There’s a lot riding on BioShock Infinite – and a big change in store for fans. The first two BioShock titles took us to the depths of the ocean, but the third is heading in the opposite direction. Can Irrational Games pull off the same trick high above the clouds? We’re about to find out.
The good
BioShock and BioShock 2 were incredibly atmospheric video games, set in the dilapidated underwater metropolis of Rapture. When you consider how effective that eerie environment was, you might question the decision to take this third outing to an entirely different location – the floating city of Columbia, suspended miles above the USA. However, the jarring change of scenery is just one of the many amazing strokes of genius which you’ll find in BioShock Infinite.
Cloaked in clouds and looking a million times more impressive than Rapture ever did, Columbia is easily one of the best video game cities ever constructed. However, its beauty is only skin-deep; just as before, there are sinister forces at work beneath those marbled frontages, and BioShock Infinite contains the usual helping of twists and turns in its captivating storyline.
Speaking of which, the character of Elizabeth – an attractive yet troubled individual who is at your side for almost the entire duration of the game – is yet another high point. Video game “buddies” have a history of getting in the way or slowing down the action, but Beth never falls foul of either shortcoming, and enriches the storyline considerably. At the game’s conclusion, her importance is increased even more, making her one of the most memorable female leads in the history of the medium.
Visual trappings and plotlines aside, BioShock Infinite plays as well as it looks. BioShock’s tight combat is maintained, and you rarely get the chances to stretch your legs like you do in Halo 4. But that’s not the point; the franchise has always been about making best use of your cramped space to tactically outsmart your enemies – and BioShock Infinite contains some truly formidable opponents, some of which are so terrifying they make the Big Daddies from the first two games look like harmless poodles.
The bad
There’s very little wrong with BioShock Infinite, and any criticisms you might have can only come from personal preference. If you like your shooters heavy on action and light on story, then you might come away with a headache – BioShock Infinite’s plot demands your utmost attention at all times, and there are moments where the game lifts off the gas to allow you to appreciate the absolutely jaw-dropping skylines and vistas.
The somewhat linear nature of the combat also means that you can’t be as creative as other shooters, and the enemy AI is easy to trick and out-manoeuvre – something which is less of an issue than it could be thanks to Columbia’s narrow passageways.
The bottom line
Simply put, BioShock Infinite is a masterpiece. It’s amazing that we’re seeing such fantastic titles at the close of a console generation, and really does make you stop and wonder if new hardware is strictly necessary when games can play, look and feel as amazing as this. BioShock Infinite is the best in the series, and one of the finest games you’ll play in 2013.
