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. thedude
    Oct 15, 2007
    8
    This is a hard game for me to rate, because I was actually disappointed by it when I played, but it has kind of stuck with me since then. I looked forward to this game for a year, and the presentation in the demo floored me. But with all the 100's, and hype about it being one of the greatest games of all time, I found it pretty disappointing. I felt the same way about Half Life 2, This is a hard game for me to rate, because I was actually disappointed by it when I played, but it has kind of stuck with me since then. I looked forward to this game for a year, and the presentation in the demo floored me. But with all the 100's, and hype about it being one of the greatest games of all time, I found it pretty disappointing. I felt the same way about Half Life 2, though, and I know most people loved that. Half Life 2 felt like what I would expect, with a few great moments, and a bunch of stuff that I could have done without, like having to fend off the face huggers and the mosquito flying things all the time. Likewise, Bioshock had a gripping beginning, hit its peak with the Fort Fright section(like Ravenholm in HL2), and then just kind of seemed like a standard shooter to me the rest of the way. I found only a few of the plasmids effective, so even though they had a lot you could do, it only made sense to use one or two most of the time. The story was good, but not amazing. The presentation was great, but after the first hour or two you're used to it and it just comes down to the gameplay, which was pretty standard. But I have looked back on it with a certain fondness in hindsight since I played it, so I think it was another case of too much hype inflating a very good game into a so-called "master-piece". It's worth playing, but lower your expectations before you start it so you can be pleasantly surprised instead of let down.… Expand
  2. Silver
    Dec 3, 2007
    0
    One of the most disappointing games of the last 10 years. Poor narative, watered-down RPG elements, weak structure, simply put every aspect of Bioshock is basic and pathetic. But the real crime for us is that instead of doing what we've all been asking and make System Shock 3, Irrational Games decided to make a dumb new IP, promote it as the 'spiritual successor' to their One of the most disappointing games of the last 10 years. Poor narative, watered-down RPG elements, weak structure, simply put every aspect of Bioshock is basic and pathetic. But the real crime for us is that instead of doing what we've all been asking and make System Shock 3, Irrational Games decided to make a dumb new IP, promote it as the 'spiritual successor' to their legendary previous title and then hope no one would notice when it turned out to be THE WORST GAME EVER. To anyone who hasn't played them or was to young at the time, please don't get Bioshock, instead go out and find copies of both Deus Ex and System Shock 2. It will cost about 10 quid and will be the best 10 quid you have ever spent.… Expand
  3. SasukeU.
    Oct 26, 2007
    7
    It's a good game, but only if you like to spend the whole game indoors, i find Bioshock very boring, i would prefer Half-life 2 or Halo 3. However the graphics are excellent, the plot is decent, but the game is quite difficult, simplyu put don't buy this game if you just want a relaxing good fun first person shooter. I would give the graphics a 9/10 but i would only give it a It's a good game, but only if you like to spend the whole game indoors, i find Bioshock very boring, i would prefer Half-life 2 or Halo 3. However the graphics are excellent, the plot is decent, but the game is quite difficult, simplyu put don't buy this game if you just want a relaxing good fun first person shooter. I would give the graphics a 9/10 but i would only give it a 5/10 for its funess.… Expand
  4. NickB.
    Aug 16, 2007
    1
    The cartoony user models and the complicated and confusing gameplay makes the game way over hyped and really only a rent due to the lack of multiplayer.
  5. ShinP.
    Aug 16, 2007
    6
    It is a decent game but nothing really sticks out from the swampy FPS genre. The graphics are top notch but the game just gets boring as it goes on. Sure it has its differences from some traditional FPS but it still didnt break the mold of the FPS genre.
  6. RichieT.
    Aug 18, 2007
    0
    Terrible heap of jumbled characters with a convoluted plot.
