GameTimeline

Release & story order

BioShock timeline

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.

Updated June 2026

Start with:

Release order Story order

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 FAQ-only—not extra story rows.

  • 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—FAQ only, not a mainline row
  • System Shock is the spiritual predecessor—different universe, not on this timeline

Timeline

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

    Jack arrives in Rapture—Plasmids, Big Daddies, and Andrew Ryan.

    Overview
    Irrational's art-deco dystopia—environmental storytelling, moral choice at the Little Sisters, and immersive sim combat.
    In-game setting
    Story year 1960: the plane crash opens the franchise's underwater city.
    Should you play it?
    Essential starting point for release-order playthroughs—available remastered on modern platforms.
    Release date
    US launch August 21, 2007 (PC, Xbox 360). PS3 port October 2008; remastered in BioShock: The Collection (2016).
  2. BioShock 2

    BioShock 2

    PCXbox 360PS3FPSMainline

    Subject Delta returns to a decaying Rapture—Sophia Lamb and Eleanor.

    Overview
    2K Marin led development—dual-wield weapons plus Plasmids, stronger Big Sister threats, and multiplayer (later delisted on PC).
    In-game setting
    Story year 1968—eight years after BioShock's events.
    Should you play it?
    Play after BioShock on release order; after Infinite + Burial at Sea on strict story order.
    Release date
    US launch February 9, 2010. Remastered in BioShock: The Collection (2016).
  3. BioShock Infinite

    BioShock Infinite

    PCXbox 360PS3FPSMainline

    Booker DeWitt and Elizabeth in floating Columbia—1912.

    Overview
    Sky-lines, Elizabeth AI companion, and multiverse themes that reframe the entire series.
    In-game setting
    Story year 1912—earliest fiction in the saga despite shipping third.
    Should you play it?
    Release-order players reach it after both Rapture games—story-order players start here.
    Release date
    US launch March 26, 2013. Switch port 2020; still sold standalone or in Complete Edition with DLC.
  4. BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode One

    BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode One

    PCXbox 360PS3ExpansionMainline

    Elizabeth in pre-fall Rapture—New Year's Eve 1958.

    Overview
    Story DLC bridging Columbia to Rapture—noir detective setup in a living underwater city.
    In-game setting
    Story year late 1958—immediately precedes BioShock (1960) in fiction.
    Should you play it?
    Required for the full series arc—not a side story. Play right after Infinite on release order.
    Release date
    US Steam/console DLC launch November 12, 2013. Bundled in BioShock Infinite: The Complete Edition.
  5. BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode Two

    BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode Two

    PCXbox 360PS3ExpansionMainline

    Episode One cliffhanger—Rapture's fall connects to BioShock.

    Overview
    Stealth-heavy Episode Two—playable Elizabeth, new Plasmid Vigor, and direct setup for the 1960 game.
    In-game setting
    Story continues from Episode One into early 1959—closes the loop before Jack's arrival.
    Should you play it?
    Finale of the Ken Levine–era arc—play before BioShock on story order, after Infinite Ep1 on release order.
    Release date
    US launch March 25, 2014. Included in Infinite Complete Edition.

FAQ

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

Release order

Release order is when each BioShock game launched in the US (2007–2014)—Rapture first, Columbia last, Burial at Sea DLC after Infinite. Story order follows fiction: BioShock Infinite (1912) → Burial at Sea (1958–1959) → BioShock (1960) → BioShock 2 (1968). The series is famous because shipping order and chronology are almost reversed—both tabs are useful for different questions.

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

For the **full Ken Levine–era story**, yes—Burial at Sea Episodes One and Two connect Columbia to Rapture and set up BioShock (1960). Episode One ends on a cliffhanger; Episode Two finishes the bridge. They are numbered Release and Story rows here, not optional FAQ. Clash in the Clouds (Infinite combat DLC) is optional and not on the main timeline.

Remasters & editions

BioShock: The Collection (September 2016) remasters BioShock and BioShock 2 in one bundle—same stories, updated visuals and performance on modern consoles and PC. It is FAQ-only on this page, not extra Release rows. Infinite is sold separately or as Complete Edition with Burial at Sea. Original 2007/2010 builds on legacy platforms are fine for story but harder to buy today.

Optional & spin-offs

More timelines

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