I hesitated to post this here, but we have talked about shooters, and science fiction films elsewhere on the site, this one is like actually being in a film, if you liked Blade Runner ... you would like this

Bioshock review

I like simulation mostly, but love the odd quality game as well ... I currently play Oblivion as well as the Total War games, have also in the past played System Shock 2 and 1 as well as the 3d Ultima Underworld games, absolutely loved the depth they had ... when I heard Bioshock was being made by some of the same people and it was the spiritual successor to System Shock ... I could not wait!

I got it about 2 weeks ago , a day early from Play24 in Jersey had to wait until mid day to get it activated ... LOL

The graphics and sound on an Xi Fi card are just away with it, they are a cut above everything else just now, probably due to the new Unreal 3 engine? I did try the demo just before I got the game and tried it on XP32 and Vista64, since I now have a DX10 graphic card I was keen to see this running on Vista 64, it looks a bit better with water and smoke effects, but not the massive difference I was expecting ... I guess we are not seeing full DX10 implementation yet? same goes for full game.

Anyway, this game plays as smooth as a hot knife through butter and apparently will do on mid range systems as well, no worrys about using XP or Vista here, but make sure you have a full shader 3 compliant graphic card, ATI X800 cards wont cut it.

I actually finished it very late last night, the story is twisted but intoxicating, the voice acting is the best I've ever heard and the special effects and storyline are better than some of the crap coming out of Hollywood today ... and you get to act in it

There are apparently at least 2 ways to play it with at least 2 endings, not wishing to spoil things ... I was a nice guy and got the good ending, next time I play it, I'll do it differently.

Don't take my word for it, read the review in the link I posted, its not a kids game, the language used would make a Glaswegian hard man embarrassed

Word of warning, if you run a wide-screen monitor, you need the third party fix to get the correct POV, this will be patched soon.

Hi

The problem with Bioshock is the SecuRom copy protection. It's nothing more than a rootkit.
It installs files without your knowledge and inserts nullkeys that can't be removed easily.
Even the bloody DEMO has it.
I'll stick with HPS Simulations

I saw this game running on a friends X-Box 360. Bought the game for the pc, it wouldn't run on my comp. Shame, looks like a cracker. Made by the same blokes who made System Shock I/II... Class!

Bob

I have to agree - been playing at the expense of modelling since the end of Aug. Been running it at 1280x1024 resolution using a 2x7800GTX SLi PC and it is just stunning. (Xbox 360?? Pah, strictly for amateurs!) Looks amazing, and the styling is really atmospheric.

The best gameplay feature is the genetic modification and the "Adam" and "Eve" enzymes (one provides opportunities for genetic modification, the other supplies fuel for them). Haven't finished yet due to long absences through work, but hacking through at pace!

Absolutely wicked game, a must for shooter lovers.

I saw this game on my lads brand spanky new Xbox....until it died 3 hours later. To say he was gutted is an understatement. I asked him how much it was, he said "£300". I replied " Wow! £100 pound an hour then?"

He's not a happy bunny!

I've been a TW fanboy since the day Shogun: Total War was released some 10-some years ago

As for Bioshock, well SS2 scared me sh*tless, I didn't even have the guts to finish the demo, so I think I'll be avoiding this one

Yup, pity about the rootkit, it can be removed though, but don't let that put you off what is probably the game of the year if not the decade, the suits always spoil things for the people that obviously made this a labour of love to produce, all in the name to fight against piracy ... they will never beat the pirates, I hear its been cracked and available on torrents already, so why punish the paying customer?

Anyway, just thinking back to some of the moments in the game ... its best played in a darkened room with headphones on for total immersion, there is one moment when I'm exploring a desk in this room and suddenly this shadow appears ... I look round and this Splicer is standing there sneering at me ... I just about jumped out of my skin, Fort Frolic is the best level IMHO, especially the end of it and the ensuing chaos.

The whole art deco look and music as well as the different national accents that make up the voice acting are brilliant, my only complaint about Bioshock is that it ends, its not quite as big a game as SS2 was, but it holds the suspense all the way through to the end, there is a major twist in the plot and I kinda guessed what it was, but the way its done is just brilliant.

Also, for those wondering what Bioshock is all about, this old trailer gives some clues.

Notice the AI in action, the Big Daddy's will not bother you if you don't bother them.



The action may seem frantic, but the way they have designed the game means all modes and actions are just a nonsecond away, even for old farts like me:)

Also, remember, its not all action, there is a story here better than any Hollywood film I've seen in years.

Yeah, I've got this on the 360.
Very atmospheric and like you, I wait till its dark before putting it on.
It certainly gets the ole pulse rate going.
Quality game.