Bioshock is definitely impressive. In fact, it ALMOST lived up to my expectations. The game is stunning from many standpoints. Graphically it is one of the prettiest games released for the Xbox 360. Atmospherically it is unrivaled. When it comes to gameplay, the near unlimited combos utilized in combat is astonishing. And now that I have almost run out of adjectives I will explain Bioshock in more detail, as I am sure 50% of the bloggosphere has already done.
Following up to my demo review, the game immediately throws you into action as you try to help some guy find his family. Due to cave ins and locked doors you must take a super-round about way of getting to the desired location and you get an introduction to the flora and fauna of the underwater hell. It is hard to say much about your objectives under water without giving away some plot points in the very secretive story, suffice it to say that the fantastic story telling keeps the play from getting boring.
I found myself wandering around Rapture for fun while the game's help mechanic tried to get me to move on in the mission. I would be exploring and enjoying myself when a message would come up telling me how to access my map. I am sure there is a way to turn that function off, but it was a little intrusive while I tried to delve deeper into Rapture.
The combat and the intuitive weapon system didn't disappoint at all. In fact I really enjoyed how you had to prepare for a fight a few minutes before hand. It made the combat seem more deliberate and fulfilling when you finished a fight victoriously. The best example I have of this is found when trying to take down a Big Daddy. The behemoth can't be taken down by simply emptying bullets into it. Before initiating combat with a Big Daddy I would set traps and map out an escape route and load up all of my gun's armor-piercing rounds to maximize damage. It made the game seem like a steampunk hunting sim at certain points.
One of my favorite parts of the game is found once you finally DO slay a big daddy. Without the giant guardian, the little girl that he protects is defenseless. The Little Sister carries a substance needed by all denizens of Rapture called ADAM. Once you vanquish a Big Daddy you can choose whether to kill the Little Sister and receive the maximum amount of ADAM or you can use a special device (given to you in a very ambiguous plot point) and let the Little Sister live and only receive a fraction of the ADAM. "What the hell would you take less ADAM for!" say the heartless. "For humanities sake!" I reply. Letting the Little Sister live awards with with half the ADAM, but the "Mother" of the Little Sisters rewards you for every three Little Sisters you save. I prefer being a nice guy, even in video games, so I let the Sisters run free in Rapture.
My few qualms with 2K's nautical odyssey are as follows. The game REALLY isn't that open-ended. Yes you can go wherever you want, but you must follow the one plot line. I was hoping for the option to give my loyalty to whatever side I chose in Rapture's civil war, but I was conscripted to a static side. Another problem of mine is that the game is too easy! There is no consequence of dying at all. If you perish in combat you are automatically reborn a few yards away at a Vita-Chamber. Apart form being a bit of a nuisance, dying is no big deal! Also, you are never lost in Rapture because you have a very nice, complete map and an arrow that leads you to your next objective. I am kind of put off at the ease of the game, but in all Bioshock is such an enjoyable experience that ease is no problem.
I love Bioshock. I really do, and I would recommend it to anyone who has a 360. And if you don't have a 360 I would recommend you go buy one and Bioshock 'cause it is a great experience that everyone should enjoy. Go out and get Bioshock despite the lack of multiplayer and its ease. They are not a detriment to the game at large.
Until next time, Live Long and Prosper _\\//~Mike
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