Originally written September 2007.
Bioshock gets so many things right in an industry where the majority of games feel rushed. The incredible amount of polish on display is impressive and shocking, like the developer had all the time in the world to make it perfect. Despite how awesome the art direction, technical graphic excellence, sound, animation, control and just about everything else one can think of is, why am I not as satisfied as I should be?
I guess I feel a conscious attempt by the developer was made to water down gameplay in an attempt at appealing
to a larger audience. The hooks are in place for so many RPG elements to allow the player go extremely deep and affect the outcome of the game by the decisions you make early on. Thus affecting the experience. True that one can get a couple different endings depending on what is dome with the "Little Sisters", but these decisions don't really affect the way the game is played as you progress through the narrative. It's disappointing to me because I can see the foundation for such ideas to exist, it just feels like the developer turned the switch off.
Speaking of narrative, I wasn't much of a fan. Most people seem to think Bioshock has an excellent story, and fair is fair, so I won't be harsh on what is available and chalk it up to personal preference. To me the narrative in Bioshock reads much like the appendixes of the "Lord of the Rings"; where the world and wealth of fiction are engrossing and entertaining, but lack a strong narrative to carry the player through. Bioshock has that very same feel.
My last gripe with Bioshock is the level of difficulty. I began on normal (or the default setting) like I do with every game, but about an hour in I restarted on the hardest difficulty level available. Even then through the course of my time in Rapture I never died, never ran low on hypno injections or med-kits, and never really felt challenged. Even during the final showdown. And if I would have died a Vita Chamber was a stone throw away.
Even with these complaints I still find myself unable to rate Bioshock any less than a 4 stars. It is just too imaginative, too well made and much too polished to deserve anything less. It's also a lot of fun to play, I just feel disappointed because the prospect of so much more was dangled in my face the entire time. Despite what I've said I still recommend every gamer at least give Bioshock a try. It would be a shame to let this one fall into history without experiencing everything it does get right. Hopefully when the inevitable sequel arrives Irrational (now 2k Boston) can amp up the challenge and fully deliver on those missing elements.
Bioshock gets so many things right in an industry where the majority of games feel rushed. The incredible amount of polish on display is impressive and shocking, like the developer had all the time in the world to make it perfect. Despite how awesome the art direction, technical graphic excellence, sound, animation, control and just about everything else one can think of is, why am I not as satisfied as I should be?
I guess I feel a conscious attempt by the developer was made to water down gameplay in an attempt at appealing
to a larger audience. The hooks are in place for so many RPG elements to allow the player go extremely deep and affect the outcome of the game by the decisions you make early on. Thus affecting the experience. True that one can get a couple different endings depending on what is dome with the "Little Sisters", but these decisions don't really affect the way the game is played as you progress through the narrative. It's disappointing to me because I can see the foundation for such ideas to exist, it just feels like the developer turned the switch off.
Speaking of narrative, I wasn't much of a fan. Most people seem to think Bioshock has an excellent story, and fair is fair, so I won't be harsh on what is available and chalk it up to personal preference. To me the narrative in Bioshock reads much like the appendixes of the "Lord of the Rings"; where the world and wealth of fiction are engrossing and entertaining, but lack a strong narrative to carry the player through. Bioshock has that very same feel.
My last gripe with Bioshock is the level of difficulty. I began on normal (or the default setting) like I do with every game, but about an hour in I restarted on the hardest difficulty level available. Even then through the course of my time in Rapture I never died, never ran low on hypno injections or med-kits, and never really felt challenged. Even during the final showdown. And if I would have died a Vita Chamber was a stone throw away.
Even with these complaints I still find myself unable to rate Bioshock any less than a 4 stars. It is just too imaginative, too well made and much too polished to deserve anything less. It's also a lot of fun to play, I just feel disappointed because the prospect of so much more was dangled in my face the entire time. Despite what I've said I still recommend every gamer at least give Bioshock a try. It would be a shame to let this one fall into history without experiencing everything it does get right. Hopefully when the inevitable sequel arrives Irrational (now 2k Boston) can amp up the challenge and fully deliver on those missing elements.