  7. MarcusR.
    Aug 21, 2007
    7
    Alright,I just finished Bioshock.My biggest complaint with the game is it is too easy,I literally had to stop playing at one point to raise the difficulty level.This is a big problem for me,as I thought the game would be quite challenging. Another problem I encountered was a glitch of some sort,whenever I inject a plasmid when battling more than one splicer,the game freezes for about 5 Alright,I just finished Bioshock.My biggest complaint with the game is it is too easy,I literally had to stop playing at one point to raise the difficulty level.This is a big problem for me,as I thought the game would be quite challenging. Another problem I encountered was a glitch of some sort,whenever I inject a plasmid when battling more than one splicer,the game freezes for about 5 seconds,then continues.Not a very big issue,but not a good one as well. Other than that,the game is solid,definitely a good one.The animations are good,the graphics are good(there's a widescreen issue,but it's not worth a whole paragraph),the storyline is a bit cliche,but it is rewarding. Overall,7/10,good,but not amazing.… Expand
  8. SauerJass
    Aug 21, 2007
    1
    Brand new XPS laptop fully loaded... new nvidia drivers... reinstalled game twice.... stalling at second load screen. I would not recommend running to the stores to buy this game. Give this one a month to bake in the oven. Yet another disappointing box-o-bugs, even the better publisers seem to be releasing prematurely now-a-days. Unfortunately this is becoming the norm rather than theBrand new XPS laptop fully loaded... new nvidia drivers... reinstalled game twice.... stalling at second load screen. I would not recommend running to the stores to buy this game. Give this one a month to bake in the oven. Yet another disappointing box-o-bugs, even the better publisers seem to be releasing prematurely now-a-days. Unfortunately this is becoming the norm rather than the exception with PC games. The game seems provocative judging from the little I was able to play. Hopefully you'll have better luck.… Expand
  9. ChaseB.
    Aug 23, 2007
    7
    Its easily the best thing available on 360 right now (but ofcourse there realy isn't any competition when it comes to actual good titles). Its a fun game and it tells a highly entertaining story that falls just short of half life 2 proportions (though the style of story telling is suprisingly similar). The game uses great idealistic imagery and has a deffinate sense of style. It is Its easily the best thing available on 360 right now (but ofcourse there realy isn't any competition when it comes to actual good titles). Its a fun game and it tells a highly entertaining story that falls just short of half life 2 proportions (though the style of story telling is suprisingly similar). The game uses great idealistic imagery and has a deffinate sense of style. It is also a game plauged with tiny problems (makes me wonder of Microsoft paid them money to rush it like they oh so love to do). You will notice alot of spazzing corpses and items (not as bad as Perfect dark but still bad) and a good many floating bodies aswell, but these are ofcourse minor asthetic problems. As gamespot said while compelling the gameplay is basic and easily mastered and so while there are some great and thuroughly enjoyable ways of killing people, you realy hafto want to use them because its oftin easier to just shoot an enemy in the face with your pistol and kill him than to use some elaborate method that may or may not work. There are some great features like capturing enemy turrets and using them for yourself that may or may not end up being usefull depending on the situation. If the gameplay here had a little more depth I would jump at the chance to give this game a higher score, but as things are I think gameplay wise its little more than a servicable job of keeping the story (this game is all about story) going. The combat here is no halo but it does function. The reason I am stressing so much the weak gameplay dispite the great story is that its a little upsetting after all the hype for this game, and all the potential it certainly has to see it fall short because the developer didn't spend the time necisary polishing the final product. One thing I will say though is that the best part by far is the voice acting, truly some of the best in any game out there. I got it on both 360 and PC and so far just as an FYI PC is both superior visualy and in terms of gameplay (but ofcourse mouse always trumps controller).… Expand
  10. RayH.
    Aug 20, 2007
    3
    Great graphics, implausible storyline...Hard to play (difficulty wise).. The reviewers may be enamored with this title, but if the first thing I do upon entering a strange facility I know nothing about, and I find a hypo needle on the ground...well, I would just shove this needle into my arm? Uh..realism...NOT! And the difficulty ramps up...casual players need not apply!
