BioShock was released towards the end of the summer of 2007, but to be honest, I've just gotten around to playing it now. I picked up the XBox 360 version not to long ago and began my descent into Rapture. Soon I would find myself caught up in a top notch first person shooter, packed tightly with chilling music, gloomy visuals, and a well written story.
First things first, a little spoiler free background to get you in the mood. BioShock takes place in the aforementioned city, Rapture. Did I mention it was built underwater? Well it was built underwater. Andrew Ryan built it there to be free from the constraints and morals of the surface world. The discovery of an ocean floor dwelling slug that produces stem cells leads to the development of the cleverly named ADAM and EVE. These substances are the lifeblood of Rapture, and can be used to genetically modify your body, giving you extraordinary skills such as super strength or the ability to shoot flames out of your hand. These genetically modified persons are known as splicers, and become the soldiers in the feud between Ryan and Fontaine. Fontaine, whom I've yet to mention, is a criminal undermining the the society of Rapture, and, at the same time, the authority of Ryan.
** Note, there may be minor spoilers beneath! Read at your own risk! **
So what are we left with? One of the coolest backdrops for a game I have ever seen. Rapture was built in the 1940's, so you can expect some old fashioned decor; Neon signs, swing and dance music, and some beautiful art deco architecture. Keep in mind, everything is falling apart, water is pouring in from all seams, and it is overrun with genetically modified used-to-be human monsters.
The visuals are one of my favorite aspects of the game. It's not just the fact that the water looks drop dead gorgeous, it's the detail put in place. The water leaks into the city, forming small, impromptu streams around the walkways of Rapture. The shadows, while precise, provide a wonderful blackness in the middle of the neon glow of the store fronts. Every step in Rapture is an awesome sight. It is amazing what 2K was able to do with this limited scenario. There are lush, green gardens in Arcadia, once bustling entertainment districts now filled with devastation, and, one of my favorites, Apollo Square, the poor section of town, which has come to be one of the most disturbing, war torn districts.
On top of the pretty visuals, the gameplay is incredibly solid. The developers, who had previously built the System Shock games, pushed the RPG elements to a new level. Throughout the game you are able to upgrade your weapons, buy/build different types of ammo, and buy/build new tonics and plasmids, which give you your special abilities. Along with this large list of customizations, there is the hacking and the research. All security and vending machines have the ability to be hacked, which in turn will gain you a powerful ally, or, net you cheaper prices and more items, respectively. Hacking is done via a minigame which is quite reminiscent of the old classic, Pipe Dream. Researching consists of taking photos with a camera which is acquired fairly early in the game. As you photograph your enemies, you gain more special abilities, along with specific damage bonuses. All these things work off one another, and create a nearly endless amount of ways to defeat your enemies. While it is easy to find a favorite method of killing, certain methods will work better for different enemies. For example, I found it easy to get stuck in a rut with the shotgun, and after a long battle I would wonder to myself if there was an easier way. This game rewards creativity, and I soon caught on and began exploiting my enemies weaknesses.
The enemy AI is well done, and always presents a challenge. This would be a pretty standard area of the game if it weren't for the Big Daddies and Little Sisters. You come to know these two quite well in your journey through Rapture, and together they add a very nice dynamic. These two are allied together, and with none other in Rapture. In fact, they are indifferent to all others unless one interferes with their sole duty, collecting ADAM (rather gruesomely, I might add) off dead bodies. The Big Daddies' job involves protecting the Little Sisters, who programatically search for bodies and use their appropriately sized giant needle to suck the good stuff out of the dead. Don't get me wrong here, they are super cute once you get over their pale skin, glowing eyes, and malicious intent. How could you not find anything that says "Mr. Bubbles" so much cute? But, moving on, there will be times when you fight the Big Daddies, times when the splicers fight them, and times when both of you get involved. It is really a very nice touch, and one of those things that puts BioShock in such high regard. On top of this, the Little Sisters present an interesting morality choice. You are given the option to harvest or rescue them. Harvesting results in immediate gains of more ADAM, while rescuing results in less initial ADAM, but later rewards. Morality seems to be a recurring theme throughout BioShock, and I'm glad 2K decided to give the player some choice.
Moving onto the story, I must say that I am pleasantly surprised. The story is solid throughout, providing the standard twists and turns that we have all come to love. The environment really screams for some creative writing, and they did an excellent job weaving the plot through the twists and turns of Rapture. The characters you encounter throughout your journey are some of the most interesting that I can remember in a game. Many are evil and twisted, but it is welcomed. For example, Dr. Steinman and my personal favorite, Sander Cohen. Really a twisted individual, but it makes for some good plot. 2K really takes the time to get you into the minds of these characters as well, through the use of the audio diaries. These diaries are all voice acted very well and provide great insight into the thoughts and feelings of the characters. Many a time do you witness, seemingly first hand, the descent into madness of a once normal citizen of Rapture. Yet another very well done aspect of BioShock.
I found the music to be rather well placed and fitting, and overall easy to enjoy. Most music you hear will be straight out of the 1940's and 50's, but things seem to really peak during Sander Cohen's level. This resulted in one of my favorite scenes, in which you slaughter a horde of splicers while Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of Flowers" plays over the speakers. Awesome. The sound effects throughout the game are strong, and never too repetitive. Don't get me wrong, you will memorize the vending machine jingles by the end of the game, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
BioShock is not perfect, however close it may be. The ending left a little to be desired, and seemed rather non-epic for all the insane epicness that had just occurred. There are two endings to the game, which one you get depends on how you deal with the Little Sisters. I was only able to see one of them in my one play through, so I am not sure how the other holds up with the rest of the story. One other quick thing to take note of, if you are a collection whore, which Matt and myself are, there are a few audio diaries that can only be collected once. Understand that these are very small complaints, and the rest of the game is such a joyful experience that nothing can tear it down.
