BioShock

About

In BioShock, players explore the underwater city of Rapture and fight off enemies using an array of weapons and genetic modifications. The game features a unique blend of shooter and RPG elements, with a heavy emphasis on customization and strategy. With a morality system, multiple endings, and a rich, immersive story, BioShock offers a deep and engaging experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 15,586 reviews

story3.7k positive mentions

stability184 negative mentions

story
6,650 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The story of "Bioshock" is widely praised for its depth, complexity, and engaging narrative, often described as one of the best in video game history. Players are drawn into the haunting underwater city of Rapture, where they uncover a rich backstory through environmental storytelling and audio logs, leading to memorable plot twists that challenge their perceptions of morality and choice. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and pacing, the overall experience is considered a masterpiece of storytelling that resonates with players long after they finish the game.
- “Amazing story, none like it in gaming.”
- “Very shocking and will never forget the effect the story had on me.”
- “The story is phenomenal and the plasmids are all unique and usable with some exceptions.”
- “The characters are as shallow as a puddle in the Sahara, and the plot holes are bigger than the craters on the moon.”
- “The story is simplistic, the morals kind of obvious, and the shooting isn't a whole lot of fun.”
- “The story is very confusing and half the time you have no idea what you are doing.”
gameplay
3,067 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
46%
5%
The gameplay of *Bioshock* is often described as engaging and innovative, blending traditional first-person shooter mechanics with unique elements like plasmids that grant players special abilities. While many players appreciate the variety of combat strategies and the immersive atmosphere, some criticize the gameplay for becoming repetitive and clunky, particularly in later stages. Overall, the game is praised for its compelling narrative and atmospheric design, which often overshadow its gameplay shortcomings.
- “The gameplay brilliantly balances action, strategy, and horror, keeping you on edge with its mix of intense combat and deep storytelling.”
- “The gameplay blends FPS mechanics with RPG elements seamlessly, and the plasmid system provides a creative twist to combat.”
- “Bioshock is a masterpiece of narrative-driven gaming, blending atmospheric storytelling with immersive gameplay.”
- “Even though gameplay-wise it hasn't aged exactly well and it has some audio issues, the atmosphere is unique and the story has still held up greatly over 17 years.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive from within itself; go here, do this, kill the big daddy, get some more juice and pump yourself up.”
- “The gameplay can feel repetitive and dated, but fun nonetheless.”
atmosphere
1,779 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
34%
1%
The atmosphere in *Bioshock* is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively capturing the eerie essence of the underwater city of Rapture. Reviewers highlight the game's rich art deco design, chilling soundscapes, and the unsettling presence of its inhabitants, which together create a uniquely oppressive and engaging environment. The combination of atmospheric storytelling, detailed world-building, and a compelling narrative contributes to its status as a classic in the gaming industry.
- “With its richly immersive atmosphere, stunning art deco design, and thought-provoking exploration of themes like objectivism, free will, and morality, it offers a truly unique gaming experience.”
- “The atmosphere is unsettling and melancholic, and sometimes, when the lights are flickering, casting strange shadows and the faint, nonsensical noises of one of Rapture's mad citizens are getting ever louder and closer, the game is outright frightening.”
- “The atmosphere created by the underwater city of Rapture is so engrossing and detailed you cannot help but get sucked into this world.”
- “The atmosphere, the tension, the soundtrack, the enemies, all of it just works so well together.”
graphics
1,694 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
44%
4%
The graphics of Bioshock, while considered groundbreaking at its 2007 release, have shown signs of aging, with some players noting that they feel dated compared to modern standards. However, many reviews highlight the game's unique art style, particularly its atmospheric and immersive underwater setting, which continues to impress even today. Overall, the visuals are praised for their artistic quality and ability to enhance the game's narrative, despite some technical limitations and occasional graphical glitches.
- “Stunning visuals (especially for 2007) with a unique theme that combines 1950s culture with 19th-century fascination with underwater exploration using contemporary industrial technology.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and Rapture is a stunningly creepy yet gorgeous city underneath the ocean.”
- “The graphics are like a PS2 game.”
- “Poor graphics.”
- “The graphics, while a little dated today, still contribute to the creepy and claustrophobic atmosphere of Rapture.”
music
