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For a first playthrough, play BioShock, then BioShock 2, Minerva’s Den (optional), BioShock Infinite, Burial at Sea – Episode One, and finally Burial at Sea – Episode Two. That order preserves the series’ publication-era reveals and keeps Infinite’s two-part story together. If you only want broad in-universe chronology, begin with Infinite, follow it with both Burial at Sea episodes, then play BioShock, BioShock 2, and Minerva’s Den. The chronology route is approximate rather than a perfectly dated timeline, so release order is the safer choice for newcomers.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Release-order playthrough | First-time players who want the intended reveal sequence | BioShock → BioShock 2 → Minerva’s Den → Infinite → Burial at Sea 1 → Burial at Sea 2 | Steam; PS4, Xbox One and Switch through The Collection | Oct 2026 |
| Broad story chronology | Players prioritising setting dates over publication order | Infinite → Burial at Sea 1 → Burial at Sea 2 → BioShock → BioShock 2 → Minerva’s Den | Steam; PS4, Xbox One and Switch through The Collection | Oct 2026 |
| Collection route | Anyone buying one package with the story expansions | Three remastered main games plus Minerva’s Den and both Burial at Sea episodes | PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC editions vary by release | Oct 2026 |
There are three main games, not four. BioShock: The Collection is a package containing the three remastered campaigns and their substantial single-player additions; it is not another game to place after Infinite. The order question becomes simpler once you separate main campaigns, narrative expansions and optional challenge modes.
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What is the recommended BioShock order for a first playthrough?
Use publication order, with the substantial story expansions placed after the game that introduced them:
- BioShock (2007)
- BioShock 2 (2010)
- BioShock 2: Minerva’s Den (optional story campaign)
- BioShock Infinite (2013)
- Burial at Sea – Episode One (2013)
- Burial at Sea – Episode Two (2014)
This is a practical play order, not a claim that the fictional events happen in those years. It lets you encounter each main game as audiences originally did, then adds the story DLC after its parent game. Keep the two Burial at Sea episodes together: Episode Two begins immediately after Episode One.
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If you are buying and playing everything in one sitting, finish the main BioShock 2 campaign before launching Minerva’s Den. Then move to Infinite and play both Burial at Sea episodes as a single two-part follow-up. This avoids the common mistake of treating a pre-fall Rapture setting as a reason to move the expansion ahead of every other title.
Why start with BioShock?
BioShock is the first published main game, released on Steam on August 21, 2007. Starting there establishes Rapture, its design ideas and the series vocabulary before later games reinterpret them. It also gives BioShock 2 the direct-sequel context it was published to follow.
Release order is especially useful when you know nothing about the series. Later entries were written with awareness of what players had already seen, while the broad chronology crosses between settings and eras. Playing the first Rapture game first therefore keeps the progression of ideas and reveals intact without requiring you to solve a timeline puzzle before you begin.
Why put Minerva’s Den after BioShock 2?
Minerva’s Den is a self-contained BioShock 2 story expansion. It is substantial enough to include in a story-focused itinerary, but it is not a fourth main game. The available release records do not establish a dependable original launch day, so there is no reliable date to add to the sequence.
You do not need to interrupt the main campaign to fit it between particular missions. Treat it as an optional companion campaign from the BioShock 2 era and begin it after completing that game. Its self-contained structure makes it easy to omit on a first run and return to later without losing the main trilogy’s through-line.
Why save Burial at Sea for after Infinite?
Burial at Sea is an Infinite story add-on that visits Rapture before its fall. Playing it after Infinite preserves the way the expansion was positioned and avoids asking a first-time player to interpret its connections without the main game’s context. This is editorial sequencing rather than a publisher-mandated rule.
2K announced the expansion on October 25, 2013. Creative director Ken Levine described it as “This is a love letter to the fans,” a concise explanation of why it works best as a return to ideas established across the series rather than as an opening chapter. Episode One arrived on November 12, 2013, and Episode Two followed on March 25, 2014. Start Episode Two as soon as Episode One ends if you want the episodes to read as one continuous story.
