GameTimeline

Release & story order

BioShock games in order

BioShock games in order with US release dates—Rapture, Columbia, Burial at Sea, and multiverse story paths. BioShock from the 2007 Rapture debut through BioShock Infinite and Burial at Sea (2013–2014)—US release dates, Columbia-to-Rapture story chronology, remaster bundles, and FAQ for Minerva's Den, Clash in the Clouds, and play-order debates. Release covers ship dates: When Irrational Games and 2K shipped each chapter—BioShock (2007) and BioShock 2 (2010) in Rapture, BioShock Infinite (2013) in Columbia, then Burial at Sea Episodes One and Two (2013–2014). Story follows fiction: Multiverse chronology: Columbia (1912) → Rapture on New Year's Eve 1958 (Burial at Sea) → Jack in Rapture (1960) → Subject Delta eight years later (1968). Use Start Here and Essentials for a 2026 default path; FAQ covers remasters, spin-offs, and skip costs.Sci-fi horror neighbor: Dead Space games in order.

Updated September 2026

Pick your path:

Classic play Rapture only Full release list Story order

Where to start

Pick Classic play for BioShock → BioShock 2 → Infinite (Burial at Sea in FAQ/collection), or Rapture only for the underwater duo before Columbia.

  • Story order puts Infinite first—essentials follows common release play path
  • Burial at Sea Episodes 1–2 are story-critical—included in Infinite Complete
  • BioShock: The Collection remasters Rapture—buy one version per game

Release order

When Irrational Games and 2K shipped each chapter—BioShock (2007) and BioShock 2 (2010) in Rapture, BioShock Infinite (2013) in Columbia, then Burial at Sea Episodes One and Two (2013–2014). BioShock: The Collection (2016) remasters are optional—not separate must-play titles.

  • Classic path (most fans) → BioShock → BioShock 2 → Infinite → Burial at Sea Episodes One and Two
  • Story-first path → Infinite → Burial at Sea → BioShock → BioShock 2—spoils Rapture mysteries early
  • Buy today → BioShock: The Collection (Rapture remasters) + Infinite Complete Edition (includes Burial at Sea)
  • Burial at Sea is story-critical—not optional if you want the full multiverse arc
Story order tips

Multiverse chronology: Columbia (1912) → Rapture on New Year's Eve 1958 (Burial at Sea) → Jack in Rapture (1960) → Subject Delta eight years later (1968). Release order and story order diverge—Infinite and its DLC are prequels to the original Rapture games.

  • Core fiction: Infinite (1912) → Burial at Sea Ep1 & Ep2 (1958–1959) → BioShock (1960) → BioShock 2 (1968)
  • BioShock 2 is a direct Rapture sequel—play after BioShock on either path
  • Minerva's Den (BioShock 2 DLC) runs parallel in Rapture—optional, not a mainline entry
  • System Shock is the spiritual predecessor—different universe, not on this timeline

Timeline

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When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. BioShock

    BioShock

    PCXbox 360FPSMainline

    BioShock drops you into 1960 Rapture—plasmids, Little Sisters, and a lighthouse twist that defined immersive sims. Release tab year here is 2007.

    Overview
    Objectivist underwater dystopia with moral harvest choices and systemic weapon/plasmid combat. BioShock drops you into 1960 Rapture—plasmids, Little Sisters, and a lighthouse twist that defined immersive sims.
    In-game setting
    BioShock drops you into 1960 Rapture—plasmids, Little Sisters, and a lighthouse twist that defined immersive sims. Release opener; Story order after Infinite + Burial at Sea. Remaster in Collection packs—FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Iconic start on Release. Story players finish Infinite path first. Cousins: Dishonored, Metro.
    Release date
    US August 21, 2007 (360/PC); PS3 later. Platforms called out for this beat: PC, Xbox 360.
  2. BioShock 2

    BioShock 2

    PCXbox 360PS3FPSMainline

    BioShock 2 returns to 1968 Rapture as Subject Delta—protector bonds and underwater territories. Release tab year here is 2010.

