2K Games' BioShock series did a fantastic job of exemplifying what differentiates the gaming industry from other forms of media. It immerses players into the unique and memorable settings of each of the three games, letting them experience the story first-hand. The series is today recognized as one of gaming's all-time best trilogies, with the first and third games being highly regarded in particular.
Because of this, many people in the coming years might want to see what all the fuss is about and try the games for themselves. To help newcomers out, here's a list of all of the franchise's releases and DLCs, along with their Main Story completion times according to howlongtobeat.com.
Updated on July 20th, 2022, by Jack Pursey: Now that the dust has settled and the BioShock game series has been finished for, believe it or not, nearly a decade now, it's not too controversial to say that it's one of the best FPS trilogies of all time. Those who have never played it are in for a treat as there are three games and six DLCs that all offer excellent gameplay in memorable settings.
For those wanting to play the series and know how long is Bioshock, its sequels, and DLCs, we've updated this list to include some more key information.
9 BioShock - 12 Hours
Release Date: August 21, 2007
Available Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, iOS, Nintendo Switch
Completionist Time: 22 Hours
Best Feature: The underwater city of Rapture and the iconic first descent into it.
The one that started it all, the original BioShock, is currently the 26th highest-rated game on Metacritic with an eye-watering score of 96, putting it alongside classics like Half-Life 2 and Resident Evil 4.
BioShock wastes little time in getting started, as players quickly find themselves on the wrong end of a plane crash. After swimming to a nearby lighthouse, they will then be taken to the incredible, immersive setting that is the city of Rapture. However, they soon realize that the city is by no means a paradise after they witness a brutal attack. Players will then delve into the incredible stories that the underwater city has to tell, through the 12-hour adventure.
8 BioShock: Challenge Rooms - 1.5 Hours
Release Date: November 20, 2008
Available Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Completionist Time: 2.5 Hours
Best Feature: It's great for people who loved the first game's combat and puzzle-solving and want to just hone in on that for a couple of hours.
The original BioShock received one playable DLC, BioShock: Challenge Rooms. As the name suggests, Challenge Rooms offers players a selection of new areas that will predominantly test their combat and puzzle-solving skills. The areas are set in BioShock's Rapture, though they don't offer a continuation of the game's story.
The Challenge Rooms DLC will only take players around 1-2 hours to complete. They provide a nice distraction from the main game that diehard fans will likely enjoy.
7 BioShock 2 - 11 Hours
Release Date: February 9, 2010
Available Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Completionist Time: 23 Hours
Best Feature: Being able to play as a Big Daddy; something that fans were pleading for after the first game.
Considering the enormous commercial and critic success that BioShock achieved, it's no surprise that a sequel released just a few years later. The game offered what many fans had asked and hoped for, the chance to play as a Big Daddy.
Although this idea was warmly received by fans, the final product received some negative feedback. Many players felt that it was a drop in quality from the first game. However, it's fair to say BioShock 2 is a victim of its predecessor's success in some ways. The game would likely have been better received if it wasn't for the high standard that the original set. Still, it's a compelling experience that players can work their way through in 11 hours.
6 BioShock 2: Protector Trials - 1 Hour
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Available Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Completionist Time: 3.5 Hours
Best Feature: Like Challenge Rooms, 2010's Protector Trials is great for those who enjoyed the game's combat and want an action-pact mode centered on it.
Much like the aforementioned BioShock: Challenge Rooms, 2K Games' BioShock 2: Protector Trials essentially does what it says on the tin. The DLC puts players in the shoes of a different Big Daddy and tasks them with protecting Little Sisters as they drain ADAM from corpses.
The DLC features six maps, all based on pre-existing areas in the single-player campaign.
5 BioShock 2: Minerva's Den - 4 Hours
Release Date: August 31, 2010
Available Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Completionist Time: 5 Hours
Best Feature: It offers a deeper look into the inner workings of Rapture, making it an essential purchase for fans of the game's lore.
BioShock 2: Minerva's Den is considerably longer than the previous two DLCs. It's also the longest DLC on this list, according to its Main Story time on howlongtobeat.com.
As the increased length suggests, Minerva's Den offers a more narrative-driven experience than the previously listed DLCs. Players will once again take control of a different Big Daddy as they explore a technology-rich area of Rapture known as Minerva's Den. Players will also spend their time learning about a supercomputer known as The Thinker, which controls many of the underwater city's devices.
4 BioShock Infinite - 11.5 Hours
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Available Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Completionist Time: 27 Hours
Best Feature: The beautiful floating city of Columbia, which, impressively, is almost as memorable as Rapture.
BioShock Infinite is undoubtedly the most divisive entry in the BioShock series, if not one of the most divisive releases of the 2010s. Some believe it's one of the greatest first-person shooters of all time, while others found it underwhelmingly average.
Most critics fell on the positive side of the argument. The game boasts a whopping 94 Metascore and numerous award wins, including the Best Shooter accolade at Spike VGX 2013. Much like the previous two games, BioShock Infinite will take most players a little over 10 hours to complete.
3 BioShock Infinite: Clash in the Clouds - 3 Hours
Release Date: July 30, 2013
Available Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Completionist Time: 9 Hours
Best Feature: Horde modes were incredibly popular in the early 2010s, and Clash in the Clouds was one of 2013's best.
The memorable ending to BioShock Infinite's story left fans hungry for more from the Bioshock universe. However, players would have to wait a bit longer to delve further into the world. The first DLC focused on the combat side, with a Horde-like mode that required players to take down waves of enemies.
The tricky DLC will appeal to players who enjoyed the game's combat mechanics. It lets them take on a plethora of enemies in each level with arcade-style rewards for things like headshots and multi-kills.
2 BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea - Episode 1 - 2 Hours
Release Date: November 12, 2013
Available Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Completionist Time: 3.5 Hours
Best Feature: It implemented new weapons, Gears, and gameplay mechanics, which is impressive for a 2 hour DLC.
BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea - Episode 1 is the first of two story-driven DLC's for BioShock Infinite. The DLC takes players to a time before Rapture's fall and once again puts them in control of Booker DeWitt, the protagonist of BioShock Infinite.
Along with the new story, Burial at Sea - Episode 1 implements numerous new gameplay mechanics, including new weapons and Gears. The DLC's 2-hour length is fairly underwhelming for the initial $14.99 price tag. However, it's worth the fee for those who want to indulge once more in the franchise's unique world.
1 BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea - Episode 2 - 3.5 Hours
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Available Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Completionist Time: 6.5 Hours
Best Feature: The gameplay is centered around stealth, which offers a nice change of pace in the franchise.
BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea - Episode 2 follows on from the story of the previous episode. It lets players take control of Elizabeth as the city of Rapture begins to crumble. The game leans into the series' survival horror elements and predominantly features stealth gameplay, differentiating the episode from the rest of the BioShock series.
Burial at Sea - Episode 2 increases the runtime from the previous episode by almost double. It's the second-longest BioShock DLC, behind the story-driven Minerva's Den.