BioShock

Officially BioShock (franchise)

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FIRST-PERSON SHOOTER franchise developed by IRRATIONAL GAMES + 2K MARIN — original BIOSHOCK launched AUGUST 21, 2007 on Xbox 360/PC. Set in RAPTURE — underwater OBJECTIVIST DYSTOPIA built by industrial magnate ANDREW RYAN in 1946 — that collapsed into civil war after mutating serum ADAM created superpowered psychopaths + BIG DADDIES + LITTLE SISTERS. Combines FPS combat + RPG plasmid powers + MORAL CHOICES (harvest or save Little Sisters). Iconic 'WOULD YOU KINDLY?' twist redefined narrative gaming. BIOSHOCK INFINITE (2013) reimagined in flying city COLUMBIA. 30+ MILLION SOLD franchise. Universally considered ONE OF GAMING'S GREATEST WORKS OF ART.

📐Rapture (underwater city, 1960) + Columbia (flying city, 1912) + Rapture DLC (Burial at Sea)⏱~900 min🌤indoor

Photo · Wikipedia

What is BioShock?

BioShock is CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FIRST-PERSON SHOOTER franchise developed by IRRATIONAL GAMES (Boston, MA — led by KEN LEVINE) + 2K MARIN + 2K GAMES publishing. ORIGINAL BIOSHOCK released AUGUST 21, 2007 on Xbox 360 + PC (PS3 October 2008). CREATED BY KEN LEVINE as spiritual successor to SYSTEM SHOCK series (Levine wrote System Shock 2 1999 which BioShock echoes). SETTING: RAPTURE — SPECTACULAR UNDERWATER CITY built by INDUSTRIAL MAGNATE ANDREW RYAN in 1946 as OBJECTIVIST UTOPIA (based on AYN RAND's philosophy — the name 'Andrew Ryan' is an anagram of 'Ayn Rand'). Rapture was refuge from post-WWII world (Ryan believed governments + religions + collectivism stifled human potential). DISCOVERY OF ADAM (mutating sea slug serum) enabled superpowered PLASMIDS (fire hands, lightning, telekinesis, insect swarms) — but ADAM ADDICTION + civil war between Ryan + insurgent ATLAS collapsed Rapture into DYSTOPIA populated by SPLICERS (deformed, mutated citizens), BIG DADDIES (bulky armored diving-suit guardians), LITTLE SISTERS (creepy young girls who harvest ADAM from corpses). YOU are JACK, whose plane crashes near Rapture's entrance in 1960 — he descends via bathysphere into ruined city + must survive + uncover mystery. KEY TWIST (SPOILER): 'WOULD YOU KINDLY?' — mid-game reveal that Jack was BIO-ENGINEERED SLAVE + PROGRAMMED to obey ANY command prefaced with 'would you kindly'; entire game's PLAYER-AGENCY is thematically dismantled. This narrative reveal is CONSIDERED ONE OF GREATEST TWISTS IN GAMING HISTORY + redefined how games use interactivity for meta-narrative. MECHANICS: FPS gunplay + RPG PLASMID magic (Electro Bolt, Incinerate, Telekinesis, Insect Swarm, Winter Blast) + HACK security systems via mini-game + upgrade weapons/plasmids via ADAM currency. LITTLE SISTER MORAL CHOICE: each LITTLE SISTER encountered can be HARVESTED (killed for max ADAM) or SAVED (less ADAM but karma reward + good ending). PLAY YOUR STYLE. FRANCHISE ENTRIES: (1) BIOSHOCK (2007) — original, Rapture, Jack, GOTY multiple awards. (2) BIOSHOCK 2 (2010) — sequel in Rapture 10 years later; player is a BIG DADDY; developed by 2K MARIN after Irrational moved to next project. (3) BIOSHOCK INFINITE (2013) — dramatic REIMAGINATION in COLUMBIA — flying city in the sky in 1912 during American exceptionalism era; Booker DeWitt rescues ELIZABETH from tyrannical Comstock; new tears-in-reality mechanic + Songbird stalker; multiverse reveals; Metacritic 94; considered PEAK BIOSHOCK by many. INFINITE DLC: Burial at Sea (Episode 1 + 2, 2013-2014) — RETURNS TO RAPTURE + connects Booker/Elizabeth to Rapture's history. (4) BIOSHOCK 4 (project title 'Isolation') — in development at CLOUD CHAMBER STUDIOS (2K subsidiary in Boston + Novato) since 2019; RUMORED 2026 release; expected to feature new setting. BIOSHOCK: THE COLLECTION (2016) — Remastered BioShock 1 + 2 + Infinite bundle; ~$50; recommended purchase. CULTURAL IMPACT: (a) Rapture became POP-CULTURE ICON — often cited as best video game setting ever; (b) 'Would You Kindly?' redefined narrative game design; (c) SYSTEM SHOCK 2 legacy revived interest in immersive sims (BioShock inspired Prey, Dishonored, Deus Ex sequels); (d) ANDREW RYAN's speeches quoted extensively; 'A man chooses, a slave obeys' iconic line; (e) BioShock films rumored many times (Gore Verbinski attached 2008, script issues) — as of 2026, Netflix film in development since 2022 by Roy Lee (director TBA). 30+ MILLION UNITS SOLD franchise. Ken Levine now runs GHOST STORY GAMES (his new studio); working on JUDAS narrative game unrelated to BioShock (announced 2022, still in development 2026).

