toss it at anything.

    The controls can be a really bother to you but when you learn the basics you find it as easy as any other game you play. They is a lot of healing item you can carry    Since I' am into a lot of fps games I buy ed this game and I' am really pleased with it the storyline is great and you get a lot of upgrades to use like telekinesis simple makes you grab anything and toss it at anything.

    The controls can be a really bother to you but when you learn the basics you find it as easy as any other game you play.

    They is a lot of healing item you can carry on you by 9 which to me seems to be a lot.

    You also which I hate in this game is the thing of hacking a machine it's like a jigsaw you move the pieces around to fit the other parts in order to complete the stage and you get rewards for them too.

    This is a awesome game right back at the start up til the end, try you won't be disappointed.    … Expand
  65. Kevbo85
    Feb 9, 2014
    9
    For its time, and to this day, the original Bioshock is an engrossing, mostly original take on the first-person shooter genre. In fact, it goes so far beyond the typical trappings of the genre that it can more accurately be described as an "action-adventure-shooter", or even a "vivid journey through a richly detailed and creative world beneath the Atlantic ocean". That works, too.

    The    For its time, and to this day, the original Bioshock is an engrossing, mostly original take on the first-person shooter genre. In fact, it goes so far beyond the typical trappings of the genre that it can more accurately be described as an "action-adventure-shooter", or even a "vivid journey through a richly detailed and creative world beneath the Atlantic ocean". That works, too.

    The premise of the game is simple (at first): you're involved in an unfortunate accident that, via an extremely well-done introduction sequence, sees you arrive in Rapture, an underwater city built by the rich and idealistic Andrew Ryan. The city has seen better days, as you'll quickly discover, but along the way you'll also piece together specifics of the city's history, your own past and how it all fits together. While all this is happening, you'll have your hands full trying to fend off some of the city's more inhospitable denizens, with an arsenal of unexpected and/or satisfying weaponry, technological breakthroughs (aka Plasmids, which introduce certain abilities to your genetic makeup) and careful planning for some of the tougher battles.

    It all flows like water, incredibly well written and scripted so that you're never too far from the next startling revelation, the next unsettling scare of an enemy appearing in the most unlikely of places, or the next upgrade to your arsenal. Along with Plasmids, you also have access to passive upgrades known as Gene Tonics, which you can use to enhance your own style of play, offering a small but vital aspect of customization to an otherwise straightforward "find new weapon, use new weapon" system.

    The wheel cannot be reinvented, do not kid yourself; while Bioshock is impressive in almost every way, from its clever use of sound and soundtrack to its devilish and mysterious ranks of enemies, the standard rail-shooter rules almost totally apply; fight, move forward, fight, move forward, etc. It is in the game's ability to lead you (temporarily) off the beaten path with various recordings detailing the life and times of the citizens of Rapture, the scavenging for ammunition, first aid and the like, that bring the overall score up even more.

