BioShock
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About the Game
In 1960 , a plane crashes in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, leaving a man named Jack as the apparent sole survivor. He surfaces near a lighthouse that serves as the entrance to Rapture, an underwater city founded in the 1940s by industrialist Andrew Ryan. Built as a refuge from government, religion, and outside authority, Rapture was intended to be a paradise of individual freedom and scientific progress. By the time Jack arrives, however, the city has collapsed into ruin, and he must descend into its decaying halls while uncovering what happened there and fighting to survive.
Story & Setting
As in System Shock , players explore interconnected areas, searches for supplies, hacks security systems, and gradually customizes the protagonist’s abilities. Afterward, players can harvest the Little Sister for a larger amount of ADAM or rescue her for a smaller immediate reward. These choices affect the amount of ADAM available, players’ rewards, and the ending of the story.
Gameplay & Core Systems
BioShock is a first-person shooter with elements of action-adventure and role-playing games, as well as a storytelling style reminiscent of the System Shock series . Much of the story is revealed through audio diaries left behind by Rapture’s inhabitants, allowing players to reconstruct the city’s history while exploring its abandoned districts. The game is more action-oriented than System Shock 2 , with role-playing elements focused on upgrades and equipment rather than character classes or detailed statistics. Jack fights them with firearms, melee attacks, environmental hazards, and plasmids. They can shock enemies with electricity, set them on fire, freeze them, move objects, command security devices, or otherwise alter the battlefield.
Standout Features
- Combat often rewards combining plasmids with weapons and the environment, such as electrocuting enemies standing in water, freezing opponents before shattering them, or turning Rapture’s security systems against their owners.
- players can equip only a limited number of each, requiring choices about combat style, hacking ability, resource gathering, defense, and exploration.
- Additional slots and upgrades can be purchased as the game progresses.
- Firearms can also be improved at weapon upgrade stations, and most weapons support multiple ammunition types, giving players different ways to handle armored targets, crowds, machines, or more powerful enemies.
- Health kits restore damage, EVE hypos replenish the energy used for plasmids, and vending machines sell ammunition, supplies, and upgrades.
- Components found throughout Rapture can be used at U-Invent machines to create ammunition, tools, and other useful supplies.
- Many machines, safes, turrets, cameras, and security bots can be hacked, usually through a Pipe Mania -style mini-game in which players redirects a flow of liquid through connected pipe pieces before time runs out.
- Successful hacking can reduce prices, disable alarms, open locked containers, or turn hostile security devices to players’ advantage.
Modes & Ways to Play
The PlayStation 3 version adds Survivor Mode, a harder difficulty setting, along with other platform-specific extras.
Presentation & Atmosphere
Radio communication, environmental details, and scripted events also guide Jack through the city and reveal the roles of major figures in Rapture’s collapse. players can also use a research camera to photograph enemies and security devices, gradually unlocking damage bonuses, new tactics, and other rewards for learning more about Rapture’s threats.
Display support includes HDTV 720p, HDTV 1080i, and HDTV 1080p. Audio support includes Dolby Digital.
More game data: releases, identifiers & technical details
Regional release records and identifiers for BioShock | Xbox 360.
