Bioshock Infinite Review

It all started with Irrational Games' System Shock... Needless to say, we've come a long way since:

I didn't get into this series until System Shock 2 circa 2001, but I've been a fan ever since. Bioshock, System Shock 2's spiritual successor, was awesome, but sadly felt very "console-ized." While the graphics were stunning, the game suffered from terrible bugs due to the fact that the PC version was a port of the Console version, and that they added a very strict activation system that allowed you, the buyer, to only install it on, I believe it was 3 different systems. I think a later patch fixed that, but it still pisses me off they did it in the first place.

Bioshock then had a sequel, which I played for about an hour before I got bored and quit. When Bioshock Infinite was announced, I had renewed hope that the game would again be awesome, and thankfully, I was right.

Bioshock Infinite opens very similar to the first Bioshock... Everything is done completely in first person mode, which is awesome as it gives you the feeling like you ARE the character, Booker DeWitt. You start out on a rowboat with 2 other people. They have a very odd discussion that makes sense after you play the game, but basically they drop you off at a lighthouse in the middle of the ocean. A disturbing note is on the door "Bring us the girl and wipe away the debt, this is your last chance!"

As Booker, it is your job to find a girl named Elizabeth and bring her back to New York, telling her anything she wants to hear as long as you bring her back. The opening of the game does not really clarify what this "debt" is, but in several dream-like sequences, it is inferred that you have a gambling debt, as there are many horse racing tickets on your desk.

After a very dark and gray opening sequence, you are transported to the wonderful land of Columbia, a city that floats in the sky. You work your way through this Heaven-like paradise for awhile, which acts as a very natural tutorial, as everyone is very nice to you and you have nothing to worry about, but there is a constant sense of wrongness about the place.

I won't spoil anything, but after awhile you quickly discover Columbia's secrets, and you are then in trouble as you keep forcing your way through to find Elizabeth. Again, I really don't want to spoil it, but I must say, Elizabeth is probably one of the most memorable and life-filled video game characters I've "met" since Alyx Vance in the Half Life series.

Elizabeth becomes your companion, and she is NOT annoying like most escort missions in other games. She stays the hell out of the way during firefights, and is actually helpful. As you continue your journey with her, you can't help but feel for her innocence and its loss as she sees you gun down hundreds of assailants... I truly feel remose the fact that eventually she starts helping you as you defend yourself.

Elizabeth is special. She has the ability to create portals into other, parallel universes similar to what you would see on an episode of Fringe. She will help you by pulling in objects from other universes such as med-kits, guns, and turrets. Combined with your ability to use what are called "Vapors" which are basically just Plasmids (as seen in Bioshock), and your guns, you and Elizabeth are a force to be reckoned with.

The story takes you on a journey of self-discovery and wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey... stuff. The plot can be confusing at times, because of the parallel universes, half the time I had no idea where or when the hell we were...

The game takes VERY creepy turns and is a roller coaster of the mind. By the time you are done, you may be shaking your head in confusion, but after reading more in forums, you may learn more about what the whole thing was about.

Music, sound effects, gameplay, graphics. Everything and all were top notch. Never had any crashes and the game didn't really feel like a "consolized" game. The characters are memorable, and there's never a moment that doesn't fully emmerse you into this universe... and many others

Get this, and play it.

My only annoyance... The game uses a health system that allows you to eat food to gain health back... The only problem with this is how unrealistic this is. You find cake in garbage cans, and cotton candy sitting on a bench and you eat it all... It even allows you to continue to eat even when your health is full... "Vapors" or special attacks are powered by, oddly enough, heart attack-inducing BOTTLES OF SALTS.

http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/

Besides this game mechanic, haha, everything else is excellent