Game Review: Bioshock Infinite (A future classic)

The video game which I am reviewing today is definitely one of my favorites that has been released within the past decade, Bioshock Infinite. Bioshock Infinite is an action adventure game with an FPS format, although just saying that it is an FPS feels like I'm lessening the game, because there is much, much more to it than just shooting some bad guys with a boring linear story like most FPS games have. Bioshock Infinite was released back in early 2013, just 6 years after the original Bioshock game was released. It was developed by Irrational games who also worked on the first Bioshock game, and was published by 2K games for the PC, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3. It was also included as part of the Bioshock Collection and ported to the PS4 and Xbox One in 2016.  

Infinite is the third entry into the Bioshock series, and also happens to be the first game Irrational developed since the original Bioshock game (Though it appears that they had a very small involvement in making Bioshock 2. 2K games still had a lot to do with the second game, however.) I remember that when this game was getting ready to be released, I was very curious on how well it would be received in comparison to the original Bioshock, since I consider it to be one of the greatest games made in the past 20 years. Don't get me wrong though, Bioshock 2 wasn't a terrible game by any means. It had it's moments throughout and was genuinely a mostly fun game with some interesting concepts and ideas. However, it left me feeling fairly disappointed by the time I finished it and I was left wishing there had been more depth to it. But, with Bioshock Infinite I was given pleasant surprise in regards to how wonderful of a game this turned out to be, thankfully. 

Bioshock Infinite has a fairly reversed setting compared to the original Bioshock, while also having many parallels at the same time. This game takes place in 1912, far above the murky depths of Rapture, instead taking place up above the clouds in a floating city called Columbia. You gain access to the floating town via lighthouse, very much in the same vein as how Jack got to rapture via lighthouse in the first game. The city has a fairly large population with people rushing about their business basically anywhere that the eye can see. Columbia also gives us a glimpse at what Rapture could have been had it not failed and rotted, in a way. As the structure of the city is set up somewhat similar to how Rapture was built.  

This skybound city was founded by a single man, another parallel to Rapture in regards to the fact it was founded by Andrew Ryan. That man is Zachary Comstock, who also happens to be the main antagonist of the game and ruler of the citizens. Our main character and protagonist who is taking to this skyward metropolis is private investigator Booker DeWitt. Booker is in the midst of searching for a young woman who has been taken captive inside of the city, with the only reason explained for why we are looking for her is the phrase "Find the girl, wipe away the debt" being repeated to ourselves. And, so, this begins the violence filled adventure for Booker and his redemption. 

The story for this game is one of the most original, captivating, and colorful stories I've seen in a video game thus far in my gaming "career". Throughout the game you can expect quite a few hair raising twists and turns during your first time playing, especially after you finally get Elizabeth along for the ride. It's my personal opinion that this game has one of the most complex narratives of any game in the past decade or two, and there are so many details strewn throughout the game that help build to the story and the world of the game itself that it's just fascinating. 

I truly wish that games would have a story just half as good as the one that Infinite sports, because most games fall flat on their face in comparison. You'll definitely find a solid replayablity factor with this game, at least in my opinion. There are plenty of audio logs that tell of the struggles and choices which certain key figures within Columbia have had to deal with and make, and making sure you find all of these is something I believe is a big part of the game, as you'd be missing out on a lot of lore otherwise. 

Basically right off the bat once you start playing the game you'll find yourself at odds with the residents of Columbia. Comstock is their overlord and their declared prophet. The citizens of Columbia have a very cult like mindset, and worship government officials like they're religious leaders and prophets. You'll see things that might get under your skin sometimes while you're playing, such as the racist mindset and teachings of certain groups throughout the game. This is a somewhat fitting thing though, as it works as a parallel to the insane ideology that is followed by this society to the bitter end.  

As you play, you'll proceed through the game either by walking through each area, or by using a handy dandy piece of equipment which you get in the game called a skyhook. This interesting little grappling hook like device allows you to swiftly move through train tracks which are elevated up in the air. This will allow you to quickly move and cover a lot of ground, and is also useful for the actual combat within the game as well. Though, tracks are not always available to help you out, so don't grow dependent on them. Having said that, though, I really liked this feature in the game, and thought it made combat and traversing maps more entertaining overall. 

Speaking of the combat of Infinite, let's talk about that next. As I'm sure many of you would agree with me, we couldn't have a Bioshock game without a wide variety of super powers for our character to wield at his disposal against all of the baddies. Not to mention a pretty decent variety of firearms for us to use as well! However, instead of using plasmids to power ourselves up, they're now called vigors in this latest entry into the series. The powers themselves are similar to what we've used before, and range from tossing fireballs out, to summoning a flock of bloodthirsty crows, to using telekinesis on enemies to throw them all around and much more. Another interesting change is that instead of using EVE to feed your power meter, you now just collect salt to keep it stocked up.  

The vigors are also useful in other ways during combat when you're up against a large group of baddies. They've in a way combined how tonics from the first game worked with your active abilities. What I mean by this is that you don't have to use your abilities in a completely active and offensive way in this game. You're also able to set up traps with your powers and lure enemies into them which makes thing a bit easier since you can get a few extra seconds to breath and plan out your next action. You're also able to active certain machinery and things with your vigor powers which makes them quite useful in a multitude of ways. So, in a way your abilities in this game are both passive and active, and work much like tonics combined with plasmids. 

