Man, there have been some crazy plot twists in gaming, but the first BioShock still hits different. The whole setting – this creepy, fallen underwater city called Rapture built on libertarian ideals – was already super interesting. But it’s the big reveal later in the game that really stuck with me and keeps me coming back. It’s why BioShock remains one of my all-time favorites.
It’s amazing to think that BioShock came out almost 20 years ago! I was still in middle school when it launched in 2007. The game immediately stood out with its intriguing story and unsettling atmosphere, but none of us were prepared for the incredible plot twist that’s now considered one of the greatest in video game history.
SPOILERS AHEAD
BioShock’s Plot Twist Completely Flips How Players View Its Protagonist
via Metacritic Would You Kindly…
When Jack enters the famous city of Rapture in BioShock, he quickly meets Atlas. Atlas used to fight for the working class, as Rapture was once a city deeply divided by social class. One of the first things Atlas asks Jack to do is pick up a radio and find a crowbar, repeatedly using the phrase “would you kindly.” For a long time, players assume this is just a polite habit, before the real reason behind it is revealed.
Image via 2K Games The story eventually unveils that Jack was created in the underwater city of Rapture as part of an experiment. The phrase “would you kindly” acts as a control mechanism, forcing him to obey Atlas’s commands. To make things even more shocking, Atlas is revealed to be Frank Fontaine, the long-presumed-dead rival of Rapture’s founder, Andrew Ryan. Throughout the entire game, Atlas, disguised as Fontaine, manipulated Jack into eliminating Ryan, and it remains a truly unforgettable twist for many players.
Image via 2K Games If players replay the game, they’ll discover the phrase “would you kindly” appears even before Jack reaches Rapture. Early on, while still on the plane before it crashes, Jack holds a gift with a card that says, “To Jack, with love from Mom & Dad. Would you kindly not open until…” The game later reveals that Jack actually caused the plane to crash. The gift box contained a gun, and Fontaine wrote the note as part of a plan to manipulate Jack and start the game’s events.
BioShock Certainly Isn’t the Only Major Plot Twist in Gaming, But it’s Definitely One of the Best
Other Plot Twists That Left Gamers’ Jaws on the Floor
| Game | Plot Twist |
| Halo: Combat Evolved | The Covenant isn’t the most dangerous threat; The Flood is. |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Arthur Morgan is diagnosed with tuberculosis |
| Resident Evil | Wesker has been secretly working for Umbrella |
| The Last of Us | Joel murders the Fireflies to save Ellie |
| Halo 2 | Playing as the Arbiter |
| Knights of the Old Republic | You are actually Darth Revan |
As a huge gamer, I’ve seen some incredible plot twists, but a few really stand out. Halo: Combat Evolved totally caught me off guard with its villain, and The Last of Us’ Joel put players in such a tough spot, forcing you to question everything. All these games do a great job of changing how you see the story, but I think BioShock does it best. The way the game slowly reveals that Jack and Atlas aren’t who you think they are is just brilliant – it really messes with your head in the best way possible!
How BioShock’s Twist Changes Everything
- After the plot twist reveal, replaying the game feels completely different since all the hints are made clear on a second playthrough.
- Following the plot twist revelation, players question every decision they’ve made up until that point.
- Jack no longer feels like a hero, as he immediately becomes a tragic character.
- Fontaine’s trick quickly reminds players how ruthless and greedy Rapture truly was when it was thriving. With no heroes or figures working to save the struggling lower classes, Atlas is now a symbol of betrayal and greedy opportunism instead of hope.
The Legacy of the Franchise Has Been Defined by BioShock’s Plot Twist
The original BioShock stunned players with its unexpected twist, and surprising plot developments became a hallmark of the series. While BioShock 2 and BioShock Infinite also feature major narrative shifts, they may not be as shocking as the first game’s reveal, but they are still exciting. It’s hard to replicate the impact of a moment like “would you kindly,” but each game has successfully challenged player expectations – a difficult feat. Now, as fans eagerly await BioShock 4, it remains to be seen what surprising turn the story will take.
Man, even after all these years, BioShock is still the game that jumps to mind when people talk about amazing plot twists. Usually, twists feel either obvious or just fall flat, but the first time I experienced BioShock‘s big reveal, it totally blew me away – I was genuinely heartbroken and amazed at the same time. It really stuck with me.
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2025-12-03 05:04