My Summer Vacation #4: Bioshock
August 31st, 2007
For those of you who care about videogames (I figure at least two of you?) this is the best game I’ve played in years, as much for its gripping, mind-bending story as for its innovative gameplay and astonishing visuals.
Bioshock, the most highly acclaimed videogame of the year so far–with good reason–is set in a disintegrating underground city called Rapture, built in the Atlantic Ocean just after WWII by wealthy industrialist Andrew Ryan. His visionary city, heavily influenced by the philosophy of Ayn Rand, united the best and the brightest from around the world in a radical new social and scientific experiment–one that collapsed on New Year’s Eve, 1959, just as the clock was to ring in a new decade.
A plane accident plunges your character into a world gone wrong. Ravaged survivors. Grotesque mutations. Powerful, protective creatures in diving suits watching over strange little girls who loot the dead. As you play, the frightening things you discover, the impossible choices you make, reveal as much about you as they do about Andrew Ryan and his tragically twisted dream-turned-nightmare. Don’t get it for the kids though…this is an adult masterpiece in every sense of the words.
(Don’t worry, you will actually see some knitting here soon!)
5 Comments Add your own
1. Mel | September 1st, 2007 at 11:28 am
This game has ensured my status as game widow.
Chris is also anxiously awaiting the John Woo/Chow Yun Fat shoot’em up that is due out I thnk in the next week or so.
2. david_demchuk | September 1st, 2007 at 1:37 pm
Oh yes, Crackhouse or Bloodbath or Killing Spree or whatever it is
I can’t get too excited about it, as you can tell. Bioshock, however, will suck about 20 hours out of your marriage for sure.
3. Cat | September 3rd, 2007 at 3:18 pm
I’m glad the only games I ever get widowed to are the Tom Clancy Titles. The rest, especially Bioshock, my boyfriend and I are arguing over whose turn it is.
4. david_demchuk | September 3rd, 2007 at 4:10 pm
I’ve neer been a big Rainbow Six/Ghost Recon fan–mostly because I stink at stealth. I couldn’t creep up on anyone–in game or in person–to save my life. (Which it would, in R6 and GRAW. So I mostly end up dead.) I’m the kind of player who kicks down the door and yells out HERE I AM!
My only real wish about Asif is that he would be interested in videogames–particularly games like Bioshock. I have gotten him mildly addicted to Dance Dance Revolution…but that’s really only a gateway to later editions of Dance Dance Revolution. It’s fun, but it’s no Bioshock.
Just a note now that we’re entering fall…if there are any parents here who don’t know what games to buy their kids (or each other) or who have questions about the appropriateness of a game’s content for kids and teens, ask away. Sometimes the ratings aren’t especially clear or revealing.
5. Jamie | September 6th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Bioshock is wonderful
Only yesterday I found myself in a discussion with a friend over the ethical problems that arise when dealing with the little girls.
I’m glad to see another knitter enjoys gaming as much as I do.
But if any other readers out there are looking for another fun xbox game but for children, I can’t help but take the time to recommend Blue Dragon, which came out sometime last week. The heroes that brought us the early Final Fantasy games left Square to make their own company, and this is that new company’s first game. It’s wonderful, it’s child-friendly, and it’s a pleasure to knit to - Nobuo Uematsu is still writing beautiful music.
Cheers to your gaming adventures!
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