➤ BioShock triplet 🎮

Rapture, allegory of capitalism and abyss of mankind, hope suffocated by ambition, glittering place populated by unspeakable horrors created by villainous lovers of the most unbridled individualism. The cream of society that turns into a monstrous species of parasites (and we're not even on Wall Street), controlled by genius men who have created little kingdoms at the bottom of the ocean. Released in 2007 on PC and Xbox 360 (on PlayStation 3 it arrived the following year), BioShock rocked the world of video games, becoming yet another hope of seeing them transformed into something more than a technological pastime for bored folks.

Ken Levine, the director of the game (should we start translating director with director?) Had collected the experience gained with Thief: The Dark Project and System Shock 2 and had merged it into a modern and profound shooter, shaped from the skilled hands of his studio, the Irrational Games. BioShock was its mechanics, but also artistic vision that permeated every element. Not for nothing has it become one of the most iconic titles of the Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3 generation, which has given us incredible characters such as Andrew Ryan, Atlas, the Big Daddies, the Little Sisters and the protagonist, an unwitting victim of a larger plot, which is he finds himself in spite of himself determining the fate of Rapture. BioShock 2, developed by 2K Marine and released in 2010, is the worst chapter of the trilogy. In reality it is not a bad shooter, but it falls into the classic trap of wanting to add details to a story that does not need it and that, on the contrary, the more it is weighed down the more fragile it becomes. Ken Levine did not enter the project which he has always looked upon with a certain sufficiency. The protagonist is a Big Daddy looking for his little sister. The journey he will make will lead him to cross new areas of Rapture and fight against new opponents. Paradoxically, it has better moments of action than the first chapter, but it is precisely the plot that makes it superfluous. The whole project is perfectly represented by Big Sister: female versions of Big Daddy, they are very strong opponents and very fun to face. Too bad they are also conceptually ridiculous. Lastly, there is BioShock Infinite, probably the most troubled of the three games. According to the news, the development has undergone several shocks and in the end 2K forced Levine to close everything, with conspicuous compromises in terms of gameplay layering, much more linear than what was supposed to be in the original intentions. Yet Columbia is a fascinating place that alone holds the entire title and the experience still allowed Irrational to pack solid and multifaceted gameplay. The plot is quite intricate and tells of Detective Booker DeWitt who must search and bring back to New York a girl named Elizabeth, held captive somewhere in the floating city of Columbia, founded by the prophet Zachary Hale Comstock. In reality, playing it turns out that nothing is what it seems and between a twist and the other we arrive at a surreal ending that is further developed in two DLCs, the excellent Burial at The Sea 1 and 2.

We reviewed BioShock: The Collection: definitive experience or just a mere commercial operation?

Remastering

The BioShock Collection collects the three chapters of the series, with related DLCs, and offers them in revised versions from a graphic point of view. The major work has been done especially with the first two chapters, for which many textures have been redone and advanced post processing effects have been added. Above all, the lighting system has been completely revised, adding lights here and there that greatly improve the overall atmosphere. In short, Raputre has never been so disturbing and well-lit. On the other hand the 3D models remained identical, so don't expect who knows what else.

BioShock Infinite received a similar treatment on console, while on PC it remained identical to the one released in 2013. In fact, it is the title that most of all showed a deep technological gap between the console versions and the PC one, gap now closed on Xbox One. and PlayStation 4. The result, however, is the most obvious one, namely that we are faced with three titles more beautiful to see than the original editions, but identical in content, apart from a few extras. In fact, those who have already played them then will have very little motivation to take them back. Sure, the three games come complete with all the DLC and post-launch content, such as the Test Chambers or the museum with the sketches and discarded models for the finished game (it's not unreleased, as it was included in the collection. Ultimate Rapture Edition). The only real news is Ken Levine's comment in the first BioShock. It is certainly interesting to listen to, but it is a bit small. The PC versions deserve a separate discussion. Gift to those who already owned the originals, they offer a few more graphic options, but nothing that makes you cry a miracle. Support for 4K also leaves the time it finds, while a little sorry to find some of the original bugs, a sign that apart from texture and resolution, the work done is really minimal. Could more have been done? Definitely yes, especially to entice old players to return to Rapture and Columbia. As it stands, the BioShock Collection opens up a broad discussion of who its target audience is, which we will address in the commentary.

Comment

Tested version PC Windows Digital Delivery Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store Price 59,99 € Resources4Gaming.com

8.5

Readers (19)

7.4

Your vote

It is normal that the comment of the BioShock Collection is aimed above all at understanding who may be interested in the three games, all known and gutted over the years. In fact, this collection can be judged very differently depending on the platform you have. On PlayStation 4 and Xbox One it is certainly the best way to experience one of the best trilogies of the last generation. In this case the graphic review work stands out more, because basically we are talking about what could be a completely new experience, presented at its best (improved graphics, all DLC included in the package and so on). For PC gamers these considerations are only partially valid: first of all because the three games have been available for years without interruptions and the old chapters are still compatible with modern PCs today. Furthermore, the third installment of the series, BioShock Infinite, has remained unchanged, making it superfluous to buy it back for those who already have it. In short, on PC the new textures are not worth the full price. Also consider that the PC versions of the first two BioShocks have few additional graphics options, but also the same bugs as the editions of ten years ago, and you will understand why you have to carefully evaluate the purchase (do you know the classic lead feet?). In short, it is understandable why 2K has decided to give the BioShock remastered as a gift to those who already owned them.

PRO

The first and third BioShock are important products
The graphic revision work is there and is well done (especially for the console version)
If you have never played them, you will have a unique experience

AGAINST