BioShock

"While one could buy the game online via either Steam or Direct2Drive, this doesn't get around the technical problems many are having with the retail version. If you find you've always had problems getting PC games to run and you've got a 360 in your house, you might be better off getting the 360 version instead since there's no easy way to get a refund if it doesn't work. Otherwise, get updated drivers, play the demo to make sure your system definitely meets the minimum requirements and hold on for the ride - BioShock is definitely worth your gaming dollar if your machine can power it."

"Bioshock is a fusion of 1920s art deco level design and a 1950s take on the effects of genetic engineering, played in a 1960s setting and if we could promise you anything it’d be that, come the end of this year, we’ll see Bioshock drawing in more fans and support than ever thanks to the renewed focus and gameplay which manages to keep the old and welcome the new at the same time. It may not be to tastes of the hardcore System Shock fans but, short of a remake, those fans would never be happy anyway and the vast majority of gamers will find Bioshock to be a new and invigorating take on one of the greatest games of all time."

"In spite of some technical issues, BioShock creates an amazing world that you'll want to explore and a compelling mystery that slowly comes together as you play."

"While most RPGs stress heavy stats with lots of numbers and modifiers, BioShock is going to favor a more tangible, grounded system. Instead of allocating a bunch of points to stats such as intelligence and luck, BioShock utilizes "plasmas" which give your character special bonuses and enhancements. There are four different tracks of plasmas: active skills, physical (such as strength and speed), engineering (which includes security and lockpicking), and weapons specialties. This allows you to tailor your character to your style of play, but puts a more concrete reason behind how you can lift 300 pounds or why you can run faster than a cheetah instead of just relying on numbers and stats."

"Irrational had a clear vision with this game, something pulled off with remarkable precision in every department. They didn't just deliver something that's fun to play, a criterion so often cited as the benchmark of what makes a game worthwhile. BioShock stands as a monolithic example of the convergence of entertaining gameplay and an irresistibly sinister, engrossing storyline that encompasses a host of multifaceted characters. This is an essential gaming experience."