Bioshock has been incredibly popular since its last release. Its gotten glowing reviews from both critics and players. I've always been a fan of the System Shock series, considered to be spiritual prequels to Bioshock. If you've played System Shock 2, a lot of the elements of Bioshock may be familiar to you. You explore an atmospheric and creepy world. You fight off a variety of mutants with a combination of guns and psychic powers. There are security systems and robots to hack. However, to call Bioshock a simple rehash of the System Shock 2 formula would be a crime.
Gameplay-wise, Bioshock sheds off some of the unnecessary complexity of System Shock 2. The inventory system is vastly simplified The game is also a lot easier to get into thanks to a interactive tutorials system which gives you little hints if you are having trouble, but never gets too intrusive. The combat is also insanely fun and intense. You'll find yourself on the edge of your seat as you duke it out with the various enemies in the world of Bioshock, from the mutant Splicers, to the monstrous Big Daddies. Fights are filled with bullets, fire, and explosions. You'll rapidly switch between the various weapons (including a machine gun, makeshift flamethrower, and a deadly crossbow). You also have a variety of plasmids (psychic powers), such as Emperor Palpatine style lightning. One of my favorite tactics is to set a Splicer on fire, and when he jumps into a nearby pool of water, I throw lightning at the water, electrocuting him. However, there are also more subtle powers which let you manipulate the world around you to a fascinating degree.
This is really the biggest strength of Bioshock. The world is incredible. Its really something you have to experience on your own. Its not just that the world is incredibly pretty. What really sets Bioshock apart is the incredible atmosphere which pervades your every step. Its the way that you can mess with the world and its inhabitants. Its the fact that the world of Bioshock isn't like anything else you've ever seen before.
Another factor which heavily contributes to the atmosphere is the sound design. Its above just about anything else I've ever seen (heard?). If you just stand still for a moment, you might hear the insane ramblings of a nearby Splicer. Maybe some heavy machinery in the distance, or the drip of water. Perhaps you'll hear the distinctive heavy step of a Big Daddy. Sometimes I would run around with my wrench hitting different objects, just to hear the distinctive sound that each one made.
I'll try not to spoil anything, but the story is almost as fascinating as the world it takes place in. I would have liked for some of the philosophy to be explored even deeper, although I'm sure the developers didn't want to alienate trigger happy gamers. Also, the way that morale decisions are approached is far too black and white for my taste.
Perhaps the only other flaws are that the game was a little too short for my tastes (it took me around 15 hours). There isn't really anything to add replay value to the game, but its still incredibly fun the second time around. Also, the final battle was on the easy side, although it was still a frenetic and exciting climax to the game.
Nevertheless, Bioshock definitely lives up to the vast amount of praise it has gotten. I would recommend it to almost anyone (although the game can be rather disturbing for younger kids). If you get a chance to play it, you shouldn't pass up the opportunity.
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