Bioshock is simply the best game ever made yet and here's why.

Now, I'm not talking for it's time or crap like that, I'm talking simple best. OOT may have been better for it's time (though you could argue that point, and even for its time I still think this is better) but you must honestly be delusional if you still think it's the best game ever. It was good, sure, but it can't hold up to some recent games.

Bioshock has the most amazing story in a game I have ever seen. Halo's story: well, umm, aliens are attacking and you are a genetically enhanced super soldier (whoa, not cliche at all) that has to fight off swarms of them. Now I love Halo, but the story and world this game has created is unmatched. The idea of Rapture and itsdownfall, the moral choices, the dozens of audio tapes that add subtle intricacies to the plot... it's near impossible to go through the game the first time (without a walkthrough) and really know the WHOLE story, as you are sure to miss some bits and pieces.

The AI is amazing. Now I don't care much about AI in combat, I'm content if it can find me and shoot me generally, but this game blew my mind. Enemies on fire will put themselves out, run to a healing station if hurt, etc.

The sound, absolutely awe-inspiring. The best sound in any game, movie, or anything I have ever seen or heard, hands down. The creaks of the city leaking, the constant sound of water, the bullets that actually sound like bullets, the whale-like moans of Big Daddies, the innocent voices of the Little Sisters, the sound a camera makes when it finds you... EVERYTHING is perfect. I honestly couldn't find one thing I would change, one noise, from the sound of your footsteps to that of Andrew Ryan's voice.

The graphics, oh where to start, it's as revolutionary as the soundtrack. The background is really what jumps out at you. I was hard pressed to find a room where nothing was in motion. Either signs were flickering on and off, I would see some fish swim by, water was rushing through a small river in the room, etc. It may not sound like much, but this makes the game seem 10x more real. I honestly forgot it was a game at some points I was so immersed, which has NEVER happened to me before. It's not just the background. The enemies are the most grotesque (without beingoverboard at all) Ihave seen. They are suitably mutated and mesh perfectly with the surrounding area and backstory. I always take the time to look at the dead bodies (however odd that sounds) simply because they looked so much like the real thing.

The immersion. Though I mentioned it earlier (and it might sound punnish, haha, underwater) the feeling of being in the game is incredible. I have never felt like I was actually IN the game, until now. Imagine my surprise when my mom would walk in and suddenly *CLICK* I realize that I'm just in my room in the real world. You actually feel bad for the enemies. I walked upon a woman crying at a casket and killed her. I then realized she was mourning her husband, or brother, or some other loved one. I felt terrible, though I knew inside it was a game. I saw a man and woman lying side by side holding each other, dead, with a bottle of pills next to them. They had committed suicide together because their daughter had (slight spoilers I guess) been turned into a Little Sister (end spoilers). On the other end of the spectrum, some enemies I simply feared or was disgusted by, or both. (SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST CHAPTER) The first boss is Dr. Steinman, a plastic surgeon, and a seriously messed up individual. As you near him you see posters of girls with scissors jammed in their faces and cuts and incisions made all over. As you get closer they become less and less human looking. At one point Dr. Steinman says something about how when Picasso tired of painting normal faces, hepainted them misshapen. Why can't I do that with my scalpel? Yikes. I won't ruin what is happening when you actually GET to him (END OF SPOILERS). Simply put, every character seems possible, and the game almost seems like it COULD happen. You are in this small, underwater, crazy world and you don't forget it.

The Gameplay. In my opinion (and I'm sure in many others') the most important part of a game. Who cares if it looks amazing but you simply can't get your dragon to turn right (thinly veiled jab at Lair :P ) . The gameplay is amazing. Though it doesn't blow away every other game as it does in terms of graphics, sound, story, etc., how can it? What it is is the best shooter gameplay I have ever had the pleasure of playing. The controls are flawless, you don't move too fast or too slow, the aiming is precise, everything is spot on. I have yet to find any cases of sloppy hit detection, PERIOD. But enough with the controls, it's the guns and tools to kill stuff that's what makes this game's gameplay great. As I'm sure you know, you use guns, your wrench, and plasmids (effectively magic, but makes sense in the game as genetically enhancing drugs).The way you use your plasmids and guns is simply genius, though simple. Left trigger uses plasmids, right uses guns/wrench, to change between the 2 you simply press the left or right button. It's simple, easy, and flawless.

The variety is, simply put, insane. There are so many ways to kill any and all enemies in the game at any given time, it's really hard to describe it in words. Your plasmids, guns, and hacking abilities combined create enough variety so that you really never have to kill an enemy exactly the same way twice. Rarely will you find yourself simply holding the trigger and blasting some machine gun rounds into your enemy. More likely you will freeze them and run up and shatter them into pieces by smacking them with your wrench, or use telekinesis to grab a grenade being thrown at you and throw it right back. There are just so many ways to deal damage to enemies, it's hard to imagine. When I'm bored (after finishing my work in school etc.) I will suddenly think of an idea, "What would happen if I froze an enemy and then incinerated him? Would he melt?" A game that can keep me that interested is a rare find.