Release and technical facts
| Fact | Value | Release / platform | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published by | 2K Games, Inc. | United States | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Australia Pty. Ltd | United States | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Boston, Inc | United States | MobyGames |
| Additional Graphics by | Demiurge Studios, Inc. | United States | MobyGames |
| Game Engine by | Epic Games, Inc. | United States | MobyGames |
| Middleware by | RAD Game Tools, Inc. | United States | MobyGames |
| Published by | 2K Games, Inc. | Germany | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Boston, Inc | Germany | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Australia Pty. Ltd | Germany | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | Take Two Interactive GmbH | Germany | MobyGames |
| Additional Graphics by | Demiurge Studios, Inc. | Germany | MobyGames |
| Game Engine by | Epic Games, Inc. | Germany | MobyGames |
| Middleware by | RAD Game Tools, Inc. | Germany | MobyGames |
| Published by | 2K Games, Inc. | Finland | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Boston, Inc | Finland | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Australia Pty. Ltd | Finland | MobyGames |
| Additional Graphics by | Demiurge Studios, Inc. | Finland | MobyGames |
| Game Engine by | Epic Games, Inc. | Finland | MobyGames |
| Middleware by | RAD Game Tools, Inc. | Finland | MobyGames |
| Published by | 2K Games, Inc. | Australia | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Boston, Inc | Australia | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Australia Pty. Ltd | Australia | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | Take 2 Interactive Software Pty Ltd. | Australia | MobyGames |
| Additional Graphics by | Demiurge Studios, Inc. | Australia | MobyGames |
| Game Engine by | Epic Games, Inc. | Australia | MobyGames |
| Middleware by | RAD Game Tools, Inc. | Australia | MobyGames |
| Published by | 2K Games, Inc. | Italy | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Australia Pty. Ltd | Italy | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Boston, Inc | Italy | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | Take Two Interactive Italia Srl | Italy | MobyGames |
| Additional Graphics by | Demiurge Studios, Inc. | Italy | MobyGames |
| Game Engine by | Epic Games, Inc. | Italy | MobyGames |
| Middleware by | RAD Game Tools, Inc. | Italy | MobyGames |
| Published by | 2K Games, Inc. | New Zealand | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Australia Pty. Ltd | New Zealand | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Boston, Inc | New Zealand | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | GameWizz Digital Entertainment | New Zealand | MobyGames |
| Additional Graphics by | Demiurge Studios, Inc. | New Zealand | MobyGames |
| Game Engine by | Epic Games, Inc. | New Zealand | MobyGames |
| Middleware by | RAD Game Tools, Inc. | New Zealand | MobyGames |
| Published by | 2K Games, Inc. | United Kingdom | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Australia Pty. Ltd | United Kingdom | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Boston, Inc | United Kingdom | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | Take-Two Interactive Software Europe Ltd. | United Kingdom | MobyGames |
| Additional Graphics by | Demiurge Studios, Inc. | United Kingdom | MobyGames |
| Game Engine by | Epic Games, Inc. | United Kingdom | MobyGames |
| Middleware by | RAD Game Tools, Inc. | United Kingdom | MobyGames |
| Published by | 2K Games, Inc. | Belgium, The Netherlands | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Australia Pty. Ltd | Belgium, The Netherlands | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Boston, Inc | Belgium, The Netherlands | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | Take Two Interactive Benelux B.V. | Belgium, The Netherlands | MobyGames |
| Additional Graphics by | Demiurge Studios, Inc. | Belgium, The Netherlands | MobyGames |
| Game Engine by | Epic Games, Inc. | Belgium, The Netherlands | MobyGames |
| Middleware by | RAD Game Tools, Inc. | Belgium, The Netherlands | MobyGames |
| Published by | Spike Co., Ltd. | Japan | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Australia Pty. Ltd | Japan | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Boston, Inc | Japan | MobyGames |
