Here’s a compilation containing 9 games like BioShock which should suffice for those who’re utterly in love with the FPS series created by the masterminds at Irrational. Titles from this popular first-person shooter franchise are characterized by their incredibly outlandish plots filled with political and religious statements, their versatile combat mechanics coupled with RPG elements and more importantly, the ridiculously vivacious atmospheres they manage to create in their bizarre settings. It’s these few points which we laid stress on while picking the offerings we’ve listed in the space below. Here’s what we’ve got for you.
1 – Half-Life 2
Just like Irrational’s classic, Half-Life 2 is also counted among the best offerings of all time. Moreover, this title too is based in a dystopian alternate history which involves the resources on Earth being harvested by an oppressive multidimensional empire called Combine. It’s narrative is one of its strong-points, and so are its advanced physics, animation, sound, AI and graphics. Developed by the veterans over at Valve, Half-Life 2 is a first-person shooter which can be grabbed now for the PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac as well as Linux.
2 – Dead Space 3
Our next pick for this list of games similar to BioShock isn’t a first-person shooter. Visceral Games released Dead Space 3 earlier this year, complete with the horror-based third-person shooter brilliance its predecessors are known for. If the creepy environs of Rapture and Columbia excite you, Dead Space 3 has more of that for you. A cool thing is that the entire campaign of this scary title can be played in co-op mode. It’s available now for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
3 – Alan Wake
Alan Wake turned out to be a surprise hit when it was released for the Xbox 360 back in 2010. Now also available for PC, it’s a straight-up psychological horror offering which tells the story of the titular author who’s trying to find his mysteriously disappeared wife, while also experiencing events from his latest novel which he doesn’t remember having written. Alan Wake’s narrative is its major highlight, and that’s what makes it a memorable title to play.
4 – Dishonored
Irrational’s titles lay heavy emphasis on the Steampunk art style, and Dishonored too is a game built entirely on that. Furthermore, this game too lets you wield magic with one hand, and use your guns with the other. Set in the plague-ridden industrial city of Dunwall, it places you in the shoes of a supernatural assassin named Corvo, who’s wrongly accused of slaying the empress. Its fantastic stealth mechanics are a treat to revel in, apart from its open-ended story and gameplay. This title is currently available for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
5 – Singularity
Raven Software, the studio which has given us memorable offerings such as Soldier of Fortune, Quake 4 and more, released Singularity in 2010, and managed to gain immense praise for its interesting story and diverse gameplay. Singularity’s time-manipulation powers steal the show for it, while its fantastic boss fights and puzzles keep you hooked throughout its entire duration. This fifth entry to this catalog of BioShock alternatives can be purchased for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC currently.
6 – Fallout 3
Fallout 3 is a full-fledged role-playing game developed by the masters of the genre, Bethesda Game Studios. It takes place in the year 2277, inside a world desolated by a nuclear apocalypse. You assume the role of an inhabitant of Vault 101 shelter designed to protect up to 1,000 humans from the nuclear fallout. The mysterious disappearance of you father forces you to escape from the facility in search of him. Fallout 3 presents you with a daunting atmosphere with its ravaged environments that might remind some of Rapture. Fallout 3 is available for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.
7 – System Shock 2
System Shock 2 has to be in this list of games similar to BioShock, primarily because the latter is a spiritual successor to the former. Designed by Ken Levine himself, and developed by Irrational Games and Looking Glass Studios, this title transpires on a star-ship in a cyberpunk depiction of 2114. Its gameplay comprises of first-person shooting and exploration, which are both intertwined with clever role-playing elements. Don’t be put off by the fact that it’s an old game, as it’s every bit as enjoyable as it should be. Download it for PC and Mac through Steam and other platforms.
8 – Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Another shooter-RPG hybrid on this list, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a cyberpunk-themed title which was released by Square Enix back in 2011. Available currently on almost all major platforms, it presents you with dystopian fiction that’s centered on human augmentations. A plot filled with conspiracy, corruption and all things ugly hooks you on to the game right from the early stages. Deus Ex: Human Revolution is known for its diverse gameplay as well. You are free to choose from a huge variety of ways in which you can tackle your missions.
9 – Far Cry 3
Far Cry 3 is probably the least similar titles to Irrational’s offerings, but it’s in this list thanks to the fact that it’s an incredibly enjoyable first-person shooter with heavy emphasis on role-paying mechanics. This 2012 release takes place on a mysterious tropical island, and revolves around a group of vacationers who’re kidnapped by the people residing on it. Far Cry 3 is out now for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Its open ended gameplay and a brilliantly created setting bring the game alive in more ways than one.
Conclusion
Those are all the submissions we’d like to make for this compilation of games like BioShock. Do read all their descriptions and decide upon the one which you find the most interesting.