BioShock: The Collection
Compilation of remastered BioShock games with new textures and commentary.
http://www.polygon.com/2016/6/30/12064994/bioshock-the-collection-release-date · via Wikipedia: BioShock: The Collection · Fair use
In 2016, Blind Squirrel Games and publisher 2K released a compilation called BioShock: The Collection. It bundles remastered editions of the three mainline BioShock games—the 2007 original, its 2010 sequel, and 2013's Infinite—boasting upgraded textures and compatibility with higher screen resolutions and frame rates. The set launched on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows in September 2016, with a macOS version arriving in August 2017 and a Nintendo Switch port in May 2020.
Rumors of a BioShock remaster had circulated for years before the official announcement. After release, patches fixed bugs and crashes. Critics generally liked the collection, praising its value and appeal for newcomers, though they noted the later games received fewer updates and some technical hiccups remained. It sold well, topping charts in the United States and United Kingdom during its first months.
The collection includes all three single-player campaigns, plus previously exclusive or downloadable content like *BioShock 2: Minerva's Den* and *BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea*. The multiplayer mode from *BioShock 2* is absent. Also present are challenge modes from each game and the Museum of Orphaned Concepts—a gallery of abandoned development ideas from an earlier compilation. The first two games were remastered with higher-resolution textures and new effects. A director's commentary, *Imagining BioShock*, features creative director Ken Levine and lead artist Shawn Robertson; episodes unlock by finding new collectibles in the remastered *BioShock*. On Xbox One and PlayStation 4, the remastered games run at 1080p and 60 frames per second.
Blind Squirrel Games, which had worked with Irrational Games on *BioShock Infinite*, helped 2K develop the collection. 2K chose not to remaster the Windows version of *Infinite*, as its highest graphical settings already met the updated console standards. Retailers and trademarks leaked news of the collection several times before its June 2016 announcement. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions launched in North America on September 13, 2016, and worldwide on September 15. The Windows version released on September 15, and owners of the original PC editions got the remastered *BioShock* and *BioShock 2* as free upgrades. Feral Interactive published the macOS version on August 22, 2017.
Quick Facts
- Title
- BioShock: The Collection
- Developer
- Blind Squirrel GamesBioShock was developed by 2K Boston and 2K Australia, BioShock 2 by 2K Marin, and BioShock Infinite by Irrational Games.
- Publisher
- 2K
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4 / Xbox One / Windows / macOS / Nintendo Switch
- Series
- BioShock
- Genre
- First-person shooter
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
BioShock: The Collection contains all three titles in the BioShock series: BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite. The games are first-person shooters focusing on story and character customization, with players wielding guns and superpower-granting genetic modifications called Plasmids or Vigors. Included are single-player content originally released as exclusives or downloadable content packs, such as BioShock 2: Minerva's Den and BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea. The multiplayer component of BioShock 2 is not included, but the collection includes challenge game modes from all three releases and the Museum of Orphaned Concepts, a feature from an earlier collection where the player explores an in-game gallery of abandoned development concepts.
Reader's Guide
BioShock: The Collection received generally favorable reviews according to Metacritic, with platform scores between 80 and 84 out of 100. Critics recommended the collection for players unfamiliar with the franchise, though some felt its appeal to longtime players was less clear. Praise focused on the value of the collection and its appeal for new players, while complaints included the relative lack of updates to later games and technical performance issues. The game was a bestselling title in the United States and United Kingdom in its initial months of release. Its significance lies in preserving and updating a critically acclaimed series for modern platforms, making the games accessible to a new generation while offering returning players upgraded visuals and a director's commentary. The collection's legacy includes addressing bugs and crashes through patches, and enhancement patches that boosted resolution on Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro.
Did You Know?
- The collection includes a director's commentary called Imagining BioShock, featuring creative director Ken Levine and lead artist Shawn Robertson.
- The Windows edition of BioShock Infinite was not remastered because it already met 2K's graphical standards for the updated console editions at its highest settings.
- A limited run of 450 'Ultra Limited Edition' copies was produced, including an art book, reversible poster, and coin.
- The Nintendo Switch version runs at 1080p at 30 frames per second when docked, dropping to 720p in portable mode.
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Elsewhere in BioShock
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