The Big Daddies. These guys are cool enough to get their own section. Your controller vibrates as they near, they sound like blue whales, slow, lumbering, but peaceful, yet you know they are large and tough enough to tear you limb from limb if you piss them off. These ARE the highlight of the game, no matter what anyone says. I feel a mix of anxiety and happiness any time I feel that controller vibrates. On the one hand, it's my method to upgrade my character. On the other, these guys are effectively mobile tanks, only tougher. On the rareoccasion I accidentally shoot one or somehow threaten them (trust me, after the first time or two you MAKE SURE it doesn't happen again lol) my heart suddenly stops and I gasp, realizingI'm about to get slaughtered if I don't somehow come up with a method on the spot to at least stop him inhis tracks for a second.Your first introduction to one is something you likely would never forget.

Basically, the whole point of this point was to provide an honest opinion from an unbiased source. I understand everyone here knows it's a great game, but it was so great I couldn't help but give my opinion on it. I simply wanted to get the word out that everyone that possibly can SHOULD experience it somehow. Upgrade your PC (though it's not as good on the PC, still amazing) if you have to, buy a 360 (heck, you got Halo3 coming up too, why don't you already have one?), buy the game and play it at a friend's house if you have to, rob a video game store, I don't care, just play it. And don't just play the first chapter or so, play through a few chapters on a bare minimum of medium difficulty to truly get the feel for it. Then tell me you aren't impressed.

I have only played the first few hours of the game at a friends place but why would you say it's the best story ever and then use Halo as a comparison??

I find it hard to believe that bioshock has a better story than say xenogears(which has the best story of a game I've ever played)

One of the defining games of this generation? Yes.

Best ever? No.

It is certainly one of the best games ever made, but I don't think it is the best.

It is the best FPS I have ever played however...

If repitive gameplay, lack of character interaction, I mean you just speak to people on radios the whole time, with the acception of 2 characters and some little sisters near the end, All you do is play through each area, killing big daddys and killing or saving little sisters the whole time, nothing else? whats so great about it apart from the world it's in is very well donebigLLL

i bought the game the day it came out and i was expecting a great game...

2 hours after playing i was very happy with my purchase. youre right about how you don;t pick up on everything through your first play. i've played the game twice. first time on medium, second time on hard. i've gotten every achievment and explored rapture for 40+ hours. this game is awesome. part of me wishes it was longer. but i know even though it was around 20 hours, it was still awesome.

i bought the game the day it came out and i was expecting a great game...

2 hours after playing i was very happy with my purchase. youre right about how you don;t pick up on everything through your first play. i've played the game twice. first time on medium, second time on hard. i've gotten every achievment and explored rapture for 40+ hours. this game is awesome. part of me wishes it was longer. but i know even though it was around 20 hours, it was still awesome.

sensesxfail

20 hours is long for a game of this type. I was fairly surprised that it was even that long to be honest. I'm at the end of the game personally and am at about 21 hours.

I have only played the first few hours of the game at a friends place but why would you say it's the best story ever and then use Halo as a comparison??

I find it hard to believe that bioshock has a better story than say xenogears(which has the best story of a game I've ever played)

Thrice_III

i too find it hard that it has a better story than xenogears... imo xenogears has the best story a game ever had.

Eh, way to generalize Halo's story.

In any case it seems almost everyone that spurts out Bioshock is the Greatest Game Ever never played System Shock 2.

... I don't like shooters. Whoops.Tickmenanny

whether or not you like the genre, a gamer should be able to recognize and appreciate a good game when he sees one.

Bioshock is great, but it really underdelivered for me.

The immersion is fantastic. The story is pretty good, and it has one of the most real and telling environments since Half-Life 2. And the gameplay is pretty varied, though I wouldn't say it's perfect. You do have a lot of options, but I still felt like Electrobolt-Wrench was the most viable option most of the game. The enemies are pretty resistant to damage in most other circumstances.

But I came into the game expecting to have a lot more control over the story, and expecting my choices to have a lot more weight. There's really only one choice in the entire game, essentially (kill or save Little Sisters). I was expecting a more varied world where I had more options available, not in terms of combat, but in terms of story/morality. That's where the game really disappointed me, and it really hurt my overall perception of the game.

This game really has nothing on Half-Life 2. The story is fascinating.. but We have all played this game before in the past. THe sound design is the most impressive sound design I've heard in my life. Everything you hit makes a different noise, and the voice acting is amazing.

I am not sure if you watched the HD videos of PC vs 360 but the difference was only in Gamma correction. Bioshock is a good game, but I doubt it would be getting such acclaim if it was a solo PC title.

My best game experiences:

HL2 - Prey - Gran Turismo - Farcry to name a few. Bioshock is fun, but its not revolutionary. Sorry dude. Its the way all games should be, well rounded on all facets.

