BioShock is easily one of my favorite games ever. Its storytelling was unique, and the game created an unforgettable atmosphere that no other game has matched. Although the fighting wasn’t overly complex, the combination of special abilities, dangerous environments, and frightening enemies made for a truly captivating experience.
Many game developers have attempted to recreate the unique experience of BioShock since its release. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what makes BioShock special, but it’s a combination of a familiar yet distinct feeling, a particular atmosphere, and design choices that clearly draw inspiration from the game.
These games usually put you in the shoes of a character who gains unusual abilities, and they’re set in worlds where something has gone terribly awry. We’ll be looking at several games that aimed to capture the magic of BioShock, but didn’t quite succeed.
6. Immortals of Aveum
Stuck in a Competitive Year
Immortals of Aveum unfortunately came out at a difficult time. It was overshadowed by huge releases like Final Fantasy 16, Baldur’s Gate 3, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, making it hard for the game to gain attention.
It’s disappointing, because the fighting system is a clear improvement on the one in the original BioShock. However, instead of playing as someone newly discovering these abilities, you’re a seasoned weapon of immense power. The range of different spells is fantastic, and feels very similar to the variety of Plasmids available in BioShock.
This game had a lot of potential, but unfortunately, it never really found an audience. Despite having great graphics, exciting moments, and a pretty good story, it didn’t attract many players. It aimed to be a major first-person shooter franchise, and while critics gave it positive reviews, poor sales and a lack of online buzz ultimately led to its failure.
5. Atomic Heart
What Could Have Been
Atomic Heart had the potential to be a game like BioShock. It features a bizarre, dystopian world that rapidly descends into chaos. Players encounter strange inhabitants with unclear goals, and gain unusual abilities to fight increasingly unsettling enemies.
I was really hoping Atomic Heart would capture that same magic as BioShock, especially with the “Would you kindly?” vibe they were going for, but it just didn’t quite click. Honestly, the main character was so annoying I almost wanted something bad to happen to them, which definitely didn’t help! And the combat… it just felt a little flat. The powers weren’t super exciting to use, and everything felt a bit sterile, you know?
Atomic Heart was visually impressive, and it’s good to know another game in this style is coming, hopefully one that truly delivers on its potential. However, Atomic Heart itself quickly faded from attention, simply because it didn’t offer anything particularly special or memorable.
4. Close To The Sun
BioShock-Lite
Even from a single glance, it’s clear Close to the Sun draws heavily from the style of BioShock, and its promotional image is almost too similar. The game follows a woman searching for her sister in a strange, isolated sea laboratory – a premise that will remind many players of BioShock. This influence extends beyond the story, with the game’s overall look and themes mirroring those found in the famous series.
The game’s biggest weakness is its gameplay, which doesn’t quite measure up. It feels more like Outlast than BioShock, and while that idea could have worked, the game likely struggled because slower-paced ‘walking simulator’ style games aren’t popular with a wide audience. It’s not a bad game, but it’s obvious the developers heavily borrowed from BioShock – everything except the engaging gameplay. This just proves that strong gameplay is crucial for a game to become successful.
Even though it doesn’t fully succeed, this is still a commendable effort to reimagine and expand upon the world of Rapture.
3. Dark Void
Retro Futurism Takes To The Skies
Dark Void is an action-packed, third-person shooter where you fly around with a jetpack. It shares a lot of similarities with the game BioShock, both in how it looks and its overall ideas. You take on the role of a World War II pilot mysteriously pulled into another dimension through the Bermuda Triangle. Once there, you’re caught in a fight between two groups – The Watchers and The Survivors – and must fight to stay alive. Luckily, you receive assistance from the brilliant inventor Nicholas Tesla and his strange inventions.
The game shares a similar retro-futuristic style with BioShock, and the way its world unfolds feels very much like discovering Rapture. With the inclusion of Nicholas Tesla, it leans heavily into that classic sci-fi vibe. While Dark Void has its own unique elements, it’s clear the developers aimed to capture the magic of BioShock and build a similarly enduring franchise.
2. Singularity
Broken Time
Singularity is a truly unique game that lets you manipulate time, either aging or fast-forwarding it on your opponents and the environment. It’s a fantastic take on this idea, and the game pulls it off perfectly. The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, reminiscent of BioShock, and the story is gripping, filled with conspiracy, disaster, and unexpected twists that change how you see everything.
The shooting mechanics are excellent, and the enemies are genuinely frightening, especially when you start bending time to fight them. It’s hard to say exactly what held this game back, because it’s simply a blast to play. Though it’s relatively short at around 7 hours, every minute feels worthwhile. It sets up a potential sequel and keeps you hooked with its mysteries, but its release timing might not have been ideal.
Released in 2010, this game entered a crowded market already full of first-person shooters, including several BioShock titles. It’s possible there simply wasn’t enough space for another competitor. Unfortunately, we only received one game in the series, which is disappointing.
1. We Happy Few
We Bioshock Too
We Happy Few is a truly original game that immediately brings to mind the atmosphere and ideas of BioShock. It’s set in a disturbing future where people suppress their feelings with drugs, which ultimately causes society to collapse – a very similar concept to BioShock.
Okay, so the gameplay is pretty unique. It’s less about running in and fighting everything and more about just surviving. You can definitely fight, but honestly, you’re pretty weak at first. I had to really rely on sneaking around until I unlocked the third character. It’s super tense, and the way you use items – like crafting and combining stuff in your inventory – is actually really clever and keeps things interesting.
Trying to fit in is crucial, but it’s not always simple. Others might notice if you’re not taking your medication, and you’ll be faced with a difficult choice: change yourself to meet their expectations, or stay true to yourself and deal with the fallout. Both paths come with their own challenges.
We Happy Few is a genuinely interesting and original game, but I think it was misunderstood by many players. While it might initially remind you of BioShock, don’t expect it to play the same way – it’s a very different experience, despite the similar aesthetics.
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2025-10-27 23:10