Fascinating atmosphere meets bad gameplay

I belong probably (- the tenor of the previous reviews for -) one of the few players who got the first parts of Bioshock not played, and started directly with BI. Positive is to be added to the game that I've noticed this at any time and thus from understanding her problems can start even without prior experience with BI. Nevertheless, I am with the game all dissatisfied in particular, so I would give it 2.5 stars.

Atmosphere:

The atmosphere and the setting I want to highlight positive. Everywhere in Columbia you can stop and listen to conversations, also have large class the graphic details.
I especially enjoyed me doing the working class neighborhood of Fink at the beginning of the second period of the game. While you stroll through the slum is heard permanently cynical slogans through loudspeakers, which are intended to increase the work ethic and what have often made me smile - the Manchester capitalism takes against it like a pony from. Here is my opinion on the greatest strength of the game, which has just given me at the beginning a lot of fun. From the last third, unfortunately you stroll mainly by depopulated areas.

Story:

Despite the good atmosphere I feel the story only as average. By telling and frequent cryptic hints tension but also confusion is established, which in my opinion does not dissolve satisfactorily by the end of the game out. Furthermore, I do not know how to evaluate it, that I have approximately from the half of the game (a little more than five hours, total playing time ten to eleven) only continue to play in order to learn the end of history, have, however, hoping at the same time, that although it is possible to quickly end should.
At the beginning of the many information and notes in the history still interesting and invite to curiosity, so it was me in the end simply too much. Taking the component of "pseudo-voltage" out remains a standard story.

Gameplay:

First the positives:
I've never played a game in which the companion (Elisabeth) was so well implemented. They never became annoying because they always take care of themselves, and their supportive abilities are tailored to your needs and always helpful. If she was not there times I've really missed!

Besides, I feel the gameplay however as extremely weak. The battles are very fast just to a single agony. In principle, unless the opponents would be partially not at all or only at the Health Bar to recognize. In addition, no variety. "Large open area -> must equal well again ~ ten opponents defeated the apparently come arbitrarily somewhere". All in all, it is only extremely confusing and hectic - fun is not on.
The opponents did not like diversity. Whether Patriots have the face of Lincoln or Washington is to me relatively unimportant, but an intermediate boss with special tactics would not have been too bad at all (> Small SpoilerDas playful element remains completely on the track and I was an hour grateful for any path portion, to me no more boring and annoying battle accompanied.
Similarly, the Special Forces are fairly redundant (all ever tasted - stuck at the first> at the end of the game again and again, yet all too often reminded been my special forces ever again to use) and the weapon variety is meaningless. I have tried every one of all kinds of weapons and used at the end but only the same two (because more can not simultaneously carry with you).

This point also ensures that the game gets only two stars makes. How do I rate a shooter better if the shooting is not fun even?

Even the collection of loot fallen foes or cabinets etc. is simply annoying. In the end, these are only to wild orgies click without looking what you collect at all. An inventory does not exist if you have full ammo they will lie flat and all the different food items give anyway all just energy.
I often entire areas explored and did not go the way prescribed by design, but this has unfortunately too rarely paid off in my eyes.

The equipment, which can be found (helmet, pants, shirt, shoes) are nice, but no longer. And after I had finally found shoes there was only to fight a match. Well.

CONCLUSION:
Well enough about me. I have just a few points out resort, which remained sustained me hang in my memory. Normally I would not write a review, but just because of the many positive reviews I would like to raise concerns. I would not advise buying directly from a (for you like a lot to many people apparently good), but advise caution. Maybe there is a possibility earlier times at a friend or to look over their shoulders for two hours.
Although one has then already seen nearly half the game. And that you have to definitely make aware: the season is incredibly short ten hours! You can probably argue about the replay value, but I have already made room on my hard drive after the first time you play.