BioShock
by 2K Games
(Click here)
Product Summary
Brand: 2K GamesRelease Date: 2007-08-21
Platform: Windows XP
Publisher: 2K Games
Product features:
- Biologically mod your body with plasmids - genetic augmentations that empower you with dozens of fantastic abilities
- Take control of your world by hacking devices and systems
- Upgrade your weapons at Fire-For-Effect stations located through Rapture
- Pick up materials in the city to modify them at U-Invent kiosks
- Explore an incredible and unique art deco world hidden deep under the ocean, vividly illustrated with realistic water effects
Video Game Reviews of BioShock
Customer Review: Draconian DRM? Apparently. Draconian story? Certainly.
Summary: 2 Stars
THE DRM
I won't comment much on the DRM because, as a Software Engineer, I understand the plight of publishers all too well... It's fine if you have an issue with their license enforcement, don't buy the game... But I don't personally care too much. I bought the game for my own use and none of their copy protection methods inconvenienced me in the slightest.
THE STABILITY
Installed and ran through the first time without any issues at all. Ran on a fairly pedestrian laptop (Intel C2D 2.66, 4 GB RAM, nVidia 9650GT mobile) on max settings without any hesitation, crashes, ghosting... Nada. Full stars in this category.
AUDIO / VIDEO
I thought the graphics were decent; Nothing to write home about, but solid enough not to complain. The sound was quite good, right down to an excellent antique soundtrack that contrasted with the mood of the game quite well. A half-star shy in this category.
GAMEPLAY
I had some initial trouble with the weapon / plasmid switching and keeping up with the foes, so I ran through it the first time on Easy. Now working on Medium. (Easy lives up to its name - I didn't die once.) I made liberal use of [Shift] in order to change weapons and plasmids. This ended up being my MO throughout - especially in the middle of combat. Had to get used to the different ammo types too - awkward but fine once I became accustomed. Overall, a star shy in this category just for the learning curve being so goofy.
STORY
In no way or category could the creators have been more draconian, unoriginal, or unimaginative than in the storyboarding process... When they came away with such a trite and heavy handed result, they should have fired their writers and restarted the process from scratch. A good story is the EASIEST part of creating a game and there's just no excuse for screwing it up.
I saw the "twists" coming from a mile away... Given the strict linear style of the game (not a problem if done right), I was forced to march directly down their idiotic (to the point of being insulting) predefined path. My reward? The NPCs mock me for being so dense... Right... *eye roll*
In any case, I suspect folks who enjoy the uber-simple and melodramatic plotlines of comic books will like this story just fine. If you're like me, however, and really detest having stupid crap crammed down your throat, you'll choke on this one for sure. Drama doesn't suffice for intelligence.
For my purposes, the story was an epic fail with the ONLY saving grace being that the intricate knotwork of interesting NPCs with intersecting storylines made it semi-tolerable. That bumps this category from ZERO stars to one.
OVERALL
Not a bad pick from the bargain bin if you're willing to endure a plot apparently written by the janitor. If I had paid full price for this when it first came out, I'd be LIVID.
Description of BioShock
BioShock lets you do the impossible as you explore a mysterious underwater city. When your plane crashes, you discover Rapture - an underwater Utopia torn apart by civil war. Caught between powerful forces and hunted down by genetically modified "splicers" and deadly security systems, you have to come to grips with a deadly, mysterious world filled with powerful technology and fascinating characters. As little girls loot the dead, and biologically mutated citizens ambush you at every turn. Now you're trapped, caught in the middle of a genetic war that will challenge both your capacity to survive and your moral allegiance to your own humanity. Make meaningful and mature decisions that culminate in the grand question - do you exploit the innocent survivors of Rapture to save yourself - or risk all to become their savior?Action Games
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