BioShock Preview

GameSpot has cranked out an in-depth preview of BioShock, based on some firsthand time they were able to spend with Irrational Games’ FPS/RPG hybrid.

Meanwhile, you’ll also find various kiosks scattered across the environments that you can use to save your progress (the game autosaves when you get close to a respawn chamber), as well as to purchase ammunition, plasmid powers, and spare parts to upgrade your weapons. You’ll find small stores of money on fallen foes or in nooks and crannies you discover along the way. But from what we can tell, it’s not likely that you’ll be carrying around huge piles of money throughout most of the game. Ammunition and “Eve,” which is the genetic fuel that powers your Adam-based powers in an onscreen meter, are hard to come by, as are medical kits that partially restore your health. Those who played System Shock 2 may remember that it paid to be a packrat in that game; the same will be true in BioShock because you’ll often find packets of chips and candy bars hidden in corners that very slightly increase your health meter. Or you may find a small wad of cash in the upturned cash register you only noticed because you were ducking below the countertop of a ruined saloon to avoid incoming fire from a turret. You will be able to find medical kiosks that can heal you as well. But beware–splicers will also make a beeline for these kiosks when they’re injured. Then again, if you’re aggressive enough, you can actually hack these kiosks using your mechanical skills to dispense poison instead, though you won’t be able to heal yourself at that particular kiosk again.