BioShock demo zaps Xbox Live

Sampler for 2K Boston's open-ended first-person shooter arrives on the 360; PC demo following later this month.

Despite flying new colors under its newly dubbed moniker 2K Boston, the studio formerly known as Irrational Games seems to be unwavering on its projected August 21 release date for BioShock. As evidence of that fact, and perhaps to prove that not all of Take-Two's aggressively anticipated games have hit the skids, 2K Games unveiled a demo for BioShock on Xbox Live over the weekend.

Weighing in at a hefty 1.35GB, the demo offers gamers a preview of the open-ended gameplay for 2K Boston's science-experiment-gone-wrong first-person shooter. Players will have access to a variety of weapons and utilities as they explore the remnants of a decaying city, while warding off genetically altered monstrosities and navigating the perils of a technically advanced society. Gamers looking to parse out their precious holiday dollars should check out GameSpot's previous coverage for a more in-depth look at the game.

Following up on the Xbox 360 demo, 2K Games today announced that a PC demo will be available later this month. Rated M for Mature, the full version of BioShock will be available for the PC and Xbox 360 for $49.99 and $59.99, respectively.

460 Comments

  • mrfidget

    Posted Aug 21, 2007 10:32 am PT

    meh i didnt really like condemned that much, but i was fun to watch my friend get the crap scared out of him playing it!

  • Bladefist

    Posted Aug 20, 2007 2:48 pm PT

    Ah. All I have to say is, sorry PS3 owners. This game is mindblowing.

  • danleeah

    Posted Aug 20, 2007 10:57 am PT

    Have you all read the review for this, on the Sony Propaganda site? I think its called the Sony Self Defense Force. The reviewer gave the game a 5/10! He goes on to say that when the game comes to ps3 it will be a perfect gem. Read this review and you will see how sorry these ps3 fanboys are. It should also be noted that the site has no ps3 reviews at all. Only a Bioshock review for 360.

  • warhammer33

    Posted Aug 20, 2007 4:34 am PT

    PC is better only if you have a high end PC because then you can support Directx 10 and it will be cheaper and look better also first person shooters are always better with a mouse

  • Bloodhawk_DX

    Posted Aug 19, 2007 11:49 pm PT

    PC is cheaper, but is it better?

  • Sub-Zero_SUCKS

    Posted Aug 19, 2007 6:43 pm PT

    PC is cheaper, na na na na boo boo

  • bob1dun

    Posted Aug 19, 2007 2:44 pm PT

    This game is very similar to Condemned with the eery atmosphere and intense action. Please don't think this as a bad thing because Condemned is another awesome FPS. Bioshock has taken this superb formula and improved on it even further!

  • Agent473

    Posted Aug 19, 2007 11:08 am PT

    The Demo was awesome, but it would have been a lot more fun if you got telekinesis instead of incinerate. Anyway, i live in a small town. Hopefully the local stores will get it in!

  • dr_mcguire

    Posted Aug 19, 2007 6:35 am PT

    Bioshock looks to be a fantastic game, but I'm still not sure if I'm gonna buy it. I'm kind of intimidated by it since it's nto the kinf of FPS/RPG I'm used to. It seems like theres more running around looking for a little object or to much evasion as opposed to aggresion than I'd like. I'm sure other people agree with me. Also, I'm not sure if I'd be able to get all of the achievements before the big 9-25

  • slayersdeath200

    Posted Aug 19, 2007 6:02 am PT

    played the demo on the 360 now i wants it even more NOT LONG NOW this game is going to be big

  • Titanicles

    Posted Aug 19, 2007 4:35 am PT

    I didn't like the demo it had too many cutscenes which lasted for too long. I think the proper game sounds good though.

