You must play this demo, then you must buy this game. This could easily be the game of the year, if not one of the best of all time.

Even in a fairly short (35-60 minute) demo, BioShock, to put it simply, has some of the best graphics, sound, and atmosphere ever seen in a video game. Right from the very first minute of the demo, BioShock submerges you into a world of pure beauty and sheer horror. Everything from the shimmering of light off the water, the terrifying sounds of metal bending, and groaning under the pressure of the sea to the first time you see the underwater metropolis of Rapture is a testament to just how this game makes the “next generation” of video gaming essential.

The game is set in the year 1960, a survivor of a plane crash over the mid-Atlantic, almost amazingly land next to a lonely building, once entering the door snaps shut meaning only one way to go, down. After stepping into a bathysphere, you discover an underwater city, a supposed utopia called Rapture. Rapture was built to house the most creative, artistic, and intelligent beings in the world. But somewhere along the way it went wrong and that’s where you start. Rapture is falling apart and truly horrible things are happening.

Even in this short demo, I was completely and totally hooked from the first minute onwards, taking in every sight and sound I could hear. Very quickly you are introduced to combat and this is made wonderful by the stark contrast of 1960’s weapons with DNA enhancers called ‘Plasmids.’ Plasmids grant special powers to the user, and in the demo these are to launch fireballs or produce electric charges. This combination of realistic vs. supernatural works very well and totally fits in with the style of gameplay. What makes Bioshock different is the way to make progress through a level. It is possible to hack security bots, pass an electric charge through water to shock everything in sight, or just use conventional brute force and much more. The full game promises 80 plasmids ranging from telekinesis to firing a swarm of deadly bees. I just wish I had the full game right now.

All this and I haven’t even explained about the ‘Big daddy.’ One of the best enemies I have ever seen.

It’s a cliché but this game, for once, lives up to the hype behind it and delivers even more. A must see.