Bioshock: A Deeper Analysis (Part 1)

Hey all,

If you have read my previous Bioshock Review, you would know that I am an avid fan of the game.  As it was only a review, I could not go too in-depth with the game's intriguing underlying themes, which was honestly a little bit of a shame, as this game is one of the most intellectually stimulating pieces of literature I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

Seeing that there are a lot of large ideas to discuss in Bioshock, I will be writing a series of in-depth articles on the game and its many underlying themes.

This series of articles will be assuming you have already played the game yourself, so there will be a LOT of SPOILERS.

So, lets get to it!

Bioshock:  A Deeper Analysis (Part 1)

The end is the beginning:

Let us begin with discussing the most important part of Bioshock:  The ending reveal in which Andrew Ryan shows Jack that none of his actions were truly of his own free will, but were prompted by uttering the phrase, "Would you kindly."   When someone spoke this key phrase to Jack, he was obliged by his brainwashed mind to do exactly what the person asked him to do, with absolutely no questioning.

This brings into perspective how masterfully crafted the game is.

Why it was such a hard-hitting and mind-blowing reveal:

As a book or a movie, this reveal would not have carried nearly as much weight as in a video game.  By the very fact that the player was completing the actions requested by Andrew Ryan and Atlas, the weight of the protagonist's actions feel far more personal.  It wasn't some dis-attached character in a novel or a movie whom you were merely watching complete these actions.  Rather, it was you who executed every order of Atlas, just as he had commanded, and you who followed him blindly without asking a single question.

It makes you feel stupid and like a mindless puppet.  It makes you feel hurt and betrayed by Atlas.  How could you have possibly been so blind to follow exactly everything he had asked of you?  It brings you to question the things you have done in your own life, and whether you have ever blindly followed someone's commands or wishes like a puppy obeys its master.  Do you truly think for yourself?

Illusion of choice in games:

The reveal delves into an intrinsic aspect of gaming itself:  The illusion of player choice, and  it presents the question: Do you actually have any true choices to make in video games?

The answer could be a combination of many factors.  Yes, video games do give you choices to make, but the choices don't usually affect the overall storyline or ending.  Even in games with multiple endings, no ending will be completely unique to one player.

With this being said, this was never the only purpose to having choices in video games.  We were never under the illusion that we were the only ones to make that specific set of choices in a game.  The other purpose of choice in games is to make us question our own thoughts and morals.

Take for example the choice to either harvest ADAM from the Little Sisters for a greater reward, or to let them live and take much lesser rewards from Tenenbaum.  Both sides make compelling arguments, and in fact killing the little girls to harvest their ADAM is made to seem like a reasonable course of action.  While the final outcome of this choice is clearly important, it is also about how you think and question your own sense of morality.  Viewing the outcome as the only important part of a choice is rather shallow, as the choice itself is just as important as the result.

Closing:

Alright, well thanks for reading!  I plan on discussing more aspects of Bioshock, but at a later date.  If you have any thoughts or comments of your own, leave them in the omment section below!