  • casmar82

    Posted Aug 17, 2007 11:40 pm PT

    I was not convinced on this game, the guy at gamestop was so pushy telling me to pre-order the limited edition you get a lot for $10 more. I was so regretting it what was I thinking, why did I let this guy get me to pre-order this game it's probably going to be ebayed or something. I saw the demo on Live so I download it, I started to play the game went through some of the areas in the game and the more I played it the more I WANTED THE GAME TO BE RELEASED!!!!!! MAN I NEED TO PICK THIS THING PRONTO AND FASTER THAN THE ROAD RUNNER. I can say this game will be game of the year and don't be surprised for a 9.7 or higher rating.

  • phearless

    Posted Aug 17, 2007 12:36 pm PT

    A good story is also a critical part of a good game so far in the demo it is enough to intrigue me into buying the game. I like the play in it too because it is straight forward and simplistic and not overly sophisticated and stupid. Gots to get my money right for the 21st now!

  • willthegreat

    Posted Aug 17, 2007 11:32 am PT

    The demo has convinced me to buy the game next week. This may well be the best game on 360 so far...even better than Gears and Oblivion!!!

  • ebookerd1

    Posted Aug 17, 2007 11:00 am PT

    The 360 demo guys was greatness!! If my PC was upgraded. I might have purchased it on PC. But the 360 version is great.

  • reckeweg

    Posted Aug 17, 2007 11:00 am PT

    The demo was outstanding. I loved hacking the turret in the bathroom and sitting back and watching the splicer's run and get mowed down by a hail fire of lead. Then just to top it off if someone slipped through the barrage of bullets then had a nice fat blast of my incinerate plasmid waiting for them. I wish I could have tried to take on a big daddy, even if it would've a losing battle, next Tuesday though I'll get my chance. Thia is a fabulous game, totally worthy in every respect.

  • Tyler_Durden69

    Posted Aug 17, 2007 7:47 am PT

    Yeah Darkorcs, im also waiting for that pc demo. I just hope these game live up to expectation. Also i hope my video card handles it, i got a good nvidia video card but it isnt one those 8800 monsters.

  • Orakk

    Posted Aug 17, 2007 1:09 am PT

    The demo rocks sooooo much! I like to kill a splicer with a plasmid called something like infi something. "ARRRGHHHH... (Pass away)" - Splicer.
    That is sooo cool made!

  • minawashinu

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 10:01 pm PT

    Well I live in Japan and it wont let me download the demo over here. It is however on Marketplace over here. The full game will also not be out here for a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time.

  • GaMeWiZaRd93

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 6:32 pm PT

    the demo was crazy n i can't wait until it comes out

  • Darkorcs

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 5:32 pm PT

    I cant wait for pc demo which comes out in 2 days!!!!

  • jt222_us

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 4:38 pm PT

    gangsterjc doesn't have to have the game to know that yet. look at the review by ign and other sites. they state that it's around 20hrs or so. gangsterjc has been doing his research

  • gunman357

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 3:15 pm PT

    gangsterjc, what the heck do you know? The games not out yet.

  • gangsterjc

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 2:25 pm PT

    the game is around about 20 hours long thats not incloding searching but just u know rushing (wich is stupid)

  • gangsterjc

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 2:22 pm PT

    Rapture is a real place in our harts and in our minds

  • CojoJohnson

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 2:20 pm PT

    I don't know how everyone is saying that the graphics are sub-par. The textures are amazing, the enemies seem more real than any I have ever seen and the water is beautiful. Also, a game doesn't have to have multiplayer to be amazing. I think if developers spent more time on a truley amazing single-player experience (like this game) the public would be happier. Also, this is the first time I can say that I was dragged into the setting of the game. From the huge golden sculptures to the big band music playing behind people babbleing on about crazy things, Rapture feels like a real place. I can't wait for this game to release, I'm going to be saying goodbye to other activities.

  • jaggi1

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 11:47 am PT

    Demo was good and gave a good sense of how the game is gunna be. It does a good job of building atmosphere but the graphics a little dissapointing but this is a must buy

  • Kruegmeister

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 11:19 am PT

    Demos are always a good sign.
    Crappy games don't get demos because they want to get sales simply from hype before people realize it is a crap game.
    So far from the Review rolling in (Game Informer gave it 100) it looks very intriguing. Although a game with NO multiplayer getting 100 seems a little odd.

