BioShock is a first-person shooter set in the underwater city of Rapture. In 1960 , a plane crash lands Jack, the only survivor, in front of an underwater complex that appears to be the entrance to this supposed paradise. The slogans praising Rapture's creator, Andrew Ryan, are soon replaced by ruins and chaos as Jack tries to survive.
BioShock features gameplay elements similar to System Shock games, with an emphasis on storytelling and exploration. The game is set in a retro-futuristic world inspired by 1950s art deco and steampunk styles, with a focus on sci-fi elements.
The game's plot unfolds through recorded messages left by Rapture's inhabitants before their deaths or mutations. Players must navigate the city, overcoming Splicers, deformed citizens of Rapture, using firearms and plasmids to combat them.
Plasmids are a key gameplay mechanic, offering various abilities such as damaging enemies, sabotaging movements, or enhancing the player's defense. However, players can only equip a limited number of active and passive plasmids, and must manage an inventory limit for items.
Restoring and enhancing items can be found through exploration or purchased from vending machines, which can also be hacked using a mini-game similar to Pipe Mania. The player's moral decisions regarding the Little Sisters, genetically enhanced humans protected by armored diving suits, will determine different endings to the game.
The Playstation 3 version of BioShock includes an additional difficulty level called "Survivor Mode".