Really Awesome, but not REALLY Awesome...

User Rating: 9.5 | BioShock X360
BioShock had a pretty good amount of hype to it, and not alot of it was wasted. Based in the 60's, you find yourself in a plane, smoking a cigarrette (which is illegal to do on planes nowadays) and looking at a letter intended for 'Jack'. You, based on all probability, are Jack. Soon enough, your plane crashes, and the next thing you know, youre swimming up to the surface of the ocean, choking for air. Everything around you is a flaming wreck. Youre the only survivor. The world of Rapture is a brilliantly crafted city, with stores and appartment buildings to explore. It's obvious that people lived here, and for a time, life was good (lawl, Animatrix reference). But as soon as you step foot into that city, its dead obvious that something went wrong. The inhabitants are hooked on Plasmids, which are 'genetic modifications' that allow you to perform tasks such as set fire to objects (and people) at the snap of your fingers, or electrify enemies with your hand. Eventually, you'll be just like them, rigging yourself up with all these Plasmids, and just like them, using them to fight for your survival. Plasmids add variety to the combat, and also a tactical element (if you use them to their full extent).

The Little Sisters are little girls that were forced to obtain Adam, so they are the carriers of the currency used for purchasing plasmids. You are constantly going to want Adam so that you can get more Plasmids. To get more Adam, you must find the Little Sisters and either 'Harvest' them (basically kill them and get 160 Adam), or 'Rescue' them (cure them from their 'sickness' and obtain 80 Adam). There are benefeits to Rescuing, and its probably better to Rescue them rather than Harvest them. Oh, but theres just one problem. The Little Sisters don't go around unprotected. Big Daddies are their guardians, and if you screw with them, you better make sure you're ready to take them down. There are two types of Big Daddies, one with a drill on it's hands (and surprisingly fast), and another with a nail gun. Both are very tough and hard to deal with. The graphics are really impressive, even on a TV without Hi-Res. On 1080i, though, jeez, get ready to get blown away. The textures on every surface make the enviornment that much more beleivable, and the water effects will have you in tears. In a good way that is (just trying to use a pun there...). Combined with the impressive sound the game has, this game can really pull you in. I reccommend that you put the volume up relatively high (if not really high), you'll REALLY enjoy the game then. As far as difficulty goes, the game starts out hard. Taking down your first Big Daddy with the few Plasmids and guns you have is difficult. It took me quite a few tries. It's hard to find enough cash to buy ammo and stuff (at vending machines), and you want to avoid Splicers (the standard enemy) as best as you can. However, you might find the game getting alot easier around the half-way mark. I found myself with a full wallet ($400, very hard to get at the first half of the game) almost the entire 2nd half of the game. Also, taking down Splicers and (especially) Big Daddies will become noticeably easier. With your guns all rigged up on upgrades, its easy to take down Splicers, and with a full can of Electric Gel for the Flame Thrower, you can take down a Big Daddy without much of a fight (ive found myself sympathetic of a Big Daddy once, due to this method).

That doesnt mean the game still isn't fun though. I was thoroughly addicted the entire way through! The story is somewhat confusing (to me, at least), but there are a few twists here and there that had me going 'WOAH!!' (in those exact words). The controls are just like any other FPS. That's not a bad thing, but not necessarily a good thing either. You'll find it hard to go all the way to the bathroom or go get a bag of chips when you have the controller in your hands and with this game in your Xbox. If you're like me, though, you'll think the game is too short. It took me about 8-10 hours to beat, if not less. But the entire ride was awesome, and really worth it. Graphics: 9.8
Sound: 9.5
Controls: 9.0
Time to Beat: 6-10 hrs
Difficulty: Easy
Replay Value: High

Pros: Great graphics and captivating sound, a story that grabs you and pulls you in, controls you can pick up right away, and addictive as hell.
Cons: Can be interpretted as too short, and it gets really easily. OVERALL: 9.3 (cant give it that, so i gave it a 9.5)