  • unreal6666

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 10:27 am PT

    It's kinda stupid that the Pc people will receive a demo only later.

    I think you would expect the company to put out a demo to showcase both PC and xbox360 before the game official release.

    I am jacked up about the game and reserved my limted edition copy at local EBgames. But i am pissed that i was not able to play a pc demo like the lucky Ba$tard of the 360 did before tuesday.

    ARRRRGHHHHH!!!!!

  • aragon18k

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 8:31 am PT

    Greystone....Incinerate plasmid is in the demo also. This is a VERY good demo. A little disappointed in the almost "House of the Dead" type animations of some enemies in action which give an arcadey feel to an otherwise very atmospheric game. It won't be giving Gears any run but it's still far prettier than most. I'll buy.

  • lsny

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 6:48 am PT

    Haven't played the demo but I'm getting this game without question.

  • greystone227

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 6:45 am PT

    The demo was amazing. Normally I'm not one for games where you constantly have to keep track of ammo and health, but this game might change my mind. I just wish there were another plasmid or two available during the demo. I only got the electricity one, but I skipped one or two side areas so maybe I missed one. Either way, this game looks awesome, and I'm definitely buying it.

  • capitancahonas

    Posted Aug 16, 2007 2:02 am PT

    The demo was a great taster for next weeks release, and the water effects are incredible. With regards to the moans about not bein able to fight a big daddy, the b.d I remember was invincible! Only giant haystacks ever worried him and even he succumbed to the big daddy "splash" eventually...easy! easy !easy! (Limey retro wrestling alert!)

    Game of the year is a bolt-on certainty, especially as it's also on p.c.

  • everythingj

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 10:55 pm PT

    this game has game of the year written all over it...
    and the demo reeks of beautifuilly smooth frenetic action.

    anyone who says they were not impressed by the demo, is probably either an over-saturated gamer that needs to take a few weeks off, or an advanced ps3 marketer trying to slow down the hype of this game which looks truly awesome.

    either way this babys on pre-order and it's going to be good.

    did i mention it was smooth? i mean SMOOTH.

  • girufool

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 10:28 pm PT

    The demo is great! but did any one noticed that the ragdoll can be laggy when you shoot them? I have an HDTV and i know the framerate can get a little messy when games are in HD.

  • Pandaar

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 9:36 pm PT

    The demo is amazing. The graphics are beautiful, and there are so many small touches that give it so much atmosphere. The sound has been done well with so many indiscernible sounds and conversations, giving it a really creepy feel.

    And the water, ooooh the water. It looks great! Did anyone realise that in the exploding elevator section the water actually flows out of the ceiling, along the ground and starts to fill the room? That's impressive.

    And everyone saying that it was disappointing not to fight a big daddy has to realise that they are meant to be tough to kill, i would say it would be almost impossible at that stage in the game.

    The only negative point i have is that i think my brain is going to explode in anticipation now that i have played the demo and there is only one week to go.

  • fabbuki

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 9:01 pm PT

    hmm. i would like to say that i enjoyed the game but i can't. hey i have a 360... i love shooter like halo and gears. but this game , or at least the demo is missing something in my opinion. the feeling of precise control on the 360 controller. all the shooters that actually make it on any console have to have tight controls, and this game just doesn't have the feel. I did like the plasmids and the ability to control the bots. that was freaking awesome.

    also i cannot say that this game looks even as good as gears of war. this game is using the "cheap" techniques to look nice. what is the "cheap" technique you ask? well flat surfaces with really high res textures. gears looks nice because it has really smart modeling techniques to go along with the crisp textures. final word... this game will be a blast for the specific group of games it is aimed toward. I highly doubt this will be the game for anyone. but again this is just a demo.... but this close to the release i doubt they will change the feel of the controls.

