Games Similar to Bioshock By Eldar Kalinin Game Designer at RetroStyle Games | Feb 8, 2024 Ask a Question If you’re a fan of the atmospheric world of BioShock, this article is definitely for you. If you are still waiting to learn about this first-person shooter video game, this is the best opportunity to discover its characters, environment, and plot. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size The art style is reminiscent of the modified Unreal Engine graphics seen in BioShock, with high quality textures and atmospheric lighting that plays with shadows and depth. The design of the suit and the glowing elements of the helmet are particularly detailed, suggesting a meticulous approach to concept art that our studio - RetroStyle Games - might produce. Our studio could be known for creating 2D and 3D game art that captures the essence of the BioShock universe, targeting both enthusiasts and Unreal Engine developers looking to emulate or pay homage to BioShock's distinctive art style and game design.This image presents a character that could belong to a video game with artistic and thematic elements reminiscent of those found in games like BioShock. The character is garbed in a futuristic suit with retro influences, featuring a helmet that glows with intricate geometrical patterns, suggesting advanced technology. They stand at the intersection of two contrasting worlds; on one side, there's a dystopian backdrop with industrial structures and a murky sky, hinting at a world in decline. On the other, we see a starry night sky, suggesting a vastness of space or a different reality. The character could be a protagonist in a narrative-driven game that blends science fiction with a retro-futuristic aesthetic. Everyone who has played this game before forever remembered its deep dive into intriguing narratives, unique settings, and captivating gameplay. Let’s not waste any minute and start discovering a world of best games similar to the BioShock series. Atmospheric Game Environment Everyone knows BioShock for its elements of a role-playing game, different approaches to engaging enemies as stealth, and concepts from the survival horror genre. But not so many people praise this game for its exceptional game art and highly atmospheric environment design. Why indie game developers and top gaming companies should pay more attention to game environment design? Let us explain. Discover Our Games' Aesthetic Bioshock’s aesthetic is reminiscent of the steampunk and Art Deco architecture styles, extensively used in American buildings during the 20s/30s. In return, our bright game art looks like popular action games with breathtaking adventures such as Assasin’s Creed Black Flag’s aesthetic. Bioshock easily plays on contrasts. On the one side, we can see dark and gloomy underwater Rapture City, full of neon lights that somehow remind us of New York at night (which is not surprising at all because Bioshock’s creative director was heavily inspired by the locations and buildings of New York City and Gotham City from Batman Universe). And on the other side — Columbia. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size The Bioshock game's aesthetic is a stunning blend of Art Deco elegance and dystopian decay. The use of lighting, vintage posters, and retro-futuristic technology makes the environment around players feel alive. This outstanding aesthetic combines nostalgia with horror, creating a uniquely haunting experience that stays with players long after they've left the game. In return, our art has a typical pirate aesthetic: bright art, fighting spirit surrounding the player character, and 17th-century architecture inspired by the renowned Tortuga Island. Here, the art is consistent and pleasantly surprises players with the variety in one niche. You can see similar elements in games like Risen 2: Dark Waters, Sea of Thieves, and Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag — just a good old classic. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size Our game’s aesthetic perfectly showcases the rugged beauty of the Golden Age of Piracy, where historical realism and swashbuckling adventure meet each other. The game’s world is a vibrant, sun-soaked Caribbean, filled with lush tropical islands and bustling port towns. This aesthetic is about the spirit of exploration and rebellion, making players feel like they are going through true adventurers. While we try to interpret the past differently, making it with some survival elements, but colorful and fighting-friendly (exactly like young pirates saw this world), Bioshock curiously tells a story about the past, which is not so friendly but can give you something important and valuable. CONTACT US The unique feature of BioShock’s visual identity is its Art Deco-inspired aesthetic. The underwater city of Rapture is adorned with grand architecture, period-appropriate design elements, and many unique details. For this genre of games, such a style is the best decision. It adds a layer of sophistication to the decaying and chaotic environment. We can’t miss the opportunity to mention the magnificence of the decision to set the game in an underwater city. Due to submerged halls and tunnels, the constant threat of water pressure, and the dilapidated state of Rapture, game design becomes as atmospheric as ever before.Also, using water as both a visual element and a gameplay mechanic, was an excellent idea to make the game more interesting.Even though the game was developed in 2007, BioShock masterfully uses lighting to set the mood and create a sense of foreboding. 