It would be an understatement to suggest interest in
BioShock is hitting critical mass. We've personally lost a few writers on staff who took advantage of the
Toys R Us deal earlier this week to the city of Rapture. Furthermore, we'd have lost our own editor Mr. Grant if his Xbox 360 hadn't gone belly-up ... he's
seething. The reviews for
BioShock are flowing in and they've been overwhelmingly positive. It's going to be an early holiday season for
Irrational Games 2K Boston. Now the game just needs to sell well.
- Game Informer (100/100): "Even if you play games strictly for the difficulty that they bring, BioShock is a title that needs to be played, simply because you will never look at an FPS the same way again. Of the 15 to 20 hours of gameplay that it delivers, there isn't a second wasted. Once you finish the game, there's little chance that you'll take it out before playing it again to see the second ending."
- IGN (97/100): "To call this game simply a first-person shooter, a game that successfully fuses gameplay and narrative, is really doing it a disservice. This game is a beacon. It's one of those monumental experiences you'll never forget, and the benchmark against which games for years to come will, and indeed must, be measured."
- 1UP (100/100): "The sounds of the vending machines, the demented rants of a housewife who has long lost her sanity, the ability to craft your own ammunition, the level design based on some beloved touchstones of horror (medical experimentation, a garden of evil, the performing arts), the optional photography research, the color palette, the scratchy rendition of "Beyond the Sea," the fire and lighting and water effects...everything is in its right place."
And just for something numerically different...
- Xbox World 360 Magazine UK (94/100): "Criticisms? There are a few. The non-replenishable nature of Bioshock's many resources mean that poor players are often punished by the game becoming even harder. And the weird way that enemy health doesn't reset after you die means that if you're blessed with the kind of robo-endurance usually required for Boxing Day family get-togethers, you could hypothetically kill a Big Daddy with your wrench, if you had the time."
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Jouten @ Aug 18th 2007 7:12PM
Apparently, people who watched '10' starring Bo Derek, are stuck with associating the number 10 with perfection.
I think that once people get past that assumption, they will realize that 10 is just a number and that number means that it's like scoring 100% on a test, not perfection.
10 to me means, it met all expectations for a game of that genre, that's it. That simple.
I wish these '10' = perfection people could get over that.
Ah, the side effects of living in a punitive society, I swear...
Gott @ Aug 18th 2007 1:52PM
Gamespot is a super lazy reviewer...same score for madden 08 360 and ps3? They do it all the time just slap one score on a game that is multiplatform. Just because it is the same game doesn't mean that everything is the same.
As far as the skepticism about the perfect scores for Bioshock, how about you reserve judgement until you play the full game like all the critics have?
Justin Nolan @ Aug 18th 2007 2:45PM
I think that has more to do with their new review system (scores are only in increments of 5. Using the old scoring method, madden ps3 could have been an 82, and madden 360 an 87, but with the new system those could both be rounded to 85.
Snukadaman @ Aug 18th 2007 4:12PM
I noticed that alot of game review sites are giving the same score too the ps3 version. With horror story's about people buying it and it lagging a second before they pick a play i would be pissed, lucky im a informed hobbyist.
machrc @ Aug 18th 2007 1:58PM
every one posting on this thread is miserable because they are have no bioshock belongs to us.
Curmeo @ Aug 18th 2007 1:59PM
wow congrats to the devs on making a masterpiece. ill be enjoying the game on PC august 21st.
Moofree @ Aug 18th 2007 2:01PM
I'm about 7 hours into the game, and I can say that it does deserve a 10/10 score...
Well... maybe 10/10 on PC, and 9.9/10 on the 360.
I just wish the 360 version supported usb keyboards and mice.
Patrick @ Aug 18th 2007 9:05PM
what is so good about keyboard mouse? really? i mean how is moving a rock like object over a pad different then moving a thumbstick in any given direction? and dont tell me keyboard keys are more accurate then controller, there are just more. i play games to relax, veg out, not hunch over my keyboard for the allusion of better control
Moofree @ Aug 19th 2007 4:16AM
A mouse, or even better, a trackball, provides greater ease of aiming in first person shooters.
Don't tell me that aiming with dual analogs is as fast or as accurate as a mouse. It's simply not.
I'll admit that the keyboard isn't an optimal gaming device, but mice and trackballs make up for it for FPS.
We just need analog keyboards.
