INB280 Game Analysis: Bioshock (PC)

Game Summary

At first Bioshock may look like a generic FPS, what with its linear enclosed environments, abundance of guns, explosives and legions of cannon fodder enemies to use them on. But after five minuets you soon realize Bioshock is far more than your average shooting rampage, with some magic thrown in.

Game analysis
　
Bioshock is one of the deepest games I’ve ever played in terms of story and artistic direction. The games varied environments are filled with atmosphere so thick you could eat it with a spoon and the horror, though often dependant on shock tactics (as the games title suggests) is well paced and used effectively

The game’s story. A dark tale of a decaying city destroyed by rampant capitalism, corruption and moral abandonment was another high point reminiscent of works such as 1984 or Atlas shrugged. For me the most interesting part of bioshocks story was all the sub plots and audio logs, detailing Raptures decent from underwater utopia to leaky decrepit war zone

For me the big disappointment was the combat. The game states out with a survival horror approach to combat, hiding on corners, zapping and unsuspecting enemy and bashing his lights out, and it’s fun. But later on, once you’ve accumulated a few dozen plastids and are walking around setting fire to everything in sight, whilst lugging around an arsenal of weapons that can take down Big Daddies in 3 hits, the combat looses its appeal somewhat.

Conclusion

Wrapping up. Bioshock is one of the best games I’ve played in a long time. The story and atmosphere are dark, and enthralling, the enemies and environments are well designed, the characters have realistic depth and personality and once you get over the repetitive combat Bioshock is a solid action/shock horror experience.