I haven't played many first person shooters, as I was deterred by the poor examples of Call of Duty and Halo. But when I heard about BioShock Infinite and saw all the reviews for this good, I was tempted. Rest assured: BioShock is the furthest thing from Call of Duty.
BioShock is quite simply a masterpiece. The intro itself is breathtaking; the second the curtain is drawn back on the underwater city of Rapture, you won't be able to look away. The rest of the game maintains that same level of graphical fidelity, always making you stop and appreciate the world that's been created here for you. But the visuals aren't the only thing that set it apart. BioShock's story, both the narrative itself and the backstory provided, are detailed and atmospheric. The iconic twist will probably have been spoiled for you by the time you play this, but that doesn't detract from its impact in any way. Even on repeated playthroughs, the climactic confrontation forces you to re-evaluate your experience. Actually stopping in a video game is rare, and I was oh so happy to do so. Sure, the third act drags a little, but the game ends on a proper resolution, making it feel start-to-finish like a complete story.
In terms of gameplay, BioShock feels fresh and original, even now, nearly 5 years after the original release. In fact, I hesitate to even call it a shooter game. Guns do factor in to many confrontations, but I found myself more drawn to the unconventional weapons: chemical launchers, a crossbow, a wrench, etc. The use of new types of ammo and the isolated but useful upgrade stations keep the gunplay fresh, and ammo scarcity certainly encourages you to mix up your play style.
But, of course, the main draw here is plasmids. Explained in-game as genetic modifications, plasmids allow you to harness the elements (lightning, fire, ice) and more (telekinesis, security hacking) to fight off your enemies. The options available, as well as the possibilities for upgrades, make each playthrough unique and always keep firefights exciting.
Lastly, a few distinct elements make the gameplay experience complete. The choice to harvest (kill) or heal Little Sisters adds a moral dimension which, while not incredibly in-depth, certainly adds dramatic weight. The levels themselves are fun to explore and expansive. The versatile hacking systems allows a freedom to go in guns blazing or hold back and strategize. And the endlessly customizable gene tonics allow you to tailor your abilities to what you want out of the game.
I highly recommend this game. If you can play it, you should. It is truly a game that can't be missed.
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 17, 2013
Platform For Display: Mac DownloadVerified Purchase
Played With PS4 Controller. Legendary Game. Maxed Graphics on MacBook Pro. Wonderful. Thank You Feral
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 23, 2015Platform For Display: Mac DownloadVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 26, 2014
Platform For Display: Mac DownloadVerified Purchase
