This is the first time I've based a review on a demo and only the second time I've rated a game 5 stars, I hope this doesn't come back to bite me when I've completed the whole game. Some how I don't think that's likely.
You play the survivor of a crash at sea that finds his way to the underwater city of Rapture. Your help is enlisted by a resident trying to escape with his family who in return assists you by means of radio communication in staying alive and negotiating the labyrinth that is Rapture.
From the first cut sequence you are grabbed by a claustrophobic tension that doesn't let up.
The battles take place between you and a myriad of nightmarish residents, robot sentries etc all suitably sinister enough for some genuine frights.
The weapons system is easy to use and variable features of the game are too numerous to mention and as familiarity from playing the demo is limited it would be inappropriate to comment fully suffice to say that if this doesn't satisfy the most fickle of gamers I'll be very surprised.
This game looks great. The presentation is amazing and it gets away from the “down corridors” game play that FPS's are known for. The haunting '30s music sits perfectly with the art deco environment the game is set in.
As I've mentioned this review is based on the playable demo. Barring cataclysmic disasters you can expect an experience unlike any other game. This is one hell of a ride!
If your wondering, the only other game I've given 5 stars to was Resident Evil 4 which suffered a few minor flaws but was otherwise ground breaking. This so far looks like the bar has been yet again lifted and the game gets 5 stars 'cause there aren't 6.