[Editor's note: For a deeper look at BioShock, check out our Xbox 360 review.]
Don't wait for the economy to crater. Instead, pack your bags and visit Rapture, BioShock's undersea utopia gone awry. Built by the visionary Andrew Ryan, this former paradise is home to a bunch of crazies brandishing automatic weapons and wrenches. Sure, they'll probably kill you, but outgunning these freaks, and paying $59.99 for this excellent video game, is a lot safer than playing the stock market.
BioShock PS3 is almost exactly like its Xbox 360 and PC counterparts, but with a few notable exceptions. Not only will you receive all of the downloadable content right out of the box, but you'll gain Survivor Mode, a harder difficulty that restricts the amount of ammo and money you find. In addition, the game's enemies are much tougher, so you can expect them to hit you with greater accuracy and shoot from behind cover. This should satisfy critics that complained that the game was too easy, as well as give you a migraine after dying for the umpteenth time. Finally, there are PS3 exclusive trophies, in case you're into scoring achievements.
Aside from those bonuses, this is still the same enjoyable adventure that nabbed tons of game of the year awards. As Jack, an average guy whose plane crashes into the Atlantic Ocean, you'll explore Rapture at your leisure, learning more about the strange goings on by listening to audio logs and your partner, Atlas, a resident that has a beef with Ryan. You'll also pick up plenty of upgradeable weapons (a shotgun, Tommy gun, pistol) and beef up your defenses with plasmids, strange cocktails that mutate your body and allow you to cast lightning bolts from your fingertips, set enemies ablaze and even levitate and throw objects.
Plenty of strange and bizarre creatures await discovery, from the psycho Splicers to the game's Big Daddy, a hulking behemoth wearing an old school deep sea diving suit. Killing them takes some thought, since one shot in their direction causes them to flip out and charge you. They're also protective of the Little Sisters, the creepy little girls containing ADAM, Rapture's most precious commodity. If you capture one, you'll make the important decision of rescuing or harvesting ADAM for your own personal gain. Your decision affects which of the two endings you'll receive.
Above all else, BioShock is fun because its creators spin a marvelous story set in a beautiful environment. 2K Games' exquisite attention to detail is seen not only in the creature designs but also decorations, billboards, voice acting, the fish floating outside the glass and the various water and fire effects. It's a terrifying world that you'll never want to leave.
At the same time, we can't help but shake our heads at the excessive slowdown, something that plagues the Xbox 360 version. And while Survivor Mode is a welcome addition, it's much too difficult. Unless you're a masochist, you'll still play the game on the tamer levels.
However, BioShock is still a masterpiece and worth the ride, especially if you never experienced it. Gorgeous, gripping and most importantly, it stands out as one of the PlayStation 3's more engaging adventures and a great reason to purchase the console. Just remember to bring your scuba gear before descending into Andrew Ryan's funhouse.
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