A new step for FPS games

Author's Rating:

Pros: Innovative game design, dazzling visuals, and outstanding voice overs.

Cons: May be hard for some. System requirements too high for most computers.

The Bottom Line: 
Get this game if you are bored by current games, and if you can run it on your PC. It is fresh and fast-paced and will not let you down.

Author's Review

Welcome to Rapture. Welcome to a new start. Welcome to hell on Earth.

Bioshock is without a doubt one of the most original games in the past few years. I am big fan of games, especially first person shooters. I have been a fan ever since the original Wolfenstein all those years ago. If you have played any FPS game then you would probably agree with me when I say that if you have played, one you have played them all. Bioshock looks and plays very similarly to a FPS, but that is where the similarities end. It brings a whole new level of depth, not just to FPS, but also to video game world as a whole. From a visual standpoint I have personally never seen a prettier game than Bioshock, it is amazing what they can do nowadays! Every environment has been perfected as much as possible every single character and item in the game looks so real, its unbelievable. Another great point in the game is the audio; it is absolutely amazing. From the ambient sounds of Rapture to the voices of the citizens, the sounds submerge you deeper into the game and bring a whole new feeling to playing a video game.

You start the game as an average Joe, sitting in an airplane flying somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean in the early 60’s. Without warning the plane crashes and your new adventure begins. You find a lighthouse in the middle of the ocean and realize that it is your only hope for survival. Upon entering you soon realize this is no ordinary lighthouse. You hop into the bathysphere at the bottom of the building and submerge into the world known as Rapture.

Rapture is a city that was built on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean by Andrew Ryan. It is a city with no rules, no morals, no government, and no religion. Your life is limited to your imagination. Rapture is built by artists and scientists, and is divided into different areas to be explored throughout the game. But the story will be explained better as you play. You will come across old tapes to listen to and will help piece together the back-story. The main thing you need to know is that the foundation of Rapture is built on ADAM. ADAM is a substance that allows you to rewrite your genetic code and modify your body. By injecting different plasmids and gene tonics you can change to help you survive in Rapture.

Now on to the game play. As stated above, Bioshock, plays like any other FPS. Along with the standard guns and wrenches your character has a few other tools to use to help him get around in Rapture. Throughout the game you will find “Plasmids” which will modify your genetic code to help you adapt to your surroundings. An example of a plasmid is the electro-bolt, which helps you override electronic equipment or shock your foes. There are many different plasmids to discover that will help you along your way. Along with plasmids you will find “Gene Tonics” which will modify your body. Some gene tonics will for example make you stronger or faster, or will help you hack into things faster. That is right I said, “Hack into things” because in Bioshock you are not limited to what you see. Almost everything is Bioshock can be interacted with; this includes vending machines, security camera, turrets, and other various items. The main things that you will interact with will be vending machines, which will allow you to buy upgrades, ammo, health packs, and many other items useful for survival. By hacking into these vending machines you will be able to unlock things not already available or will make the items in the machine cheaper for purchase.

Yeah sure you can buy almost anything you need to get by in Rapture, but what about changing your genes? How do you do that? Why don’t you go ask a Little Sister, she’ll for sure tell you, or her Big Daddy will. The only way to change your genes is buy purchasing upgrades in a “Gatherer’s Garden” which does not take money, it takes ADAM. The only place to get ADAM from is from a Little Sister, and the only way to get to a Little Sister is through a Big Daddy. Again what makes Bioshock so great is the idea that you do not have to attack Bid Daddies and Little Sisters to get through the game, but it would be almost impossible to get through the game without any getting any ADAM. Killing a Bid Daddy is no easy task; they are made tough for a reason. Go ahead and walk up to one and try to just kill it, you will not get very far. You must use the surroundings and the environments to kill the Big Daddies. There are many ways to do it, like tricking other enemies into attacking the Big Daddy, lighting him on fire, letting him walk into water and zapping him with the electro-bolt, the choice is yours. Upon killing a Big Daddy it is time to take care of the Little Sister; again you are faced with a choice, which is was makes Bioshock so great. You have the option to either “Harvest” the Little Sister or “Rescue” her. Harvesting her will kill her, but will give you a lot of ADAM, rescuing her will spare her, but result in less ADAM; the choice is yours.

Bioshock offers something new and fresh in the world of FPS. The gripping storyline will keep the game moving and will keep you intrigued all the way until the end. It is a great game to anyone who can run it on their system or anyone looking for a different kind of game to play. Pick it up if you want to challenge your gaming skills and test your moral values.

Hope this review helped.

Cheers,
Atlas