And I play my pc games in a lazyboy or on my couch; also where I play my 360.
pragmatick @ Aug 18th 2007 2:02PM
For the people who didn't like the demo - didn't like it either. Played the game now and can absolutely and honestly say: Yes, it earns those scores. It is by far the best shooter I have played in my entire 15 years of gaming and even possibly the best game at all that I have ever played. I played a lot of games with high scores like this (Shadow of the Colossus, Ninja Gaiden, Jade Empire, Oblivion, GTA III, etc) and none earned it's high scores, in my opinion. Bioshock does. Words cannot express how awesome this game is.
manic @ Aug 18th 2007 2:22PM
Shadow of Colossus was a masterpiece. It really was one of the few games which justified it's quality and high scored reviews.
By the way, when the fuck will the Bioshock PC demo come out? My 8800GTS is collecting dust here.
Rare Hare @ Aug 18th 2007 2:29PM
Actually, I didn't care for Shadow of the Colossus.
outforprophets @ Aug 18th 2007 3:04PM
mmm Shadow of the Colossus... wait what? That game earned its score and then some. Of course the game is not for everyone, but many of the reviews mentioned that.
As for Bioshock, I'm going to get a 360 for it. Didn't play the demo, just saw one preview awhile ago and knew I had to have it. I'm going to be deciding for myself what score it deserves though.
Abscissa @ Aug 18th 2007 8:42PM
Shadow of the Colossus had a shit framerate. I've tried to get into the game, but with the framerate being about 10 it kept giving me headaches and just killed the immersion for me.
Ignatius @ Aug 18th 2007 2:08PM
Just wait til GameSpot gives it an 8.8. Rofl.
Eric @ Aug 19th 2007 2:23AM
I saw a comment somewhere that nailed Gamespot's rating method:
Wait until everyone else reviews a game, take the average score and then subtract 10%.
SoulBlade @ Aug 18th 2007 2:13PM
From IGN:
"The PC version definitely outclasses the Xbox 360, mostly because of the ability to crank the resolution to 1920 x 1200. If you've got a Vista rig with a DX10 card, you can expect some heightened particle effects, crisper real-time shadows, and more dynamic water, but the game looks gorgeous regardless."
Money.. can not wait.
Abscissa @ Aug 18th 2007 2:13PM
"And the weird way that enemy health doesn't reset after you die"
Doom 3's Co-op mode did the same thing, and I found it rather interesting. (Not that I'm a fan of Doom 3, even though the co-op mode was vastly better than the single player.)
If there was an XBox 1 version of this, I'd pick it up pretty quick.
hvnlysoldr @ Aug 18th 2007 2:26PM
If I get a 360 I'll make sure to buy this game unless it sickens me. Weak stomach and all.
Ska Oreo @ Aug 18th 2007 2:32PM
It deserves those scores. I was really impressed by the demo.
gamer9190 @ Aug 18th 2007 2:32PM
From the demo, I'd say the game deserves these scores. Can't wait to get ahold of the real thing.
24 @ Aug 18th 2007 2:33PM
Man, Is this thing THAT good? Guess we'll find it out on Tuesday :)
COV3RT SN1P3R @ Aug 18th 2007 2:47PM
Why I get rated bad because I said I didn't like the demo.
LaughingTarget @ Aug 18th 2007 2:52PM
100% is likely retarded. 100% means absolute perfection. No flaws. A game so good that you'll never play anything else in the genre ever again because they'll be crap by comparison.
Everything has a flaw. Everything gets dull eventually. Anything can be surpassed.
For the record, the moment the thing shows up in the store in the nice Games for Windows box, I'll shove aside small children to get to it if they're in the way. However, I know going into the game it won't be absolute perfection. Will it blow me away? I certainly believe so, but I do know something will be wrong with it, even if that something is I won't be able to play it for the next 80 years without getting bored.
MasterInsan0 @ Aug 18th 2007 3:13PM
Just because it's scored 100%, or 5/5, or 10/10, or whatever, doesn't mean it's the greatest game of all time. It just means it's really, really good.
I guess you could look at it like 10 = perfect, but then what's the point of even having a 10 on the scale if you can't actually get there? It would be like high-school teachers having a grading scale like Z, A, B, C, D, and F, and to get a Z you have to complete all the homework and tests before you finish middle school.
rdj75 @ Aug 18th 2007 4:01PM
Like what someone said in an earlier post, 10/10 means its the best of the best right now, the cream of the crop, thats all. Yes nothing is perfect, there will always be room for improvement if they had more time but the bottom line is if its the next best thing since slice bread(at the time)then thats what it will get(or damn close to it).
