Bioshock hands-on preview

Concluding Remarks

So, good graphics and great gameplay is already chalked up for Bioshock, but are there any flaws in the otherwise winning formula?

Well, there are a few chinks in the armour based on what we've seen so far.

The first and most notable thing which we noticed was the difference between the Xbox 360 and PC versions. Now, before anyone starts panicking, content-wise the two versions are identical and supposedly the only difference is to do with the controls. We at bit-tech.net have keen eyes however and picked up on a few subtle changes.

Difficulty is one thing. We played through the same segments on the PC and the Xbox version and we found that the PC version was significantly easier and not just because the control system is more precise, though that is a definite element. It wasn’t just easier to go for those all-important headshots thanks to the mouse and keyboard, the enemies seemed to go down quicker in a way that hinted at balancing problems.

Another area where the PC version played substantially different was in the speediness of the gameplay. On the Xbox 360 version the character moved at a normal pace and controlled just as one might expect. On the PC version however the game ran an awful lot faster than the console version – which is great!


However, it soon became apparent that it was affecting the way we played the game. On the Xbox 360, every single enemy was an obstacle to be overcome and killed and the challenge was based in that it was a lot harder to run away or evade opponents, yet a switch onto the PC version allowed players to navigate a lot easier and we often found ourselves running past enemies rather than opposing them. Perhaps it’s not a true flaw in the game design, but it’s something gamers may want to be aware of if they have a choice between platforms.

The biggest problem which we suspect Bioshock will face though is in the little differences which place it apart from the much lauded System Shock 2, primarily in that the focus of Bioshock is very much on combat and not on traditional RPG elements.

These differences may not be of any concern to the casual gaming market, but frankly nobody from that market is likely to pick up a twenty hour long, RPG/FPS hybrid with a serious subtext like Bioshock anyway. Bioshock gamers will be more of the hardcore crowd and many of those will have heard the comparisons to System Shock 2 before and may well eagerly be anticipating a revisit to those old themes.


Now, while there is enough to keep those with fond memories of System Shock 2 satisfied, the truth is that Bioshock is still a very different and new game – and rightfully so, as the game has evolved and change to reflect what today’s gamers want instead.

Nobody liked that the weapons in System Shock 2 degraded so fast anyway.

However, the game isn’t due to release until August 24th so there’s definitely still some time to address any balancing issues for the game – a little more damage resistance here, a touch of hit points there and suddenly both versions of the game would be identical.

So, the only real question left is; are we still as excited about Bioshock are we? Do we reckon the game will bring in new fans or will it serve only to alienate the genre's current fans?


Well, if there was only one thing that we could say about Bioshock then it would be to emphasise the way that the game has managed to successfully tread the line between reviving the old elements of gameplay which fans and enthusiasts will know and appreciate, but has also bought in new gaming elements and, most importantly, found a way to balance the same systems for both Xbox 360 and PC.

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.