BioShock successfully manages to integrate both narrative and gameplay elements into a single product with great results
However to simply dub BioShock a first person shooter will not do the game justice as the game itself possesses many customisable elements inevitably summoning the descriptions of 'role-playing elements'. However while such elements are strictly-speaking not customisable in an orthodox role-playing fashion, BioShock does offer several game-play stances for the varied player which in turn does an excellent job in preventing the player being bottlenecked into one mandatory gameplay style. In addition to the short but effective arsenal of weaponry (all of which are open to few upgrades), the player is entitled to a variety of 'plasmids' which empower the player to superhuman-like abilities such as incinerating fire from your palms or shifting objects around your vicinity using the power of telekinesis. Such powers offer entertaining and satisfying gameplay moments such as shocking a whole pool of enemies with a single charge of electricity emitted from your palms or spawning a horde of killer bees towards your unfortunate foe.
While BioShock's gameplay rightfully deserves praise in it's own right, the story's main plot is something Orwell himself would warm to. Without revealing too much, the game revolves around the mysterious protagonist Jack, whom after surviving a plane crash into the middle of the ocean finds an elevator that leads him to a secret underwater metropolis known as 'Rapture', a model of a so-called 'perfect and parasite-free society'. However the player soons apprehends that Rapture is nothing as it was once before with the city in devastating ruin, not mentioning the endless number of insane, mutated 'splicers' which come between the player and progression. As the story develops the player is increasingly enlightened over events via audio-diaries, will undergo moral decisions that question one's humanity, and will be able to witness a very fight club-esque twist!
Despite it's eminent and brilliant campaign, one could argue that BioShock suffers from a lack of re-playability. The most notable absence is that of a multi-player mode which the developers of the game have mooted unnecessary suggesting it will pulverize the game's sense of atmosphere and isolation. Sadly, this means that the game's re-playability will only stretch to around one or two extra run-throughs of the campaign and perhaps a little more for the more achievement-engrossed Xbox 360 gamers.
All that being said though, I can confidently assure that BioShock is irrefutably among the finest releases within this current generation of video games, and may very well be looked back in nostalgic praise in the distant future, as many of us currently do with System Shock 2 today. Therefore with great gratification, I can conclude that BioShock's congenial gameplay and combined immersing plot make it a title that shouldn't be missed by anyone.