2K Boston and 2K Australia (game development companies) wanted to showcase how important it is to use the play of light and shadows in conveying the eerie nature of Rapture. Many players noted that the use of flickering lights, dynamic shadows, and strategically placed sources of illumination heightens the suspense a lot. Discover Our Games' Art Styles Do you want to create the best game in the Bioshock style? Consider two different arts to inspire your design direction. This will help you to understand various points of view and create something unique, as a result. From the first look, experienced gamers can easily recognize the Art Deco art style, inspired by old-school hits Grim Fandango (1998) and Fallout (1997). Due to that, the original Bioshock’s art stands out by rich colors, bold geometric shapes, and lavish ornamentation. Also, Bioshock bravely blends dieselpunk and steampunk art styles, which is especially noticeable in Columbia City. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size Bioshock's art style combines rich materials and vintage design elements with eerie, deteriorated environments to create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. This unique contrast between grandeur and decay presents players with a sense of lost utopia and exemplifies the high standard of visual excellence the development team of BioShock strived for in their game's environments. In contrast, our game art offers a different but equally compelling vision, inspired exactly by steampunk and dieselpunk art style, clearly visible in all Bioshock games. Our game’s art style is reminiscent of the gritty, post-apocalyptic environments with gears, mechanical elements, brass and copper piping. In general, we caught inspiration and created a game with a retro-futurist art style. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size Our game’s art style is more industrial, with a rugged and worn aesthetic, hovering over a densely packed, makeshift settlement. Feeling like a steampunk dream, our game’s art style still has something unique and touching. This retro-futurist setting provides a grounded, realistic feel, giving players a stark and unforgettable experience of a world struggling to rebuild itself. Both Bioshock and our game have similar inspirations in steampunk art style. However, the approaches to game development are totally different which means everyone can make a game similar to Bioshock and it still will feel fresh and interesting (of course if it isn’t a full copy). CONTACT US Many studios like ours have taken a BioShock-inspired approach to 3D game environment design. They have incorporated its principles into outsourcing services with game art workflows, such as dynamic lighting and shadows or attention to environmental storytelling.Games that are visually similar to BioShock with such outstanding 3D environment design and art style include System Shock 2 (1999), Prey (2017), and the Dishonored series (2012-2016). Memorable Characters and Antagonists 1Jack (player character)Jack is a silent protagonist controlled by the player who finds himself in the mysterious underwater city of Rapture.A similar character in another game - The Nameless One (Planescape: Torment)Like Jack, The Nameless One is a player-controlled character with a mysterious past, and the narrative unfolds as players explore the rich world of Planescape.2Andrew RyanThe founder of Rapture, Andrew Ryan, serves as one of the central figures in Bioshock's narrative. His ideals and actions play an important role in shaping the story.A similar character in another game - Comstock (BioShock Infinite)In the third installment of the Bioshock series, Comstock shares similarities with Andrew Ryan in terms of being a charismatic yet morally ambiguous figure.3Atlas (Frank Fontaine)Initially presented as an ally, Atlas is revealed to be the alter ego of Frank Fontaine, a key antagonist with his agenda.A similar character in another game - Lady Comstock (BioShock Infinite)While not the central antagonist female character, Lady Comstock plays a significant role in BioShock Infinite. Her mysterious and powerful presence adds complexity to the narrative. Discover Our Games' Characters As you continue to develop your game in the spirit of Bioshock, we'd like to highlight the stunning character design elements found in our portfolio to guide your creative direction and help you create something innovative in the gaming industry. The game art features an iconic Bioshock character, the formidable Big Daddy, alongside a Little Sister. Big Daddy is a genetically enhanced human who has had their skin and organs grafted into an armored diving suit. So basically, it’s not a person in a costume. The person is a costume which adds a horror vibe to the game. However, Big Daddy isn’t an antagonist; his goal is completely opposite — to protect Little Sisters. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size Towering over most other characters, the Big Daddy is encased in a massive, rusted diving suit that has elements of industrial machinery and deep-sea equipment. Its most iconic feature is the large, rounded helmet with multiple glowing portholes, usually illuminated in either green, yellow, or red, depending on its state of aggression. Despite its menacing appearance, the Big Daddy's design also evokes a sense of tragedy, as it silently roams the decaying halls of Rapture, eternally bound to its duty of protecting the Little Sisters. Looking at the picture with our characters, you can easily see that our team looked for inspiration in the game Bioshock. As a result, we’ve created a diverse array of underwater characters and creatures from the concept art for “Codename Ocean Keeper”. We decided to create several character versions: the first one is just cosmic pirates in unique underwater costumes and the second one is their indispensable helper. