BioShock PC
BioShock Image
See the trailer
Metascore
96 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 44 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2031 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: Going beyond "run and gun corridors," "monster-closet AIs" and static worlds, BioShock creates a living, unique and unpredictable FPS experience. After your plane crashes into icy uncharted waters, you discover a rusted bathysphere and descend into Rapture, a city hidden beneath the sea. Constructed as an idealistic society for a hand picked group of scientists, artists and industrialists, the idealism is no more. Now the city is littered with corpses, wildly powerful guardians roam the corridors as little girls loot the dead, and genetically mutated citizens ambush you at every turn. Take control of your world by hacking mechanical devices, commandeering security turrets and crafting unique items critical to your very survival. Upgrade your weapons with ionic gels, explosives and toxins to customize them to the enemy and environment. Genetically modify your body through dozens of Plasmid Stations scattered throughout the city, empowering you with fantastic and often grotesque abilities. Explore a living world powered by Ecological A.I., where the inhabitants have interesting and consequential relationships with one another that impact your gameplay experience. Experience truly next generation graphics that vividly illustrate the forlorn art deco city, highlighted by the most detailed and realistic water effects ever developed in a video game. Make meaningful choices and mature decisions, ultimately culminating in the grand question: do you exploit the innocent survivors of Rapture...or save them? [2K Games]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. VideoGamer
    100
    It's not just the fact that BioShock is a real looker, or the fact that as a first-person shooter alone it stands up to all of its competitors; it's the thought and craftsmanship that went into realising Rapture, its emotionally-jarring denizens and its compelling and seamless narrative that pushes you willingly forward from chapter-to-chapter.
  2. Eurogamer
    100
    The hours spent playing this masterpiece were the perfect encapsulation of why videogaming is such a favourite waste of time for so many of us. Thrilling, terrifying, moving, confusing, amusing, compelling, and very very dark. BioShock isn't simply the sign of gaming realising its true cinematic potential, but one where a game straddles so many entertainment art forms so expertly that it's the best demonstration yet how flexible this medium can be. It's no longer just another shooter wrapped up in a pretty game engine, but a story that exists and unfolds inside the most convincing and elaborate and artistic game world ever conceived.
  3. GameDaily
    100
    The first-person shooter's great looking, has an engrossing storyline, a perfect balance of action and exploration and a totally customizable combat system that can be described as nothing less than video game rapture.
  4. My Gamer
    86
    Overall we were deeply impressed with Bioshock for the PC, but do wish that the developers had made available the toolkit used in its construction - I shiver contemplating what the fan community could make from its art and building resources.

See all 44 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 416 out of 560
  2. Mixed: 60 out of 560
  3. Negative: 84 out of 560
  1. Seryin
    9
    The only reason I do not give this game a 10/10 is because of the frustrating moments near the end of the game when you lose control of your plasmids and the game begins swapping your weapons on you in mid combat, even when not using a plasmid. The feature was downright annoying and managed to turn a great experience into a temporarily miserable one. They should have kept the mechanic to plasmid and not weapon use.
    Other than that one feature, even being over 5 years old, this game felt like it was given alot of attention and was very well played out. Even the obviously outdated 'duel wield swap mechanic' was at least felt comfortable and fluid. The world is exactly the type of bizarre world I love to explore in games, and the story had enough gripping elements to draw me in.    … Expand
  2. TomV.
    8
    I haven't played many FPS games [since Quake 2]. But the awesome visual and audio experience new games offer got me intrigued with this one. The story line is unique and compelling and the game play is fun. If offers just enough handholding to get those new [or renewed] to FPS games up to speed. I am really having fun with this game.… Expand
  3. K-Oz
    7
    The game is graphically amazing. the way they've created rapture is very believable. use of plasmids at times can be very rewarding. but the enemies themselves weren't interesting enough. all the splicers get boring and the big daddies weren't much of a challenge either. the hacking mini game gets very irritating towards the end. also the difficulty level is very inconsistent. it keeps switching from being challenging(in hard mode) to being downright easy every now and then. the story should've been developed more. the ending was disastrously horrible. The story lost tempo towards the end and then just plummeted to it's death. but all said, it's still loads better than most of the other junk available at the market and is definitely worth playing.… Expand
  4. Friendzie
    4
    I bought this game based on the lofty overall ratings. The setting is nice, but I feel strongly that this game gets too much acclaim for the story while the gameplay is only average. In a market crowded by great first person shooters, Bioshock's gameplay is only good enough to recommend to diehard FPS fans dying for another game to play. If you value immersion and story a lot, I guess you might want to check it out. If you value gameplay, you really should check out any number of rival FPS games before Bioshock.… Expand

See all 560 User Reviews

Trailers

Related Articles

  1. Games

    Ranked: Best and Worst Horror Videogames

    Ranked: Best and Worst Horror Videogames Image
    Published: October 25, 2010
    Our Horror Week continues with a look at some of the best and worst horror videogames ever released, from "BioShock" to "Left 4 Dead." Plus, vote on your all-time favorite horror game series.
    More »

Current PC Games

Full List »
  1. BioShock Infinite
    Metascore: 94
  2. Fez
    Metascore: 89
  3. The Swapper
    Metascore: 87
  4. Tomb Raider
    Metascore: 86
  5. Gunpoint
    Metascore: 85
  6. Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine
    Metascore: 83
  7. Metro: Last Light
    Metascore: 82
  8. Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
    Metascore: 81
  9. GRID 2
    Metascore: 81
  10. Sanctum 2
    Metascore: 80
  11. Don't Starve
    Metascore: 78
  12. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing
    Metascore: 73
  13. Remember Me
    Metascore: 69
  14. Marvel Heroes
    Metascore: 68
  15. Defiance
    Metascore: 65
  16. SimCity
    Metascore: 64
  17. Dead Island: Riptide
    Metascore: 61
  18. Mars: War Logs
    Metascore: 60
  19. StarDrive
    Metascore: 59
  20. Star Trek The Video Game
    Metascore: 44
All Current Games »