Mass Effect or Bioshock?

[Zen Toombs]

What series should I get into? Buy the first and second Mass Effect games and wait for the 3rd. Or buy Bioshock 1 and 2 and wait for the third installment? Help Escapists!

The third installment of Bioshock isn't actually the third installment. It's a completely different series, with similar themes and the same name for "Brand Name Recognition".

As for what you should get into, it depends on what you want.

In terms of game play, do you want a dark first person shooter with mild level-up elements and mild horror elements, or do you want a brighter third person shooter with major level-up elements[footnote]that disappear in the second game and come back in a manageable form in the third[/footnote]?

In terms of story/themes, do you want a ethically dark deconstruction of several prominent political ideas set in the background of a steampunk dystopia where almost everyone has gone insane and wants to kill you? Or do you want a science fiction series that only gets mildly dark, and where you work to... okay, I don't think I'm explaining them well. In short:

They are different games, and if what you have read of both interests you, then get them both. If money / time is an issue, I would recommend reading about both on TVtropes or Wikipedia [links provided below] and choosing the one that you like best, and picking up the second when you can. Both are fantastic.

TVtropes:
Mass Effect [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/MassEffect?from=Main.MassEffect]
Bioshock [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BioShock]

Wikipedia:
Bioshock [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioshock]
Mass Effect [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Effect]

 

[Smiley Face]

What series should I get into? Buy the first and second Mass Effect games and wait for the 3rd. Or buy Bioshock 1 and 2 and wait for the third installment? Help Escapists!

I say Mass Effect, among other reasons, because of the two it is good as a series. In fact, the level to which the file-transfer from game to sequel affects your gameplay is so well-integrated that it's easy to tell that it's intended to be a series. Also, it has TREMENDOUS replay value, I have replayed each game many times. Bioshock does not, I've played it a few times, but haven't touched it in years. It's really a one-time shot.

On the other hand, Bioshock is NOT a series. Not really. Bioshock 1 wraps itself up in a neat little bow. It should never have had a sequel, I'm pretty sure it was never intended to have a sequel, and as soon as I heard there was one, I thought 'This is a terrible idea'. Not only was it a terrible idea, it was a terrible game in its own right. The upcoming Bioshock Infinite is more of a Franchise continuation than a sequel - it's going to stand alone in a totally different environment, whereas Bioshock 2 was a DIRECT sequel in the same environment, which was a terrible, terrible idea.

So yeah, if you're looking for a series, Mass Effect is definitely what you want. If you want a game, I'd say Mass Effect again because I thin it's awesome, but it and Bioshock both have their merits - Bioshock is an FPS with magic powers slapped on, with a damn good storyline with no interactivity and few characters, and a unique, creepy, and captivating environment. Mass Effect is a Squad TPS with magic powers slapped on, with a pretty good storyline with loads of interactivity and many characters, and a unique, epic, and captivating environment.

I'm very much looking forward to Bioshock Infinite, I'm curious about what they'll do. You can go for Bioshock Infinite to start, it looks like it will stand alone, but if you MUST go for the series, do yourself a favour and SKIP Bioshock 2. You'll see why. But I CANNOT WAIT to play Mass Effect 3, because, beyond the excellence of the games and all they have going for them, I am invested in the series.

 

[CruisingForBiddies]

Mass Effect, BioShock was a horrible game that decided that thought that a mediocre story could make up for horrible, repetitive gameplay and a dull atmosphere.

Is that an attempt at a joke? Bioshock has been praised solely for its story and atmosphere, both of which arguably are some of the finest examples in video game history. The fun, versatile gameplay and progression was just icing on the cake. I personally own both Mass Effect games and both Bioshock games and I can easily recommend Bioshock (Mostly for the first one). Not that you shouldn't play ME, it is pretty rad too.

 

[JDLY]

Mass Effect, BioShock was a horrible game that decided that thought that a mediocre story could make up for horrible, repetitive gameplay and a dull atmosphere.

Is that an attempt at a joke? Bioshock has been praised solely for its story and atmosphere, both of which arguably are some of the finest examples in video game history. The fun, versatile gameplay and progression was just icing on the cake. I personally own both Mass Effect games and both Bioshock games and I can easily recommend Bioshock (Mostly for the first one). Not that you shouldn't play ME, it is pretty rad too.

While I don't agree entirely with SirBryghtside there, there are some of us out here that think Bioshock wasn't all that great.

The atmosphere was the best part in my opinion. It made me jump a few times. But personally I found the story lackluster. The "Big Plot Twist," well it wasn't that big for me. I saw it coming miles away.

And the gameplay was above average, but again, nothing spectacular. Basically there were one or two plasmid-gun combos that could take anything down, and the rest were just novelties to be used for fun.

My main gripe with it is that the game prided itself on such things as being able to invent new ammo or plasimd types, but really all you did is go to a machine and pick which one you wanted to unlock. Not really inventing then, now is it?

 

[CityofTreez]

Bioshock is better.

Hard to compare the games though.

