In 2007 “BioShock” revived the first-person shooter (FPS) genre from a stale, repetitive state by offering interactive gameplay mechanics along with an engrossing, unconventional storyline. “BioShock Infinite” continues to uphold the eccentricity, delirium and blood-crazed hysteria which made the original such a unique staple within the gaming industry.“BioShock Infinite” deals with the overlying themes of racism, blind devotion to religious faith and nationalism of the early 20th century within the western world. Developed by Irrational Games, “BioShock Infinite” provides a grand experience taking a new direction of storytelling with video games as a medium.
Indebted to powerful men, protagonist Booker DeWitt, a battle-hardened man haunted by guilt and regret, must rescue a young woman named Elizabeth from captivity as payment for his deficit. At first it seems like a straightforward mission, but the situation quickly becomes complicated as super-powered maniacs, bloodthirsty revolutionaries rising against authority and overzealous religious fanatics want nothing less than to brutally kill DeWitt and jeopardize his mission. Told only to “bring us the girl, wipe away the debt,” DeWitt does not have the faintest idea of what he’s getting himself into.
DeWitt later finds out that Elizabeth possesses mysterious powers giving her the potential as a powerful ally, capable of doing incredible works of good or becoming the harbinger of death, bringing imminent destruction upon humanity.
Upon arriving in the floating city of Colombia for the first time, the beauty and brightness of the colors appeared mesmerizing. Colombia looks like a painting, a world ready for the player to make their own stroke to the canvas. The elegance of the detail and artwork gives the game a surreal, dreamy atmosphere. The city looks like a paradise, resembling heaven where men and women live in harmony within a vibrant city surrounded by clouds. But the image of a seemingly peaceful utopian society quickly shifts into a dystopia riddled with war, prejudice and death.
The non-playable characters (NPCs) in the game move with fluidity and smoothness, resembling a somewhat realistic depiction of physics. Elizabeth adds a strong emotional connection to the story. Irrational Games has truly created a well rounded character with a definite personality. Not only does she have strong, complex character development, her movements and mannerisms seem unpredictable and realistic in contrast to other games, which often feel robotic and scripted.
Not only do the game developers create a well written story for the player to experience, they also add little scenes of polishment to add to the overall experience. For instance the player may discover a lovely rendition of the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows,” a song embodying the overall themes of the story. Making references to pop culture and historical events, it adds trivial yet fun content to further embellish the overall game. The player finds audio recordings throughout Colombia, giving the player a brief history of the city if they choose to listen them.
While utilizing basic FPS mechanics such as shooting and hiding behind cover, the use of special powers known as vigors adds dynamics to the gameplay. Throughout the game DeWitt finds vigors, giving him new abilities in combat. One of the powers is called “Devil’s Kiss,” where the player can hurl a ball of fire that engulfs and disintegrates enemies, causing immense amounts of destruction. The player can use each vigor in more than one way. For example the player can use “Devil’s Kiss” as a projectile or as a trap, giving a more strategic aspect to the game.
DeWitt will also find a large variety of weapons throughout the story, though he can only have two guns equipped at a time. If players wants to obtain another weapon, they must drop one of their current firearms to pick up another. Since certain guns have more advantages in some fights and more inferior in others, players will need to find the right gun at the right time to overcome their adversaries.
The player may also embark on skylines using a skyhook, hanging on top of giant tracks strung through the air. Players can use them to dodge bullets or to maneuver around the battlefield quickly, while being able to shoot or even jump off to land on top of an enemy, dealing heavy amounts of damage. The player can also use the skyhook as a melee weapon. When enemies reach a near-death state, the skyhook can perform bloody and messy executions.
Able to open dimensional rifts, called “tears,” Elizabeth proves herself as a useful ally in combat. Fuzzy, spectral images pop up throughout the game as giant George Washington robotic juggernauts, rockets, shotguns and other various weapons appear for Elizabeth to bring into the real world. DeWitt can command Elizabeth to expand a tear for assistance in combat. Elizabeth can only open one tear at a time, encouraging the player to use higher levels of strategy.
Several features of “BioShock Infinite” have flaws hindering the enjoyment of the experience. Players have a limited interaction with NPCs, and some of the decisions the player can make feel pointless. The gameplay feels stale or repetitive at certain times since some fights drag on without any real difficulty. Despite some minor flaws, “BioShock Infinite” remains an entertaining experience .
After beating “BioShock Infinite” on my first playthrough, I had to get up, walk around and ponder what I had just witnessed. The story takes risks in the presentation of the plot and provokes an intellectual thought from the audience. The ending may seem pretentious to some, but it succeeds in creating a game which questions the rules and standards of society. I recommend “BioShock Infinite” for anyone who enjoys good stories and blowing up things with guns.
