Bioshock

Hype is a terrible thing. No matter how you try to escape its terrifying grasp, it always seems to swallow you whole and carry you along on an almost immeasurable wave of optimism. Bioshock has been hyped to the moon and back a thousand times over. Screenshots have dazzled with the kind of astonishing beauty we once could have only dreamed about. Dribbles of information have built up hopes that this could be the game that we’ve always craved.

The recent demo, however, seemed to dampen spirits a touch, with the appearance of being little more than a Doom style FPS with prettier aesthetics. While the demo did assure us that the visual and aural representations of Rapture would indeed be up to the dizzying heights we all wish for, it did not even vaguely begin to give a hint of the sheer talent that the developers previously known as Irrational Games truly possess. Yes, the final game not only looks and sounds incredible, but the overall presentation of this titile will leave fans of the FPS shocked at its outstanding polish.

Despite the dizzying amount of detail ploughed into every square inch of Rapture, it never fails to feel anything other than a truly solid world. While a lot of visually impressive games have fallen into the “uncanny valley” trap, the absolute decay and destruction held in this underwater empire restrict Bioshock from even getting close to the edge, never mind dropping into this potential pitfall. The plasmid system, which could so easily have become nothing more than keys to unlock the next half hour of gaming delight, is so much more. The variety of ways to best one of the terrifying “Big Daddy’s” utilising the many special abilities makes Bioshock stand taller than even the most in-depth modern RPG.

The script takes you out of the action by allowing the story to be told via discarded tapes and your Irish compatriot, all while allowing you to continue pressing on. This only increases the tension and craving to see what devilish delights await you around the next corner. There are moments you’ll freeze in fear as you spot a terrifying shadow lurking around the next bend. You’ll be hit with the sudden realisation that no two encounters with the variety of nasties that populate Rapture will ever be alike. It all culminates in a title created with imagination and unadulterated class.

For once, push your misgivings to the back of your mind and simply dazzle yourself with the first next-gen gaming experience to prove that all the hype has been worth it. The world of Rapture deserves to be experienced time and time again.