 

[Rad Party God]

Setting aside that both are entirely different games for entirely different genres with entirely different stories and settings, For BioShock, ONLY play the first one, avoid the second one like the bubonic plague. Also, you should be able to get it for cheap these days, or if you haven't played Oblivion yet, get the bundle that sells them both in a single package.

As for Mass Effect... GET... THEM... ALL... seriously, Bioshock is great and all, but it's not like a recurring story and you don't relate to any of it's characters, sure, the Big Daddies are badass and all, but you won't be hearing them singing Gilbert & Sulivan [http://youtu.be/bj0iJtgHOCI].

Both are entirely different experiences that you need to play. As for wich one you should entirely get into, I'll definitively say Mass Effect.

 

[RyoScar]

What series should I get into? Buy the first and second Mass Effect games and wait for the 3rd. Or buy Bioshock 1 and 2 and wait for the third installment? Help Escapists!

Both are great series' but Mass Effect 1 & 2 are superior in my opinion. Then again you can't really compare the two game series' since they're completely different, one's an FPS, one's an Action RPG.

 

[CruisingForBiddies]

Good for you, then. I was asked for my opinion, I gave it. BioShock was nothing special in terms of story, even for a videogame, and the atmosphere was never interesting or immersive past the first half hour or so. If you liked it, then fine... but don't expect me to.

I'm not saying you have to haha, sorry if I came off sounding aggressive. Maybe I'm just giving a passionate response because I'm replaying Bishock at the moment (Fort Frolic gives me the willies). And maybe some of the elements such as story aren't groundbreaking or even that original, but as a complete package it stands head and shoulders above a lot of games... And so does Mass Effect for that matter. Golly there goes my argument.

 

[SpaceBat]

It really depends on what you're looking for, really.

Bioshock 1 is excellent in terms of aesthetics, narrative, story and visuals. It provides a unique and satisfying experience, with the only downside being some gameplay flaws. It is fairly short, but powerful and a must-play for anyone.

The Mass Effect series is a trilogy with the last part coming out soon. Both ME1 and ME2 are satisfying in somewhat different ways, but both will keep you busy for quite a while. It is flawed, but also a great experience in many ways. I'd personally put the first game above KotoR and that's saying quite a bit.

Whatever you do, avoid Bioshock 2. It is not just disappointing, it's pretty fucking awful.

 

[Deadyawn]

Overall ME is a good series that I have enjoyed despite some issues I had with the second one.
I have only played the first bioshock and while I didn't particularly like it there is a...thing in it which is...awesome. Really awesome. And for that alone I would recommend playing it.

 

[Convoy]

Thank you for all the recommendations, I went to GameStop and for $40 I got Mass Effect 1 & 2. Pre-Ordered 3 and they didn't have Bishock 1 so I just got 2.

 

[x EvilErmine x]

Here's an idea, rent them and then make up your own mind. I say this because game opinions are subjective. I like both Bioshock and Mass Effect, they are different types games so comparing them is like asking which is better, an apple or an orange?
But my opinion of a good game may be different to yours. I like Bioshock 2 just as much as the first one but a lot of people say Bioshock 2 is pants. My friend hates Mass Effect 1 but loves 2, such is life.

If you are going to be spending some significant (I am poor so ~ £20 is significant money to me) it's best to try before you buy.

 

[LiL'Tic]

definately bioshock, mass effect was good but too slow paced for me

both are good franchises its more just ur personal preference

 

[doomspore98]

I personally like bioshock a lot more than mass effect. The second one was more shootery and generally less good the first but still okay. I didn't really like mass effect. Also I think bioshock infinite will be better than mass effect 3.

 

[Fijiman]

I would have to go with Bioshock. Mainly because I've actually played it. Although I have yet to play the second Bioshock, not because people say it's bad but because I've not had the money to get it when I wasn't already planing to get a different game. I've also got too many other games on my want list to be bothered with Mass Effect right now.

 

[Zenron]

This is a really difficult question to me, mainly because Bioshock 1 is my favourite game of this generation but Mass Effect is one my favourite franchises of this generation. You'll probably get more time out of your money if you buy mass Effect though, so I guess I'd go with that.

Also, don't buy Bioshock 2. It isn't all that good in comparison to the first one.

 

[Christopher Callahan]

anc[is]All of them are good. Even Bioshock 2, which in my opinion has the better story. People always seem to confuse setting and plot in Bioshock 1. The setting of Rapture, which includes all the backstory from the logs, is epic. The actual plot of the game is you wandering around picking your nose for 2/3rds of the game, a pretty cool twist, then a completely retarded boss fight which mysteriously is never mentioned on forums. Bioshock 2 improves the gameplay without messing anything else up in the process, and has an actual plot. As for Mass Effect, it's fucking Mass Effect, go play it now.

It's because we never mentioned the car physics in mass effect , or the planet scanning In mass effect 2.

That said, get Mass effect.

 

[Animyr]

Overall I'd recommend the ME series. The bioshock games are pretty good though. Unlike most people, overall I liked Bioshock 2 better. Namely because the ending didn't suck balls.

 

[Phrytar]

MY personal favorite is the Bioshock series. In the end it's up to you, but the games are fun and enjoyable.