Featured Image: (Pacer Graphic / Darby Self)
The early 2000s were essential in forming the world of gaming that is now a thriving industry. So many games released during that period now serve as perfect examples of their respective genres and the foundation for the games that have come after. While many of these games were good at one specific aspect, very few were good at many. One game that not only posed philosophical questions but also pushed the envelope for story games is “Bioshock.”
“Bioshock” is a first-person, action-adventure, horror-themed game released in 2007 by developer Irrational Games. There are many people that consider “Bioshock” to be a masterpiece and one of the most influential games of all time, citing its forward thinking and non-linear gameplay, among many other reasons, for its massive success. The game tells the story of protagonist Jack, a seemingly average man that is the only survivor of a plane crash in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s here where he finds a mysterious lighthouse that leads Jack down the rabbit hole that changed gaming forever. “Bioshock” was also instrumental in bringing player choice, or the illusion of such, to the forefront of gaming. By taking risks and being innovative, Irrational Games was able to create a game experience that would last forever.
A big part of that was the different ways that they created for the players to play. In “Bioshock,” a large part of the story is genetic splicing. As a result of this, the player is given a power set pertaining to their genes being spliced. These powers are called Plasmids. These Plasmids, along with upgrades called Gene Tonics, can be found in the world of the game or purchased from vending machines called Gatherer’s Gardens.
Other stations that can help give players the edge are Power to the People stations, Circus of Values, El Ammo Banditos, U-Invents and Gene Banks. The different tools and items that can be purchased at these machines give players a wide range of ways that they can defend themselves against the horrors that lurk beneath the waves. By giving players such wide ranging choices, it allows them a dimension of freedom that wasn’t really an option in games that came before. Choice is a big aspect of “Bioshock” and that idea is further explored in its story.
The story of “Bioshock” begins long before the game starts, but the players are tasked with figuring that out as the game goes on. After arriving at the lighthouse, Jack finds a transport vehicle called a bathosphere that takes him under the sea. On this ride, he’s treated to a pre-recorded lesson on the founding of the underwater city of Rapture, the very city that he now finds himself in. Administering the lesson is the founder of Rapture, Andrew Ryan. As the bathosphere lands at its docking bay, Jack witnesses the grisly murder of one of Rapture’s denizens by a Plasmid addict called a Splicer. It’s here where Jack learns the true nature of Rapture in its current state: kill or be killed.
“Bioshock” raises the question of the illusion of choice. It does this by lulling the player into a false sense of security and snatching the rug from under them when they least expect it. The plot twist that showcases this is best experienced being played through, so that can be done at each player’s discretion. It’s through this question and its main themes of free will and self control that “Bioshock” was able to create a place in the hearts of many gamers. This also allowed it to become a perfect example in the argument of video games as an artform, furthering the idea of what a story can be in gaming.
“Bioshock” has always been an important piece of gaming history ever since its inception. Not only did it change the way players can mix their arsenal to play their way, but it also allowed future games to become more innovative with their stories. This paved the way for games like “Red Dead Redemption,” “God of War (2018)” and “The Last of Us” among many others. With two sequels, a movie in development limbo, and a fourth installment on the horizon, “Bioshock’s” influence continues to echo throughout the gaming world. Take a chance and play “Bioshock”, would you kindly?
Grade: S+
$19.99 – Bioshock Remastered – PS4 / PS5 / Steam / Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S
