Bioshock PC

When I finally got to play this game it was an all right game. But the trouble I had getting it to work was definitely not worth it. In fact, I don’t think I’ll every buy another 2K game again. The problem was that the game has a Digital Rights Management that is really limited. There aren’t any warnings about it on the box, either. I wouldn’t have bought this game if I had known about the Digital Rights Management – especially since the copy I bought was used in the first place. You only get 5 activations per game, then it won’t let you install it anymore after that. If the game is installed somewhere and doesn’t get uninstalled, that activation is considered used and can’t be regained. If you bought the game legitimately but your system crashes while you’re playing, you lose that activation because you have to reset your system and re-install the software. I wouldn’t be as irritated if there were any kind of warning somewhere on the box about the Digital Rights Management so I would’ve been informed before I spent my money. As it is, I feel like the company took advantage of me by not stating that there are a limited number of installations available. This is the last game I’ll buy from 2K.

This game has some well documented technical problems that you should be aware of before you buy it. If your system is overclocked the game will definitely give you a blue screen. Nvidia 7 is not fully supported, either, especially High Detail Shaders. Those issues will crash your system as well. Last time I checked there was not a patch available for either of these problems, even though they are widely discussed issues at the 2K forums and other online tech forums.
The game itself has beautiful graphics. It doesn’t support AA, so the images come out a little grainy, but overall the look is gorgeous. The developers really outdid themselves with nifty blurring effects and nice water replications. There’s a definite atmosphere of post World War II design all through the game with lots of art deco inspired images. The Nazi doctors, surgical suites, and even the background victrola music all make the game feel very much like a trip back in time. Unfortunately the developers may have gone a little too far because the game itself will overwhelm the senses pretty quickly. The game’s intense brutality begins to numb you out after awhile and actually gets pretty boring. Another problem with this game is the odd way they protect it from being copied. Overall I’d say this game isn’t worth the hassle.

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