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Bioshock ReviewHow Do You Play Bioshock?
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Bioshock (2007) is a first-person shooting game set in a fantastical underwater city. A dark story unfolds about the misuse of surgery and gene therapy, and what happens when a society develops with a power mad genius in control. It's an unusual combination of a deep world, complex narrative with a quick reaction shooting and running game.
Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Bioshock 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Andrea Walney and updated 6 weeks ago.
Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Bioshock 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Andrea Walney and updated 6 weeks ago.
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Play Overview
Bioshock is a first-person shooting game set in a fantastical underwater city. A dark story unfolds about the misuse of surgery and gene therapy, and what happens when a society develops with a power mad genius in control. It's an unusual combination of a deep world, complex narrative with a quick reaction shooting and running game.
The game begins with a plane crash near an abandoned lighthouse in the middle of the ocean. Within is a secret entrance to Rapture, an underwater city built by a fanatical genius for his followers in the 1930s. The Utopia has however undergone some changes since conception and is now a dystopian nightmare full of crazed murderers, turned mad by their constant abuse of ADAM, a serum devised to give the people super powers.
Machines offering instant injections of ADAM in the form of weapons called Plasmids can be found all over the city. Combine Plasmid powers and guns to fight off the murderous citizens and uncover the truth of Rapture and its founders. You will also discover scary little girls protected by massive robots which you can save by destroying the ADAM inside them or harvest it to power your Plasmids. This decision makes a difference to the ending you will get.
The games in the series are available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Switch either as original releases or in a variety of remastered packs:
The result is an ambitious and violent horror game that combines zombies, science fiction, iconic music of the 30s, and Art Deco architecture. It has a strong narrative, an immersive setting and some unique weaponry to play with. Regarded by many as a modern gaming classic.
The game begins with a plane crash near an abandoned lighthouse in the middle of the ocean. Within is a secret entrance to Rapture, an underwater city built by a fanatical genius for his followers in the 1930s. The Utopia has however undergone some changes since conception and is now a dystopian nightmare full of crazed murderers, turned mad by their constant abuse of ADAM, a serum devised to give the people super powers.
Machines offering instant injections of ADAM in the form of weapons called Plasmids can be found all over the city. Combine Plasmid powers and guns to fight off the murderous citizens and uncover the truth of Rapture and its founders. You will also discover scary little girls protected by massive robots which you can save by destroying the ADAM inside them or harvest it to power your Plasmids. This decision makes a difference to the ending you will get.
The games in the series are available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Switch either as original releases or in a variety of remastered packs:
- Bioshock (2007)
- Bioshock 2 (2010)
- BioShock: Ultimate Rapture Edition (2012) BioShock and BioShock 2
- Bioshock Infinite (2013)
- BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea (2014)
- BioShock Infinite: The Complete Edition (2014) Main game and extra content.
- BioShock: The Collection (2020) HD version of all games on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
The result is an ambitious and violent horror game that combines zombies, science fiction, iconic music of the 30s, and Art Deco architecture. It has a strong narrative, an immersive setting and some unique weaponry to play with. Regarded by many as a modern gaming classic.
Benefits
This game is good if you want to:
- Get iteratively better
- Be supported to remember and visualise
- Learn how buildings are built
- Muse on deep topics
- Hack the system
- Play games made in Australia
This game has been the inspiration for the following activities:
Bioshock: Rapture Novel
READING
Play StyleDuration
Play Time: This game will take between 13 hours and 20 hours to complete. The different Bioshock games vary in length to some degree, although you can finish most of them in under 20 hours.
Age Ratings
Content Rating
There are also occasional instances of swear words such as: *!@?*, damn, hell, whore, ass, *!@?*, goddamn, Jesus, and *!@?*. The player has no control over what lines are spoken in specific instances.
Rated for younger players in Australia. Rated Mature Accompanied (MA 15+) for Strong horror violence and themes.
Skill Level
14+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content.
Our Game Pathways reveal how 39-year-olds play this game:
- 39-year-old: Committing To Grand Narratives
Costs
Bioshock usually costs £13.99 to £44.99.
Bioshock offers purchasable packs such as "Plasmid" and "Challenge Rooms".
BioShock: The Collection includes BioShock, BioShock 2, BioShock Infinite, and all related content remastered for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Bioshock 2 also offered similar items including "The Protector Trials", "Minerva's Den", "Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack" and so on. Bioshock Infinite offers two additional adventures, Burial at Sea - Episode 1 and Burial at Sea - Episode 2. There is also minor content available to purchase individually or via the Season Pass.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
BioShock Remastered
Bioshock
Bioshock Infinite
Bioshock Infinite: The Complete Edition
Bioshock Remastered
 | Xbox One | £15.99 | – | – |
 | PS4 | £15.99 | – | Free PS Plus Premium |
 | Switch | £15.99 | – | – |
| PS5 | Free | – | Free PS Plus Premium |
| PC | Free | – | Free PS Plus Premium |
Bioshock: The Collection
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:- In-Game Purchases: Additional in-game purchases are offered for items that enhance the experience.
- In-Game Pass: Purchase a season/battle pass to gain access to limited in-game purchases, reward items and other aspects of the game.
Bioshock offers purchasable packs such as "Plasmid" and "Challenge Rooms".
BioShock: The Collection includes BioShock, BioShock 2, BioShock Infinite, and all related content remastered for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Bioshock 2 also offered similar items including "The Protector Trials", "Minerva's Den", "Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack" and so on. Bioshock Infinite offers two additional adventures, Burial at Sea - Episode 1 and Burial at Sea - Episode 2. There is also minor content available to purchase individually or via the Season Pass.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Game Details
Release Date: 21/08/2007, updated in 2016
Price: 75% off
Out Now: Mac, PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, Xbox 360 and Xbox One
Content Rating: PEGI 18
Skill Rating: 14+ year-olds
Players: 1
Genres: Narrative, Shooting (Action, Adventure, Fighting and Role-Play)
Accessibility: 17 features
Components: 3D First-Person
Developer: Ghost Story Games (@GhostStoryGames)
The Bioshock Franchise
Bioshock is part of the Bioshock franchise of games:
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Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships. |
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