    In the end, Bioshock came as close as games can to revolutionizing the platform today. So much has already been done, but nothing had quite the same feel and the same sense of awe that Bioshock had, especially not within its own genre.    … Expand
  66. Afatguy
    Jul 16, 2013
    9
    Any negative reviews, just no. The game starts of slow and sluggish, but as you get deeper into the story (and Rapture), the game becomes more action packed, and even on easy, it's a challenge. However, the final boss fight is way too easy. But the 4 possible endings is a nice feature. It's better than Bioshock two (only just in my opinion), and I haven't yet played Bioshock Infinite. ButAny negative reviews, just no. The game starts of slow and sluggish, but as you get deeper into the story (and Rapture), the game becomes more action packed, and even on easy, it's a challenge. However, the final boss fight is way too easy. But the 4 possible endings is a nice feature. It's better than Bioshock two (only just in my opinion), and I haven't yet played Bioshock Infinite. But a Bioshock 3 set in Rapture again would be bliss. But yeah, if you're giving the game a negative review, then well, I don't see why.… Expand
  67. VideoGameCritic
    Aug 3, 2013
    9
    With one of the best stories in video games and a immersive environment, Bioshock is a masterpiece. From beginning to end the action in this game was intense, fast paced, and all around frighting. The enemies are gross looking and unique in may ways. The look of Rapture is amazing; the sounds of the world is some times magical and at others straight out of a horror movie. The Big Daddy isWith one of the best stories in video games and a immersive environment, Bioshock is a masterpiece. From beginning to end the action in this game was intense, fast paced, and all around frighting. The enemies are gross looking and unique in may ways. The look of Rapture is amazing; the sounds of the world is some times magical and at others straight out of a horror movie. The Big Daddy is in my opinion easily in the top ten most recognized video game characters in the history of gaming. The little sisters gave me nightmares for weeks simply because of one thing there laugh. Its no joke my dreams were wrecked by those little demons and I loved it. The whole game is a roller coaster but the kind of roller coaster that will always fun.… Expand
  68. FRYMANATION
    Aug 10, 2014
    9
    Seven years after release and this game is still awesome. I am a next gen owner, and they had this game for five bucks so I got it. Graphically it's a little older, but this game is awesome fun. If u loved bioshock infinite, you will love this too. Even played out of order, the story is still good. Would have given a ten if it wasn't slightly outdated graphically but for 2007 , was topSeven years after release and this game is still awesome. I am a next gen owner, and they had this game for five bucks so I got it. Graphically it's a little older, but this game is awesome fun. If u loved bioshock infinite, you will love this too. Even played out of order, the story is still good. Would have given a ten if it wasn't slightly outdated graphically but for 2007 , was top of line I'm sure… Expand
  69. ClassyDromedary
    Aug 19, 2013
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great game, the only thing that keeps me from giving it a 10 is the fact that while the characters you do interact with are very well done, there's not enough of them, just mindless zombie after zombie.… Expand
  70. proxskullz
    Sep 9, 2013
    9
    One of the best game I've ever played. It has very fun gameplay, a creepy atmosphere, good controls and good characters. The only down side is that you don't learn much about the person you play as but apart from that the game is excellent.
  71. jonmilton89
    Oct 6, 2013
    9
    A brilliant and original game. Set in a unique underwater city called Rapture. Stunning scenery and an excellent storyline filled with some twists and turns and of course, excitement. A survival horror game that actually does give off some jumpy scares. There aren't many games like that anymore. Deserved game of the year 2007. For a game released back then it's not unplayable as theA brilliant and original game. Set in a unique underwater city called Rapture. Stunning scenery and an excellent storyline filled with some twists and turns and of course, excitement. A survival horror game that actually does give off some jumpy scares. There aren't many games like that anymore. Deserved game of the year 2007. For a game released back then it's not unplayable as the controls aren't awkward and the graphics are great! This game is a bargain for the price you can buy now and an excellent start of what us now a stunning trilogy. A must buy game.… Expand
  72. boysfan4life88
    Apr 28, 2014
    9
    This game is truly one of a kind. I was skeptical at first but the more I played Bioshock, the more enamored I became with it. Being able to use different plasmids (genetic modifiers that allow you to shoot fire, electricity, ice, bees, etc.. from your hands) in combination with different weapons was a treat. Using those same aspects to get through different parts of different levelsThis game is truly one of a kind. I was skeptical at first but the more I played Bioshock, the more enamored I became with it. Being able to use different plasmids (genetic modifiers that allow you to shoot fire, electricity, ice, bees, etc.. from your hands) in combination with different weapons was a treat. Using those same aspects to get through different parts of different levels made playing this game even more fun. Be careful though, I don't recommend playing this game for the first time late at night, with the lights out, when no one else is home. It is very spooky and creepy. The people (enemies) in the game are all crazy because of the overuse of the plasmids. But that is all I'll say. Go play it for yourself.… Expand
  73. MightyStuie
    Nov 10, 2013
    9
    coming back after so long, this game still looks good, its opening scene would have to be the most epic opening of any game ever, this game is Great!, stylish and storytelling simple Classic "Mr Bubbles"
  74. Nemesis30
    Feb 25, 2014
    9
    Fantastic video-game. It's one of my three favourites video-games.

    It has a wonderful script, it '''immerses' you. About the technical section, considering the year it was released, it didn't have the best graphics, but it had and has the best artistic design of all time. About the gameplay, it's often uncomfortable in many times, so this is the worst part of the game; though it is    Fantastic video-game. It's one of my three favourites video-games.

