BioShock originally released for PC and console players years ago, when mobile gaming of that capacity was a pipe dream. Gaming on the go has changed so much over the years that it's hard to believe a complete game such as BioShock could ever make it to a device you can play in the pam of your hand. But it's finally here, and while it's a faithful and gorgeous port, it does have a few hiccups that are, unfortunately, derived from the fact that it's a mobile game.
The Good
BioShock is the same gorgeous, hauntingly beautiful shooter you remember from seven years ago. You end up in the bizarre underwater city of Rapture after an unlucky plane crash in the middle of the ocean, and from then on travel through a mishmash of genetic modification gone awry, as well as facing up against those left in the former underwater paradise.
An incredibly tense atmosphere, a now-classic tale of revenge and redemption (and a few fantastic twists along the way), and a fantastic combination of stealth, combat, and characterization make for one of the most memorable titles you'll have played in years. And even if you completed it upon its release or one of its many re-releases, there's still fun to be had here. You know it, you love it. It's BioShock, and it's beloved for many different reasons.
The Bad
Unfortunately, while the core content is excellent, the new additions of touch controls to BioShock aren't always so perfect. This is a frustrating caveat that happens far too often with shooters and ports to mobile devices in general, and unfortunately it plagues BioShock as well. Swapping between weapons and plasmids feels especially awkward, and the interfact is strange as a whole, especially since you can't pause the action to swap out weapons or plasmids like you normally would in the game. As a result, it feels quite fiddly, and you'll be crying out for tangible controls in no time.
Similarly, the graphics have indeed taken a bit of a heat, with reduced framerate when it comes to displaying a lot of action on-screen, especially on iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S. It simply doesn't look as good as the original game, but of course that is to be expected for the platform.
The Verdict
BioShock on iOS is still BioShock at its core, but it does suffer from some issues that keep it from being a "perfect" port of the classic game. We're still a ways off from perfecting mobile controls, it appears, and while the core product is still as engaging as ever, it needs some tweaking as far as its transition to mobile. Still, if this is the only feasible way you can experience the game, take the plunge. If you're just looking for a trip down memory lane, you might want to play with a PC or console.
The Good
BioShock is the same gorgeous, hauntingly beautiful shooter you remember from seven years ago. You end up in the bizarre underwater city of Rapture after an unlucky plane crash in the middle of the ocean, and from then on travel through a mishmash of genetic modification gone awry, as well as facing up against those left in the former underwater paradise.
An incredibly tense atmosphere, a now-classic tale of revenge and redemption (and a few fantastic twists along the way), and a fantastic combination of stealth, combat, and characterization make for one of the most memorable titles you'll have played in years. And even if you completed it upon its release or one of its many re-releases, there's still fun to be had here. You know it, you love it. It's BioShock, and it's beloved for many different reasons.
The Bad
Unfortunately, while the core content is excellent, the new additions of touch controls to BioShock aren't always so perfect. This is a frustrating caveat that happens far too often with shooters and ports to mobile devices in general, and unfortunately it plagues BioShock as well. Swapping between weapons and plasmids feels especially awkward, and the interfact is strange as a whole, especially since you can't pause the action to swap out weapons or plasmids like you normally would in the game. As a result, it feels quite fiddly, and you'll be crying out for tangible controls in no time.
Similarly, the graphics have indeed taken a bit of a heat, with reduced framerate when it comes to displaying a lot of action on-screen, especially on iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S. It simply doesn't look as good as the original game, but of course that is to be expected for the platform.
The Verdict
BioShock on iOS is still BioShock at its core, but it does suffer from some issues that keep it from being a "perfect" port of the classic game. We're still a ways off from perfecting mobile controls, it appears, and while the core product is still as engaging as ever, it needs some tweaking as far as its transition to mobile. Still, if this is the only feasible way you can experience the game, take the plunge. If you're just looking for a trip down memory lane, you might want to play with a PC or console.
3.5/5
