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"The Jet Gamer" Game Review: Bioshock Infinite
10 years ago
It's time for another review guys. I still hope you guys are enjoying these things and actually reading them. Another one is here for you to enjoy and more will come in time. =)
Bioshock Infinite
It is time for the final part of the Bioshock trilogy, Bioshock Infinite. With such a change from the original formula, but still sort of the same, this game is very mixed with people. Some people love it and others hate it. It's still all a very objective thing, and being that I'm not a mad shooter fan, hopefully I can give you some insight into how I felt this game played. So let's see what this game has to offer shall we?
Gameplay
Bioshock Infinite for the first time in the series, does not take place in the underwater city of Rapture. This time, the game takes place at the beginning of the 1900's instead of the middle years, and now you play in a floating city in the sky called Columbia. Some of the first things you will notice when you start playing the game are the weapons and types of enemies you are fighting during the game. Unlike the previous games, this time you are fighting actual people instead of deformed drug addicts. The basic gameplay isn't that different in that you run around using your guns, and now called vigors to fight the enemies that are coming after you. A big change in this area though is that for most of the game, you actually aren't alone. You are running around this city trying to save and then protect a girl named Elizabeth. You may think this is a bad thing, and that the game is a big escort mission, but that is where you are wrong. Elizabeth can actually take care of herself. You don't have to protect her, which is a big shock. She will take cover when fighting starts, so as to not get in your way while you fight, but she will on top of that, actually help you out. While you are fighting, she will randomly find ammo for your guns, health if you are hurt, and salt which power your vigors. She will throw you these from across the field even, and it is very much appreciated to have a smart AI that not only doesn't get in your way, but actually is very helpful to have running around with you. She will also occasionally find money for you as well which you need to buy weapon upgrades, vigor upgrades or anything else you may want, which is very helpful of her. You also this time have the now popular in first person shooters recharging shield. The shield will take some damage for you before it breaks and you start taking health damage. You want to take cover if it breaks and let it recharge before you come out again or you will lose health quickly. Some people feel these shields are a bit unnecessary in modern shooting games, but they can be helpful that's for sure. Though there are some downsides I feel about this game that do pull it down some. Unlike in the other Bioshock games, you can no longer carry all types of weapons at all times. This time you can only carry two at a time and any others you have to pick up and put down as you see fit, which can lead to you have to stratagize on what weapons to take. This is good in that it makes you have to plan your weapons, but it also can mean having to take weapons you don't want a lot as you don't have the ammo to take the guns you want with you. There are also a lot fewer vigors to use, though some of them are similar to the old ones from the other games. You can still dual wield your vigors and your guns though, so you don't have to switch between using one or the others, but you likely won't be using most of the vigors as some are way better than others. Though there is one thing that I REALLY feel hurts this game at times, and that's that they took away the option of saving whenever and where ever you wanted. This game now works on an auto save and chapter save feature. This means if you want to save, you have to reach the next chapter or checkpoint for the game to save. This can be very frustrating as you want to save sometimes, either because you are weak in the game or you need to leave the game for the time being. You either need to keep playing to get to the next point, or turn the game off and lose some progress. This can be very frustrating as you play this game more and know what's coming as you want to save in certain spots, but you cant. You can however reload old checkpoint saves to play from older areas again which you used to not be able to do, but it only helps when doing collectables and such. Overall, the gameplay is pretty good here, but there are definitely some flaws in a few spots.
Story
Wow, another Bioshock game that has a great story, and this one is even better than the last game by a mile. You are Booker Dewitt going to Columbia, a seceded city in the sky to try and rescue a girl named Elizabeth to try and wipe away a large debt you are under at the moment. The debt will go away if you bring her back with you. That's where the game picks up. Though Columbia may look like a great place, you very quickly see it's true colors. Basically, think of Columbia as what if the white supremacist, racists, and evil business lords had their own country all to themselves with no one to stop them. That's pretty much what Columbia is. You very quick see how the Blacks, Irish, and the poor are treated, and you can very quickly learn to hate the country and want to get Elizabeth out of the country even more so. Elizabeth is actually getting a massive dose of reality once you get to her as well, as she has been locked up since forever actually. She has had no idea what has gone on around her, and she very quickly sees how bad things really are around you both as you delve deeper into the city and the impending revolution that may be soon about to happen between Columbia, and the Vox,, which are a group of soldiers that want to do the complete opposite of Columbia, just not have the whites in charge. It's a big mess. Throughout the story, you really do want to see these two escape this city and see the city go down as it is a big mess. You get very involved between the relationship between Booker and Elizabeth, and it makes you feel for them, all the way to the very end credits. If you want a shooter with a good story to enjoy and savor, here you go.