    It has a wonderful script, it '''immerses' you. About the technical section, considering the year it was released, it didn't have the best graphics, but it had and has the best artistic design of all time.

    About the gameplay, it's often uncomfortable in many times, so this is the worst part of the game; though it is also really awesome.    … Expand
  75. Wolfie1987
    Mar 24, 2014
    9
    Delightfully twisted. Brilliant design. Impressive AI. A worthy successor to the System Shock games. I hope that some day (when consoles and computers are exponentially more powerful) they remake Bioshock as a living breathing open world game. The atmosphere is just sooo good. 9.5/10
  76. ThePotnoodleBoy
    Jun 21, 2014
    9
    Imagine System Shock 2, underwater! This game takes RPG to a new level, completely. Bioshock not only redefined RPG FPS but also took horror to new psychological fronts. Be prepared to soil your very finest undies as you battle your way through an underwater Utopia fighting mutated humans doped up on superhuman powers. Oh and don't forget the crazed plastic surgeon!

    However, as    Imagine System Shock 2, underwater! This game takes RPG to a new level, completely. Bioshock not only redefined RPG FPS but also took horror to new psychological fronts. Be prepared to soil your very finest undies as you battle your way through an underwater Utopia fighting mutated humans doped up on superhuman powers. Oh and don't forget the crazed plastic surgeon!

    However, as entertaining as this game is, it falls victim to pretty mediocre ending(s) and an insanely difficult ending boss battle. Nevertheless, it is a must buy game for fans of horror and sci fi alike. 9/10    … Expand
  77. Odogreviews
    Jul 8, 2015
    9
    Bioshock is a well written game with amazing game play. I loved every minute of this game. I liked the art deco visuals. I almost gave this game a 10 but due to sometimes repetitive game play and unsatisfactory conclusion. By the end of the game I was completely sick of fighting splicer after splicer and the often annoying pipe puzzles. The ending was also highly disappointing with manyBioshock is a well written game with amazing game play. I loved every minute of this game. I liked the art deco visuals. I almost gave this game a 10 but due to sometimes repetitive game play and unsatisfactory conclusion. By the end of the game I was completely sick of fighting splicer after splicer and the often annoying pipe puzzles. The ending was also highly disappointing with many holes left in the story. But I loved everything else in the game. I loved how the story was told through the games many audio logs. I also enjoyed the games plot twist a lot which this game is famous for. It really was a close call on this game but I had no choice but to give it a 9 instead of a 10 because of the lack luster ending and poorly and sometimes repetitive game play.… Expand
  78. ManemanFTW
    Apr 18, 2015
    9
    an amazing FPS. is a refreshing experience from the standar FPS. the gun play and the powers are well implemeted and very well balanced. the combat is fluid. The story is amazing and very well supported with lore that you can find in voice notes arround the game. lots of secrets and different ways to end the game.
  79. Epik_Ninnja
    May 22, 2015
    9
    Welcome to Rapture! Bioshock is an inventive first-person shooter that takes you down into the underwater city of Rapture, a dystopia where everyone has gone insane. You’ll fight through plenty of its residents to uncover the mysteries behind it, using a variety of firearms (pistol, crossbow, etc.) as well as special powers called plasmids. These powers, which you gain by altering your DNAWelcome to Rapture! Bioshock is an inventive first-person shooter that takes you down into the underwater city of Rapture, a dystopia where everyone has gone insane. You’ll fight through plenty of its residents to uncover the mysteries behind it, using a variety of firearms (pistol, crossbow, etc.) as well as special powers called plasmids. These powers, which you gain by altering your DNA through injections, range from shooting fire to sending an unfriendly swarm of hornets out of your arm to attack your enemies. The most formidable of foes are the Big Daddies. Big Daddies are hulking, metallic creatures who protect the Little Sisters, young girls who have been possessed by a parasite. You can either free the girls of the parasites or harvest them for double the points towards upgrading abilities (upfront) after you’ve taken the Big Daddy out. It's not exactly perfect, though; animations can get very choppy and the gameplay can feel repetitive (especially the hacking minigame). Overall, Bioshock is an insane, truly unique, and highly atmospheric thrill ride that you should play if you haven't already (it's still great even in 2015).… Expand
  80. CheeseSteakJim
    Nov 20, 2015
    9
    This game is a true example of how a shooter video game should be. I think it will go down as a timeless classic, rivaled only by legendary fps games like Half life 2. Super original, weird & immersive, I love this sh*t. Not a 10/10 though, as I always look for replay-ability in games as a strength, & this fails in that department.
  81. Xbox1Guy
    Jun 8, 2018
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The best of the franchise. Bioshock 1, without a doubt, is probably the best game I’ve played underwater. Great gameplay, fun interactions, gives you the chills, and sometimes can be very frightening with the great atmosphere. You play as a character who doesn’t talk one in the game and you either have the option to kill or revive (forgot what they are called) girls (it not as weird as that sounds). If you do kill them you get extra (whatever that stuff was called) and if you don’t kill them you get less (of that stuff). SPOILER: Whatever you do with them does effect the story outcome-END OF SPOILERS.