| Additional Graphics by | Demiurge Studios, Inc. | Japan | MobyGames |
| Game Engine by | Epic Games, Inc. | Japan | MobyGames |
| Middleware by | RAD Game Tools, Inc. | Japan | MobyGames |
| Published by | 2K Games, Inc. | United Kingdom; Classics release | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Australia Pty. Ltd | United Kingdom; Classics release | MobyGames |
| Developed by | 2K Boston, Inc | United Kingdom; Classics release | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | Take-Two Interactive Software Europe Ltd. | United Kingdom; Classics release | MobyGames |
| Additional Graphics by | Demiurge Studios, Inc. | United Kingdom; Classics release | MobyGames |
| Game Engine by | Epic Games, Inc. | United Kingdom; Classics release | MobyGames |
| Middleware by | RAD Game Tools, Inc. | United Kingdom; Classics release | MobyGames |
| Business Model | Commercial | Xbox 360 | MobyGames |
| Media Type | Download | Xbox 360 | MobyGames |
| Media Type | DVD-ROM | Xbox 360 | MobyGames |
| Video Modes Supported | HDTV 720p | Xbox 360 | MobyGames |
| Video Modes Supported | HDTV 1080i | Xbox 360 | MobyGames |
| Video Modes Supported | HDTV 1080p | Xbox 360 | MobyGames |
| Sound Capabilities | Dolby Digital | Xbox 360 | MobyGames |
| Number of Offline Players | 1 Player | Xbox 360 | MobyGames |
| Xbox/Windows Live | Achievements | Xbox 360 | MobyGames |
| Xbox/Windows Live | Content Download | Xbox 360 | MobyGames |
| Original game disc count | 1 | North America | MobyGames |
| Genre | FPS | North America | PriceCharting |
| Also compatible on | Xbox One | North America | PriceCharting |
| Developer | 2K Australia Pty Ltd., 2K Boston, Inc. | North America | PriceCharting |
| Disc count (PriceCharting) | 1 game disc | North America | PriceCharting |
| ESRB rating | Mature | North America | PriceCharting |
| Model number | #29963-1 | North America | PriceCharting |
| Player count | 1 player | North America | PriceCharting |
| Publisher | 2K Games | North America | PriceCharting |
| Developer | 2K Boston | Japan | PriceCharting |
| Disc count (PriceCharting) | 1 game disc | Japan | PriceCharting |
| Genre | FPS | Japan | PriceCharting |
| Player count | 1 player | Japan | PriceCharting |
| Publisher | 2K Games | Japan | PriceCharting |
| Disc count (PriceCharting) | 1 game disc | PAL | PriceCharting |
| Genre | FPS | PAL | PriceCharting |
| Player count | 1 player | PAL | PriceCharting |
| Publisher | 2K Games | PAL | PriceCharting |
Regional releases
| Release date | Region / edition | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2007-08-21 | United States | MobyGames |
| 2007-08-24 | Germany | MobyGames |
| 2007-08-24 | Finland | MobyGames |
| 2007-08-24 | Australia | MobyGames |
| 2007-08-24 | Italy | MobyGames |
| 2007-08-24 | New Zealand | MobyGames |
| 2007-08-24 | United Kingdom | MobyGames |
| 2007-08-24 | Belgium, The Netherlands | MobyGames |
| 2008-02-21 | Japan | MobyGames |
| 2009-10-09 | United Kingdom; Classics release | MobyGames |
| 2008-02-21 | Japan | PriceCharting |
| 2007-08-24 | PAL | PriceCharting |
| 2007-08-21 | North America | PriceCharting |
| August 21, 2007 | North America | PriceCharting |
| February 21, 2008 | Japan | PriceCharting |
| August 24, 2007 | PAL | PriceCharting |
Catalog identifiers by release
| Identifier | Code | Region / edition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPC-A | 710425299636 | United States | MobyGames |
| eBay Product ID | 53681571 | United States | MobyGames |
| EAN-13 | 5026555246101 | Finland | MobyGames |
| EAN-13 | 5026555245906 | Australia | MobyGames |
| EAN-13 | 5026555245883 | Italy | MobyGames |
| eBay Product ID | 1972344204 | Italy | MobyGames |
| EAN-13 | 5026555245906 | New Zealand | MobyGames |
| EAN-13 | 5026555245852 | United Kingdom | MobyGames |
| eBay Product ID | 1602905144 | United Kingdom | MobyGames |
| EAN-13 | 4988648586253 | Japan | MobyGames |
| eBay Product ID | 212077238 | Japan | MobyGames |
| upc | 710425299636 | North America | PriceCharting |
| asin | B000MKA60W | North America | PriceCharting |
| epid | 53681571 | North America | PriceCharting |
| model | #29963-1 | North America | PriceCharting |
| upc | 4988648586253 | Japan | PriceCharting |
| upc | 5026555246460 | PAL | PriceCharting |
| ean | 4988648586253 | Japan | PriceCharting |
| ean | 5026555246460 | PAL | PriceCharting |
| ean | 5026555246484 | PAL | PriceCharting |
Data by MobyGames.com · Catalog data: PriceCharting