What is the broad chronological order of the BioShock story?
For a setting-based route, use:
- BioShock Infinite — its principal Columbia storyline is set in 1912.
- Burial at Sea – Episode One — Rapture before its collapse.
- Burial at Sea – Episode Two — starts directly after Episode One.
- BioShock — the first Rapture game.
- BioShock 2 — follows the events of the first game.
- Minerva’s Den — a self-contained story in the BioShock 2 era.
This is broad chronology, not a fully date-stamped master timeline. Official material establishes 1912 for Infinite and describes Burial at Sea as taking place before Rapture’s fall, but it does not establish one exact in-world year for every campaign. Also, 2K has described BioShock 2 as both eight years and approximately ten years after BioShock in different materials. The uncontested fact is that it follows the first game.
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That uncertainty matters when a list presents exact years as if they were settled. A chronology-first route is useful for comparing Columbia and Rapture as settings, but it is not a perfectly linear calendar. The stories’ cross-game relationships are one reason release order remains the clearer recommendation for someone discovering the series.
What is the BioShock release order?
| Entry | Original release information | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| BioShock | August 21, 2007 on Steam’s franchise listing | First main game and the natural starting point |
| BioShock 2 | February 9, 2010 in Take-Two’s historical release schedule | Main-game sequel; play after BioShock |
| BioShock 2: Minerva’s Den | Story expansion; a reliable original launch day is not established here | Optional campaign after BioShock 2 |
| BioShock Infinite | March 25, 2013 on Steam’s franchise listing | Third published main game, set mainly in Columbia |
| Burial at Sea – Episode One | November 12, 2013 | Infinite expansion; play after Infinite |
| Burial at Sea – Episode Two | March 25, 2014 on Steam’s franchise listing | Play immediately after Episode One |
Dates can differ between storefronts and regions. The Steam dates above are specifically Steam listings, while the Burial at Sea Episode One date is the expansion’s stated release date. Take-Two’s February 9, 2010 entry is the historical schedule date for BioShock 2. Use those labels rather than presenting every date as a universal worldwide launch moment.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteA strictly item-by-item DLC publication list could insert combat add-ons between these story releases. That is technically a different question from “How do I play the story?” Challenge packs are gameplay extras, not chapters that need to be placed between the campaigns.
Should I play Infinite before BioShock?
For most first-time players, no: play BioShock first. Infinite is earlier in broad setting chronology, but its relationship with the wider universe is easier to appreciate after you know the first Rapture game. Playing Infinite first is reasonable if you care more about Columbia’s 1912 setting than publication-order reveals, but it changes the way later connections land.
If you have already played the original and want to revisit the fiction chronologically, beginning with Infinite is a defensible experiment. If you are introducing the series to someone else, use BioShock → BioShock 2 → Infinite instead. The recommendation is about preserving context, not about declaring one route the only legitimate way to play.
When should I play Burial at Sea?
Play Burial at Sea – Episode One after finishing BioShock Infinite, then play Episode Two without inserting another campaign between them. The two episodes form one connected expansion, and Episode Two starts immediately after Episode One.
Although the expansion is set in pre-fall Rapture, its status as Infinite DLC makes it a poor opening chapter for a first run. Treat the pre-fall setting as a chronological fact, not as an instruction to move it ahead of every other game. It is also better not to separate the episodes with BioShock or BioShock 2; their direct continuation is the useful ordering fact.
Do I need to play Minerva’s Den?
No. You can understand the main trilogy without it. Include it if you want another focused Rapture story from the BioShock 2 era; skip it if you want only the three main campaigns and the Infinite expansion.
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Because it is self-contained, place it after BioShock 2. Do not assign it a precise position between individual scenes of that game: the available source material supports its era and independence, not an exact scene-by-scene timestamp. If your goal is a compact first run, leave it for later. If your goal is every narrative campaign, play it before moving on to Infinite.
Which BioShock DLC belongs in a story-order list?
Only the narrative campaigns need to be in a story itinerary:
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- Burial at Sea – Episodes One and Two: a two-part Infinite story expansion.