Its no different than the GTA series, all of those games get high scores because they are the best in that particular genre.
LaughingTarget @ Aug 18th 2007 3:35PM
School grading isn't anything remotely similar to review scoring. School grades, for the most part (stuff like art is an exception) are objective. You're given 10 math problems, you get 9 right, you have a 90%. You get 10 right, you have 100%. If a student doesn't make it past 70%, they don't pass, therefore further segmenting below that (many schools don't even have the D range for example) is pointless. You fail, there aren't degrees of failure. You just fail. There are degrees of success.
Game scoring is an entirely different animal. Scoring should be compared to other titles. 90% means the title is better than 90% of what's out there. 20% means it is only better than 20% of what's out there. Giving BioShock a 100% basically says, "This game, unequivocably, is the best ever created. Not just the overall experience, but every, single fascet of this game is superior to any title on the market. Better weapon selection, better physics, better AI, better graphics, better story, better ending, etc, etc." Unless every imaginable aspect of BioShock is superior to everything ever done, then it cannot be expected to reach 100%, 10/10, etc. The simple fact that it is reported the ending isn't exactly all that satisfying should have at least knocked 1% or .1 off that score. There are titles out there that have wrapped things up better. I can buy a 99%, but I can't buy a 100%. 100% indicates absolute, unquestionable perfection. Because the world of art is more than right or wrong, legitimately reaching 100% is impossible. Because, once 100% is reached, it means we've reached the pinnacle of gaming and there simply isn't any way to improve upon it.
I seriously doubt we would want all game development to stop at what BioShock has done and never push any further. That is what 100% means.
IlyaG @ Aug 18th 2007 4:00PM
You didn't answer his question, which was, what would be the point of even having an option to grade something as a "10" or "100" if no game will ever reach this number?
Mr Khan @ Aug 18th 2007 3:06PM
And so the first blockbuster of the 120 days is recieved
Ladies and Gentleman: Kiss your $$ goodbye!
dylan @ Aug 18th 2007 3:38PM
from what i've seen and heard, the demo doesn't even scratch the surface of bioshock so please save your judgement until after playing the game because it looks to be game of the year material and deserves its scores easily.
TWiNKiE @ Aug 18th 2007 3:40PM
The demo really made me want save my cash. I guess I am the only one who found Bioshock ridiculously boring, and not worth it.
TWiNKiE @ Aug 18th 2007 3:41PM
Hmm... what bad timing to submit a post....
Spirit-of @ Aug 18th 2007 3:43PM
If my 360 decides to Red Ring it better not be during my play sessions with Bioshock. I'm taking the day off work next Thursday just for this game...and I'm the kind of person who shakes his head in silent pity when I hear of other people doing the same thing.
Snukadaman @ Aug 18th 2007 4:18PM
Whats going too be funny is when and IF MGS4 gets 10's every person bitching on here about this game receiving 10's will say its well deserved and blah blah blah. Just get it on pc if 360 isnt your thing. This game is good.
Eric @ Aug 18th 2007 4:55PM
Ok, first of all, debating the meaning of 10 or 100% compared to a 9.9 or whatever is stupidly anal. A ten doesn't mean perfect - if anyone bothers to look at the stated review scales in the respective magazines it says as much. A 10 or whatever means that is an absolute standout in its' genre - not that it's perfect.
So that's out of the way. Now, the game. I am halfway throught it. I love fps' but have gotten bored with them for reasons I think would be obvious. This is so completely refreshing and involving as a piece of software I am utterly amazed. Great AI, game mechanics, pacing, graphics, technical execution, narrative, production and sound design. Inventive, challenging and fun. What more could you ask for? And that's just on one playthrough. I will most definitely start again to harvest the little sisters rather than save them. A landmark achievment, probably the best and most significant shooter since the original Half Life.
michas_pi @ Aug 18th 2007 5:04PM
I'm waiting for the 8.8 from GameSpot.
Word of the street. @ Aug 19th 2007 12:38AM
For some reason that would be funny but seriously it would be a wtf if they give Bioshock a 8.8 and Halo 3 a 9.6.
Is like Warioware,9.something and Zelda a 8.8.IMO Warioware 9.something(AAA) was Gamespot way to say Sorry to all the Nintendo fanboys.
