I completely fail to see just how one could go about comparing both BioShock and Mass Effect to one another. It just doesn't seem plausible. BioShock is a fresh and original story set in a time and place that not many games (or films, or books) have ventured, while Mass Effect just seems like Freelancer minus the flight simulation. Now, that's not to say Mass Effect won't have great gameplay, but when you're considering a Game of the Year, it is important to count all of the factors as to what makes a game great, or even worthy of GOTY nomination.

So far, BioShock has shown these qualities, and while Mass Effect does look good, it just doesn't seem to bring the "Epic" feeling that one would expect for such an ambitious project--and make no mistake, it is ambitious.

I guess I'd have to give my nod to BioShock over Mass Effect, having actually played the demo and being immediately enveloped in the atmosphere and tension that it managed to bring. While it might be more reminiscent of the FEAR demo for the 360 (hacked and slashed bits of different levels for one "demo level"), I have to say that so far it's managed to hold my attention a lot longer than MAss Effect has. Point blank, it's just different, while Mass Effect seems to resemble many games, movies, or books that we've all seen before... and I guess, right now, I'd award originality over whether or not I kill space aliens.

Now I know, there is a ton of crap that BioWare has put into their Mass Effect IP, but once you strip away the fancy bits like conversation choices and world-hopping, you still get a pretty standard action/adventure affair. BioShock doesn't seem to be pretending at all that it's just a First Person Shooter, but it also presents the FPS in an atmospheric way, as well as bringing us an intriguing story. I didn't feel like I had played all there was to play in the BioShock demo, and so I have to say I'm much more excited for it. Whether or not it will be the better game, well, we'll have to wait until Mass Effect drops this November to find out.

Personally, I'm leaning more towards BioShock.

Personally, I believe that Halo 3, without question, will sell a crap-load of units (be it Core, Premo, Elite, or the L.E. Halo version). Every person I know that I've tried to coerce into getting a 360 have been waiting for it, and will drop their hard-earned Benjamins to make playing the game a reality. Even so, I'm still a little skeptical about whether or not BioShock will sell as well (or even, move hardware). I think that if BioShock is marketed towards the people who prefer a new experience with a fresh story and creepy elements, then it'll definitely move hardware, just not to the degree that Halo 3 will.

The problem I see for BioShock moving hardware is quite simple; as fantastic as it looks, and as intriguing if not captivating the story seems so far--and as well as it plays--it still only appeals to a select few demographics. In my opinion, I think we'll see Madden and the NBA franchises sell more hardware units over BioShock. This isn't to say that BioShock won't sell fanatically well among the installed 360 user base (because it will), but it is to say that for the people waiting on Halo 3 for a 360, or are sitting on the fence awaiting the the announcement of "That One Game" to sell them the unit--I just don't think BioShock will deliver. Yes, its story is intriguing, and the graphics are beautiful, and yes, the gameplay is a hell of a lot of fun (from the demo I've played)... but I just can't foresee BioShock moving a boat-load of hardware.

Someone brought up the fact that it will also be playable on the PC, which is just a standard choice, in my opinion. The people who will buy BioShock for the PC will buy it because the PC is their platform choice, not because of any graphical upgrades and the like.

I'm definitely going to be waiting patiently on August 27th to get my copy, as for whether or not I'll be seeing strangers waltz into EB to pick up a 360 as well as a copy of BioShock, I cannot say, although it does seem most unlikely.

So basically, yes, Halo 3 will definitely sell a **** of hardware... BioShock? ... Not so much.