Several other add-ons are challenges rather than chapters:
- BioShock Challenge Rooms: puzzle-focused bonus content.
- BioShock 2 Protector Trials: combat challenges.
- Infinite Clash in the Clouds: combat gauntlets rather than story missions. 2K described it in 2013 as 60 Blue Ribbon challenges across four environments; those are challenge objectives, not 60 additional campaign missions.
You may play these extras whenever you want, or omit them from a streamlined story run. A strictly complete publication list could place challenge packs between releases, but that would confuse optional gameplay trials with narrative chapters. There is no need to stop the main sequence to “clear” a challenge pack before continuing to the next story campaign.
Does BioShock: The Collection include all the story content?
BioShock: The Collection bundles BioShock Remastered, BioShock 2 Remastered and BioShock Infinite: The Complete Edition. Its single-player additions include Minerva’s Den and both Burial at Sea episodes, so it is the simplest all-in-one purchase for the recommended itinerary. The collection is a rerelease bundle, not a fourth main game to insert into the order.
The bundle is useful when you want one purchase that covers the three constituent main games and their story expansions. Check the product page for the exact edition, because a separately sold historical copy of BioShock 2 may not include the same add-ons. Do not infer DLC inclusion solely from the game’s title; look for the listed single-player content.
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2K announced two-disc PlayStation 4 and Xbox One editions in 2016, with a North American launch on September 13, 2016 and other regional dates listed separately. Check the specific edition and region when buying, because storefront contents and platform packaging can differ.
What should I know about the physical Switch edition?
The Switch physical release uses a 16GB cartridge containing the opening acts of the games, according to 2K’s Switch announcement. Later game content and add-ons must be downloaded. A cartridge therefore does not mean that the entire collection is present for complete offline play.
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Plan storage and internet access before choosing that edition. The historical announcement establishes the cartridge capacity and download requirement, but it does not establish current stock, a current price or complete offline operation. Verify the platform, region and included content on the actual listing you intend to buy.
For a physical-product search, use the description “BioShock: The Collection PS4 physical” and verify the seller’s platform, region and included content. Xbox One is another documented physical-edition route. A physical PS4 or Xbox One copy is not automatically interchangeable with a Switch copy, and a collection listing should not be assumed to contain every challenge add-on unless its contents say so.
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Which order should you choose?
| If you want… | Choose this order | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| The clearest first experience | BioShock → BioShock 2 → Minerva’s Den → Infinite → Burial at Sea 1 → Burial at Sea 2 | Not chronological by setting |
| Setting chronology | Infinite → Burial at Sea 1 → Burial at Sea 2 → BioShock → BioShock 2 → Minerva’s Den | Later-published connections arrive before the original game’s context |
| Only the essential main games | BioShock → BioShock 2 → Infinite | Omits Minerva’s Den and Burial at Sea |
| All narrative content | Release-order route with Minerva’s Den and both Burial at Sea episodes | Longer than the main-trilogy route |
| Challenge content as well | Story route first, then Challenge Rooms, Protector Trials and Clash in the Clouds whenever desired | These extras add puzzles or combat, not required story chapters |
There is no cost-based answer established by the release information alone: prices and stock change by platform, region and seller. The durable buying distinction is whether you want a bundle with the story DLC and whether a physical edition requires downloads. For a first playthrough, prioritize the route that keeps the reveals coherent rather than choosing a package based on a historical launch date.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common mistakes to avoid
- Putting Infinite first solely because it is set in 1912. That is the broad setting date, not a universal instruction for newcomers.
- Separating Burial at Sea’s episodes. Episode Two begins directly after Episode One, so play them together.
- Calling Minerva’s Den a fourth main game. It is a self-contained BioShock 2 expansion.
- Counting challenge objectives as story missions. Clash in the Clouds’ 60 Blue Ribbon challenges are combat objectives across four environments, not 60 campaign chapters.
- Assuming every physical cartridge contains every file. The Switch 16GB edition requires downloads for later content and add-ons.
- Assigning an exact year to every campaign. Officially established dates support 1912 for Infinite, but not one complete, settled calendar for all six entries.
