BioShock: The Collection

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 183 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
BioShock: The Collection Game Cover
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BioShock: The Collection is a game bundle consisting of remastered 1080p editions of BioShock, BioShock 2 and BioShock Infinite along with their accompanying downloadable content.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 183 reviews
story21 positive mentions
stability13 negative mentions
  • The remastered collection includes all three Bioshock games along with their DLC, providing great value for both new players and returning fans.
  • The gameplay remains engaging and enjoyable, with satisfying mechanics and a rich atmosphere that immerses players in the worlds of Rapture and Columbia.
  • The graphics have been significantly improved, especially for the first game, making it visually appealing on current generation consoles.
  • There are numerous technical issues, including glitches, crashes, and audio problems that detract from the overall experience.
  • Bioshock Infinite has been criticized for being virtually unchanged from its original release, leading to disappointment among players expecting a more comprehensive remaster.
  • The collection lacks the multiplayer mode from Bioshock 2, and some players feel that the remastering effort was not as thorough as it could have been.
  • story44 mentions

    The "Bioshock" series is lauded for its exceptional storytelling, with narratives that explore deep philosophical themes such as humanity, ethics, and societal issues, often delivering surprising twists. Each game is noted for its immersive world-building and character development, with players drawn into a rich tapestry of interconnected stories that elevate the gameplay experience. While some critiques mention minor plot holes or weaker elements in certain installments, the overall consensus is that the series offers some of the most compelling narratives in video gaming.

    • “Despite the great gameplay and engaging atmosphere in each game, the story is the real star here.”
    • “The story is immersive and the voice acting is top notch.”
    • “The storytelling, the gorgeous art deco graphic styling, the atmospheric crackly audio logs, the beautiful soundtrack to the insane & unnerving chattering from splicers you can hear nearby before they jump you from a dark corner are some of gaming's most memorable moments.”
    • “I feel the story is a little weaker in this game, causing some plot holes I don't enjoy.”
    • “The 'twist' was easy to spot, and the game story as a whole feels like it was edited very poorly.”
    • “If you are pulled in by the story of the games originally, I see no reason to pick this up for a second run through.”
  • graphics38 mentions

    The graphics in the remastered Bioshock collection are generally praised for their artistic direction and visual appeal, with many noting that they look contemporary despite some lingering last-gen elements. While the upgrades enhance the overall experience, a few players pointed out that certain textures and animations still show their age, particularly in cutscenes. Overall, the remaster is considered a significant improvement, making the games visually stunning, though not groundbreaking compared to true next-gen titles.

    • “The graphics look outstanding! I was playing Infinite on Game Pass two days before this showed up, so I got to see how much difference the upgrade makes.”
    • “While the graphics in the original two games were great in their day, they would be a bit dated compared to more current games, so the visual revamp in this edition makes Rapture appear even more stunning.”
    • “The remastering made the graphics really pop, and needless to say, it looks fantastic on the big screen with amazing visuals.”
    • “Believe me, if you booted the original console version, you'd be a bit disappointed by how it aged graphically.”
    • “The graphic updates were barely noticeable; lighting was a little better (maybe), but the game had trouble running at 60 fps most times.”
    • “I feel overall the game wasn't very much graphically improved as there are many, many obviously bad textures (very much still Xbox 360/PS3 textures).”
  • gameplay31 mentions

    The gameplay across the Bioshock series remains highly enjoyable and rewarding, with a mix of conventional weapons and unique abilities that enhance player choice and strategy. While some mechanics may feel dated compared to modern standards, the overall experience is enriched by engaging storytelling and atmospheric design. Despite minor bugs and glitches, the remastered versions hold up well, offering a blend of fun mechanics and immersive gameplay that appeals to both new and returning players.

    • “Gameplay-wise, all the games still play the same, which is to say they are extremely enjoyable and rewarding to actually play through.”
    • “The gameplay and story are incredible, and if you have never played these games, do yourself a favor and get this set now.”
    • “Bioshock and Bioshock: Infinite provide a wide range of gameplay while immersing you in the richest storytelling the video game medium has to offer.”
    • “If you've been used to modern shooters, you may think that the control scheme and mechanics of the original Bioshock feel a little dated.”
    • “(update) After playing through everything, twice, I am sad to report that the numerous bugs and glitches are serious enough that they do indeed affect gameplay.”
    • “I had to reload my file, losing twenty minutes of gameplay.”
  • stability13 mentions

    The stability of the game collection has been criticized for numerous glitches, audio issues, and occasional crashes that significantly impact gameplay. Users report problems such as audio looping, incorrect status indicators for hacked turrets, and freezing animations, which detract from the overall experience. Despite these technical shortcomings, many players still regard the games as exceptional, though they express frustration over the persistent bugs.