    Just to help you avoid the spoiler above, I stated a new paragraph. Anyway, tons of tons of killing that will make you tired but I’ve never been bored of this game. I kept going and going to see what happens. The games does have a boss battle that is rather easy and dumb. Im going out of order here but when you play there are people talking to you, the bad guy, good guy, and other guys that persuade you into their judgement but ignore that do what you want to do. The story is quite unpredictable which kind of makes the game a lot of fun and makes things crazy.    … Expand
  82. Gerard51MX
    Apr 12, 2016
    9
    cuando lo anunciaron no me llamo para nada la atencion, luego lo compre en oferta y al jugarlo me di cuenta de que graficamente no era muy bueno, pese a lo que todos decian, la fisica no es la mejor tampoco.Sin embargo es un juego simplemente genial: la historia que se desenvuelve de muchas formas dentro del juego te deja en suspenso, la manera de mejorar las armas te mantiene concentradocuando lo anunciaron no me llamo para nada la atencion, luego lo compre en oferta y al jugarlo me di cuenta de que graficamente no era muy bueno, pese a lo que todos decian, la fisica no es la mejor tampoco.Sin embargo es un juego simplemente genial: la historia que se desenvuelve de muchas formas dentro del juego te deja en suspenso, la manera de mejorar las armas te mantiene concentrado en la esttrategia; los mapas aunque a veces son pequeños, te mantienen dando vueltas y son ideales para planear como atacar de la mejor manera al enemigo; la inteligencia artificial es torpe pero adecuada, vas caminando y ves a un enemigo saqueando cadaveres, haces un ruido y se te lanzan con tubos o a disparos, es increible; la musica y audio son muy buenos; los niveles de dificultad tiene muy buen reto y el final del juego me gusto demasiado; una joya de la generacion. Recomendado al 100% y no le hace falta el multiplayer… Expand
  83. Wander22
    Feb 17, 2019
    9
    Gameplay/Mechanics: 9
    Sound/Music: 10
    Graphics/Art: 10
    Story/Atmosphere: 9
    OVERALL: 9.5/10
  84. kvnd
    Mar 24, 2020
    9
    The atmosphere in this game was amazing when I first played it, I remember being pulled in and hooked by just the demo. I don't think Bioshock is a perfect game, but it's definitely one of the best games ever made. This is one of the first times in gaming I remember a story really standing out and surprising me. There really is nothing else out there like Bioshock and I guess that's all IThe atmosphere in this game was amazing when I first played it, I remember being pulled in and hooked by just the demo. I don't think Bioshock is a perfect game, but it's definitely one of the best games ever made. This is one of the first times in gaming I remember a story really standing out and surprising me. There really is nothing else out there like Bioshock and I guess that's all I can say to sell it.… Expand
  85. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Jun 21, 2023
    9
    "Bioshock" is one of the greatest video games ever made. A first-person shooter that blends adventure and horror elements, it transcends the genre and elevates itself to an art form. This is the thinking man's action game. "Bioshock" explores the ideas of Ayn Rand and George Orwell in an intelligent, yet entertaining way. Only "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty" rivals it when it comes"Bioshock" is one of the greatest video games ever made. A first-person shooter that blends adventure and horror elements, it transcends the genre and elevates itself to an art form. This is the thinking man's action game. "Bioshock" explores the ideas of Ayn Rand and George Orwell in an intelligent, yet entertaining way. Only "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty" rivals it when it comes to thought provoking storytelling and mind blowing twists. Overall, it is a unique masterpiece. I would rate it with a 9.7 out of 10.… Expand
  86. superpyro296
    Jan 28, 2020
    9
    Even in 2019, this game is still really good. I think this is one of the more unique game i know. I really had fun in my playthrough, from beginning to end. The atmosphere is fantastic and you can approach combat in a lot of different ways. The only con is the hacking game who can get repetitive. Otherwise, I can easily recommend this game who deserves my 9/10 rating.
  87. Dperks
    Apr 15, 2021
    9
    Bioshock is a classic of the seventh generation of gaming and I believe it's game that most people into gaming should experience at least once. What the game does so well for starters is it's atmosphere and world building. The city of Rapture that it takes place in is so beautiful and it will draw you right and make you want to explore and learn more about it. Now while I did say the gameBioshock is a classic of the seventh generation of gaming and I believe it's game that most people into gaming should experience at least once. What the game does so well for starters is it's atmosphere and world building. The city of Rapture that it takes place in is so beautiful and it will draw you right and make you want to explore and learn more about it. Now while I did say the game is beautiful some textures and areas certainly show there age but the art style is where it shines and gives the game it's character. Along with that the music fits very well and give you this sense of wonder or terror at times. And the political commentary present in the game and it's critiques on capitalism is done wonderfully with out feeling like it's completely hitting you over the head with it. And the story telling present in the game along with it's environmental storytelling is also done fantastically. And not to give it away but the twist that comes a little over half way through the game is defiantly one of the best twists in gaming to this day.

