1. Rapture - Bioshock
Well this was kind of a no-brainer. A lot of gamers would list Bioshock as their game of the generation, an opinion largely influenced by the insane setting that is Rapture. The underwater city is amongst the most recognisable entities in all of gaming, right up there with Mario, Master Chief and the Dualshock. The setting in Bioshock is arguably the main character in the game, and the same goes for Bioshock 2. Throughout both games you learn all about how the city came to be, the people who lived there and why it became the dystopia you see before you. Its sheer immersion is unparalleled. The beginning of Bioshock is easily one of the most memorable moments in all of gaming, the moment you sink slowly into the water, floating through darkness, until Rapture is unveiled before you in all its befallen glory. A spectacle to behold. The story of rapture and its creator/visionary unravels as you progress throughout the game, making for one helluva memorable experience. In terms of atmosphere there are few games that can compare to Bioshock; you anxiously tread through Rapture, the lights flicker as you pass into a glass hallway connecting two areas, puddles smear the floor from a leak in the construction, a blood-stained gurney lays on its side, and you hear dull thuds from the footsteps of a Big Daddy lumbering around on the outside of the glass under the dull glow of Rapture. Pure magic. Bioshock is the perfect idea for a movie, story-wise and aesthetically it could be a truly great movie. Plans for a movie adaption were in place with Gore Verbinksi set to direct, however due to budgetary disagreements the Bioshock movie was cancelled, which was a real shame as the idea of a movie version of Rapture is so very appealing. The spectacle alone would make it a great movie. We got our first view of Rapture in 2006, 7 years and hundreds of games later were still talking about it all the time. Rapture is a piece of art, much like a classic movie it will be remembered forever in the canals of gaming. Which settings/maps do you think are the best or most memorable? Would you kindly let us know in the comments below?