560 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
52%
1%
The music in Bioshock is widely praised for its haunting and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the game's eerie atmosphere and storytelling. The soundtrack features a blend of original compositions and licensed tracks from the 30s to 50s, which perfectly complements the retro-futuristic setting of Rapture. Many players highlight how the music not only sets the mood but also contributes to the overall emotional impact of the game, making it a standout element in the gaming experience.
- “The soundtrack is a mix of eerie orchestras and 50s tunes, adding a retro touch and a constant sense of unease.”
- “The audio design, from the haunting soundtrack to the chilling sound effects and voice acting, plays a crucial role in building tension and enhancing the storytelling, making the exploration of Rapture an unforgettable experience.”
- “The stunning art deco architecture, hauntingly beautiful music, and the haunting echoes of Rapture's former glory create an unparalleled sense of immersion rarely seen in video games.”
- “The music, dialogue, and everything that follows has been orchestrated perfectly.”
- “The music adds to the creepy atmosphere, sure, but unlike games such as 'Everybody's Gone to the Rapture', where you'll end up standing still, just taking in the music, Rapture never really has such a moment.”
- “The overall concept of an underwater city excites me, but the soundtrack and the eerie feeling given is the icing on the cake.”
stability
192 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches, particularly in the PC version. While some users experienced crashes, audio issues, and graphical glitches, others found the game to run smoothly without significant problems. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game is enjoyable, it is marred by stability issues that can detract from the experience, especially on modern systems.
- “The original runs great for me and the graphics hold up surprisingly well.”
- “It's very well made and runs great on most computers, and that's high quality.”
- “Sorry I don't have much to say but it runs great, looks great, plays great, and doesn't feel outdated.”
- “The PC port is buggy and barely functions.”
- “Incredibly buggy, so bad it's unplayable.”
- “Buggy game keeps crashing during the intro, then it reset my graphics and audio settings on every launch.”
replayability
140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
58%
6%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while it offers multiple builds, endings, and gameplay styles, the linear narrative and lack of significant player choice limit its long-term appeal. Some reviews highlight high replay value due to the variety of weapons and powers, while others feel that once the story is completed, there is little incentive to replay. Overall, opinions range from low to high replayability, with many players appreciating the initial experience but questioning the desire to return after completion.
- “Another strength of the game is its replayability and longevity.”
- “The game's multiplayer modes also provide a high level of replayability, as players can team up with friends or join online communities to compete against other players from around the world.”
- “The open-world nature of the game and the sheer brilliance of the story give it a very high replayability value; if you aren't replaying to improve your skill, you're replaying to gain just that much more insight into an incredibly rich, multilayered story that will find you in both artistic and philosophical awe.”
- “It's an interesting story with an interesting environment, but the game has no replay value at all.”
- “The replayability is not great because of how intense your first experience may be.”
- “Sadly, not much replayability - the gameplay is clunky and dated and the story loses most of its punch once you find out the big twist.”
emotional
133 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
2%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke deep feelings, with many players reporting tears during the impactful endings, particularly the "good" ending, which is described as heartwarming and satisfying. The moral choices, such as saving or harvesting the "little sisters," add significant emotional weight, creating a haunting atmosphere that intertwines personal stories with the game's dark narrative. Overall, players find the storytelling, voice acting, and environmental design contribute to a profoundly immersive and emotionally engaging experience.
- “The mechanic of choosing between 'save' or 'harvest' adds an emotional and ethical dimension that marks the players.”
- “The way their stories intertwine with the city's history adds depth and emotional weight to the narrative.”
- “The haunting score complements the atmosphere perfectly, while the voice acting brings the characters to life in a way that enhances the emotional impact of the story.”
- “The story was incredibly boring and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
- “I found the narrative to be dull, lacking the depth needed to connect with the characters.”
- “The emotional impact was nonexistent; I felt detached from the entire experience.”
grinding
91 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
10%
