This remastered edition of a seminal first-person shooter RPG invites players to explore the chilling underwater city of Rapture. Released in 2016, it offers a visually enhanced experience of the original 2007 title, bringing its unique atmosphere and narrative to modern platforms including PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The game places you in the role of Jack, the sole survivor of a plane crash in the mid-Atlantic in 1960. His discovery of a lighthouse leads him to Rapture, a supposed utopia founded on principles of free will by industrialist Andrew Ryan. However, upon arrival, Jack finds Rapture in ruins, a testament to the catastrophic consequences of unchecked ambition and ideology. His journey becomes one of survival and uncovering the city's tragic downfall.

The World of Rapture

Rapture is a city built in the 1940s beneath the ocean's surface, conceived as a sanctuary from the moral and political constraints of the surface world. Its Art Deco architecture and philosophical underpinnings create a distinct and immersive environment. Players will navigate the decaying corridors and grand halls of this fallen metropolis, piecing together its history through audio diaries and environmental storytelling.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

The gameplay blends first-person shooting with role-playing elements. Players utilize a combination of firearms and "Plasmids," genetic modifications that grant supernatural abilities such as telekinesis, pyrokinesis, and electrokinesis. These powers can be combined with weapons for strategic combat. Resource management is key, as ammunition and health are often scarce, requiring players to scavenge and make tactical decisions in encounters.

Remastered Enhancements

This version of the game features significant visual and technical upgrades compared to its original release. These improvements include high-resolution textures, updated character and environment models, and enhanced lighting effects. The user interface has also been modernized, and the game now supports full controller support and 4K resolution on compatible platforms, offering a sharper and more detailed presentation of Rapture's descent into chaos.

What makes this game unique?

The game's distinctiveness lies in its compelling narrative, philosophical themes, and the unique integration of its gameplay mechanics. The setting of Rapture itself is a character, rich with lore and a palpable sense of dread. The ability to combine conventional weaponry with powerful genetic abilities provides a versatile approach to combat and problem-solving.

What can players expect from the story?

Players can expect a narrative-driven experience that explores the consequences of radical individualism and societal collapse. The story unfolds through environmental clues, audio logs left by Rapture's inhabitants, and direct encounters, revealing the complex motivations and tragic fates of those who built and inhabited the city.

What has been preserved from the original?

The core narrative, gameplay mechanics, and the overall artistic vision of the original title have been faithfully preserved. The atmospheric design, the philosophical underpinnings of Rapture, and the fundamental gameplay loop of exploration, combat, and resource management remain intact. This remaster aims to enhance the original experience rather than alter its fundamental identity.

What has been changed or added?

The primary changes are technical and visual, focusing on bringing the game up to modern standards. This includes updated graphics, improved performance, and the addition of features like achievements and full controller support. No significant content has been added or removed from the original game's story or gameplay structure.