  11. Liam
    Aug 26, 2007
    6
    Firstly, dont believe all the hype this game is getting. Yeah sure its got a high average meta score, and raving reviews from most game magazines, but seriously...
    With my favourite games been half-life (both 1 and 2) i was sure i was going to enjoy bioshock. I did for the most part, but its simply more of the same. The graphics i grant are good but nothing breathtaking, the story at    Firstly, dont believe all the hype this game is getting. Yeah sure its got a high average meta score, and raving reviews from most game magazines, but seriously...
    With my favourite games been half-life (both 1 and 2) i was sure i was going to enjoy bioshock. I did for the most part, but its simply more of the same. The graphics i grant are good but nothing breathtaking, the story at times can get a little predictable and for me the gameplay was lacking that real substance. I have given it a lower score of 6 mainly because i dont believe the game deserves the major reviews its been getting. Realisticley the game deserves an 8.8 - 9.0 (or 85-90 using the meta score)    … Expand
  12. AlexB.
    Aug 30, 2007
    3
    It has graphics. When you shoot someone they scream bloody murder like you're actually killing a real person. I found it a little too dark, too "evil" to play. What the hell is with the 7 year old little girls drinking and throwing up blood, that is just sick. This game would probably be fun if i could get past so much evil in it.
  13. PaulM.
    Sep 12, 2007
    6
    This game starts brilliantly! The atmosphere and visuals are impressive and the gameplay is good. Unforunately the beginning of the game is the best part about it. The more you play, the more repetative it gets. Shoot this, hack that, go here, go there... it gets very old, very quickly. Your human enemies are very limited (4 variations i think) and then you get 2 variations of the big This game starts brilliantly! The atmosphere and visuals are impressive and the gameplay is good. Unforunately the beginning of the game is the best part about it. The more you play, the more repetative it gets. Shoot this, hack that, go here, go there... it gets very old, very quickly. Your human enemies are very limited (4 variations i think) and then you get 2 variations of the big daddies. Once you work out a tactic for them (which wont take long) the gameplay is boring! I found this frustating as the game started so well. Even the environments later in the game don't have anywhere near the imagination of the earlier stages. Still a solid title but it has to many flaws to be a real classic in my eyes. Disappointing!… Expand
  14. SteveM.
    Sep 13, 2007
    7
    Good effort but not the awesome experience every reviewer is claiming and definitely not a patch on System Shock! Very imaginative interior design but maiming splicers quickly gets dull. The game does start very well but quickly becomes quite ho-hum in terms of gameplay and puzzles. Plasmids are not innovative - they're just weapons!! Narrative techniques are ok but we saw all of Good effort but not the awesome experience every reviewer is claiming and definitely not a patch on System Shock! Very imaginative interior design but maiming splicers quickly gets dull. The game does start very well but quickly becomes quite ho-hum in terms of gameplay and puzzles. Plasmids are not innovative - they're just weapons!! Narrative techniques are ok but we saw all of this in HL years ago. To quote Public Enemy - Don't Believe the Hype.… Expand
  15. RicardoC.
    Sep 2, 2007
    7
    Not so hot as they say. Story is a kind of a LSD bad trip. The places are extremely annoying and have repetitive compositions. Not scary at all. Predictive actions. DOOM 3 graphics and textures abuse from bump mapping and loss detail when you came near. The avatar's hand is extremely artificial and removes immersion form the game. A nice game for a weekend, but overhyped at it most. Not so hot as they say. Story is a kind of a LSD bad trip. The places are extremely annoying and have repetitive compositions. Not scary at all. Predictive actions. DOOM 3 graphics and textures abuse from bump mapping and loss detail when you came near. The avatar's hand is extremely artificial and removes immersion form the game. A nice game for a weekend, but overhyped at it most. Definetly a videogame game on a PC. Shoot, shoot, shoot, kill, kill, kill, blood, blood, blood, adam. Shoot, shoot, shoot, kill, kill, kill, blood, blood, blood, more adam.… Expand
  16. MattR.
    Sep 24, 2007
    3
    Impressive visuals and a pretty good storyline, but the gameplay is repeditive, linear, and just pretty boring. At times, even with brightness at or above the recommended level, you just can't see anything. It hasn't done anything other games haven't. Although it is pretty satisfying to smack enemies with the wrench. 3 for the graphics and voices, -7 for the gameplay and sounds.