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

Uncover truth of RAPTURE / COLUMBIA + survive + defeat main antagonist (Andrew Ryan/Fontaine BioShock 1; Sofia Lamb BioShock 2; Zachary Comstock Infinite). Make moral choices affecting ending.

Rules

Basic rules

FPS COMBAT with guns + PLASMIDS (magic-like powers in one hand)
Signature 'gun + plasmid' combat system.
USE PLASMIDS: Electro Bolt (electric), Incinerate (fire), Telekinesis (throw objects), Insect Swarm (bees)
Situational tactical variety.
COLLECT EVE syringes to fuel plasmids
EVE is mana equivalent.
HARVEST OR SAVE LITTLE SISTERS — moral choice affects ending
Harvest = more ADAM; Save = less ADAM but good ending karma.
USE ADAM currency to buy PLASMID + TONIC upgrades at Gatherer's Garden
Character progression.
HACK security cameras + turrets + safes via pipe mini-game
Puzzle-solving mechanic.
UPGRADE WEAPONS at Power to the People stations (limited)
Strategic upgrade decisions.
FIGHT BIG DADDIES for ADAM — 3 types: Bouncer (drill), Rosie (rivet gun), Alpha Series
Signature challenging enemies.
PIECE TOGETHER STORY via AUDIO DIARIES — hidden throughout levels
Environmental storytelling.
BIOSHOCK INFINITE: SKY-HOOK mobility + ELIZABETH companion opens TEARS in reality
New mechanics; different feel.

Scoring

Story-focused; no traditional score. Player choices track for ending variations. Achievements/trophies for exploration + optional challenges.

Action	Points
Progress through main story	Narrative unlock
Harvest Little Sister	Max ADAM (evil route)
Save Little Sister	Less ADAM + karma (good route)
Defeat Big Daddy	Chance to Harvest/Save Little Sister nearby
Find all AUDIO DIARIES	Full lore + achievement
Complete on hardest difficulty (1999 Mode / Survivor)	Elite achievement
Save all Little Sisters (good ending route)	True/best ending

Win condition · Beat final boss + endings depend on Little Sister moral choices. Multiple endings possible.

Playing area

Called

Rapture (underwater city, 1960) + Columbia (flying city, 1912) + Rapture DLC (Burial at Sea)

Dimensions

Sprawling interconnected level design

Iconic areas: Welcome to Rapture, Neptune's Bounty, Fort Frolic, Fontaine, Adonis Luxury Resort, Hall of Heroes (Columbia), Emporia, Comstock House, Battleship Bay.

Equipment

PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Series/Switch — BioShock: The Collection
All 3 games remastered $50; best entry.
PS3/Xbox 360 for originals (2007-2013)
Legacy hardware; The Collection preferred.
Controller or KB+Mouse (KB+Mouse preferred for FPS)
BioShock is precision FPS.
Steam / Epic / Console Digital — $20-50 depending on sale
Frequently discounted.

Strategies

COMBINE PLASMID + WEAPON — Electro Bolt to stun, then shotgun blast at close range
Signature combat combo.
USE ENVIRONMENT — Incinerate oil puddles, Electro Bolt water, telekinesis grenades
Rapture is interactive.
SAVE Little Sisters for BEST ENDING — canonical + karmic reward
'Good' ending is more satisfying.
HACK SECURITY CAMERAS + TURRETS to your side — auto-defense during Big Daddy fights
Force-multiplier tactic.
UPGRADE FAVORITE 2-3 WEAPONS via Power to the People — don't spread too thin
Power to the People stations are limited.
FIGHT BIG DADDIES with RESEARCH CAMERA — film them for damage bonuses
Research bonuses key to power growth.
LISTEN TO ALL AUDIO DIARIES — story is central + they explain Rapture's fall
80+ diaries total across BioShock 1.
INFINITE: MOBILITY on SKY-LINES + strategic use of ELIZABETH'S TEARS (cover, ammo, allies)
Different combat feel from BS1/2.

