This review shall be ongoing as I slowly make my way through Rapture and Columbia. Bioshock was released for the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3 back in August of 2007. It left a major impression on many gamers with innovative gameplay and a mind blowing storyline. But, how did it hold up over the course of time and another generation of gaming systems? Well, let me tell you just how well Bioshock Remastered really did. Just be aware there will be chock full of spoilers!!!

From the start, the look and feel of the game, floating in the Atlantic ocean surrounded by fire, was exactly as I remembered it. Yet, it was also cleaner and clearer making the game look like it was made for the next generations systems. Running around Rapture I found myself  lost in exploring the dying city under the sea. The posters plastered all over the city were all legible and perfectly clear. Hell, even some of the newspapers lying on the ground were clearer. You couldn’t read them, but you could at least tell they were newspapers. Not to mention how much cleaner the local enemies of Rapture looked. Taking the time to look at them after I electrocute and clubbed them to death with my handy wrench. You can see the detail of the splicers faces behind the little masquerade masks that go flying off during battle. (It’s recommended to dispatch the splicer before spending time trying to see the detail)

Now, I know some people may have wanted something new for the gameplay. Personally, I loved that the control scheme stayed the same and kept its fluid interchangeable weapon system. I liked the clunky style of reloading in the game it adds to the sense of tension during fights. Especially, when you decide to go toe to toe with the iconic Big Daddy! When you have to wait for your grenade launcher to reload with a Big Daddy charging it’s fucking nerve-racking. Not to mention on hard mode while having Vita Chambers turned off because you are trying for all the trophies!! Oh, my God I love this game!!!

Haha sorry…so where was I? In a game where your enemies will dodge your shots and ram you with a huge drill attached to their arms, it is imperative for you to be able to move smoothly. It also helps when searching for hidden rooms, ammunition, audio diaries, and taking pictures. Ugh…the camera. I am not a fan of the camera and picture-taking for researching. You acquire a camera in the game that you can use to take pictures of enemies while they are trying to kill you. If you take enough pictures (which are graded by quality) you can gain perks on the different types of enemies. Needless to say, that taking all the pictures of the enemies completely is also a trophy requirement. Got it on my second play through! Ohh I forgot to mention in Bioshock your choices will affect the ending of the story.

The combat is split between weapons and plasmids that can be swapped in real-time during gameplay. The plasmids are equipped on your left hand and require ammunition called Eve. The plasmids are special powers that you can get and even upgrade using a mysterious liquid called Adam. Those powers come in various flavors like electricity, fire, ice, and bees. That’s right I said it bees!!!! There’s nothing like releasing a swarm of insects from your hand and watch your enemies get stung to death. *sigh* Okay, *ahem* the weapons also come in various flavors like the shotgun, crossbow, handgun, etc. Each weapon can be upgraded and use different types of ammo depending on you play style. With a good selection for your arsenal, Bioshock allows the player to experience Rapture in your own unique play. “Would You Kindly”.

Bioshock also has its own set of puzzles for the player to solve. Solving these puzzles will allow you to hack things like doors, vending machines, safes, and security bots. This is done by connecting one end of the tubes with the other before the liquid catches up. As you get further in the game you can add perks to your hacking skills along with a few other skills as well. You will have your choices of perks to add, but you will have to choose wisely since you cannot equip them all at the same time. Your skills will give you strength, hacking abilities, stealth from enemies, or even the ability evade cameras easier. Once again Bioshock allows the player to truly customize how the game is played. “Would You Kindly”.

The greatest thing is the story of Bioshock and its ties to extreme author Ayn Rand. It’s a story about a city created to allow its citizens the option to live unchained to society as we know it. A man builds the city at the bottom of the ocean away from the rest of the world. In this city, you are free to do as you please without the burden of government or religion. A place where all ideas are welcome. What could possibly go wrong? I won’t go into detail anymore than this; I only politely say “Would You Kindly go play Bioshock?”

All in all, this so far has been the best remaster for the current generations I have played. With little additions to the sea life swimming in the background of the city and the beautiful clean up overall, Bioshock is the game to get. Now, I am currently playing through my second round making different choices. I have not got into the extra DLC additions that come with the game. I will come back to that later with a separate review on the games entire DLC collection. Keep an eye out for my next review Would You Kindly.