    • “In all three games, I experienced glitches, technical issues, and actual game crashes.”
    • “After playing through everything twice, I am sad to report that the numerous bugs and glitches are serious enough that they do indeed affect gameplay.”
    • “The collection is too buggy to be worth your time, DLC value be damned.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive and spooky qualities, enhanced by effective background music that builds tension and complements the visuals. Players appreciate the detailed world-building, art deco styling, and the haunting audio elements that contribute to memorable experiences, encouraging exploration to fully appreciate the environment. Overall, the combination of atmospheric storytelling, character depth, and unsettling ambiance creates a captivating gaming experience.

    • “The background music also does a great job of waxing and waning in each game to build up and dissipate tension, or to perfectly complement the visual atmosphere you're experiencing.”
    • “The storytelling, the gorgeous art deco graphic styling, the atmospheric crackly audio logs, the beautiful soundtrack to the insane and unnerving chattering from splicers you can hear nearby before they jump you from a dark corner are some of gaming's most memorable moments.”
    • “Small details and touches matter to me when playing a game, so I encourage you not to speed-run this trilogy and instead take your time between battles and fights to look around Rapture and Columbia and explore every nook and cranny for hidden items and soak up the stunning atmosphere these games create.”
    • “You're too busy soaking up the atmosphere, creeping along and watching for the next crazed lunatic to jump out at you from the shadows.”
    • “Creepy, unnerving atmosphere.”
    • “Such a spooky atmosphere, and I love that you have choices that lead to different outcomes.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game collection has received mixed reviews. While the frame rate has significantly improved to nearly 60fps compared to the original 30fps on older consoles, some users report stability and performance issues, particularly on Xbox One, with instances of crashes and the need for further refinement. Despite these concerns, many players appreciate the smooth performance and visual quality of the games.

    • “Honestly can’t tell that these games started coming out over 10 years ago, they run smoothly and look phenomenal.”
    • “I am glad that I did because while the games are still just as good, poor optimization and lazy work on the part of the developers who ported the collection mar what should be an amazing experience.”
    • “While I love the games, I'm deducting a star because it seems these need a little work on the stability/performance front.”
    • “Love the games, some stability/performance issues on Xbox One.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game is praised for its high fidelity and ability to enhance the atmosphere, effectively building tension and complementing visuals. However, some players noted issues with sound balance, where music and sound effects often overshadowed important dialogue. Overall, the soundtrack is considered award-winning and a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.

    • “The background music does a great job of waxing and waning in each game to build up and dissipate tension, or to perfectly complement the visual atmosphere you're experiencing.”
    • “Art and music effectively set the mood and the AI plays the enemy challengingly.”
    • “The sublime award-winning soundtrack is still one of the best ever heard in the gaming world.”
    • “Missing dialogue, mandatory auto aim, game crashes, terrible hit detection, the music and sound effects drowning out the all-important dialogue; these are just a few of the problems I encountered throughout my playthroughs.”
    • “Music, sound effects, attacks, enemies, and even dialogue are all drowned out.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization aspect has received criticism for misleading advertising, as users expected a physical cartridge but only received a download code. Additionally, some players noted technical glitches that detracted from the overall experience.

    • “Received the game but download code only despite advertising cartridge.”
    • “Advertising says cartridge but it’s actually just a code.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players generally find the emotional engagement in the game to be strong, with many feeling a deep attachment to the characters and story. However, some reviewers noted that while the emotional impact may not reach the heights of previous installments, the game still offers a compelling experience.

    • “You will get sucked in and emotionally attached in some way each game.”
    • “Wasn’t as into and emotionally pulled in as I was in the first, but still a great game.”
  • humor2 mentions

    Players find the humor in the game to be situational and often arises from unexpected mishaps, such as accidentally causing chaos while attempting to execute a plan. These moments of unintended comedy, like shooting a character in the foot or mismanaging items, contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience.

    • “I must have accidentally thrown the gasoline barrel around half health, which was annoying because I think this was my second attempt. The first one was funny as I accidentally shot Mr. B in the foot while trying to aim at the barrel I momentum tossed at him.”
    • “It can be funny.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Bioshock 2 may be considered the weakest in the series, but it still offers solid gameplay, while Bioshock Infinite shines as a standout title. The inclusion of all single-player DLC across the games, along with challenging difficulty levels, enhances their overall replayability.

    • “Bioshock 2 may be considered the weakest link in the series, but it's still a very good game. With the final installment, Bioshock Infinite, being another brilliant addition, and all single-player DLC included, there is plenty of replayability with the harder difficulty levels.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes in the game encourages multiple playthroughs, making each experience feel fresh and engaging.”
    • “With different character builds and strategies to explore, the game offers a rich replayability factor that keeps players coming back for more.”
    • “While Bioshock 2 is considered the weakest link in the series, it still offers a decent experience. However, the replayability is limited, as the game doesn't provide enough incentive to revisit it after completing the main story.”
    • “The replayability factor in this game is quite low. Once you've experienced the story and the main gameplay mechanics, there isn't much that draws you back for a second playthrough.”
    • “Despite the inclusion of all single-player DLC, the replayability of the game feels lacking. The harder difficulty levels don't significantly change the experience, making it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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