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size While working on our game “Ocean Keeper”, we’ve decided to make our characters varied and imaginative, ranging from advanced deep-sea suits to mechanical and organic sea creatures. As you can see, each character and creature has a distinct personality and function, which is essential for creating a rich game world. The attention to detail in their design, from the textures of their suits to the interesting features of the sea monsters, aligns perfectly with the high standards set by the best Bioshock characters. But that’s not all: even when it’s about secondary characters, we still are very fascinated by Bioshock. Look how we’ve used the idea of a mysterious woman character from Bioshock and combined her power and unique features with our woman characters. By integrating the detailed, atmospheric design of the Bioshock characters with the diverse and imaginative elements seen in the Codename Ocean Keeper characters, you can develop a cast that not only honors the legacy of Bioshock but also introduces totally innovative new characters. Small recommendation from us: focus on creating characters that won’t be just visually striking but will be deeply integrated into your game’s narrative. Also, these characters should leave a lasting impression on your players, remember about it. CONTACT US RPG Elements in Action Games As we’ve already mentioned before, BioShock is a first-person shooter with elements of a role-playing game. This exemplary title blends action gameplay and RPG game art seamlessly, creating something unique and unforgettable. Let’s explore how the incorporation of RPG elements boosts the gaming experience in the action-packed game.Similar games to BioShock often introduce RPG elements through moral choices. In such games, players’ decisions often affect the outcome of the story. As RPG adds depth to the gameplay, a lot of players feel more motivated to explore different story branches and discover the gaming world more and more. What about upgradeable abilities and weapons? Players can acquire and upgrade various abilities, enhancing player character’s combat prowess. Also, the customization of weapons allows for diverse playstyles, catering to both action-oriented and strategic approaches.Also, the game’s level design and progression share modern RPG character art features. As players explore different gaming worlds, they gradually unveil new abilities and weapons. Later, this character progression will help to fight with challenging enemies and environments.Inspired by BioShock, a lot of titles showcase how different can be RPG game design in action games. Among such really similar to BioShock games are Prey (2017), and Doom 3. Discover Our Games' Weapons How can a good adventure game be good without a weapon? Check Bioshock’s weapon design and how we approached the question of weapon development. We hope this will give you a little bit of inspiration. The shotgun in Bioshock is a powerful weapon with a rugged, utilitarian design. It perfectly reflects the game’s gritty and dystopian setting. It features a side-by-side configuration with a worn metallic finish, showing signs of heavy use and age. The stock is made of weathered wood, adding to the weapon’s vintage industrial feel. The overall design of the shotgun gives players a sense of raw power in their fight for survival. In our game, pistols (and all weapons in general) are designed with vintage elegance and utilitarian functionality, fitting perfectly into the pirate game’s aesthetic. Weapon features sleek, metallic bodies with polished finishes and engravings or other decorative elements that evoke the craftsmanship of the early 18th century. Despite their refined appearance, pistols in our game are clearly tools of survival, showing signs of wear and tear. Remember that the weapon design is very important if you’re working on a Bioshock-like game. It doesn’t matter, if you’re working on a shotgun or a pistol — as a result your weapon always should tell a story to the player. CONTACT US Horror and Survival Elements Of course, Bioshock is primarily known for action and role-playing game elements. But it also has some elements of horror and survival which was a breakthrough in the gaming world 17 years ago. Obviously, this blend adds an edge to the gaming experience. Similar to BioShock games successfully combine these aspects with other genres, creating a thrilling and suspenseful experience.We’ve already told you that Bioshock creates something outstanding through its art and design. Bioshock’s designers worked a lot on the underwater city of Rapture. As a result, with its decay, flickering lights, and eerie sounds, players were enjoying a strong sense of isolation and foreboding. Due to this approach, many modern studios are inspired by old horror 2D environment design with Art Deco architecture. They often create game levels with unsettling ambiance. Survival elements come into play through resource management. While playing such games, gamers must scavenge for ammunition and health kits. The scarcity of resources adds tension to the gameplay, forcing players to make a lot of strategic decisions about when to engage enemies and when to conserve supplies.Often, games really similar to BioShock incorporate psychological horror elements. The narrative explores themes of power, morality, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.Singularity, System Shock 2, and Alien Isolation are very good examples of games visually similar to BioShock with survival horror elements. Discover Our Games' Enemies Honestly, the perfect way to feel the real gameplay mechanics is to fight with the main antagonists or enemies. This is the point when a player must gather all his power and fight with monsters. Here is very important to balance between unique ease and exceptional complexity. Bioshock does it as well as possible, so we decided to learn from them while working on our projects. From protector to the enemy is one of the best antagonist tropes in games. Understanding this, Bioshock created amazing enemies — the Motorized Patriots. They were originally built to be tour guides for the city of Columbia. However, when the war between factions started, they were reprogrammed to be destructive foes. