Bioshock and Awe

First of all, let me say that I hope that everyone who can play Bioshock is trying their best to do so. This is a big, important game that we need to discuss campfire style.

Second, I want to tell everyone to please, please, slow the hell down.

Thanks to Bioshock’s art deco style, mesmerizing visuals, and Randian plot and philosophy, there are already people declaring this an instant work of art. By the end of the year you will no longer hear chants of “Ico! Beyond Good and Evil! Shadow of the Colossus!”. Instead the only weapon many gamers will wield will be Bioshock.

Again, I say to this – slow down. Wait until everyone has played it. Wait until the initial excitement and hype has died down, as this has a huge inflating effect on our opinions of a game. If you still don’t believe me on that, just look at Halo 2 then and now. And most importantly, try to look at the game with a good critical eye, the same eye that folks like Roger Ebert may use if this game is thrown into the faces of film and literary notables. Already I’ve found some awkward things about the world of Rapture, and I’m not going to make a call on them until I see if they’re eventually resolved.

I’m so glad to see so many people interested in this game. But if we want to use this as a case for our hobby, we have to use it right. Anything less is a disservice to all the Shock games.