Dorkgasm Gonzo Is God

So, everyone and their mother are talking about Bioshock now. Seriously, even my mother asked me about it. The demo is now available, and I thought it prudent to play through and jot some thoughts. As with every other review published so far, I will try to be as spoiler-free as possible.

This game, developed by Irrational Games (System Shock II, Freedom Force vs. The Third Reich), is PC FPS action at its finest. I really cannot think of a game that got me salivating only by the demo. The atmosphere is so immersive; I had to look around sometimes to remind me I was at home. The graphics are just sick, both in the geek speak way and the more-commonly used adjective form. The storyline is brought out with in-game dialogue in the form of recordings and a voice-in-the-ear of "Atlas". This may be just in the demo, though.

I know the real game is out now for your dorky consumption, but I decided to review the demo for two reasons:

1) I wanted to see if it was even usable on my setup. It is, obviously, but only on medium settings.

And

2) I am oh-so-poor.

So, as you can see, a free demo is just right for me. However, now I am faced with a problem. The demo has roped me in fully. For those of you not really in the know about what this game is about, let me tell you...

It's the 1960's, and you begin on a plane. You're having a smoke, thinking about life, when all hell breaks loose. Your plane goes down in a spectacular crash, and you're left to find your way out of the rubble while floating in the middle of the ocean. Good thing there's an island nearby with a mysterious lighthouse, or is it?!?!?

From hereon out, you are sucked into the world of Andrew Ryan, who, in the grand Objectivist tradition, has created a completely underwater world where religion and morality hold no sway. Sounds like my kind of place, but I digress. Apparently, the underwater world of "Rapture" has fallen, and the only occupants left are scattered people and lots of crazy ass monsters. I am not going to say anymore about the story, but rest assured, it is creepy as hell and it will keep you going.

Final words on the demo, though. If you can run it, do so immediately. Make sure all non-vital programs that might be running in the background are turned off, as this game is a system hog, for sure. Games like these are why I started playing in the first place. Great story, great bad guys, and great graphics. I'd say this game is for people who liked System Shock II (who doesn't?) and Deus Ex II (the Plasmid system in Bioshock, add-ons that rework your physical abilities, borrows heavily from DEII), and who aren't afraid to journey to the darkest places of the human heart. In other words, almost ever reader on this site.

Until next time, folks, keep it dorky. I know I will.