Graphics
And yet again, this game shows that it can really shine in areas it wants to shine in of course. The graphics of this game are just amazing. The look of the city in the sky and the scenery all around it are just amazing to look at. It really does look like an early 1900's city that is floating in the sky, as well as all the people that make it home. It is definite a step up from the gloomy city under the sea from the last two games. On top of that, you really don't see that many glitches, other than very very few things that couldn't be picked up, and graphical glitches were almost nonexistent. There were a few times if you went too fast in a huge area that you might see a small pause and some loading needs to happen, but this was something you almost never saw as everything was so fluent and smooth the whole way through. Explosions, gunfire, and just the way the city and things act throughout the game. It all looks wonderful and realistic. I really can't find much to complain about here. If you like pretty things to look at, then take a stroll around the city in this game, you won't be disappointed, even when things in the city get disappointing later in the game.
Sound
Finally, the Bioshock series did something about the lackluster sound issue that had been plaguing the last two games. While not perfect, as there are still some quiet bits from time to time, the sound is actually an important thing in the game that is helpful to pay attention to when playing. Whenever a fight starts, there is music that starts up that let's you know some sees you and is about to begin attacking you. This is helpful and also let's you know when enemies are still around even if you don't see them. When you do finally defeat all enemies in the area, the music will have a set sound of music that plays that let's you know you got them all and you can relax again. This makes fighting not so boring as there is some music to keep you on your toes, and boosts up the background noise from being just gunfire and shouting all the time. There is still the typical Bioshock oldies music playing in certain areas from the radios and gramophones you will come across, but for the most part, there are still some quiet moments when you aren't in combat. It's not perfect, but it is a step up from the other games.
Control
I bumped controls back down again as I feel that Bioshock Infinite's controls are similar to the first Bioshock in that they take some time to get used to using. Once you are used to it, the game plays smoothly enough, but believe me, once again, this game had me taking damage a lot when I first started playing and for awhile actually until I got used to the controls. It's mainly knowing the shoulder buttons as one button on each side is switch between your currently active weapons or vigors and the other is fire them. Maybe it's just me, but I was constantly getting confused on which was which and switching weapons and such when I should be firing, causing me to lose health. Once you get used to it though, the game plays smoothly for the most part, but you likely will still have some hiccups from time to time on what buttons to press. It's not horrible though like in some games where there are delays.
Replay Value
Eh, once again, I will say that this Bioshock, just like all the others, has average replay value at best. Other than wanting to enjoy the game again, there is really nothing that makes you want to come back to it other than enjoy the experience again. That to me is what makes average replay value in my book. The game is something you would want to come back to collect more collectables again, or to enjoy the story again, but as for something new that will make you come back to experience it all new all over again, there really isn't much here. If you liked the game and its story, then go ahead and enjoy it again. It's great to play again, just don't expect anything different this time unless you change your play style slightly.
Overall, I would say Bioshock Infinite is a good addition to the Bioshock series and as a shooter in general. It holds up to the previous two games and does bring itself up in certain areas where it just excells, though the game does lose some things in a few areas, which do make the game feel a bit different to some. If you are expecting the game to be like one and two, then you are going to be dissappointed, but if you want a shooter that has a great story and looks great, with some decent gameplay to boot, then give this game a whirl. I'd say give it a shot if you like these types of games.
Overall, in my opinion at least, I give Bioshock Infinite an eight out of ten
Gameplay: 7
Story: 10
Graphics: 10
Sound: 8
Control: 8
Replay Value: 6
Overall: 8
Bioshock Infinite
It is time for the final part of the Bioshock trilogy, Bioshock Infinite. With such a change from the original formula, but still sort of the same, this game is very mixed with people. Some people love it and others hate it. It's still all a very objective thing, and being that I'm not a mad shooter fan, hopefully I can give you some insight into how I felt this game played. So let's see what this game has to offer shall we?
