Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Irrational Games
Platform: PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Year: 2013
Players: Solo
Rating: M (for Mature) 17+
Retail Price: $59.99
Category: First person adventure shooter
I’ll point out I’m not a fan of reviews which give away too much of the story of a movie, game, book or what have you as I think including spoilers is not only slipshod reporting but really a disservice to anyone who may be interested in purchasing the item being reviewed. With that said if something is horrible in my opinion, and to be avoided like the plague, I’m more apt to explain why it’s awful and if I let slip some details which shouldn’t be revealed I don’t feel too bad doing so because many times the plotline is what kills it in the first place. Plus, I don’t think I can ruin a steaming pile of garbage by explaining why it is trash and that’s hopefully going to keep a few bucks in your pocket.
Have no fear, Bioshock Infinite is about as far removed from trash as possible; in fact it’s an excellent game and well worth the prerelease hype. I’m just going to do my best to sing its praises while pointing out some of the areas I believe are the game’s strongest points (story being one thus the lack of getting into much detail here) and where it may not come up to the original Bioshock in some gamers’ eyes. While there will be millions of players who love exactly what Ken Levine and the team at Irrational accomplished there will be a few who end up a bit disappointed by the end result.
Visually, Infinite offers plenty of eye candy. The game runs along smoothly on PC (which is the edition I played for review) and the city of Columbia comes to life with small touches of life carrying on no matter what challenges Booker and Elizabeth may face at any moment. Columbia is a living breathing entity throughout the game and the player is immersed in the midst of a flaming revolt.
While many of the conventions of Bioshock and Bioshock 2 carryover, such as crafting weapon upgrades and utilizing superhuman powers acquired through play, much of Infinite feels fresh and unique rather than simply being recycled with a new coat of polish. Combat is fast and furious, with plenty of options, and you’re never shackled in playing a specific way in order to succeed. Where Infinite ups the ante, not only in gameplay but also emotional immersion, is in the inclusion of Elizabeth. 
Where Bioshock Infinite is the strongest and will burn a well-deserved place in your gaming consciousness is the area I’m want to discuss: story. The greatest joy of the experience is in discovering the world of Columbia and it’s mainly xenophobic, racist and rather unsavory inhabitants. It isn’t as if the Bioshock series is the first or only titles to tackle religious zealotry, fanaticism or the darker side of human nature. Yet the way Bioshock Infinite tackles these conventions, without resorting to the usual cardboard character stereotypes, but also the threads in which we weave not only our history but reality itself is something which sticks in the mind long after you stop playing.
As I mentioned there are sure to be some gamers who end up a bit disappointed in Bioshock Infinite but I believe this will be more due to unrealistic expectations than anything else; Infinite isn’t simply the original Bioshock on steroids but an utterly new cast of characters in an original setting. While there are plenty of thrills and chills to be found in Infinite I didn’t find the title to be as downright creepy as the first in the series. I have no issue with that because even though I enjoyed Bioshock 2 immensely I didn’t think the sequel pulled off the scares – outside of the “Damn it!!! Here comes another Little Sister!!!” moments and I say those were more based on dread than anything else – in the same sort of dosage as the original either.
By all means Bioshock Infinite is the game of 2013, as of this writing, and it’ll be hard to top. Honestly I can’t crow enough about Infinite because it’s a stunning achievement all around! If you haven’t played the first two titles in the series you owe it yourself to do so but you don’t need to have played either of the previous Bioshocks to have just as tremendously a good time as any veteran of the genre. With near perfect execution, this tale is one which you’ll love in the telling and, if you call yourself a gamer of any true stripe, a must have hands down! I considered playing the first Bioshock to be my highlight of gaming over the past decade and after finishing Infinite, I think this new title has usurped the crown.