And, as I briefly mentioned before, you of course still have the good old fashioned firearm arsenal to use in between the vigors or when your power is just totally drained. You get a very fair variety of these as well in the game, such as an RPG, revolver, sniper rifle, semi- auto pistol, two different types of shotguns, two different types of carbine rifles, and even a few different gatling guns to choose from. Much like the first game there's also a few different types of ammunition which you can find and use for your firearms. 

Combining these with the 4 different types of gear you can find during your gameplay and you'll find that at a basic level you can actually customize your character to your playstyle. You'll find pieces of gear throughout the maps randomly, and each piece has a passive effect varying from increasing vigor effects into melee attacks, to offering ways for the player to escape from combat. I won't say they went crazy with allowing you to customize your character, but even at the base level they've implemented it's something nice to have in the game. 

The enemies which you'll be facing off against and using all of these wonderful vigors and weapons on are all mostly quite interesting in their concept/design, as well as how they behave in general. You have your basic enemies that aren't too much of a challenge such as the government law enforcement, as well as a mechanical kind via automated defense turrets which become much easier later on in the game after you've encounter Elizabeth. These themselves aren't really anything special. 

However, there are also more creepy, bizarre enemies that you'll encounter such as the mechanic brutes with human heads (Something akin almost to the head jars from Futurama, except they're eerie looking and will be beating you do death), and automated mechanical ex-presidents with firearms such as George Washington. These and some other ones are the truly interesting enemies of the game. I don't wanna list them all and spoil too many of them, but I really appreciate the creativity that went into the enemies of this game. They were really out there in a lot of ways, and it made the gameplay so much more fun.  

And, since I mentioned Elizabeth, let's talk about her for a moment. Beyond being a huge part of the story of the game,  as well as just being an interesting character with depth to her, she really provides quite a good amount of help to the player throughout Infinite. It's nice to have her actually be utilized in the game, instead of just giving you a headache and being an annoying character which you must escort through the missions (Looking at you Resident Evil 4). While you battle the police, brutes, machines, etc. she will provide you with ammo or health packs to try and keep you in the fight for as long as possible. 

But, you definitely shouldn't rely on this constantly to stay alive, as you'll find yourself failing time and time again in that regard if you take things too lightly. Something which I really love about the way she's used in the game is that she doesn't need a knight in shining armor to protect her, as she will actually find solid points of defense to hide and wait out the carnage whilst also providing you help. I really wish that if games used this damsel in distress style plot, that they'd at least make said damsel a strong, independent character like this. Not only to keep us from pushing our palms into our face, but because she's a great and interesting character. 

Though the best reason, in my opinion, why it's wonderful to have Elizabeth around is her role later on in the game. Once you've traversed the campaign for a fairly long amount of hours, around 7 to 8 or so, you'll find she has another ability which is beyond freaking cool. That ability being able to tear open holes in reality and time which allow her to give you all kinds of useful stuff from firearms to robot allies and certain other objects. You'll find immensely useful as you play, especially for the most part being during combat. Though, you will still need to rely on your own abilities  and skills to clinch victory for Booker. They've definitely done this aspect of her character correctly, as none of her abilities ever make you feel overpowered as you play. They also aren't worthless or silly, and it strikes a good balance at being practical without crossing the line. 

Bioshock Infinite provides an absolutely mind bending and breathtaking experience. Not only in the amazing storytelling, but with it's wonderful characters, beautiful graphics, twists and turns, and awesome combat. I personally believe that it's very rare that one will be able to find a game as good as this. A video game which can actually affect you on an emotional level. There were plenty of times in here that I found myself feeling shocked, laughing, and even a time or two where I felt a bit sad for a character in the game. 

The gameplay has very entertaining action which will keep you occupied while you wait for the next heavy beat of the story. Whether you're fighting because of racism, inequality, or being attacked by George Washington, you'll be drawn to take up a banner for many different causes and factions as you play. I tried my best to refrain from going into the actual story too much, since I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't played yet. I realize the game is a few years old now, but it really is an amazing game and for anyone who gets to experience it for a first time still, I can only say I'm jealous.   

This definitely lives up to being just as good as the original game, and will satisfy fans of the series and newcomers. It breaks away from the horror element of the first game, however, and is definitely more of an action/adventure based one. I can surely say I would highly recommend you to go and pick this game up and give it a try if you haven't for some reason yet. There is literally no reason why I could tell you not to give it a shot. And, while it isn't necessary exactly, I do recommend playing through the original Bioshock game first, just because of the references to Rapture you find within the game. Even if you chose not to play the original, you'll still get a rewarding experience and time with this game. 

Oh, I should probably mention this as well. While I haven't played them yet, I'm told by many different people that the DLC Burial at Sea is an amazing expansion which adds another new experience to enjoy, this time taking place within Rapture using characters from Infinite. As soon as I can afford to pick it up, I'll give it a try myself and write a review on it for those who value my opinion on here. 

Thanks for checking out my review! Hope you've enjoyed it!