| Game Reviews From a Parental Perspective! | |
|
|
|
| Home | Forums | Review Archive | Columns | Feature Articles |
|
Home >
Review Archive >
Video Games
> Results: Bioshock
Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Scroll down for our Kid Factor. 
The ESRB Says
Blood and Gore: GamerDad bashed enemies to pieces with a wrench. Drug Reference: Aside from Plasmids and Tonics, there were clear references to drug-induced lifestyles of some inhabitants. Intense Violence: The world-gone-wrong of Rapture was full of violence and not much else. Sexual Themes: Sexual but not very sexy, inferences of pole dancing and sex for personal gain were aplenty. Strong Language: From the very start there was full use of all popular swear words. In case you have just emerged from a cave, let me tell you - Bioshock is the best shooter of the year and perhaps the best game of the year. It has been described as a 'spiritual successor to the System Shock games', but that really isn't helpful - anyone who knows those games will be constantly comparing and people who never played them will be wondering if they are a prerequisite. Bioshock is a straight out FPS with all of the hallmark elements of the genre from enemy spawns to corridor shooting elements to things that happen late in the game right up to the very end. But it is an absolutely fantastic experience that anyone with the stomach for some uncomfortable looks inside the human soul should play. Despite the 5-star score, Bioshock is not a perfect game. There are annoyances in the interface and problems with antivirus compatibility and installation activation woes, as well as a few weak moments in the narrative. But in terms of the actual gameplay these are very minor and do little to detract from an otherwise excellent experience. It is brutal, but not very hard as shooters go, so you don't even have to worry if your twitch gamer skills are up to snuff. Many people are calling this the best shooter since Half-Life 2 and comparins and contrasting the two. I think that is an excellent comparison because neither are particularly innovative in large terms but each delivers compelling narrative that is extremely polished and well done and changes the way you look at other games.  
Bioshock is full of elements that represent every angle of 'mature' in terms of gaming. It is mature story telling full of intrigue and emotionally captivating moments. Yet is full of depravity, violence, bloodshed and strong language. This is not a game for kids in any way and is best played by adults and is easy to recommend as a game deserving an Adult GamerDad Age Seal. But the maturity also makes this a 'must play' for adults who like a great story and don't mind some horror and gore along the way. It isn't a comfortable tale, but is certainly well worth the time it takes to work your way to the end.
Comments? Chat about it in our forums! Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Bioshock |
Read the GamerDad 2007 Holiday Guide!
|
Please Note: GamerDad is not intended to be read by anyone under 18. We stay clean, but be warned! Content Management System developed by Redbird Solutions. |
