Well I just finished playing the demo through (and a very generous demo it is as well), and I have to say this does seem to be a cut above the rest in a great many regards.
In terms of the graphics, it depends what you're expecting.
In all honesty it doesn't compete with the very best PC games of the last couple of years in terms of overall detail, but the overall look is gorgeous, along with fantastic environmental and lighting effects - played in a darkened room on big LCD telly, it's quite a thing of beauty. (And the framerate is absolutely rock-solid, however much is going on.)
Aurally, it's one of the finest games I've ever heard, the voice acting is superb, and often very spooky or downright creepy or bloody scary. The general quality of SFX is spot-on, with the music rounding off the ensemble in amazing form.
Gameplay wise, going off the demo, it's actually very linear, which suits me fine, (Max Payne 2 is one of my favourite ever games, and that's so linear you can almost see it attached to the rails), I hate games where you're wandering aimlessly around wondering what to do next, and much prefer to just get on with things and see the story unfold.
As for the action itself, there's clearly a very rich story going on, the Missus sat up from her MSN conversations to watch for a while, such was the compelling nature of what was unfolding onscreen (normally she's completely disinterested in my 360 shenanigans, as I'd imagine most ladies are
). There is one section in the demo that's pretty much a plain FPS shooter, but even from the demo, it's clear that there's going to be a lot more in the way of tactics and planning required to proceed through the game.
The most captivating aspect of the whole thing is the
atmosphere, it's been a long time since a game so genuinely creeped me out as much as the Bioshock demo has, and had me yelling "****ing
hell" at the screen when something particularly nasty happened.
When the demo finished, I'd become so utterly immersed in what was going on that I'd actually forgotten I was playing a demo of a game, and was expecting it just to continue. (Although in a way I was glad, 'cause the demo finishes off in what can only be described as a pretty dire situation for the hero......)
The only dilemma I have about this game is whether or not to get the 360 or PC version. Try as I might, FPS controls just don't come instinctively to me when using a pad, I prefer a keyboard and mouse SOOOOOO much that might be the deciding factor in going for the PC version, assuming my PC can run it nicely enough - 'cause the 360 version looks truly gorgeous and the framerate never skips a beat.
Overall? Recommended!