    Now I could go on with praising the game and yeah I really love the game however revisiting it now I do see some issues present that feel the need to bring up, For starters the gunplay is quiet sluggish by todays standards and so trying to land accurate shots just feels awkward to control at times. Although I will say I do still enjoy using most of the guns in the game it's just that they don't feel fluent to control. The plasmids on the other hand while cool and many of them are fun to use a lot of them I found to be useless a lot of the time and just found myself using like 4 of them a majority of the game. A common complaint among players that I agree with is the two different endings and how one is objectively worse in both a narrative stand point and a gameplay standpoint because in the long run you will receive less rewards by the end so really what's the point of the evil path. And the final boss as everyone who has played knows is kind of dumb and doesn't really make sense but I can forgive these two blights on the game as they were apparently the only prerequisites from the publisher for the game so whatever. Overall the game is still fantastic and I would say a definite must play for most gamers out there.    … Expand
  88. TypicalGamer1
    Oct 5, 2018
    9
    This game is quite amazing to be honest, the atmosphere is very immersive and intense, the story is thought provoking, dark, and grim. The characters and dialogue are very well written, with very tense Quentin Tarantino-esque dialogue and writing, the gameplay is great as well but with some flaws, though linear, there is some exploration through the levels and moral choices in the game,This game is quite amazing to be honest, the atmosphere is very immersive and intense, the story is thought provoking, dark, and grim. The characters and dialogue are very well written, with very tense Quentin Tarantino-esque dialogue and writing, the gameplay is great as well but with some flaws, though linear, there is some exploration through the levels and moral choices in the game, plus there is an RPG-like upgrade system for your weapons, it's pretty deep and gives you freedom on what you want to upgrade, there are many ways to fight every battle, but the controls are a bit clunky as you have to switch between plasmids and weapons, speaking of plasmids, there are a variety of them from ones that freeze your enemies to ones that zap them, and the game is very long too, it took me around 15 hours to complete my first playthrough on Normal, so there is value for the dollar, if you are looking for a thought provoking, intense, and atmospheric adventure, then Bioshock is the game you're looking for, it is a masterpiece… Expand
  89. Daniel_N
    Oct 18, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bioshock is fun, creative, and very original, with fun gameplay and okay characters. An amazing plot twist with almost real, upsetting, and difficult choices.… Expand
  90. BlueStark
    May 28, 2022
    9
    He jugado el Bioshock por primera vez en 2022 y puedo decir que mi experiencia ha sido muy positiva pero creo que el hype por el juego que me lo vendían como obra maestra ha pasado facturas Artísticamente es una delicia visual, incluso después de tantos años ya quisieran muchos juegos tener su personalidad y originalidad en el planteamiento.
    Cierto que la historia es algo dispersa pero aún    He jugado el Bioshock por primera vez en 2022 y puedo decir que mi experiencia ha sido muy positiva pero creo que el hype por el juego que me lo vendían como obra maestra ha pasado facturas Artísticamente es una delicia visual, incluso después de tantos años ya quisieran muchos juegos tener su personalidad y originalidad en el planteamiento.
    Cierto que la historia es algo dispersa pero aún así está bien narrada y ata casi todos los puntos con su universo.