BioShock has now joined the ranks of my favorite games, where it will sit proudly and bask in its own glory. A well written story, beautiful visuals, fantastic music, and excellent gameplay all tie together to create a game like no other before it. I'm a bit upset that it had to end, but it gave me plenty of hours of entertainment before completion. Everyone should own this game. Even if you don't like shooters; buy it anyway and just leave it on your shelf. You can look at it from time to time and think of the memories you could create together, but instead you will put it down in shame, almost fearing a new companion. Then, one day, when you stumble in after a few to many drinks, your true feelings will pour out of you in the form of tears, tears raining down upon that sweet, sweet shrink wrap. As you tear into the packaging, you will feel a wonderful relief, as if a great pressure has been lifted. That worm eating at you from the inside out has been torn to pieces and fed to the birds. All that is left is you, and BioShock.
You will play it. You will enjoy it.
First things first, a little spoiler free background to get you in the mood. BioShock takes place in the aforementioned city, Rapture. Did I mention it was built underwater? Well it was built underwater. Andrew Ryan built it there to be free from the constraints and morals of the surface world. The discovery of an ocean floor dwelling slug that produces stem cells leads to the development of the cleverly named ADAM and EVE. These substances are the lifeblood of Rapture, and can be used to genetically modify your body, giving you extraordinary skills such as super strength or the ability to shoot flames out of your hand. These genetically modified persons are known as splicers, and become the soldiers in the feud between Ryan and Fontaine. Fontaine, whom I've yet to mention, is a criminal undermining the the society of Rapture, and, at the same time, the authority of Ryan.
** Note, there may be minor spoilers beneath! Read at your own risk! **
So what are we left with? One of the coolest backdrops for a game I have ever seen. Rapture was built in the 1940's, so you can expect some old fashioned decor; Neon signs, swing and dance music, and some beautiful art deco architecture. Keep in mind, everything is falling apart, water is pouring in from all seams, and it is overrun with genetically modified used-to-be human monsters.
Big Daddy and Little Sister. True Love.
On top of the pretty visuals, the gameplay is incredibly solid. The developers, who had previously built the System Shock games, pushed the RPG elements to a new level. Throughout the game you are able to upgrade your weapons, buy/build different types of ammo, and buy/build new tonics and plasmids, which give you your special abilities. Along with this large list of customizations, there is the hacking and the research. All security and vending machines have the ability to be hacked, which in turn will gain you a powerful ally, or, net you cheaper prices and more items, respectively. Hacking is done via a minigame which is quite reminiscent of the old classic, Pipe Dream. Researching consists of taking photos with a camera which is acquired fairly early in the game. As you photograph your enemies, you gain more special abilities, along with specific damage bonuses. All these things work off one another, and create a nearly endless amount of ways to defeat your enemies. While it is easy to find a favorite method of killing, certain methods will work better for different enemies. For example, I found it easy to get stuck in a rut with the shotgun, and after a long battle I would wonder to myself if there was an easier way. This game rewards creativity, and I soon caught on and began exploiting my enemies weaknesses.
The enemy AI is well done, and always presents a challenge. This would be a pretty standard area of the game if it weren't for the Big Daddies and Little Sisters. You come to know these two quite well in your journey through Rapture, and together they add a very nice dynamic. These two are allied together, and with none other in Rapture. In fact, they are indifferent to all others unless one interferes with their sole duty, collecting ADAM (rather gruesomely, I might add) off dead bodies. The Big Daddies' job involves protecting the Little Sisters, who programatically search for bodies and use their appropriately sized giant needle to suck the good stuff out of the dead. Don't get me wrong here, they are super cute once you get over their pale skin, glowing eyes, and malicious intent. How could you not find anything that says "Mr. Bubbles" so much cute? But, moving on, there will be times when you fight the Big Daddies, times when the splicers fight them, and times when both of you get involved. It is really a very nice touch, and one of those things that puts BioShock in such high regard. On top of this, the Little Sisters present an interesting morality choice. You are given the option to harvest or rescue them. Harvesting results in immediate gains of more ADAM, while rescuing results in less initial ADAM, but later rewards. Morality seems to be a recurring theme throughout BioShock, and I'm glad 2K decided to give the player some choice.
Sander Cohen. One f**cked up individual.
I found the music to be rather well placed and fitting, and overall easy to enjoy. Most music you hear will be straight out of the 1940's and 50's, but things seem to really peak during Sander Cohen's level. This resulted in one of my favorite scenes, in which you slaughter a horde of splicers while Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of Flowers" plays over the speakers. Awesome. The sound effects throughout the game are strong, and never too repetitive. Don't get me wrong, you will memorize the vending machine jingles by the end of the game, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
BioShock is not perfect, however close it may be. The ending left a little to be desired, and seemed rather non-epic for all the insane epicness that had just occurred. There are two endings to the game, which one you get depends on how you deal with the Little Sisters. I was only able to see one of them in my one play through, so I am not sure how the other holds up with the rest of the story. One other quick thing to take note of, if you are a collection whore, which Matt and myself are, there are a few audio diaries that can only be collected once. Understand that these are very small complaints, and the rest of the game is such a joyful experience that nothing can tear it down.
You will play it. You will enjoy it.
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