BioShock

 Xbox 360
BioShock Image
Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 88 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 2920 Ratings

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  • Summary: [Metacritic's 2007 Xbox 360 Game of the Year] 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[Metacritic's 2007 Xbox 360 Game of the Year] 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
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BioShock Official Trailer 1

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 88 out of 88
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 88
  3. Negative: 0 out of 88
  1. GotNext
    100
    Enthralling from beginning to end, and the fact that it deserves its place alongside some of the greatest games ever made is achievement enough.
  2. Deeko
    100
    While Bioshock doesn't necessarily do anything remarkably new once looked at from afar, what it does achieve is a literal masterpiece of all the elements presented. Most shocking of all is the deep customizable weapon system which gives it an almost RPG feel.
  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. IGN
    97
    There is art here, despite what many would say isn't possible with games, from Roger Ebert to game designers like Hideo Kojima...BioShock stands as a monolithic example of the convergence of entertaining gameplay and an irresistibly sinister, engrossing storyline that encompasses a host of multifaceted characters. This is an essential gaming experience.
  5. Xbox World Australia
    95
    The atmosphere is second to none, the action frantic and fun, and the ease of access means you can play the game however you want without being punished for it.
  6. Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
    94
    Bioshock leaves you to figure things out for yourself. It's a gruelling game of resource management, and as the ammunition dries up, you end up having to improvise. And more often than not, Bioshock will reward you heavily for thinking outside the box.
  7. Edge Magazine
    80
    If only the mechanics matched the atmosphere. If only Rapture was a less linear world to move through. If only BioShock was the wholly brilliant experience you know, from your moments within it, it could have been.[Oct 2007, p.88]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 88 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 537 out of 648
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 648
  3. Negative: 53 out of 648
  1. pasifik
    Jun 1, 2011
    10
    Original and refreshing, has an amazing storyline aswell as an amazing atmosphere and setting. Enjoyable combat, maybe a little bit repetitiveOriginal and refreshing, has an amazing storyline aswell as an amazing atmosphere and setting. Enjoyable combat, maybe a little bit repetitive for some, the game paces well too.… Expand
  2. HellzAssassin
    Dec 2, 2014
    10
    Bioshock is only a single flaw away from being an absolute masterpiece.

    Bioshock has an amazing story with an outstanding setting. The    Bioshock is only a single flaw away from being an absolute masterpiece.

    Bioshock has an amazing story with an outstanding setting. The voice acting is phenomenal, the controls are fluid, and the gameplay is extremely fun. There is only one flaw that keeps this game from being flawless: the difficulty.

    No matter what difficulty you play on, you'll never have any trouble beating the game. No matter how many times you get your ass kicked by a splicer, or how many times a big daddy smashes your skull with his over-sized boots, you'll always respawn just seconds after you die with little penalty. This somewhat feels like the game is holding your hand all the way through. You can turn off the Vita-chambers so this doesn't happen, but you can still save/load the game at any point... which kinda cancels out the point of turning them off in the first place.

    The difficulty is not what makes this game amazing, it's the story, the atmosphere, the voice acting, the creepiness, they mystery, the suspense... the list goes on. I can't go too much into detail about it however, because it's not something I can explain. You have to play the game yourself to understand.

    Bioshock is a fantastic game, and my favorite one to this day. It's a shame that it's buried under tons of other games people hold above it. But, I guess under the sea, things are different. (That was a pun.)    … Expand
  4. AnonymousMC
    Aug 25, 2007
    10
    The story and the setting are some of the best in any game I have ever played. It is like playing a character in a book sort of, except mostThe story and the setting are some of the best in any game I have ever played. It is like playing a character in a book sort of, except most the information you find is through audio diaries detailing the life and downfall of rapture as it happened.

    For people who are claiming that the gameplay is lacking or that combat it repetetive it is all your fault. The games combat is mostly limited to your creativity in how you want to take out enemies, sure you can run in there with a wrench, get a few kills and then respawn at a vita chamber the whole game but why? The games combat is incredibly fun if you mix it up as much as possible.    … Expand
  5. Exosus
    Dec 2, 2007
    10
    I try to avoid superlatives in my life, and even more so in my game reviews. That being said, this game is the single best game ever made. I try to avoid superlatives in my life, and even more so in my game reviews. That being said, this game is the single best game ever made. This is true art, poetry in motion, a triumph of, and tribute to, the beginning of art in gaming. Gameplay is flawless, storyline is engaging, graphics are glorious. However, the true joy of it is in a few things you wouldn't usually look for at all, let alone expect to change a game. First, philosophy. It truly makes the intelligent mind wonder at the possibilities of mankind, to all the little what-ifs hidden in the human psyche. It allows one a glimpse into mankind, and into our future. Second, and this is going to surprise you, sound design. The musical accompaniment adds a depth to the horror you see around you by simply ignoring it. The innocence of what you are hearing combined with the horror of what you are seeing adds a remarkable amount to the already unfathomable depth of the experience. All in all, if this isn't the perfect gaming experience, then I am left to wonder if we will ever see it.… Expand
  6. DarthRevan4
    Mar 25, 2022
    9
    This game is just dripping with atmosphere and personality. Would you kindly play it?
  7. FrostAiden
    Mar 18, 2012
    8
    The originality in the game is truly spectacular. The plot written remarkably well, as it makes the character feel the exact emotions theThe originality in the game is truly spectacular. The plot written remarkably well, as it makes the character feel the exact emotions the character should be feeling. Also the way villainy and the antagonist was perceived as, made the game very compelling and truly unique in it's time. It's graphics are good, and they add well to the atmosphere, it also adds well to the plot, making you understand how bad things actually are. The game relies heavily on emotional fear, rather than jump scares, which succeeds in actually giving the player a scare. It also makes the player wonder, how evil and maniac like a human can become. However, there are some down sides, the RPG part of the game is put simply horrible, you pretty much know what your choices will lead to, and compared to the rest of the game, it does not really leave much of an impact. The gameplay could be a tad smoother, but it does not in anyway change the experience. The major reason this game is not getting anything higher, is the endings, after an emotional roller-coaster, and a generally fun awesome experience, the ending seems a but flat and does not live up to the actual plot of the game at all... I does not give the nice heart warming ending that a good person should feel, nor the sinister and twisted ending a bad player should feel. It just falls short compared to the rest of the game.… Expand
  8. SaudAlmoayed
    Aug 16, 2007
    0
    Actually, i prefer super mario than this fucking stupid ugly game.. its much fanfooneeta
    it must be Chekidom and WeeWeePoM like the HuN HuN    Actually, i prefer super mario than this fucking stupid ugly game.. its much fanfooneeta
    it must be Chekidom and WeeWeePoM like the HuN HuN PeeP PeeP.. but most of all and as DJ Meeki says: sex is so good!
    anyway am leaving now i have 2 shave my big hairy Ass..!
    and for my fans, I love u all and thanks for everything...
    and if Zaina is reading this.. (i really wanna fuck u baby..!! can we do it in Mambo Cafe next time)

    see u all after BIOSHOCK 2's Review
    bye bye bye    … Expand

See all 648 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2007
2
#2 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2007
1
#1 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2007