Bioshock

Voices of: John Ahlin, Greg Baldwin, Susanne Blakeslee, Anne Bobby, Tony Chiroldes, Juliet Landau, Shavonne Conroy
Developer: 2K
Directed by: Ken Levine
Rating: M
Genre: First Person Shooter
System: Xbox 360
2007

Times Completed:
Tim: 1

Summary: In 1960, a man survives a plane crash, but finds himself in the underwater city of Rapture, where he discovers bio-experiments gone wrong and must fight for survival.

Review:
Tim: To talk about Bioshock almost necessitates the need to call it one of the greatest video games of all time. It's the rare video game that feels like it elevates the entire art form- it's not just a game, but it's a work of art. The game has incredible depth (and not just the underwater kind), touches on core themes of humanity, asks big, philosophical questions, and makes you feel a wide, wide array of emotions. To call it a masterpiece isn't hyperbole. It's certainly one of the most memorable video games I've ever played.

There's so much to love about the setting itself- you play in the underwater city of Rapture, built in the 1940s and devolved from a promised utopia to a barren wasteland. The setting itself is unsettling, the creepy atmosphere pervades the entire game. The audio is outstanding- the crackling voices on your radio, the announcements overhead, everything is designed to make you feel like you're in the middle of this dangerous, isolated location and want nothing more than to escape. On top of the setting, the game introduces Little Sisters, who are extraordinarily creepy, both in their appearance and in their dialogue, which eventually feels like nails on a chalkboard. Contrast that with the Big Daddies, the lumbering, groaning bodyguards in diving suits that are extremely difficult to take down. Again, the sound effects here are superb, and I still feel a bit of a chill when I remember taking on one of these brutes. You have ADAM, the gene-altering substance that gives you powers, and the chilling way to obtain more of it. Already, everything I've described is so cinematic, such a wonderful way to twist reality into this science fiction horror realm. It's so different than other games- the setting and the characters feel wholly unique.

The broader story is incredible, too. The roles of Andrew Ryan, Frank Fontaine, and then Atlas and his revolution are all perfectly scripted to create a world with depth, where the player feels like you're always one step behind, trying to catch up. The game also features one of the greatest video game twists I've ever seen- a moment so shocking, you immediately have to rethink everything that has come before it. It's brilliant, perhaps the biggest shock I've had in a video game since Final Fantasy VII's epic death. The way the game builds up to it slowly, imperceptibly, is fantastic. It slowly dolls out breadcrumb after breadcrumb, and you're totally unaware of what is happening until the curtain pulls back and you finally understand. And, it's devastating in its revelation. That was one of my favorite video game moments ever.

Bioshock is absolutely an example of the most elevated of video games. It feels like movie-quality work, but you're not just passively watching it. You're involved, an active participant. This is really what video games bring to those who play them- you get some level of control over a character and the story. I know video games still get a bad rap across society. I get that and I acknowledge for some individuals, they can become obsessive, leading to a retreat from society and the real world. That danger does exist. However, they do something wonderful for people who are looking for memorable experiences, who want to better understand humanity. It allows you to slip into another character and actively control them for some period of time. Here, you're not just watching a movie about Rapture, you're there, involved. That immersion makes a huge difference. Bioshock is perfectly designed to transport you to this fantastic world and allow you to control Jack, to fight for survival. When I think about why I would add video games reviews to a site I created about movies, this is the kind of game that led me to do it. I love movies, but there's something so powerful about playing through a game that can't be replicated in a movie or television.

I've likely said enough at this point. No doubt in my mind, Bioshock is a masterpiece. It absolutely deserves to be included on any list of the greatest video games of all time. I loved playing it, even as my heart rate increased and I fought hard to stay alive. It's a stunning example of the engrossing, intense experience of video gaming and one of the most unique, entertaining experiences I've ever had.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: N/A



If You Enjoyed This Game, We Recommend: Bioshock 2, Borderlands, The Last of Us