BioShock

Is a man not entitled to play console games on his iPad?

BioShock is a modern classic on Mac (and most other platforms) and though it was first released in 2006, its coming to iOS devices heralds a big step forward for higher-end 3D games from the console world on iPhones and iPads.

Taking place in the impossible underwater city of Rapture, BioShock is one of the most atmospheric games ever, mixing first-person shooter action, slow-burning tension, horror and philosophy deftly as it goes. It’s a masterful piece of design, and an utterly engrossing spectacle, from the mysterious and terrifying opening through to some magnificent twists. You navigate what remains of the city, an attempt at creating a utopia that now lies collapsed and derelict, trying to survive its remaining inhabitants. Most famous and dangerous is the hulking silhouette of every Big Daddy – devastating guardians to the small girls who carry the genetic material you need to gain in order to get the strength to survive Rapture.

However, it does lose something on iPad. Though the game is here in full, we couldn't help but notice how low-res it is. Combined with the smaller screen, it does lose a bit of that wonderful atmosphere. The touch controls don’t help here, either – they’re passable, but are often in the way, or too far away from each other. If you don’t have an iOS games controller and have played it before, you can give it a miss here, really. If you do, this is still BioShock. Still stunningly crafted, still deep and shocking, still excellent. But perhaps not quite at its best. Matt Bolton

BioShock remains brilliant in its design and atmosphere, but it suffers in this port, especially without a games controller.