Bioshock is a fascinating game that creates a bizarre surreal atmosphere that draws you in even amongst a few flaws. The game is especially interesting because of the philosophical undertones presented throughout the game.

Story:
Andrew Ryan - a man who wants to get away from the typical confines of governments and institutions of the world during the early- mid 1900’s, creates an underwater utopia called Rapture. He wanted man to not be constrained by the typical boundaries set on the world. Where there would be no constraints. This eventually leads Rapture to its downfall.

You start off as someone who is a victim of an airplane crash in the sea, near the entrance of Rapture. At this point of time the Utopia has failed. Mostly everyone (not only the citizens but some characters that play a bigger role) has gone bezerk due to plasmids and Adam, and other reasons. Plasmids and Adam enhance the body to be able to perform special abilities that only make people even more insane and are valuable items in the world of Rapture. Girls called little sisters that almost seem possessed, retrieve Adam from dead bodies guarded by massive robotic-like creatures, called big daddies.

You meet some interesting characters along the way that are quite crazy themselves as well, such as Dr. Steinman, and Sander Cohen. As you progress throughout the story you find out more on what has transpired in the world of Rapture. Things aren’t totally what they seem. With a few twists and turns.

Sound:
This game is the perfect game to turn the lights off and turn your surround system up, and to get immersed in the world of rapture.

The world of rapture creates a very interesting environment. Hearing the strange whispers and crazy things people say throughout Rapture is sometimes really cool. Sometimes it’s interesting to sit quietly to hear what people have to say, but sadly, you hear different people say the same thing after a while. Even better are the voice journals that give a better idea on what has happened down in Rapture before you got there.

Not only is that interesting, but the music of the time and the musical score of the game is wonderfully done. Hearing Bobby Darin’s “Beyond the Sea” playing in the background while the crazed inhabitants of rapture attack you, creates an interesting experience. The downside is that there isn’t enough music of the time, playing throughout the game.

Graphics:
The atmosphere it creates also exceeds the sound design. The water effects, the architecture, shadows, the places, create a strange alternate reality of the early to mid 1900’s. The graphics are fairly good, not the best, but it most defiantly convincing, especially combined with the sound design. Aside from the water effects, which are probably the best water effects I have seen.

Gameplay:
The gameplay is where some of its flaws are present. One, dying doesn’t really have too much consequence since you will respawn from a nearby chamber scattered throughout Rapture. Second, hacking machines gets a little annoying after a while. However you can use money to bypass this. So really the drawbacks are fairly minor. Since the game is more about the experience and environment, it doesn’t take too much away from the game.

Even amongst the flaws in the gameplay, it still gives a solid experience. The controls are easy to master, the weapons are customizable, and the powers are useful, and can be quite fun to use. The camera is really the only thing that seems almost worthless.

Overall bioshock is an excellent game, leaving you wanted more to play. There are alternate endings depending on how you play the game, so it does offer some re-playability