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size Motorized Patriots in Bioshock are built in the likeness of iconic American figures, most notably George Washington, complete with powdered wigs, colonial-era uniforms, and stoic, mask-like faces. Their design is a mix of historical homage and industrial menace with exposed gears and a Gatling gun mounted where a traditional weapon would be, giving them an imposing presence on the battlefield. Their unsettling, lifeless faces and relentless pursuit of enemies make them not just a visual but a psychological threat. The story of our character is a little bit different. Although it has a very similar appearance to the Motorized Patriot, our admiral is a ghost, who came back to this world to take revenge. Our antagonist doesn’t have a weapon, he influences the game’s main protagonist just with his look and behavior, bringing a sense of fear and terror to the game. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size The character from our game is a sophisticated and formidable admiral, known for his sharp intellect, strategic mind, and deadly combat abilities. He is typically portrayed in the blue elegant coat and a tricorn hat, reflecting his noble British background and the era's fashion. He is a ghost but he is still a very fashionable person who pays tribute to the enemy before killing him. His stern calculating demeanor and piercing gaze convey his authoritative presence, making him a complex but interesting character in our game. As you can see, interesting enemies can easily diversify the game, so you should be very careful while working on your antagonist. They can make your game stunning but they also can disappoint your audience if the enemies are too easy or too powerful. Innovative Use of Powers and Abilities Bioshock’s plasmids were a game-changer for a first-shooter game genre. As everyone knows, games that offer unique powers not only enhance combat but also allow for creative problem-solving, a trait shared with Bioshock. Let’s look at different abilities in detail. 1Genetic ModificationThe concept of genetic modification fits seamlessly into similar game narratives and is an innovative way to provide players with supernatural powers. This design choice sets best games similar to BioShock apart, allowing for diverse combat strategies.2Environmental InteractionThe ability to interact with the environment using a personal combat system creates a dynamic gaming world a player wants to interact with. This innovation ties the supernatural abilities directly to the exploration aspect of the game. Such an approach should always include professional game icon design which will help the player interact with the environment correctly. 3Strategic Combat IntegrationPlasmids from BioShock are not just flashy abilities; they are integral to the game's combat system and survival game art and design. Players can combine traditional weapons in game with Plasmid powers to create strategic and dynamic approaches to fights. Discover Our Mini-Games Check, how we draw inspiration from the legendary Bioshock series to create an innovative puzzle experience for our clients and their upcoming game. One more way to demonstrate the use of powers and abilities of the main game is through mini-games. Mini-games are small, self-contained challenges packed up within a larger video game. Bioshock is the king of mini-games! There are a lot of addictive mini-games that are an integral part of the gameplay and one more way for players to use their unique powers. These puzzles weren’t just about solving a problem; they were a perfect combination of challenges that changed the overall experience for the better. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size In this image, we see a classic mini-game example from Bioshock — a grid-based hacking puzzle where players connect pipes to control the flow of a liquid. This is definitely a perfect mix of strategy and urgency, wrapped in the game's signature Art Deco aesthetic with steampunk elements. We couldn’t just skip an idea of mini-games so we’ve decided to implement them in our HOG Pirate Treasure game. In this game, there are a lot of puzzles, and each of them is unique. We know that such an approach is a perfect way to demonstrate a narrative from a different angle and maybe give players some interesting hints… Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size Just look at the variety of this amazing puzzle: each mini-game is beautifully integrated into the environment and offers so many interesting challenges, ranging from logic puzzles to mechanical contraptions. We believe this variety keeps the player engaged and invested in the story of the main game. If you already have the game but want to make it more interesting — create a mini-game. This is the best formula to boost the audience’s interest in the game. CONTACT US Game World