87%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the hacking mini-game and combat mechanics that become monotonous over time. Many reviews highlight that while the initial gameplay is engaging, it often devolves into a grind with unbalanced difficulty spikes and excessive backtracking, leading to frustration. Despite these issues, some players still appreciate the game's atmosphere and story, though they acknowledge that certain segments feel unnecessarily drawn out.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “A bit grindy.”
- “For me, this was where the game became tedious and repetitive.”
- “The flow-disrupting hacking mini-game, bane of this genre, is teeth-grindingly annoying as well.”
- “The final area of the game is a pain, having to go through a tedious section with really slow pacing is probably the lowest point of the game.”
humor
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a blend of dark, satirical, and absurd elements, often juxtaposed with its serious themes, creating a unique atmosphere that elicits both laughter and contemplation. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, humorous character interactions, and the comedic absurdity of certain gameplay mechanics, such as the easy final boss fight and quirky mini-games. Overall, the game successfully balances its darker narrative with moments of levity, making it an engaging experience for those with a taste for morbid humor.
- “Bioshock manages to cover themes from dark and gloomy to funny and thoughtful, and that wide array of emotions is the best way to describe the story of the game.”
- “The pointlessly silly and tonally out of place hacking mini-game is as tedious as it is funny, and it's funny as shit.”
- “Some of the things the splicers say are hilarious.”
optimization
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
42%
26%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance on low-end PCs, while others report significant issues such as stuttering, audio glitches, and poor frame rates. Many users recommend the original version over the remaster for better performance, although some still experience technical problems. Overall, while the game can run well on modern systems, it is often criticized for its inconsistent optimization and compatibility issues.
- “Runs smoothly, even on low-end PCs.”
- “Stunning graphics and well optimized; I can play it with 30fps on my Core i3 7100U and 4GB RAM.”
- “Beautifully optimized for PC.”
- “The controls are about as responsive as a stone statue, and the optimization is so poor that even a potato could run circles around it while laughing hysterically.”
- “The stuttering for this game is atrocious; I can play games like Elden Ring with the highest settings and not have to worry about frame drops, but this game seems to only ever want to play at 30 frames or less.”
- “I love this game, but I can't recommend it due to a range of performance issues.”
character development
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
44%
8%
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and integration into the narrative, with players noting the effectiveness of audio logs and well-designed characters that enhance immersion. While many reviews highlight the strong character arcs and unique NPCs, some critiques mention inconsistencies in character development, particularly regarding the protagonist. Overall, the combination of engaging storytelling, excellent voice acting, and distinctive character design contributes to a rich gaming experience.
- “System Shock adeptly integrated audio logs to provide context, world-building, and character development.”
- “Moreover, the well-designed character development leads to interesting and idiosyncratic NPCs that are infinitely more intriguing than the usual forgettable clichés.”
- “All in all, Bioshock is a game that is beautiful to look at, contains great character development with excellent voice acting, difficult yet rewarding combat, and a fun city to explore along with great customization and moral choices.”
- “My second issue with it is the atrocious character development.”
- “Another minor shortcoming is the lack of any character development, or really any character from the protagonist at all.”
- “The main plot wasn't that interesting; you're really on your own, so there really isn't much in the way of character development going on.”
monetization
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
13%
73%
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some players appreciating the immersive storytelling through advertisements while others criticize the intrusive microtransactions introduced in the remastered versions. While the game is free, the presence of microtransactions and legal actions surrounding mods have raised concerns about its monetization strategy, leading some to view it as a cash grab. Overall, the nostalgic elements and artistic design are praised, but the monetization practices detract from the experience for many players.
- “First of all, let's just begin by saying that this game is for those who know what a good game is, so... not cash grab games.”
- “Free, but has microtransactions.”
- “The remastered versions got ruined by the addition of a 'quality of life update' in the form of a launcher riddled with microtransactions.”
- “☐ free, but has microtransactions.”
- “A mod which has existed for ten years, and has only now become the focus of legal action due to Take-Two's efforts to increase monetization.”