    Dentro del Gameplay me ha parecido que ha envejecido realmente bien, con muchas posibilidades para enfrentar a tus enemigos y con recompensas a la exploración. Los plásmidos son geniales y dotan de un dinamismo al juego que aún juegos actuales no tienen.

    Donde Bioshock flojea es en algunas mecánicas.
    El minijuego de hackear corta y mucho el ritmo, siendo muchas veces injusto al ser aleatorio. La banda sonora apenas tiene algún tema que pase al recuerdo y la recta final es muy mala con un jefe final lo más insípido que he visto en años.    … Expand
  91. MsDoomnGloom
    Jun 24, 2020
    9
    Truly one of my favorite games of all time and I played this game to death. Recently replayed it and found that my first impressions have not changed. Shooting mechanics and so on were nothing new, very much the same as everything other shooter out there. What sets it apart, the skills and how fun the mechanics can be with the variety of options you have to take down enemies. Havoc physicsTruly one of my favorite games of all time and I played this game to death. Recently replayed it and found that my first impressions have not changed. Shooting mechanics and so on were nothing new, very much the same as everything other shooter out there. What sets it apart, the skills and how fun the mechanics can be with the variety of options you have to take down enemies. Havoc physics are great. The story is also fun and entertaining! I love the graphics and the beauty of the environment. Truly a must play game.… Expand
  92. Arya977
    Dec 31, 2020
    9
    Gameplay..............Amazing
    Graphics................Great
    Story.......................Great
    Score.....................Good
  93. ThatPSXBGamer
    Jun 19, 2020
    9
    This game is just great. Game play was amazing, and the story was great. Gun play in this game has aged pretty well, and is a blast. The atmosphere of this game is excellent, and the story had quite an unexpected twist. This game is great.
  94. Kio22
    Apr 15, 2023
    9
    Finally finished and played Bioshock 1 for the first time, The story and characters are all great. The levels have great atmosphere but could have been better designed to feel less repetitive. The combat in this game is super fun and satisfying, also the different powers and abilities give you tons of ways to playthrough things again and again. The hacking system in this game is perfect inFinally finished and played Bioshock 1 for the first time, The story and characters are all great. The levels have great atmosphere but could have been better designed to feel less repetitive. The combat in this game is super fun and satisfying, also the different powers and abilities give you tons of ways to playthrough things again and again. The hacking system in this game is perfect in my opinion it is actually fun and takes a little skill. The enemies do get slightly stale after a while and could have used maybe 2 more types of splicers and 1 more type of Big daddy. Overall it is a great game but I don't think it is perfect. This game needs a remake it would be amazing especially after seeing Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 4, and Dead space.… Expand
  95. Buboub47
    Dec 24, 2020
    9
    This game is nothing less than a masterpiece but why i gave it a 9? Well because the second time i played this game i was a little bit disappointed with the endings, they felt really rushed and unsatisfying. But other than that this game is one of the best games ever made alongside some other masterpieces like Halo CE and Half-life.
  96. Sarian263
    Mar 15, 2021
    9
    This is a very big classic that I can play over and over again. It has pretty much everything you would expect and it does not hold back in sucking you into the underwater city of Rapture. This game is so unique for its time and is truly special.

    The story of Bioshock is simple in concept, You play as someone whos plane crashes in the middle of the sea and following the light to a    This is a very big classic that I can play over and over again. It has pretty much everything you would expect and it does not hold back in sucking you into the underwater city of Rapture. This game is so unique for its time and is truly special.

