Game: "BioShock."

Console: Xbox 360, Windows

Developer/publisher: Irrational Games.

Genre: First-person adventure.

Number of players: One.

Rated: M, for blood and gore, drug references, intense violence, sexual themes, strong language.

The premise: It is the '60s and industrialist Andrew Ryan has built an underwater utopia at the bottom of the sea. His intent was to create a place where artists and businessmen could pursue their goals without interference from outside influences. Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned. From rampant crime to citizens rewriting their genetic codes (turning them into Splicers), the Rapture citizens begin to wreck the place.

Splicers are the enemies you will run into the most; they pester you at every turn. But they're pushovers compared with Big Daddies.

Game play: It's like a survival game in the first-person. You never seem to have enough ammo, so the game gives you melee weapons. All the Splicers are jacked up, talk in gibberish and move very fast. Because this game takes place in the '60s, you are using the era's weapons, so don't expect any laser guns. You are able to use weapons with your right hand and powers (lighting, flame and telekinesis) with your left.

The good/bad: Right from the get-go this is a game with a very good learning curve. Nothing is worse than a game that gets too hard too soon.

Thanks to a monetary system, the ammo shortage doesn't feel so bad sometimes. Add that to hacking the vending machines and you can stretch those hard-earned monetary units further.

What this game is missing is a good multiplayer mode; it's odd that an Xbox 360 game doesn't have one.

There are slots where you put the different abilities. Certain slots are closed off, so after a certain time you have to decide which abilities to choose from and which to pitch. Why not just have more slots open and pick and choose on the fly instead of getting rid of abilities?

Tips: Make sure you save often, and especially before taking on a Big Daddy. For help in fights and for cheaper ammo with a better selection, hack into every defense droid and vending machine. The choice of what to do with a Little Sister will decide which ending you will receive.

My take: This game is another fine example of a smart, first-person shooter. The enemies are smart — they duck, they move out of the way and they work in teams. The graphics blew me away, and it's easy to believe you are caught in this nightmare situation. The extra powers add to what would have been an excellent shooter. The hacking of various machines was an interesting mini-game that added to the overall game.

Except for "Halo" and "Condemned," I am not really into next-generation, first-person shooters. This game, however, had elements that kept me coming back for more. It's a fine addition to your library.

Jeffrey Davis, of Honolulu, is a video-game enthusiast.