- Assuming every edition includes the same DLC. Collection packaging and separate releases can differ; inspect the single-player add-on list.
How we picked the recommended sequence
The recommendation gives priority to first-time reveal order, the parent-game relationship of each expansion and the distinction between story campaigns and optional challenge packs. It also keeps the two Burial at Sea episodes together, avoids pretending that every in-world date is settled, and treats The Collection as a bundle rather than an additional chapter.
That produces two useful answers instead of one misleading “definitive” timeline. The release route is best for publication context and first-time discovery. The broad chronology route is available for returning players who want to foreground Columbia in 1912, pre-fall Rapture and the later Rapture campaigns. Neither route requires challenge packs to be inserted between the story games.
Quick checklist before you start
- Start with BioShock if this is your first playthrough.
- Play BioShock 2 next.
- Add Minerva’s Den only if you want its extra story.
- Finish Infinite before beginning Burial at Sea.
- Play Episode One and Episode Two consecutively.
- Ignore Challenge Rooms, Protector Trials and Clash in the Clouds when making a story-only itinerary.
- If buying a Switch cartridge, reserve storage for downloads.
- Check whether your edition explicitly lists Minerva’s Den and both Burial at Sea episodes.
- Label Steam and regional dates correctly instead of treating them as one universal release day.
- Do not force Minerva’s Den into a precise scene-by-scene slot within BioShock 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skip BioShock 2 and go straight to Infinite?
You can, because each main game has its own protagonist and setting, but doing so removes the direct sequel context supplied by BioShock 2. For the fullest progression through Rapture before moving to Columbia, keep BioShock 2 in the sequence.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsAre the remastered games different story versions?
The Collection packages remastered editions of the first two games and the complete edition of Infinite. Remaster branding changes the presentation and packaging, not the recommended narrative order.
Do the BioShock games share one continuous protagonist?
No. The series changes protagonists and settings between campaigns. Their thematic and fictional links are why release order is usually easier for newcomers than trying to force every event into one exact calendar.
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Is Minerva’s Den included with every copy of BioShock 2?
Its inclusion depends on the edition you own. The Collection includes it, while separate historical releases can differ, so check the product’s listed single-player add-ons before assuming it is present.
Should I play Minerva’s Den before or after BioShock Infinite?
For the recommended route, play it after BioShock 2 and before Infinite. It belongs to the BioShock 2 era and is self-contained, so you can also postpone it until after the trilogy if you prefer a shorter first run.
Is Burial at Sea part of BioShock Infinite or a separate game?
It is Infinite’s two-part story add-on. Play Episode One after Infinite and Episode Two immediately afterward; do not treat either episode as a fourth main game.
Does the chronological order start with Infinite?
Broadly, yes: Infinite’s principal Columbia story is set in 1912, followed by pre-fall Rapture in Burial at Sea, then BioShock, BioShock 2 and the Minerva’s Den era. That is an approximate setting order, not a fully dated timeline.
Do I need to download anything if I buy the physical Switch collection?
Yes. 2K’s Switch announcement says the 16GB cartridge contains the games’ opening acts, while later content and add-ons must be downloaded. Check storage and internet requirements for the specific edition.
Are Challenge Rooms, Protector Trials and Clash in the Clouds required?
No. They are optional puzzle or combat-focused extras. Clash in the Clouds’ 60 Blue Ribbon challenges across four environments are challenge objectives, not additional story missions.
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When was BioShock: The Collection released on PS4 and Xbox One?
2K announced the two-disc editions in 2016, with a North American launch on September 13, 2016. Regional dates and edition contents can differ, so verify the listing for your market.
The Bottom Line
For a first playthrough, use BioShock → BioShock 2 → Minerva’s Den (optional) → BioShock Infinite → Burial at Sea Episode One → Episode Two. Use Infinite → Burial at Sea 1 → Burial at Sea 2 → BioShock → BioShock 2 → Minerva’s Den only when broad setting chronology matters more than first-time reveal order. The Collection includes the three main games and the major story DLC; the physical Switch edition still requires downloads.
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