  17. VC
    Sep 3, 2007
    0
    This game is way overhyped. Too linear and too easy. Pretty, but not especially fun.
  18. TopherG.
    Sep 5, 2007
    7
    No doubt the graphics and music are stunning. The story, while predictable, is one of the best in video games right now as well. Unfortunately, the gameplay is not as diverse as the artwork or atmosphere. Due to a limited amount of enemies, puzzles involving your abilities, the game's linear level progression and the monotony of the hacking system, the game becomes repetitive very No doubt the graphics and music are stunning. The story, while predictable, is one of the best in video games right now as well. Unfortunately, the gameplay is not as diverse as the artwork or atmosphere. Due to a limited amount of enemies, puzzles involving your abilities, the game's linear level progression and the monotony of the hacking system, the game becomes repetitive very quickly. Additionally, this game is very easy, even on the hardest difficulty, due to you respawning with no reprocussions. Several times you can just fight off enemies with your wrench because when you die everything stays the same. This game's only true boss battle (the end boss) was such a let down. He was so uninspired and easy, just a real let down. More boss battles that were immersive (and if you die you have to start over with the boss at full health) could have made this game great. A decent installment, however, this may be the most overrated game of all time.… Expand
  19. MatthewS.
    Sep 5, 2007
    4
    A lot of time went into the the polishing the environment (sound and visuals), not enough in all the other areas that make a game worth playing more than once.
  20. ThatGuy
    Nov 20, 2008
    4
    This was a terrible game for me, boring, repetative, difficult, strange, but not that normal for a game like this strange. This is over the top stupid and creepy strange. This is like, you expect a nice underwater land populated by at least ghosts or something, but no. Its disgusting rotten zombie people who can run and jump and shoot at the speed of light. Then these unexpected twistsThis was a terrible game for me, boring, repetative, difficult, strange, but not that normal for a game like this strange. This is over the top stupid and creepy strange. This is like, you expect a nice underwater land populated by at least ghosts or something, but no. Its disgusting rotten zombie people who can run and jump and shoot at the speed of light. Then these unexpected twists that just annoy you like big daddies and little sisters. This game was a failure, im going back to Nintendo 64 because of this. (The graphics are the same)… Expand
  21. Wutung
    Jan 19, 2008
    7
    A good game but didn't really live up the hype.The graphics are great and so is the art design, the atmosphere and inhabitants are also top notch, but its all a very linear corridor affair, there aren't any outdoor or wideopen areas. I really expected an "anything goes" experience, but the use of plasmids and the havok engine driven environments turned out to be a bit shallow. A good game but didn't really live up the hype.The graphics are great and so is the art design, the atmosphere and inhabitants are also top notch, but its all a very linear corridor affair, there aren't any outdoor or wideopen areas. I really expected an "anything goes" experience, but the use of plasmids and the havok engine driven environments turned out to be a bit shallow. The morality angle in the game isn't very sophisticated or thought provoking, and the plot loses its tension mid way through. The end boss is a dissappointment too. A fun ride with an artistic twist, but nothing really new or innovative.… Expand
  22. NicholasH.
    Dec 12, 2008
    5
    This game was mediocre, not good and especially not great. Problem is, the hype machine made the game to be much more than it is. If you expect a lot of this game, prepare for disappointment. If you expect little, you will have a "decent" experience.
