Game Review: Bioshock Infinite

      A Breathtaking Experience. Is all that can be said for Irrational Games' and Ken Levine's Bioshock Infinite; story, visuals, combat and characters are all blended so perfectly, it should not come as a surprise if  this Masterpiece takes the Game of the Year Award.

 

   
     "Bring us the girl, wipe away the debt." is what disgraced ex-Pinkerton agent and former war hero Booker DeWitt is told when accepting a job to rescue a mysterious young woman named Elizabeth from the floating city of Columbia. Upon first exploring the City in the Sky, Booker learns that it is in a current state of Civil War between the rich, white supremacists and the multi-racial working class. He also finds it's citizens hold high praise to a religious leader and self-proclaimed "Prophet" named Father Comstock, who predicts the arrival of the "False Shepard" that the bears the letters "AD" on their hand, which Booker has. Elizabeth, who has been locked in a tower for most of her life, possesses the ability to open "Tears", which are essentially doors to another universe or time period. With their own personal reasons; Booker and Elizabeth help each other escape Columbia from those who want to use Elizabeth's power for various reasons, while uncovering the dark secrets of the city and themselves, in a plot much bigger than anyone can imagine...

     The gameplay is pretty much that of  first-person shooter with role-playing elements but with its own uniqueness. Players have access to the usual handguns, rifles and shotguns that can be upgraded. "Vigors" are Infinite's version of Bioshock 1 & 2's "Plasmids", which give the player special abilities such as: Sending a flock of crows to attack an enemy or briefly incapacitating enemies in midair. As fun as it is, there are some downsides to "Vigors"; Salts are required to power the abilities and there is a maximum of 2 out of the total 8 "Vigors" that players can equip. Players can ride the "Skyline", Columbia's rail transport system, during combat and use the  "Skyhook"  for melee strikes and executions. Easily the most important part of gameplay is Elizabeth; during Combat she will hide from attackers and restock players with health, ammo and salt by calling Booker's name and tossing supplies to him. The most important part is Elizabeth's ability to open "Tears" during combat, where she can materialize cover, turrets, health kits, ammo stocks and allies to the players aid.

      The game is so polished and so perfectly crafted with stunning visuals, fun combat, amazing characters and a story so vast and thought out, it more than well makes up for the several delays gamers had to go through for this astounding experience. The revolutionary AI and story behind Elizabeth gives a companion that not only needs no hand holding but is also a vital part to gameplay and by delving farther into the plot, players should not be surprised if they find themselves doing everything they can to protect and to care for Elizabeth. Blurring the line between religion and politics and exploring themes such as racial equality, social class, alternate realities and the price of freedom are all part of a marvelous, thought-provoking story-line with an ending that will be sure to shock and dumbfound those playing it.

     Bioshock Infinite is such a masterpiece that it would be shame for people to overlook this as a simple shooter and possibly miss out on one of the most ambitious, groundbreaking games of the decade. The sky is the limit so "Would You Kindly" pick up this game...