Wired gives Perfect 10 to BioShock.
"Although it looks like your typical first-person shooter, BioShock is one of the freshest gaming experiences in years, expertly blending addictive gameplay with deft storytelling. But this is no art-house cult game: It does it all while staying within the confines of polished, mass-market entertainment."
"BioShock is an intensely beautiful game. The textures and artwork are high-quality and are used very sparingly. There are no repeated rooms: Every single chamber in Rapture looks different from the last and has been intricately detailed with individualized set pieces. The late-'50s-style posters that decorate the walls add an authentic period ambience -- and also subtly foreshadow elements of the story."
"BioShock is one of the scariest games I've ever played, thanks both to the creepy atmosphere and a few very specifically chosen freak-out moments..."
"I do have some minor complaints. While you can "hack" the vending machines that sell you ammo and items, the mini-puzzle game you play to do it quickly gets boring. And saving your progress takes too long, which hurts BioShock's otherwise deep immersion."
"But everything is redeemed in the end, with a plot twist that not only turns the game's story on its head but is actually a wry commentary on the single-mindedly violent nature of videogames in general. I won't spoil it here, but BioShock's politically charged plot will be discussed for years to come."
Wired: Expertly told story; gorgeous presentation; deeply varied gameplay
Tired: Poor machine-hacking, game-saving systems
