A lot of hype has been written about Bioshock - grand claims made by the games' producers before its release and wildly varying reviews made after its release. Some people seem to get it, some don't. But then games are always subjective and all I can say here is what I think.

For me Bioshock is one of the best First-person adventures I've ever played. As I've already said there were a lot of ambitious claims made about the game before its release, many of which didn't actually materialise, but don't let that put you off. Playing Bioshock is an experience like nothing else I know - the world of Rapture is a delight to explore. The 1940's/50's art deco environments are beautifully designed, with a real sense of a utopian society gone wrong. Every sign, advert, piece of music - everything - reals right, and makes the world very believable. The background story, picked up from the many audio diaries you can find in Rapture, cleverly develops the story of what happened in this city beneath the sea, in fantastically written and acted audio diaries of Rapture's gradual decline. So firstly - the atmosphere and feel of place in the game is second to none.

The gameplay is great aswell. I'm currently playing through the game a second time and have been struck by how different the experience is. I'm trying different things, seeing different reactions from the enemies - it really does demand a few play throughs. The plasmids and weapons are very well balanced and the whole thing is a lot of fun with some real standout moments that aren't scripted. Where else could you freeze enemies solid then fix a mine to them so they blow up when they melt, whilst listening to 1940's jazz playing? There are so many moments that are laugh out loud brilliant.

Then there's the story. More twists and turns than in many other games, with believable characters and a very literary feel - you can see where the comparisons with Ayn Rand's writing, or novels like Dostoevsky's 'Crime & Punishment' aren't exagerated. The whole game feels like it came straight out of a novel, and would probably make a superb film.

The graphics - they're certainly unique. Not photo-realistic, but better for it. Superb water effects, bizzare enemies and imaginative environments - if you see a screenshot of this game you just know it's Bioshock - it doesn't look like every other generic shooter out there.

Anyway - these are my opinions. I recommend buying the game, especially if you like plot and atmosphere in your games. You can enjoy the game just as shooter without thinking too much about the plot, but its also a game you can enjoy on a far more intellectual level, with the theme of Objectivism, utopias and distopias that runs throughout the whole game.

One final comment - Ken Levine, I take my hat off to you. Finally, a game producer who has the strength and determination to make a game that doesn't cut any corners or pander to mass appeal, instead making a genuinly intelligent, thought provoking and fun gaming experience.