  23. JoshuaB
    Oct 29, 2008
    10
    When I first played the demo for this game, I was unsure when to start playing because the transfer from video to game was seamless. I was amazed and the graphics at first. Then I continued playing and by the end of the demo was so scared that half-way through, i turned my lights on, and so pissed that the demo ended, that i went out and bought it not even 20 minutes later. This is the When I first played the demo for this game, I was unsure when to start playing because the transfer from video to game was seamless. I was amazed and the graphics at first. Then I continued playing and by the end of the demo was so scared that half-way through, i turned my lights on, and so pissed that the demo ended, that i went out and bought it not even 20 minutes later. This is the only game to come close to my I-Know-It's-Cliche Favorite game ever, Final Fantasy VII. This game is by far going to be recognized in the future for its story, and for its overall creepy theme. Can't wait for Bioshock 2 and the Movie!… Expand
  24. LegendiusM.
    Mar 5, 2008
    5
    Ok, my friend hated this game, I read the reviews here and thought he must be an idiot so I bought it. AND IT SUCKS! I don't get it, I really don't. The shooting is average at best, the enemies are boring, those stupid hacking puzzles are just plain retarded, and the story? Nothing great in my opinion. I will admit that I only played about 5 hours but how can a game that's Ok, my friend hated this game, I read the reviews here and thought he must be an idiot so I bought it. AND IT SUCKS! I don't get it, I really don't. The shooting is average at best, the enemies are boring, those stupid hacking puzzles are just plain retarded, and the story? Nothing great in my opinion. I will admit that I only played about 5 hours but how can a game that's so fundamentally flawed get such universal praise??? I cannot find a bad review for this game anywhere. Please flame me, please tell me I'm a retard, please tell me WHAT IS SO DAMN GOOD ABOUT THIS GAME!… Expand
  25. terriblegame
    Jun 2, 2008
    0
    Couldn't stop hitting my head against the wall.
  26. EricB.
    Jul 22, 2008
    0
    Me no understand to complicated me want smash in halo no multiplayer to me want kill people for no reason.To many character and plot is hard me cant understand.
  27. AnonymousMC
    Jul 7, 2008
    1
    How can the reviewers give this such a good score?! It's got a ridiculous amount of bugs that, well, simply make the game unplayable. After a few hours, this game even gave my 360 a RRoD. Go figure -_-
    That is not the reason for the low score (though I did take a point or two more off), it's the fact this game is just average at best. Go play Halo instead. At least that game did    How can the reviewers give this such a good score?! It's got a ridiculous amount of bugs that, well, simply make the game unplayable. After a few hours, this game even gave my 360 a RRoD. Go figure -_-
    That is not the reason for the low score (though I did take a point or two more off), it's the fact this game is just average at best. Go play Halo instead. At least that game did something original and it's mostly run-and-gun.
    PC version is probably a lot better, too bad my PC can't run it    … Expand
  28. PeterArmstrong
    Oct 5, 2009
    6
    cant understand the hype behind this game and found it disgraceful that it was given a 96. havent finished yet cos i find it very boring the action is not great. Gene tonic system isnt designed well. the idea of plasmids is very cool. With some tweaks this game could be much more enjoyable think.
  29. IleM
    Oct 9, 2009
    7
    Good visuals, nice story but .. it's boring and repetitive. The combats become boring. Your abilities do change, but the opposition is just so repetitive. A shame really when you consider the effort otherwise.
  30. CoreyN
    Jul 31, 2009
    5
    Gameplay was over complicated and repetitive. AI was very weak, they just rushed at me. Story was predictable, contrived, poorly delivered, and unsatisfying. The world was unbelievable. I could not get immersed in it because there was no way to understand it at all. Hacking was fun the first 3 times. Then it became a miserable grind. It was full of bugs, including at least 4 crashes. I Gameplay was over complicated and repetitive. AI was very weak, they just rushed at me. Story was predictable, contrived, poorly delivered, and unsatisfying. The world was unbelievable. I could not get immersed in it because there was no way to understand it at all. Hacking was fun the first 3 times. Then it became a miserable grind. It was full of bugs, including at least 4 crashes. I was really excited to play this game, given all the great reviews it got. Too bad it was a run of the mill FPS with nothing new to offer. Why is it considered so great? Is it just because its not "Aliens in Space" or WWII? A 96 game should offer more than just a different setting.… Expand
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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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