Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #428 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Take 2
• Released on: 2007-08-24
• Platform: Xbox 360

Customer Reviews

Bioshock-ingly Good
Bioshock is by far the best game I have played on the Xbox 360 to date, and indeed a very long time. The graphics are gorgeous, and will have you gazing in awe from start to finish, often distracting you from the task at hand. The creepy sound effects and apt period music create a palpable and spine-tingling atmosphere. The plot and voice acting are amongst the most gripping and authentic I've come across in video-gaming, and I would go as far to say on par with the likes of groundbreaking RPG's `Mass Effect' and `Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic'. Incidentally, the plot is so captivating that a Bioshock movie is currently in the process of being commissioned. No doubt that will end up being a retched pile of sputum like every other game-to-film conversion that has gone before.

Anyway, back to the game. The conventional weapons in Bioshock are the standard melee weapon in the form of a the wrench, and several firearms including a magnum, tommy gun, shotgun, grenade launcher, chemical thrower, and crossbow, all of which can be fed various ammunition types which are tailored to inflicting more damage on a specified enemy. The use of a camera allows you take pictures, or as the game calls it "research", which provides damage bonuses against increasingly robust foes. Unlike just about every other first person shooter, the melee weapon remains a valuable and powerful weapon during the entire game thanks to clever upgrades that are available upon your journey. And this feature is not merely exclusive to the wrench, because firearm modifications subsequently become available which allow you to improve the rate of fire, damage, and ammo capacity of a weapon. Alas, there are only a limited number of upgrades to go around, so one must choose prudently which weapons and features to enhance.

Then there's more unconventional means of attack and defence through the use of `Plasmids'. Plasmids allow you to do such novel things as distribute fire, electric, or even a swarm of bees from the palm of your hand. Then there's telekinesis, or enraging your enemies to turn upon themselves and annihilate each other. These sorts of attack are both fun and easy to execute, and work well alongside conventional weaponry. Just as conventional weapons require ammunition in order to be used, plasmid attacks similarly require energy called `EVE', which can be found scattered throughout each level inside hypodermic needles, which you then must inject into your arm.

There is also some other neat little challenges, such as hacking gun turrets, vending machines, health units and so forth, which result either in reward or reprisal depending on a successful or unsuccessful hack.

I could go on and on about this game, and in some ways I already have. Bioshock has everything any first-person shooter has to offer, and more. I can hardly wait for the sequel.

Haunting. Horrifying.
I played this a few months after its release, and was startled to find that a game that lived up to the hype. It is frightening, compulsive and while it isn't especially difficult, it is a large game and offers terrific replay value.

Based on the writings of pseudo-philosopher Ayn Rand, this game paints a horrifying picture of a Utopia torn apart by greed, madness and hubris. Rapture, a city built by a visionary billionaire, and hidden beneath an ocean, is a stunningly realised environment, atmospheric, beautiful and extremely creepy. Beautiful Art-Deco environments crumble as the sea slowly seeps into the vast complex, and the inhabitants, driven mad by over-indulgence of genetic enhancements, assault you from all sides. There are also the Big Daddy's to contend with. These mysterious creatures patrol each level, and they act as end-of-level baddies and although you don't have to fight them, the game becomes very difficult if you shy away from these battles.

The story is excellent and genuinely thought-provoking. The structure of the game is absolutely brilliant, and it offers a fresh, immersive approach to story telling (something that a lot of video games still struggle with). For me, it is on a par with Resident Evil 4 but with a much stronger narrative and a genuinely fascinating approach to art design. I will go as far to say that it is the X-Box 360's killer-app. A brilliant game that shouldn't be missed.

Incredible!
Bioshock is amazing. As far as I can see, there's only one flaw in this entire game, and that's the hacking. But that's only because I'm not very good at these puzzle game type things, and they're generally not very hard.

The graphics in this game are fantastic, it's using the Unreal 3 engine extremely well, unlike many other games with the same engine. The water effects are the best in any game ever released, realistically flowing and splashing everywhere. The setting is very dark, which adds to the overall terrifying setting of Rapture, making every Splicer shock you as it comes charging at you out of the dancing. There's a lot more, but I think you get it; it's a nice looking game.

The gameplay is not like your average first person shooter. You don't have to run around, wilding shooting your guns, screaming, and this is what makes Bioshock unique. There's so many ways to kill your enemies, you'll be experimenting with everything you've got. This is reinforced by the Plasmids, and there are loads of them. Also, unlike many other first person shooters, there's a lot of puzzles to complete, which don't slow down the game whatsoever (except the hacking minigame).

The story is great, aided by the many audio-diaries scattered across Rapture, which gives you an interesting back-story as to how Rapture became what it is. The diaries, along with 'ghost scenes', really make you understand the setting a lot more. The main story itself contains a lot of twists, which I really like in any story. There's also the option of harvesting or saving Little Sisters, which messes with your head and the two possible endings. There are little to no games that have such an in-depth story such as this.

I could go on, but I think I've made my point. Bioshock is one of the best games I've ever played. IF you enjoy games, you will enjoy the good 20-hour long experience that is Bioshock.