Some games leave a mark. Whether it resonates personally, across the entire gaming community or both; at times the impact is noticeably different. BioShock is one such example.
I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact BioShock was released 15 years ago – back in 2007. It remains one of my all time favourite games, and a truly incredible piece of work. So much so that I’ve decided to change tack and focus on some of the moments that made BioShock so special for me, instead of endlessly gushing over how fantastic it is. Believe me, I could go on forever.
Welcome to Rapture
They say you only get one chance to make a first impression, and my goodness does BioShock nail it. After somehow surviving a devastating plane crash, Jack’s journey to Rapture in the bathysphere made for more than a simple intro to the game.
The grandeur and beauty of the underwater city was slowly revealed as Jack snaked his way through the dark, deep ocean waters exploring what could easily have been a sunken version of Chicago from the early 1930s. Giant skyscrapers decorated with attractive neon signs lit the way, challenging logic whilst simultaneously stoking curiosity.
I remember being struck by how incredibly unique and intriguing Rapture was from the very first moment. It was effortlessly gripping and instantly commanded my full attention, which was rewarded in spades in a real feast for the senses.
Redoubtable Residents
It became clear, very quickly, that you were not alone in Rapture. There were plenty of terrors out to get you, but some characters really did leave a lasting impression. These memorable maniacs were so well written and realised that they could have easily been leading characters themselves.
It was the stone cold psychopath Sander Cohen who unsettled me the most. He was something of an artist (objectively speaking), who also had an army of splicers at his beck and call. His clear delight in toying with Jack was presented as some sort of elongated hellish stage show which made the encounters with him utterly transfixing.
However, it was the brilliant T. Ryder Smith who made Cohen so menacing. His voicing of the troubled artist was genuinely chilling, and he left us with many memorable quotes such as: “I’m Sander F***ing Cohen”. I mean, that sums him up really.
Sinister Siblings
Rapture was crawling with all sorts of horrors, but perhaps the most unsettling of them were those that shared a special bond. When you came across a Little Sister for the first time, the tiny terror was gleefully harvesting ADAM (a chemical substance which could rewrite genetic material) from a corpse.
Before long a thuggish splicer turned up and threatened the Little Sister, which was a big mistake. Within seconds the Big Daddy burst onto the scene, brutally murdering the splicer with his drill arm, before smashing it into the glass window directly infront of you.
I remember watching this all unfold in live play whilst perching on the furthest possible edge of my seat, so much so I was almost hovering in mid air. I was genuinely tense, anxiously anticipating having to defend myself as the monstrosity inevitably turned its attention to me. Despite not being forced into an encounter there and then I knew in the pit of my stomach that the occasion could not be far off.
To make matters worse, the Little Sisters were plentiful in ADAM (for reasons already mentioned) which presented Jack with a choice. Harvest what seemed like innocent little girls to increase his own chances of survival, or free them but receive less of the good stuff.
This decision was presented in such an effective way that it required real thought, and felt as if serious consequences were attached. Of course, it turned out they were as BioShock’s ending would change depending on your actions.
Would You Kindly?
We all love a good twist, in fact it’s pretty much expected in storytelling these days. However, BioShock managed to deliver quite possibly the most shocking, and more impressively, an incredibly satisfying one to boot. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’d advise you skip ahead now to avoid spoilers.
BioShock didn’t simply just tell a story, but tantalised and teased your thirst for knowledge through excellent character dialogue and audio diaries. Early on you struck up an alliance with Atlas, who proved to be extremely useful in aiding Jack through many dangerous situations in Rapture.
However, it transpired that your guardian angel was actually a criminal by the name of Fontaine who had been manipulating you since the beginning. Jack was influenced by the seemingly innocent phrase “Would You Kindly?” and ultimately used by Fontaine to kill Rapture founder, Andrew Ryan.
What made this revelation so jaw dropping, was the subtle yet numerous clues which were hidden in plain sight. The brilliant writing and growing bond between Jack and Atlas made it feel like a real, deep betrayal. Not only this, but he only came clean once the deed was done, showing off not only his brilliance but ruthless efficiency. Even now when I play BioShock and know exactly when the moment is coming, it still holds the power to send chills down my spine. Storytelling at its very finest.
These are just some of the reasons why BioShock is one of the finest games out there, and why I have played it to completion on numerous occasions. This is, quite simply, an essential game, especially as the remastered version is available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S from the Xbox Store. If you need more, you’ve also got BioShock 2 Remastered and BioShock Infinite: The Complete Edition included in BioShock: The Collection.
I absolutely love this world and the characters which inhabit it, and have high hopes that the planned fourth instalment will live up to its predecessors. One thing’s for sure, they are big shoes to fill.
Tell us what BioShock moments stood out for you in the comments below.
I still have trust issues from the Atlas/Fontaine reveal…