Terminology

Rapture: Underwater objectivist city; original BioShock setting (1960).
Columbia: Flying city in the sky; BioShock Infinite setting (1912).
Andrew Ryan: Founder of Rapture; anagram of Ayn Rand.
Atlas: Insurgent leader in Rapture (secretly Fontaine).
ADAM: Mutating sea-slug serum enabling plasmids.
EVE: Plasmid-fuel mana equivalent.
Plasmid: Genetic superpower (Electro Bolt, Incinerate, etc.).
Tonic: Passive gene tonic granting stat buffs.
Splicer: Deformed, mutated Rapture citizens (basic enemies).
Big Daddy: Armored diving-suit guardian of Little Sister.
Little Sister: Young girl harvesting ADAM from corpses; moral choice to Harvest/Save.
Would You Kindly?: Iconic mind-control phrase from BioShock 1 mid-game twist.
'A man chooses, a slave obeys': Ryan's iconic quote confronting Jack.
Elizabeth: Companion character in BioShock Infinite; can open reality tears.
Booker DeWitt: Infinite protagonist.
Songbird: Infinite's stalker enemy — massive mechanical bird.
Comstock: Infinite antagonist; alternate-universe Booker.
Sky-Hook: Infinite melee weapon + sky-line grappling tool.
Vigor: Infinite's equivalent of plasmids.
Tear: Elizabeth's reality-warping openings in Infinite.

Major competitions

300+ Game of the Year 2007 awards (BioShock 1)
one-time era · worldwide · since 2007
BAFTA + The Game Awards nominations
one-time era · worldwide · since 2007
BioShock speedrun scene — sub-1-hour any% runs
ongoing · worldwide online · since 2007
Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) — BioShock speedruns
biannual · USA + online · since 2010
No formal esports — narrative-focused
n/a · n/a

Where it is played

🇬🇱🇴🇧🇦🇱🇅𡆹🇅🇘🇕🇲🇐🇅🇫🇷🇦🇳🇨🇭🇮🇸🇪🇅🇸🇦🇱🇪🇸🇠🇅🇵🇦🇷🇹🇮🇨🇺🇱🇦🇷🇱🇾🇅🇵🇴🇵🇺🇱🇦🇷🇅🇮🇳🇅🇺🇸🇦🇑🇅🇺🇰🇑🇅🇬🇪🇷🇲🇦🇳🇾🇑🇅🇦🇺🇸🇹🇷🇦🇱🇮🇦🇑🇅🇯🇦🇵🇦🇳Global — 30M+ franchise sales; particularly popular in USA, UK, Germany, Australia, Japan

Governing bodies

2K Games (publisher)
Founded 2005 · Novato, CA, USA
Official site ↗
Irrational Games (dev BioShock 1 + Infinite) — disbanded 2014
Founded 1997 · Boston, MA (dissolved)
2K Marin (dev BioShock 2) — dissolved 2013
Founded 2007 · Novato, CA
Cloud Chamber Studios (2K subsidiary; dev BioShock 4) — active 2019+
Founded 2019 · Novato, CA + Montreal
Ken Levine — Creator/director BioShock 1 + Infinite; founded Ghost Story Games 2014 (working on Judas)
Founded 1966 · USA

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Ken Levine — Creator/director BioShock 1 + Infinite; System Shock 2 writer; considered gaming auteur
Jordan Thomas — Level designer BioShock 1 (Fort Frolic); creative director BioShock 2
Bill Gardner — Level designer BioShock 1
Shawn Robertson — Animation director
Garry Schyman — BioShock composer (haunting 1940s-style scores)
Armin Shimerman — Voice of Andrew Ryan (Quark from Deep Space Nine)
Karl Hanover — Voice of Andrew Ryan (BioShock: The Collection updated version)
Kiff VandenHeuvel — Voice of Booker DeWitt (Infinite)
Courtnee Draper — Voice of Elizabeth (Infinite)
Troy Baker — Voice of Booker DeWitt (Infinite)

Learn this sport

beginner

1
Buy BIOSHOCK: THE COLLECTION ($20-50) — all 3 remastered games
Best value entry point on all modern platforms.
2
PLAY BIOSHOCK 1 FIRST — foundation of franchise + iconic twist
Chronological franchise order.
3
Play on NORMAL difficulty first — save Survivor/1999 mode for replay
First playthrough for story.

