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BioShock Hands-On

By Ricardo Torres, GameSpotPosted Sep 6, 2008 1:20 am GMT

We take the PlayStation 3 version of 2K's acclaimed shooter for a test drive.

BioShock made some big waves when it was released for the Xbox 360 last year. The unique game wrapped a rich story with first-person shooter mechanics in a stunning art style that made for one of the most engrossing experiences seen on consoles in a long while. Thankfully, PlayStation 3 owners will get a chance to see what all the fuss is about with the upcoming conversion of the game for Sony's console. We've seen demos of the game in the past few months but only just had the chance to try the game ourselves courtesy of a recent visit from 2K.

Get ready for more creepy underwater fun with BioShock for PS3.

2K has roped in a cavalcade of development teams to handle the conversion of the game for the PlayStation 3. 2K Marin, 2K Boston, 2K Australia, and Digital Extremes are tag teaming the project, which aims to come up with a faithful conversion of the original game. The teams are also including a few bells and whistles in the form of content, as well as visual tweaks. Fans of the original game will be familiar with the single-player Story mode, which follows the trials and tribulations of plane crash survivor who stumbles onto a mysterious underwater utopia called Rapture.

The PlayStation 3 game, as we've noted before, is on the right track to capture the look and feel of the Xbox 360 game. The visuals are comparable, although there are some subtle differences in color and texture. The controls map intuitively to the PlayStation 3 controller and feel a bit better. The PS3's D pad seems like a much better fit for the hacking minigame. The controller's rumble support also had a nice feel to it. Although the experience is pretty much the same in the single-player mode, we noticed subtle tweaks, such as manual cycling of the load screen stills. The game also incorporates all the downloadable content that's been available on the Xbox 360. In addition, the game features trophy support, some of which are the same achievements seen in the Xbox 360 game, while others are different.

Outside of the proper single-player experience, we had a chance to try the Survivor mode, which offers a greater level of challenge that forces you to be smarter about how you play the game. Enemy behavior has been tweaked, and the damage you cause has been modified, so you won't be sailing through the mode even if you're familiar with the original game. We also got a look at the other big addition to the game, the puzzle rooms, which are a very slick brain-busting addition to the main game. 2K reps noted that the rooms will vary in scope and size, which will affect how long it takes you to play through them. While some, such as the Ferris wheel, we've seen before and can be done in short order, others will require more work.

BioShock remains a must-play game for this generation, so if you haven't checked it out yet, the PlayStation 3 version of the game is one more chance for you to give it a try. The game is coming together really well. The faithful conversion of the main game is looking good and might even be sharper in places. The additional content, challenge rooms, modes, and trophies are nice extras to have, although we obviously would have liked to see more. BioShock for the PlayStation 3 is slated to ship this October, so look for more soon.

416 Comments

  • arodmell

    Posted Oct 17, 2008 11:41 pm GMT

    Its this or Dead Space for me I think. No way I am gonna get this over Fallout 3 so....... how much you guys think I can get for my kidney?

  • hi-buzz

    Posted Oct 9, 2008 10:47 am GMT

    This game is simply AMAZING !!! JUST GET IT...NUFF SAID...

  • hi-buzz

    Posted Oct 9, 2008 10:38 am GMT

    TO PAUL265...this game cannot possibly run on the wii,it will look like crap!! This is a powered-up game
    that requires next-gen graphics engine for it to look
    like the 360 or PS3 versions....For the Wii, not a chance with this game....

  • Swift18

    Posted Oct 3, 2008 4:58 pm GMT

    My point proven
    http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3169860

  • Swift18

    Posted Oct 3, 2008 4:48 pm GMT

    Sounds like your Ps3 is messed up sir. I had No such issues with my demo then again I have one of the first ps3's maybe u got one of tweaky new ones? How ever I do enjoy the fact that you spent your time trying to bash the game. Most likely the full game will look better then the 360 version if they do it right then later they will do a patch for the 360 version so they will look the same. There's no reason these games should look any different on either console. Now if there is a discrepancy it would be because lack of time put in or the fact the 360 is essentially a small pc while the ps3 has a different architecture and they just didn't know how to use it right.

  • dniq_gamespot

    Posted Oct 2, 2008 9:39 pm GMT

    Now that's demo is out, it's very nive to be able to compare it to the 360 version. The graphics are apparently being rendered at a lower resolution with some weird antialiasing, as the image is all blurry and the jaggies abound. The sound volume is strangely too low - so low I've had to turn my receiver's volume three times the normal volume. Which is a bummer: I was looking forward to playing the PS3 version (having finished he 360 one three times so far ). Hopefully the release will get better... It probably will be fine for those who haven't seen it on the 360 - still, it's better to have at least the blurry version on the PS3, than none at all.

  • sub-raid

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 4:49 pm GMT

    i am not sure if i can get it or not all the good games in 2 months can't affored all games i want so maybe not get bioshock (because i played it on pc and xbox360).
    a lot of games but if a some got bad reviews or something and i don't want them i will get it for sure and if bioshock gets score more tan pc and 360 i will get it for sure and that's what i feel that ps3 verion will get better score 9.5/10 maybe because new dificulity annd new stuff. i want taht game so much!

  • arnoldarm

    Posted Sep 24, 2008 4:39 pm GMT

    argh thr r so many promising games coming out... to damn tough that thr all expensive

  • sub-raid

    Posted Sep 19, 2008 9:09 am GMT

    this game rocks i had it on 360 and played it on pc and i think i will get it on ps3 !!! this game is my second best game !

  • arnoldarm

    Posted Sep 19, 2008 1:39 am GMT

    John_russel.... ur full of it

  • NeCromX

    Posted Sep 16, 2008 9:39 am GMT

    Good article does everyone forget this is on PC too seems like everyone mentions the 360 version when the PC one looks a lot better if you have the system that can run it a high quality.

  • BaraChat

    Posted Sep 16, 2008 9:34 am GMT

    Wow. John_russel. The worst comment ever. Bravo.

  • woods0419

    Posted Sep 14, 2008 1:29 pm GMT

    I have both systems... both have their ups and downs. I don't think one outdoes the other and I have equal fun with both of them

  • ttheodoris

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 4:38 pm GMT

    i have a 360 and ps3, this was one of the best games i've played in ages. so im gonna get it again. as for which consoles better both are good but they do both have there flaws. stop your whining.

  • Supabul

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 2:45 pm GMT

    Will this game come out for the Wii.

  • krelwy

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 10:19 am GMT

    i hate fanboys...
    ps3 fanboys: shut up, this is a good game, but doesnt randomly send the ps3 on a one way trip to being better than the 360.
    360 fanboys: There are more good games on a ps3 than just MGS4, you just dont know them cuz you could care less.
    both have their good points, both have their faults. for the love of GOD, everyone, shut up. No one is every going to win in this fanboy bullsh*t. each side will continue to praise their console as the second coming of christ and spout false information at each others.
    anyway... I'm looking forward to being able to finally play this on my ps3 since i've been wanting it ever since i first saw a preview like ages ago for the 360.

  • VenusDoom13

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 2:57 am GMT

    I'm getting a 360 soon, and this game was highly recommended to me, can't wait to try it out

  • tawagivercetti posted Sep 13, 2008 12:45 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    tawagivercetti

    Posted Sep 13, 2008 12:45 am GMT (hide)

    360 slays all

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