Interactivity If you want to make a good world, make it interactive. The way a game allows players to interact with its world can deeply affect the gaming experience and completely change it. Games that utilize environmental storytelling and offer a high level of interactivity can create a more engaging and dynamic world. For instance, Rapture is filled with interactive elements, such as operable machinery, functional doors, and various objects that respond to the player’s actions. This level of attention to detail boosts a sense of realism a lot. Also, BioShock’s world feels more meaningful, and Rapture feels like a living, breathing city. Also, similar games to BioShock often incorporate interesting techniques. One of them is environmental puzzles that require players to observe and interact with their surroundings to progress. By blending puzzles with the environment, Bioshock ensures that interactivity serves a dual purpose – advancing the story and encouraging exploration. This approach can easily enhance the overall players’ engagement with the game world. Discover Our Games' Creatures One of the most important parts of every world is creatures. They can be good, they can be bad, but without them, the world would feel dry and unalive. So, if you want to make your game feel real, just add their unique features, that will perfectly fit into your game’s lore. Although the creatures in Bioshock are primarily humans who have been grotesquely transformed by the genetic substance ADAM, there still are many various creatures. The most common enemies are the Splicers, once ordinary citizens of Rapture who have become dangerously addicted to ADAM, leading to severe physical and mental deterioration. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size In this picture you can see quite friendly creatures from Bioshock — they are just dogs, small and naive protectors of underwater citizens. In our game, Cerberus is depicted as a three-headed beast guarding the gates of the underworld. Each of its heads has a distinct personality, reflecting the fury, intelligence, and primal instinct of the creature. Its fur is black as midnight, with streaks of fiery red running through it, as if the flames of the underworld burn just beneath its skin. Click to details Zoom In Zoom Out Reset View full size The ground trembles under the massive paws of our character, and the air around it is thick with the smell of sulfur and smoke, making Cerberus a truly terrifying force. Think about what creatures will fill your game — they should be various and interesting, don’t focus just on good or bad. Only if you balance between them, your have will feel breathing and truly unforgettable. CONTACT US In addition to talking about environmental puzzles, we should mention interactive storytelling elements from small objects to locations.One of them is Pharaoh’s Fortune Casino which is accessible to the player character during his stay at Fort Frolic. By interacting with slot machines in this location, gamers can get 43 dollars and a first aid kit. Such loot can be discovered without problems due to quality slot game art and other details of design that depend on a game. Fan Communities Just as Bioshock has a loyal fan base, other games have cultivated their communities. Exploring these games reveals first why the media influence of video games is so huge, and second why they’ve garnered such dedicated followings, similar to the passionate community of Bioshock enthusiasts. Social mediaCommunities with games visually similar to Bioshock FacebookBioShock fan page The Dishonored Fan DataBase Deus Ex Universe Hub Metro Exodus Hub YouTubeTheBioshockHubFallOutLanius Redditr/Bioshock r/SystemShock r/Prey r/Dishonored r/DeusEx TwitterDeusExHub FalloutForFans Instagrambioshockinfinite DiscordBioshock 2 Multiplayer System Shock Prey Soma Fallout Fans The Best Games Similar to Bioshock We’ve been talking a lot about games similar to BioShock from various game animation studios. Here, we delve into a curated list of games that share BioShock’s core elements. This comprehensive analysis helps understand why these games resonate with fans and what makes them comparable to the BioShock experience. System Shock 2 Developed by the same studio that created Bioshock, System Shock 2 is often considered a spiritual predecessor to the Bioshock series. It features a compelling narrative, a cyberpunk setting, and a mix of FPS and RPG elements. Prey Prey combines a thought-provoking narrative with an outstanding space station setting. The game offers a mix of exploration, intense combat, and a variety of powers, reminiscent of Bioshock’s Plasmids. Dishonored series Developed by Arkane Studios, Dishonored shares Bioshock’s focus on player choice and engaging world-building. The steampunk-inspired setting, inspiring storyline, and unique supernatural abilities create a memorable gaming experience. Deus Ex: Human Revolution This cyberpunk-themed game blends FPS and RPG elements, offering players a rich narrative with choices that impact the story. The futuristic setting, augmented abilities, and conspiracy-laden plot are reminiscent of Bioshock. Soma Created by Frictional Games, the developers behind Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Soma is a sci-fi horror game with a strong emphasis on narrative. It explores existential and philosophical themes in a deep-sea setting, creating an eerie atmosphere. Submit Rating Average rating 4.5 / 5. Vote count: 94 No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! Let us improve this post! Tell us how we can improve this post? Submit Feedback ❤️ 👽 😎 🎮 👻 Get the Latest News in GameDev industry 😎