intermediate

1
Play BIOSHOCK 2 — often underrated; deep atmosphere; sequel completes Rapture arc
10-12 hours; MINERVA'S DEN DLC is masterpiece.
2
Play BIOSHOCK INFINITE — different feel + narrative-heavy; Columbia setting
15-20 hours main; ENDING will leave you thinking for days.
3
Complete BURIAL AT SEA DLC (both episodes) — connects Infinite to Rapture
5-8 hours; essential for franchise fans.
4
Replay BioShock 1 KNOWING THE TWIST — appreciate foreshadowing
Second playthrough is different game.

advanced

1
Play SURVIVOR mode (BioShock 1/2) or 1999 MODE (Infinite) — extreme difficulty
No respawns; scarce resources; brutal.
2
SAVE ALL LITTLE SISTERS across all games — best endings
Full 'good' route completion.
3
Play SYSTEM SHOCK 2 (1999) — Ken Levine's spiritual predecessor
Available on GOG; historical context.
4
Play SYSTEM SHOCK REMAKE (2023) — modernized original 1994 game
Nightdive Studios remake.
5
AWAIT BIOSHOCK 4 (rumored 2026-2027 by Cloud Chamber)
New direction TBD.

Frequently asked

Should I play BioShock 1, 2, or Infinite first?+

CHRONOLOGICAL FRANCHISE ORDER — BIOSHOCK 1 (2007) → BIOSHOCK 2 (2010) → BIOSHOCK INFINITE (2013) → BURIAL AT SEA DLC (2013-2014). REASONS: (1) BioShock 1 IS THE ICONIC ENTRY + establishes RAPTURE + Andrew Ryan + 'Would You Kindly' twist — playing others first spoils it. (2) BioShock 2 continues 10 years later; adds Sofia Lamb villain + player-as-Big-Daddy perspective. (3) BioShock Infinite is standalone in COLUMBIA (different setting) but references + concludes franchise themes. (4) BURIAL AT SEA DLC (Infinite) returns to Rapture + connects timelines. BUY BIOSHOCK: THE COLLECTION ($20-50) — all 3 remastered on modern platforms + all DLC. ~40-60 hours for full trilogy. Do not skip BioShock 2 (underrated) or Burial at Sea (essential). Read no spoilers before playing BioShock 1 — the twist is best experienced fresh.

Is BioShock scary or a horror game?+

TENSE + ATMOSPHERIC but NOT PURE HORROR. BIOSHOCK is classified as FIRST-PERSON SHOOTER + IMMERSIVE SIM with HORROR ELEMENTS: (a) SETTING is dystopian ruined underwater city — inherently unsettling; (b) SPLICERS make disturbing noises + attack from shadows; (c) BIG DADDY encounters are TERRIFYING (heavy footsteps + wailing before appearance); (d) LITTLE SISTERS are creepy young girls with black-eyed corpse-harvesting; (e) ATMOSPHERIC AUDIO (Garry Schyman's haunting 1940s-style score) + AUDIO DIARIES describe atrocities; (f) DEATH SCENES + environmental gore are common. HOWEVER, BioShock is NOT jump-scare heavy like RESIDENT EVIL or SILENT HILL — it's SLOW-BUILD PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR + PHILOSOPHICAL WEIGHT. Player has GUNS + PLASMID POWERS + agency, so combat is empowering. RECOMMENDATION: playable for most horror-averse gamers (unlike RE7 or Amnesia); atmospheric but not overwhelming. INFINITE is LESS SCARY than 1/2 (Columbia is bright vs. Rapture's dark).

What's the 'Would You Kindly' twist?+

SPOILER — DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED BIOSHOCK 1. Mid-game, player Jack confronts ANDREW RYAN in his office; Ryan reveals JACK IS RYAN'S BIO-ENGINEERED SON, kidnapped as infant + programmed to obey any command prefaced with 'WOULD YOU KINDLY?'. Player realizes EVERY MISSION OBJECTIVE from radio companion ATLAS was actually manipulation using this phrase ('Would you kindly find a key?' 'Would you kindly get to Ryan's office?'). Ryan famously says 'A MAN CHOOSES, A SLAVE OBEYS' + hands Jack his golf club — player is FORCED (via cutscene) to bludgeon Ryan to death, having no true choice. This DECONSTRUCTS PLAYER AGENCY in gaming — the entire game's player-control is revealed as illusion. Atlas is then revealed as FRANK FONTAINE, criminal mastermind. This twist is CONSIDERED ONE OF THE GREATEST NARRATIVE MOMENTS IN GAMING HISTORY + widely studied in academic game design courses as example of meta-narrative + interactive storytelling. Ken Levine's writing peaked with this moment.

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-26.verified