The immersive first-person, role-playing mechanics, a captivating environment, and its retro-futuristic feel are what made BioShock an instant hit among fans of the first-person shooter genre.
BioShock was the first game that introduced the mechanic of using a weapon on one hand and using the other to use magic on enemies. This new formula resonated well with the fans and paved the way for unique gameplay mechanics.
The timeline for BioShock, however, can be pretty confusing for new players who can’t decide where to start. Even players familiar with the series have admitted to being confused with the timeline of all the games. Take a look at the entire BioShock series in its chronological and release order:
1. The Chronological Order to Play the BioShock Series:
The chronological order starts the series from BioShock Infinite, the latest in the BioShock series. BioShock: Infinite actually takes place before BioShock 1. Both the games have a weird relationship with each other.
BioShock: Infinite and BioShock 1 are intertwined with each other in a weird way in terms of story and lore. Infinite is a spiritual successor to 1 but also a prequel of some shorts.
If you want to play the BioShock series in its chronological order, then follow the list below:
- BioShock: Infinite
- BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea 1
- BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea 2
- BioShock 1
- BioShock 2
- BioShock 2: Minerva’s Den DLC
The thing about the chronological order is that players might still be confused even after playing it in its chronological order. They may connect the dots later but it takes time to do so. Hence, it is always recommended to play the BioShock games in their release order.
2. The Release Order to Play the BioShock Series:
The release order to play the BioShock series is the ultimate and complete way to experience the entire series. The games are made to be played in their release order.
We strongly recommend you follow the release order to play the BioShock series. It is not only better narratively but you won’t have to worry about going from a modern BioShock to an older title for the sake of playing the series chronologically.
Let’s take a look at the release order a.k.a the definitive order to play the BioShock series:
- BioShock 1 (2007) / BioShock 1: Remastered (2016)
- BioShock 1 DLC – Challenge Rooms (2008)
- BioShock 2 (2010) / BioShock 2: Remastered (2016)
- BioShock 2 DLC -The Protector Trials (2010)
- BioShock 2: Minerva’s Den DLC (2010) / BioShock 2: Minerva’s Den DLC Remastered (2016)
- BioShock: Infinite (2013)
- BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea Episode 1 DLC (2013)
- BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea Episode 2 DLC (2014)
This list does not contain BioShock Infinite: Industrial Revolution (2012) and BioShock Infinite: Clash in the Clouds DLC (2013) since the former is a flash puzzle game that is no longer available to play anymore while the latter adds nothing to the story of the mainline BioShock games.
3. Which BioShock game should you play first?
If you want to understand the overall lore, the story, the characters, and the underlying themes throughout the series, then BioShock 1 is definitely the best place to start. Follow the release order from then on to coherently understand and experience the BioShock series.
It is a must-play if you want to get into the series. BioShock 1 will give you an insight into the background of Rapture, an underwater city created by very wealthy people who no longer wanted to be shackled by the Government’s rules or the moral majority seen in society. The philosophy and dialect in the story, along with its detailed graphics and incredible environment, make it the best way to kick off the series.
4. How long are the BioShock games?
If you want to find out how long each game takes to complete, then take a look at the list below:
- BioShock 1 – 12 Hours
- BioShock 1 DLC: Challenge Rooms DLC – 1.5 Hours
- BioShock 2 – 11 Hours
- BioShock 2 DLC: The Protector Trials – 1 Hour
- BioShock 2: Minerva’s Den DLC – 4 Hours
- BioShock: Infinite – 11.5 Hours
- BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea Episode 1 DLC – 2 Hours
- BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea Episode 2 DLC – 3.5 Hours
5. Is BioShock: Infinite a prequel?
BioShock: Infinite is indeed a prequel to the other two BioShock games. It is not a sequel as the game takes place in 1912 whereas the other two BioShock entries, which were released before Infinite, take place during the 1960s.
While not a sequel to BioShock 1 and 2, BioShock: Infinite features thematic connections between all the games such as Lighthouse. In addition, Booker and Elizabeth do briefly end up in Rapture for a brief fan-service return to the original setting. If you want to play BioShock: Infinite before the rest, go for it but it is advised to play the first BioShock at least, before playing the others.
6. Are all the BioShock games connected?
The first two BioShock games, BioShock 1 and BioShock 2, are connected to each other. BioShock 2 picks up where the first game ends and is a direct sequel. The first one is about a man being dropped off at a lighthouse and you figuring out what this new city is all about. The second is more about the connection between Big Daddies and Little Sisters.
BioShock: Infinite is where it gets confusing. Infinite is a prequel to BioShock 1 but features very little connection to it. All of the games are in the same universe i.e. the BioShock universe. The themes between BioShock 1 and Infinite are similar but you do not have to play BioShock 1 to understand Infinite. However, BioShock: Infinite’s DLC has some strong connection to the first game.
7. Do you need to play the BioShock games in order?
Playing the BioShock series in order is not necessarily essential but it makes considerably more sense if you know about the setting and play it in release order. Play BioShock 1 and then BioShock 2 in order to understand the complete story.
When it comes to BioShock: Infinite, it doesn’t really matter when you play it. While being set decades before BioShock 1, you can play it either at the first or at the last and it’ll have no impact on the progression of the story. Infinite’s DLC (Burial at Sea) contains major spoilers for BioShock 1, so it is advised to play BioShock 1 before playing Infinite’s DLC.
8. Will there be a BioShock 4?
Another BioShock title is indeed in the works. BioShock 4 is currently being developed by Cloud Chamber – a studio founded and owned under the 2K publishing label. The studio is led by former Firaxis Games developer Kelley Gilmore.
There is no official release date for BioShock 4 as of now. Having been announced back in December 2019 by 2K, it might be quite some time before we see anything from BioShock 4. The project is still in active development and is cloaked in mystery as there’s very little information available about the game.
9. About Bioshock
BioShock is a retrofuturistic video game series created by Ken Levine, published by 2K Games and developed by several studios, including Irrational Games and 2K Marin.
The BioShock games combine first-person shooter and role-playing elements, giving the player freedom for how to approach combat and other situations, and are considered part of the immersive sim genre. Additionally, the series is notable for exploring philosophical and moral concepts with a strong in-game narrative influenced by concepts such as objectivism, total utilitarianism, and American exceptionalism.
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