An experience like no other...
Long in development, heavily guarded and anticipated arguably more than anything so far this year, Bioshock Infinite definitely had a lot to live up to. And while the original certainly left its mark on the gaming industry and while the non-Irrational Bioshock 2 was a good game albeit familiar, the idea of complete invention or revelatory "new-ness" is not quite what people were hoping it'd be. But regardless Infinite's use of similar gameplay mechanics or tropes is what makes it stand out and from its impeccable art design and world creation to its free-flowing gameplay and memorable moments-a-plenty, Bioshock Infinite's the kind of game you absolutely must experience for yourself before others tell you.
Set in 1912, you play the role of Booker DeWitt, an ex-Pinkerton agent sent on a mission to rescue a woman named Elizabeth. Arriving at a lighthouse, you're then transported into the wondrous and floating city of Columbia where a man named Comstock is leader. But when you're identified an enemy and threat to the city, you're to fight your way through Columbia and rescue Elizabeth so you can leave and pay off a debt you have made.
As bare-bones of a story descriptor I can make without getting too heavy into spoiler territory because it's a story that does unfold and keeps engaging all the way to the end. However, attempting to get further into story details will not only ruin some of the story's surprises but makes the player more cautious for the other shoe to drop and the big revelations to come rather than just letting the story play out. One key thing though is that ultimately this is the story of Booker and Elizabeth and the connections these 2 make and will have and it's here where the heart of the game lies. While there's some juicy things to uncover, the 2 leads help make the game grounded and more focused on the 2 of them rather than making them inconsequential to the big story reveals.
This is also helped by the 2 voice actors, Troy Baker and Courtnee Draper, who help really flesh out their characters and offer up some great interactions and readings. Unlike games like Half-Life where the silent protagonist is so important to its world yet never says a word (and other characters don't seem to mind or notice) or games like Fallout where you have no voice but have some control over what you say, Booker is fully voiced and has a story arc. While this can make the player occasionally feel like you are not Booker, it's more about seeing his arc unfurl that makes it worthwhile. And Draper manages to make Elizabeth relatable, likable and integral without just falling on the "it's a cute damsel" syndrome other games have. Plenty of other characters make their mark as well but ultimately, it's a Booker and Elizabeth story.
Now for the gameplay part and Infinite manages to make some changes to keep the game feeling fresh while still maintaining some sort of "Bioshock"-y spine. For instance, you still have plasmids (called "vigors") and you can add upgrades to your character (previously tonics, now called "gears") to offer you bonuses such as melee kills offering health. Weapons can be upgraded to provide more ammo or bigger firepower and your vigors can have additional effects. And while settling into a rhythm of how you play through the game, offering the amount of choices and gameplay options makes the game a lot more reactionary and fly-by-seat-of-pants than most other games of this type.
Also offering some much-appreciated options are the skyhooks where you can essentially travel along metal lines using a device on your arm to reach high or impossible to reach places. Making the battle arena a more sandbox playground where the player can make snap decisions rather than settling into an identifiable pattern. While I did use some vigors more than others, spending your upgrades and using which vigors to use, what gears to equip or even when and where to use the skyhook system makes it a far more enjoyable combat experience. Another is the idea of "tears" in which Elizabeth can call things into existence identified by distorted visuals and a "whoosh" sound effect. Examples being stationary turrets, re-supply areas and weapons or environmental hazards such as oil spills and puzzles. While they were incredibly helpful, the environmental ones weren't since the area they covered was too small or enemies avoided them but maybe other players will make more use.
Even though Bioshock Infinite feels like a perfect game, I can lobby at least a couple of complaints at it. For instance there's a section near the middle which felt a little bit like padding and even though storyline-wise it's kind of essential, it felt somewhat of a side excursion that drops the pacing a tad. Granted I did barrel through the game in 2 sittings but this section in particular kind of put the brakes on as far as pace goes. And for a game about choice, there wasn't exactly a lot of it. While Bioshock 1 had the "rescue or harvest" choice which was more "I'm making a good playthrough so all rescue choices", the amount of actual choice in Infinite is near non-existent or isn't important or essential. And while small details are there, the game coupled with Booker being his own fully-voiced entity rather than an expression of the player makes the game feel on rails. And while finding health, ammo and salts (your vigor "juice" if you will) can be a life-saving godsend, having Elizabeth constantly throw you a single coin and get the same canned "loud clap as it hits your palm" animation can grow thin.
While I was spoiled on one story detail, thankfully the whole of Bioshock Infinite's experience remained intact and quite a ride it was. Exhilarating, great music and acting, some dynamic combat and some cool set-pieces (including one rescue/escape sequence that was pretty intense), Bioshock Infinite is easily one of the best games you'll play this year.