    Overview
    Dual-wield drill/plasmid combat and multiplayer (legacy). Minerva's Den DLC is highly praised—FAQ. Sequel debates still measure new games against what BioShock 2 established.
    In-game setting
    Story after BioShock. Play Minerva's Den for a superb coda. BioShock 2 returns to 1968 Rapture as Subject Delta—protector bonds and underwater territories.
    Should you play it?
    Direct Rapture sequel on both orders after the 1960 game. Follow Start Here if you want the shortest 2026 checklist that still includes this chapter.
    Release date
    US February 9, 2010. Platforms called out for this beat: PC, Xbox 360, PS3.
  3. BioShock Infinite

    BioShock Infinite

    PCXbox 360PS3FPSMainline

    BioShock Infinite flies 1912 Columbia with Booker and Elizabeth—skyhooks, tears, and parallel-universe spectacle. Release tab year here is 2013.

    Overview
    Linear set-piece immersive action with tear reality swaps and vigorous gunplay. Sequel debates still measure new games against what BioShock Infinite established.
    In-game setting
    BioShock Infinite flies 1912 Columbia with Booker and Elizabeth—skyhooks, tears, and parallel-universe spectacle. Story-order start before Burial at Sea bridges back to Rapture.
    Should you play it?
    Chronology first on Story tab. Release players often still start with 2007 BioShock. Follow Start Here if you want the shortest 2026 checklist that still includes this chapter.
    Release date
    US March 26, 2013. Platforms called out for this beat: PC, Xbox 360, PS3.
  4. BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode One

    BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode One

    PCXbox 360PS3ExpansionMainline

    Burial at Sea — Episode One drops Elizabeth into late-1950s Rapture noir before BioShock's events. Release tab year here is 2013.

    Overview
    Noir stealth-leaning DLC connecting Columbia's cast to Rapture streets. Sequel debates still measure new games against what BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode One established.
    In-game setting
    Story after Infinite, before Episode Two and 1960 BioShock. Burial at Sea — Episode One drops Elizabeth into late-1950s Rapture noir before BioShock's events.
    Should you play it?
    Required for full Infinite→Rapture bridge—do not stop at base Infinite. Treat BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode One as required story only when Start Here or FAQ marks the expansion as mandatory.
    Release date
    US November 12, 2013 (requires Infinite). Platforms called out for this beat: PC, Xbox 360, PS3.
  5. BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode Two

    BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode Two

    PCXbox 360PS3ExpansionMainline

    Burial at Sea — Episode Two finishes the bridge—1959 Rapture choices that feed directly into BioShock's opening mythos. Release tab year here is 2014.

    Overview
    Stealth-focused closing DLC with heavy lore payoffs for both cities. Sequel debates still measure new games against what BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode Two established.
    In-game setting
    Burial at Sea — Episode Two finishes the bridge—1959 Rapture choices that feed directly into BioShock's opening mythos. Last Infinite-era beat before 1960 BioShock on Story order.
    Should you play it?
    Mandatory for story completists; then play BioShock / BioShock 2. Treat BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode Two as required story only when Start Here or FAQ marks the expansion as mandatory.
    Release date
    US March 25, 2014. Platforms called out for this beat: PC, Xbox 360, PS3.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Rapture-first vs Infinite-first paths, Burial at Sea placement, remasters, and optional DLC.

Release order

US releases: BioShock (August 21, 2007) → BioShock 2 (February 9, 2010) → BioShock Infinite (March 26, 2013) → Burial at Sea Episode One (November 12, 2013) → Burial at Sea Episode Two (March 25, 2014). Buy today: BioShock: The Collection (2016) + Infinite Complete Edition. Story order differs—Infinite and Burial at Sea are prequels to Rapture.

Buy BioShock: The Collection (remastered BioShock and BioShock 2) and BioShock Infinite: The Complete Edition (base game plus Burial at Sea Episodes One and Two). For a first playthrough most fans still recommend release order—Rapture first so Infinite's multiverse twist lands harder. Story-order players start with Infinite but accept early spoilers for Rapture mysteries. Either way, do not skip Burial at Sea if you want the full arc.

Release order (BioShock → BioShock 2 → Infinite → Burial at Sea) is what most of the community recommends for newcomers—you experience Rapture blind, then Columbia reframes everything. Story order (Infinite → Burial at Sea → BioShock → BioShock 2) is for replays or lore-first players who accept spoiled Rapture reveals. BioShock 2 always comes last in fiction; on release order it sits before Infinite.

Story & lore

Remasters & editions

Optional & spin-offs

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.