BioShock - Review.

Truly after buying my Xbox 360 and playing game after game of mindless shoot 'em ups I have been devoid of any game that I could actually call the best and my personal favourite on the system......until I played BioShock. You may actually be surprised that the first time I played BioShock my mind rejected it. It really weird and kind of hard to explain but in short I didn't enjoy playing it and was not the least bit immersed. Only until I come back to it 1 year later in hopes to get some story knowledge under my belt before the sequel comes out did I realise the amazing perfect game I missed......

First off clearly for the stand out feature of this game and also what it does best is atmosphere. The world seems real enough that it could actually be in the middle of the ocean. This is partly because of the spectacular voice work, realistic enemy A.I and stunning visuals. Enemies walk around talking to themselves or partners and the sound echos throughout the halls. When you go through a cascade of water your screen distorts for a brief moment and traversing the living city is certainly a freaky experience.

Rapture is an underwater city built by Andrew Ryan, a man who rejected the beliefs of the people that ran the countries of the world and set out to build an undersea paradise devoid of government. Scientific break through discovers Adam. A substance that can increase the power of beings and also change the genetic structure with the help of Plasmids, serums with a genetic code that allows people to do things like shoot fire, lightening and even bees.

The people the inhabit Rapture grow addicted to Adam and eventually even kill to get it. These people change and turn in Splicers. The society of Rapture crumbles and eventually only few sane people survive. Atlas, a man who is trapped and also cut off some his family enlists the help of you......you are a victim of a plane crash that lands you right beside the structure of Rapture (You are mute also) . Apart from kindness and having no where else to go to survive you help Atlas.

All the dialog is either in audio logs or radio transmissions. Its great because it vastly builds the story without the need of cutscenes while it still allows you to play. That's all I'm going to say about the story. I could go on for a long time because its so intriguing but you should experience it for yourself.

Rapture was built in the 40's and thus has a very stylised look, sound and theme (You arrive in the 60's). The water effects look great and the crumbling world looks amazing. The sound of old timey songs coming from the vending machines and stories is also very nice.

Enemies don't have to much variety but they do range from: Heavy melee types, Gunners, Agile types and explosive types but no doubt the most exciting and intense fight scenes are with Big Daddies......Big Daddies are giant, heavily armored and armed powerhouses that take a ton of damage and also deal it out. They protect Little Sisters. Genetically modified little girls that can search out Adam. Killing a Big Daddy gives you a chance to Harvest or Rescue them. Rescuing them saves them and turns them back into girls but gives you less Adam. Harvesting gives you a lot more Adam. Adam is used for buying extra Plasmids so its vital to get a lot but for Rescuing around 3 little sisters you get a prize containing Adam. I'm not quite sure how it all works out but
its nice it have that feeling that you did something good.

Shooting is satisfying but it does feel like you run out of ammo really quickly and that it also costs a lot to buy more. You get weapons ranging from: A pistol, machine gun, shotgun, crossbow, grenade launcher and a weapon that shots napalm. Shootings a lot of fun but its way better using the also Plasmids. It just feels better setting some one on fire by means of igniting oil on the ground or electrocuting someone in a pool of water....I don't know what that says about me but what ever.

In conclusion. This is most likely the best game you will found on the Xbox period. The story is great. The setting amazing and also the pacing is awesome to. It never feels like your doing something for to long. Be sure to pick this one up before the sequel comes out because its totally worth it.

Gameplay: 10.0 - Do you know the feeling of zapping somebody in a pool of water with electricity shot out of your hands? Well when you play this game you will.
Graphics: 10.0 - Amazingly atmospheric it takes sound in a tango with it.
Sound: 10.0 - Hearing the lumbering foot steps of a Big Daddy never sound so good.
Worth: 10.0 - Dude I paided $3.50 to play this game for 8 days! I ripped them off.
Overall: 10.0 - I don't think I've ever played a game this good. I think everybody should experience it for themselves.

CIARAN'S STAMP OF A ****ING AMAZING GAME.