    The story of Bioshock is simple in concept, You play as someone whos plane crashes in the middle of the sea and following the light to a lighthouse, decends into the underwater city of Rapture run by the ruler/bad guy Andrew Ryan. What follows is a epic story/quest to not only escape but help those who want out as well. I don't want to say anymore than that as this is a game you really need to experience first hand yourself. Audio diaries scattered throughout the world flesh out what the city USED to be like and adds a extra layer of depth to the story and game.

    Gameplay is also excellent in bioshock. It is a First Person Shooter, However what makes this unique is the special powers you can get in your arsenal or "Plasmids" as they are known in game. These powers allow you to do crazy things like shooting electricity at your foes or freeze them or use telekinesis to throw objects at them. You don't get all these powerups at first so as you progress you get stronger and stronger! To maximize your power and potential though you need to go after the big brutes knows as Big Daddies...These brutes are the hardest creatures to take down but if you can take them down and rescue or harvest the Little Sister (Which also detemines if you have the good ending or the bad ending) you get your ADAM (Currency) and get even more powerful. What makes this so clever is that if you want to go for the good ending, you dont get alot for it but you get the good ending, however if you want to make the game easier for yourself, you can go for the bad ending and get powerful BUT you will be bad in the process. It is the constant battle of good v evil which makes it just superb.

    Final thing to mention I think is the world of rapture itself. This city is very immersive, one of the most immersive worlds I have played in. The way the city is falling apart and parts where the water seeps into the environment is very well put together. Overall well designed and a BIG part of the game. It is almost as if the city itself is its own character.

    In conclusion, I think it is safe to say this is one of the all time greatest games that came out on the Xbox 360/PS3 era of consoles. There is a remaster which includes all 3 games in this series together in one bundle. If you have never played this game or series, I would say...Would You Kindly?    … Expand
  97. mlnsn
    Jul 22, 2021
    9
    Gameplay : 9/10
    Design (video + audio) : 7/10
    Story : 10/10
    Technical aspects : 8/10
    Repeatability: 9/10
  98. B00tador
    Nov 28, 2021
    9
    Gameplay a bit dated in parts, but exceptional world-building and great twist make this a game I'd still recommend today
  99. Der_Sperling_
    Jan 21, 2022
    9
    Геймплей – один из самых лучших, что есть в одиночных играх. Стилистика и графика тоже просто замечательные, все локации отличаются, спутать их просто невозможно. Если говорить про сюжет, то тут интересна не только основная история, но и аудиозаписи, которые рассказывают, как жилось в "утопии". Единственный минус – немного затянута, под конец уже начала надоедать. Всё из-за того, чтоГеймплей – один из самых лучших, что есть в одиночных играх. Стилистика и графика тоже просто замечательные, все локации отличаются, спутать их просто невозможно. Если говорить про сюжет, то тут интересна не только основная история, но и аудиозаписи, которые рассказывают, как жилось в "утопии". Единственный минус – немного затянута, под конец уже начала надоедать. Всё из-за того, что квесты очень однообразные – собери N штук чего-то собери это в единое целое и убей босса.… Expand
  100. DarthRevan4
    Mar 25, 2022
    9
    This game is just dripping with atmosphere and personality. Would you kindly play it?
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2007
2
#2 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2007
1
#1 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 88 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 88 out of 88
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 88
  3. Negative: 0 out of 88
  1. ActionTrip
    92
    In a nutshell, beyond any shadow of doubt, BioShock is an excellent single-player shooter experience. The undeniable quality of this title and its emphasis on true and not pseudo-mature storytelling and character development make it a must-have for every self-respecting gamer.
    Read full review
  2. GameSpot
    90
    Its weak link is its unsatisfying no-skill-required combat, which might aim this one just over the head of the average Halo fan. But if you want to get a little fancy, there's a lot of fun to be had with some of the game's more indirect fighting methods. It builds an amazing atmosphere by using terrific graphics and sound to set a creepy mood. But BioShock's real strengths are as a compelling work of interactive fiction, and as a unique ride through a warped world with some great payoff built into its mysterious plot. If that description has you even the least bit interested, you won't be disappointed one bit.
    Read full review
  3. GameDaily
    100
    The first-person shooter's great looking, has an engrossing storyline, a perfect balance of action and exploration and a totally customizable combat system that can be described as nothing less than video game rapture.
    Read full review
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