You like grid based first person dungeon crawlers like Grimrock? Well this is that, but different.
Instead of having a party of 4, you are solo, and the combat is more weighty. Attacks aren't instant like they are in Grimrock, there's a slight delay to all attacks.
This game is definitely harder than Grimrock, at least combat wise. Vaporum, however, introduces the Bioware Tactical Pause Time™ system where you can toggle the flow of time, and can advance it by holding LShift, moving, or taking an action while it is enabled. It can help with tougher combat scenarios, and some trickier time sensitive puzzles.
Then you have your gadgets, which is essentially your magic. Gadgets you have to find throughout the levels, and have about 4 ranks each, becoming more powerful and costing more energy to cast with each rank.
You can specialize as a dual wielding maniac, a gunslinger, a mage, a tanky shield knight, or a little bit of everything. (I was a blunt weapon dual wielding battlemage maniac)
Like Grimrock, you have your various enemies to fight, traps to avoid, puzzles to solve, and secrets to find.
The game is a bit stingy with restorative items, so make sure to make good use of the lifesteal gadget when you find it, and probably get 3 points in the school that gives you up to 25% max hp regen at the 3rd rank.
Vaporum certainly has Bioshock on the mind in it's aesthetic and plot. The protagonist is an amnesiac in a Steampunk world, returns to the place where he once lived, crazy scientists discover some eldritch energy that drives everyone insane, and all that jazz.
You aren't a big daddy, but you are A dad, and are wearing somewhat massive armor, and the protagonist's daughter resembles a little sister, so close
enough. Plus, the shotgun and sledgehammer wielding thugs have a fair resemblance to a certain Bioshock staple. I shall nickname them.... "Massive Fathers"
I like Grimrock a good deal better, but Vaporum is cool too, if a bit frustrating at times....