8.8 is a great score I don’t know why Fanboys were so dramatic about that, I mean you don’t see PS3 fanboys crying over Resistance 8.something(AA).
I wonder if any upcoming game would ever earn a perfect 10 in GS, only 2 games got a perfect 10 in GS, Oot by popular acclaim, I mean is a great game but I like Diablo 2 better and THPS2(3?) and the only way that game would get a 10 was if Activision paid GS review or they were high, probably both.
Bioshock has enough good reviews already also the Demo was great so if anyone wants to pick it up go ahead you won’t be disappointed.
BTW GS review is just for the SW community, because without GS review you cant start the “ZOMG TLHBO Bioflop AA 8.8” or the “Bioshock pwned the PS3/wii fanboys!1111” threads in SW.
Ganrob @ Aug 18th 2007 5:12PM
this game is so good, i'm thinking of skipping the Games Convention next weekend and finishing Bioshock that weekend... ;)
Abscissa @ Aug 18th 2007 5:28PM
I wonder how long it'll take the following to get voted down to 0.5 heart:
I don't absolutely completely love Bioshock.
BananaBoat @ Aug 18th 2007 5:36PM
A perfect score for a game with an obvious and gaping flaw (no multiplayer) is ridiculous. It seems like various news outlets were ready to proclaim Bioshock "GAME OF THE YEAR!" even before it came out (or they had even played it) which makes it actually getting 100's very suspicious. I think IGN and the UK Xbox magazine had the right idea; Give it a high score if you think it deserves it, but make sure you atleast list the games flaws. Guess Bioshock has a month to sell as many copies as it can (before Halo 3 beats it into the ground and makes it cry for mercy) Now all I need is that COD4 beta....
blooh @ Aug 18th 2007 6:13PM
halo is mostly for multi, bioshock is for single.
not much overlap there...
and are you saying a game needs multiplay to get a 10/10? this game wasn't designed with MP in mind, it was made specifically for a very good SP experience. It accomplishes that very well, hence the high scores.
Your logic is stupid. It's like rating down halo because there aren't rpg elements, or final fantasy because there's no FPS
ExMcloud @ Aug 18th 2007 7:03PM
Hes kind of right though because Half-Life 2's SP experience was damn near perfect but its MP or lack there of kind of decreased it scores......
blooh @ Aug 18th 2007 8:47PM
hl2 had multiplayer?
i mean, i know they put out deathmatch a bit after launch, but that's a different game
TWiNKiE @ Aug 19th 2007 7:26AM
Blooh, it isn't "rating down halo because it doesn't have RPG elements". You are missing the point. Each genre has it's expectations to what should make it great. Halo isn't an RPG, it is an FPS. It's lack of RPG elements would be totally unrelated. What you probably meant to say is that it is "rating down Hexic, because it doesn't have Free Roam".
But Bioshock is an FPS. One of the expectations of an FPS is to include Multiplayer. According to what I hear, Bioshock is only Single Player, but it still got a perfect score, which really makes me think if the rating system is flawed. Excite Truck had mediocre multiplayer so they ripped the ratings. Bioshock has no multiplayer, yet it gets 10/10.
Exceptions shouldn't cut it.
Kyera @ Aug 19th 2007 9:05PM
If a game includes multi-player modes, you take the quality of the multi-player into account in the review. If it doesn't, you, well, don't. What's so hard to understand?
blooh @ Aug 19th 2007 11:27AM
since when does a fps game need multiplayer? that's retarded
Kennie @ Aug 18th 2007 6:06PM
I couldn't agree more with the reviews. The game is - how should I put this - simply awesome. It (the 360 demo) got me hooked from the very first second, and I've played through it three times now. For me - this game is perfect. It has everything I want in a game, and then some. I'm so happy to be alive!
David @ Aug 18th 2007 9:14PM
"I can buy a 99%, but I can't buy a 100%."
Well, looks like you're getting Bioshock. That's fine by all of us here. More copies for us then.
Slaziman @ Aug 19th 2007 1:31AM
Kickass avatar!
Todd Rabanus @ Aug 18th 2007 9:17PM
just got my 360 back from the repair center yesterday and the first thing i did was played the bioshock demo. it reminded me of condemned with a shot of steroids and a bottle of whiskey. I believe I will pick this game up tuesday (the official release date)