At long last, after more than two years from its initial announcement, “BioShock Infinite” has finally been released. Most agree that it lived up to its high expectations, excelling in its storytelling and visuals while maintaining the fast-paced game play fans of the original “BioShock” games enjoyed.
The new game’s storyline is what’s most talked about, and for good reason. It centers on Booker DeWitt, a war veteran now working as a Private Investigator. The player starts off knowing very little about Booker, simply knowing that he is on a mission to rescue a girl in order to help pay off his debts.
In order to do this he finds himself in the floating city of Columbia, where the people worship the racist and sexist Father Comstock. The player takes control of Booker as he maneuvers through Columbia, eventually finding the girl he has been sent for, Elizabeth. She becomes central to the story, standing alongside Booker for the majority of the game.
You might think the game would become a never-ending escort mission at this point, but thankfully Elizabeth never needs protection. She has her own abilities that involve opening tears in time and space, which she uses to help Booker out, tossing him health, ammo or salts used
for player abilities while also providing needed cover in the middle of a fight.
Vigors replace plasmids as the powers that can be used in addition to shooting. Some are the same as those found in “BioShock” while some provide new ways to harm your enemies. They can also be used to set traps on the ground for an added option in combat.
As a whole, “BioShock Infinite” wows by meeting all of its expectations. The gameplay isn’t revolutionary, but Elizabeth helps make it different from other games, while the gorgeous visuals and immersive story will keep fans on their toes without sacrificing what made the original “Bioshock” games so much fun.
