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 August 2026

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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 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

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.
    In-game setting
    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. Pair BioShock with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    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.
    Should you play it?
    Direct Rapture sequel on both orders after the 1960 game. Pair BioShock 2 with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    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
    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. Pair BioShock Infinite with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    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.
    Should you play it?
    Required for full Infinite→Rapture bridge—do not stop at base Infinite. Pair BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode One with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    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
    Last Infinite-era beat before 1960 BioShock on Story order.
    Should you play it?
    Mandatory for story completists; then play BioShock / BioShock 2. Pair BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode Two with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    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

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-order titles 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 optional on this page, not separate must-play titles. 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.