  • Supermanunbound

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 8:32 pm PT

    I wonder how long it will take to beat the full game.

    How much replay value will it have?

    It takes alot to get people to go from the almost infinite replayability of online games to offline.

  • pbking13

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 8:16 pm PT

    The demo is freaking awesome. This game is definitely going to own.

  • JayMz_TheFallen

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 6:52 pm PT

    the demo is great!

    even though i didnt finish yet... damn brother!! :p

  • playstation_wii

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 6:35 pm PT

    A demo is a great idea!

  • ax_prime_basic

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 6:20 pm PT

    The demo is excellent, and I get the impression they're saving the really cool stuff for later. I can't wait.

  • lilromeo0606

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 6:12 pm PT

    This game is really awesome. Playing it at 2:00am in the morning with the lights turned off with surround sound and a 50 inch tv gives you the creeps. The atmosphere, especially the 1960s atmosphere because it was a time of happiness, in a way, and showing the craziness of this underwater city is really spooky. Im still going to rent it but will most defintely sleep outside of blockbuster to get it.

  • Makhdoom82

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 5:10 pm PT

    Come on irrational, PC gamers deserve the demo equally, Step it up !!!

  • listerfiend21

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 4:34 pm PT

    yea the game should be long since it doesnt have xbox live. I liked the demo but i was so pisseed it left me wanting more and fighting a big daddy.

  • ithmoney

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 4:04 pm PT

    A-Freaking-Mazing! The first time you play it, the setting at atmosphere completely bring you completely in, and make YOU feel that YOU are in that situation, so unlike any other FPS I've ever played. Then by the time you've played it for the 3rd time thru, after you 'know' what to expect, you can be daring and so innovative. I had 3 robots running around with me at the end point for the 'big' fight, my own army OWNING. Hectic and Instense. Given that its just a demo, its a little daunting all the possibilties you're gonna have at your disposal. Finally a game that makes you think instead of just running around and shooting everything that moves. Its a must at this point for every FPS player - unless the actual game bombs terribly, which at this point is highly doubtful. Graphics - 10, Atmosphere - 10, Gameplay - 10, Creativity/Innovation - 10, Story - Yet to be seen, but I wanna know what happend at that New Years party, Great Demo, its like all the best aspects of Breakdown, Fatal Frame, F.E.A.R, Oblivion, Half Life, and Gears Of War all thrown in together. Hopefully its not a short game with a bad ending.

  • freedthekreed

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 1:37 pm PT

    Whoever speaks ill of this game hasnt played it yet...haters...

  • Omnichrono

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 11:51 am PT

    I hear you Get_Shorty. I'm growing tired of all the First Person Shooters as of late. Better graphics and 20 new ways to destroy things just doesn't do it for me like it used to. And it seems like that's the direction most developers are going these days. Why? Who really knows. Maybe because it's safer, because they know most people expect that. However, a "new control scheme" alone won't cut it either. Now, If it has a truly unique and engrossing story to go along with it, I will probably buy it. It seems like Metroid Prime 3 will. Though who wouldn't go with Gameplay over Atmosphere? It's an old debate that really isn't one at all. Controls make or break a game regardless of atmosphere... testified by the fact that your great old-school games (such as, Super Mario Bros. and Contra) are still just as fun to play now as they were 15 years ago, even though their graphics are considered atrocious by today's standards.

  • rappermile

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 11:07 am PT

    the only problem with the demo is it kind of teases you a lot by not letting you fight the Big Daddy. You only see the corpse near the end where if you search it you get like 45 bucks or something. Never the less great demo and going to be great game, already preordered the full game a long time ago

  • mforbesy

    Posted Aug 15, 2007 10:23 am PT

    Wow what a great game demo. I was going to rent this because there is no online multiplayer but after playing the demo I need to buy it. It's awsome. Great atmosphere, visuals, & gameplay.

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