[Bond]

BioShock just got a wonderful 9.7 from IGN:

Closing Comments

There is art here, despite what many would say isn't possible with games, from Roger Ebert to game designers like Hideo Kojima. But it's in BioShock--it's in the gorgeously realized, watery halls of Rapture. It's in a Little Sister's expression of thanks when you choose to save her, or the utter silence if you harvest instead. It's in the way the characters develop, in the testimonials of the recording boxes you pick up along the way. It's in the way the narrative is structured, and the way it blends so seamlessly with the action. Irrational had a clear vision with this game, something pulled off with remarkable precision in every department. They didn't just deliver something that's fun to play, a criterion so often cited as the benchmark of what makes a game worthwhile. BioShock stands as a monolithic example of the convergence of entertaining gameplay and an irresistibly sinister, engrossing storyline that encompasses ahost of multifaceted characters. This is an essential gaming experience.

10 Presentation
An intriguing, well-written story delivered with at a precise sense of pace. It doesn't get any better than this.

9.5 Graphics
It may not be as technically impressive as Gears of War, but the art style, animations, and special effects create an unparalleled sense of mood and believability.

10 Sound
Top-notch voice acting, spectacular ambient effects, and overall some of the best sound design ever built into a game.

9.5 Gameplay
Superb control, intelligent enemies, and a wildly entertaining mix of weapons and plasmids.

9.0 Lasting Appeal
A lengthy adventure, 20 hours or so if you don't rush it, yet there's enough variation in the gameplay to bring you back for another round.

9.7 (Incredible) OVERALL