Bioshock is great, but it really underdelivered for me.

The immersion is fantastic. The story is pretty good, and it has one of the most real and telling environments since Half-Life 2. And the gameplay is pretty varied, though I wouldn't say it's perfect. You do have a lot of options, but I still felt like Electrobolt-Wrench was the most viable option most of the game. The enemies are pretty resistant to damage in most other circumstances.

But I came into the game expecting to have a lot more control over the story, and expecting my choices to have a lot more weight. There's really only one choice in the entire game, essentially (kill or save Little Sisters). I was expecting a more varied world where I had more options available, not in terms of combat, but in terms of story/morality. That's where the game really disappointed me, and it really hurt my overall perception of the game.

sonicmj1

There is actually 3 ways the game will play out.

Game - Multiplayer = little in the long term

But thats just my opinion

Because Bioshock starts with a B and no other game is before it alphabetically. Which means it is first on the list.Shomb22

Beyond Good and Evil.

Assassin's Creed.

[QUOTE="Shomb22"]Because Bioshock starts with a B and no other game is before it alphabetically. Which means it is first on the list.FrozenLiquid

Beyond Good and Evil.

Assassin's Creed.

I spell my Assassin's Creed(s) with a W.

Wssasin's Creed!

It's a great game, I agree; however, it has no replay value so it's a rent only in my book.

[QUOTE="Shomb22"]Because Bioshock starts with a B and no other game is before it alphabetically. Which means it is first on the list.FrozenLiquid

Beyond Good and Evil.

Assassin's Creed.

Batman also. Crap that doesn't work.:evil:

[QUOTE="FrozenLiquid"]

[QUOTE="Shomb22"]Because Bioshock starts with a B and no other game is before it alphabetically. Which means it is first on the list.ArisShadows

Beyond Good and Evil.

Assassin's Creed.

I spell my Assassin's Creed(s) with a W.

Wssasin's Creed!

Hax! :o

Anyways, let me state that Bioshock is a game I want to play. I love the art, the atmosphere and the story setting. However, as a single player game, will I be playing it from now till ten years down the road? Probably not. I can't see the game keeping my interest for that long, especially when the fine folks at Irrational will probably outdo themselves once their next game comes along.

The only game I can see actually becoming the next greatest game ever has to be Starcraft 2, not only because I'm a Starcraft whore but for the new version of the Staredit tool (Basically create any game you want), the story, the multiplayer and the support Blizzard will give it.

I have finished it twice, got all achievements.

Its good but gets points deducted for its dificulty, or lack thereoff. Its endings suck as do the final battle and there's not enough variety in your enemies making it a bit boring in the end but the story makes up for that though less diaries and more actual story telling/showing through movie clips would have been nice.

I like the game but far from the best ever. After playing through it twice in 2 weeks I'm done with it for a while. Best game ever would keep me wanting more for alot longer. This doesn't hold a candle against RE4, HL2, ninja gaiden, MGS, DMC, Okami, OoT and i can mention a few more. I dare say its slightly overrated and would be content if they gave the game an 8,5.

Bioshock is great, but it really underdelivered for me.The immersion is fantastic. The story is pretty good, and it has one of the most real and telling environments since Half-Life 2. And the gameplay is pretty varied, though I wouldn't say it's perfect. You do have a lot of options, but I still felt like Electrobolt-Wrench was the most viable option most of the game. The enemies are pretty resistant to damage in most other circumstances. But I came into the game expecting to have a lot more control over the story, and expecting my choices to have a lot more weight. There's really only one choice in the entire game, essentially (kill or save Little Sisters). I was expecting a more varied world where I had more options available, not in terms of combat, but in terms of story/morality. That's where the game really disappointed me, and it really hurt my overall perception of the game.sonicmj1

That was one of it's weakest points, indeed, and what I'd consider one of the only valid complaints I've heard. I was especially interested in the plasmids/loss of humanity interaction, which were not even touched upon except in a dialogue or two ("you're too spliced up to notice!").[spoiler] Then there's also Ryan. The whole cinematic where you kill him screamed some way to try and do something about it. Even if the end result were the same, some way to influence it all would've been cool. And then there's the whole Big Daddy thing. Maybe make it obscenely hard, but being able to not become a big daddy would've been cool. [/spoiler] On another note, am I the only one who felt worse about killing them Big Daddies than about little sisters?

From what I have read about Ayn Rand's AtlasShrugged the story in BioShock is really not that unique.
foxhound_fox

I have read Atlas Shrugged, and I think that Bioshock is a gloriously well written parody of it.

It is quite unique; there has never been, to my well studied knowledge, a serious and well written assault on Atlas Shrugged, which is, by the way, a great book in and of itself.

Was it just me or did anyone else find Condemned to be scarier, more immersive, and overall better than Bioshock?

Was it just me or did anyone else find Condemned to be scarier, more immersive, and overall better than Bioshock?

REVENGEotSITH