Gameplay
Bioshock Infinite for the first time in the series, does not take place in the underwater city of Rapture. This time, the game takes place at the beginning of the 1900's instead of the middle years, and now you play in a floating city in the sky called Columbia. Some of the first things you will notice when you start playing the game are the weapons and types of enemies you are fighting during the game. Unlike the previous games, this time you are fighting actual people instead of deformed drug addicts. The basic gameplay isn't that different in that you run around using your guns, and now called vigors to fight the enemies that are coming after you. A big change in this area though is that for most of the game, you actually aren't alone. You are running around this city trying to save and then protect a girl named Elizabeth. You may think this is a bad thing, and that the game is a big escort mission, but that is where you are wrong. Elizabeth can actually take care of herself. You don't have to protect her, which is a big shock. She will take cover when fighting starts, so as to not get in your way while you fight, but she will on top of that, actually help you out. While you are fighting, she will randomly find ammo for your guns, health if you are hurt, and salt which power your vigors. She will throw you these from across the field even, and it is very much appreciated to have a smart AI that not only doesn't get in your way, but actually is very helpful to have running around with you. She will also occasionally find money for you as well which you need to buy weapon upgrades, vigor upgrades or anything else you may want, which is very helpful of her. You also this time have the now popular in first person shooters recharging shield. The shield will take some damage for you before it breaks and you start taking health damage. You want to take cover if it breaks and let it recharge before you come out again or you will lose health quickly. Some people feel these shields are a bit unnecessary in modern shooting games, but they can be helpful that's for sure. Though there are some downsides I feel about this game that do pull it down some. Unlike in the other Bioshock games, you can no longer carry all types of weapons at all times. This time you can only carry two at a time and any others you have to pick up and put down as you see fit, which can lead to you have to stratagize on what weapons to take. This is good in that it makes you have to plan your weapons, but it also can mean having to take weapons you don't want a lot as you don't have the ammo to take the guns you want with you. There are also a lot fewer vigors to use, though some of them are similar to the old ones from the other games. You can still dual wield your vigors and your guns though, so you don't have to switch between using one or the others, but you likely won't be using most of the vigors as some are way better than others. Though there is one thing that I REALLY feel hurts this game at times, and that's that they took away the option of saving whenever and where ever you wanted. This game now works on an auto save and chapter save feature. This means if you want to save, you have to reach the next chapter or checkpoint for the game to save. This can be very frustrating as you want to save sometimes, either because you are weak in the game or you need to leave the game for the time being. You either need to keep playing to get to the next point, or turn the game off and lose some progress. This can be very frustrating as you play this game more and know what's coming as you want to save in certain spots, but you cant. You can however reload old checkpoint saves to play from older areas again which you used to not be able to do, but it only helps when doing collectables and such. Overall, the gameplay is pretty good here, but there are definitely some flaws in a few spots.
Story
Wow, another Bioshock game that has a great story, and this one is even better than the last game by a mile. You are Booker Dewitt going to Columbia, a seceded city in the sky to try and rescue a girl named Elizabeth to try and wipe away a large debt you are under at the moment. The debt will go away if you bring her back with you. That's where the game picks up. Though Columbia may look like a great place, you very quickly see it's true colors. Basically, think of Columbia as what if the white supremacist, racists, and evil business lords had their own country all to themselves with no one to stop them. That's pretty much what Columbia is. You very quick see how the Blacks, Irish, and the poor are treated, and you can very quickly learn to hate the country and want to get Elizabeth out of the country even more so. Elizabeth is actually getting a massive dose of reality once you get to her as well, as she has been locked up since forever actually. She has had no idea what has gone on around her, and she very quickly sees how bad things really are around you both as you delve deeper into the city and the impending revolution that may be soon about to happen between Columbia, and the Vox,, which are a group of soldiers that want to do the complete opposite of Columbia, just not have the whites in charge. It's a big mess. Throughout the story, you really do want to see these two escape this city and see the city go down as it is a big mess. You get very involved between the relationship between Booker and Elizabeth, and it makes you feel for them, all the way to the very end credits. If you want a shooter with a good story to enjoy and savor, here you go.
Graphics
And yet again, this game shows that it can really shine in areas it wants to shine in of course. The graphics of this game are just amazing. The look of the city in the sky and the scenery all around it are just amazing to look at. It really does look like an early 1900's city that is floating in the sky, as well as all the people that make it home. It is definite a step up from the gloomy city under the sea from the last two games. On top of that, you really don't see that many glitches, other than very very few things that couldn't be picked up, and graphical glitches were almost nonexistent. There were a few times if you went too fast in a huge area that you might see a small pause and some loading needs to happen, but this was something you almost never saw as everything was so fluent and smooth the whole way through. Explosions, gunfire, and just the way the city and things act throughout the game. It all looks wonderful and realistic. I really can't find much to complain about here. If you like pretty things to look at, then take a stroll around the city in this game, you won't be disappointed, even when things in the city get disappointing later in the game.
Sound
Finally, the Bioshock series did something about the lackluster sound issue that had been plaguing the last two games. While not perfect, as there are still some quiet bits from time to time, the sound is actually an important thing in the game that is helpful to pay attention to when playing. Whenever a fight starts, there is music that starts up that let's you know some sees you and is about to begin attacking you. This is helpful and also let's you know when enemies are still around even if you don't see them. When you do finally defeat all enemies in the area, the music will have a set sound of music that plays that let's you know you got them all and you can relax again. This makes fighting not so boring as there is some music to keep you on your toes, and boosts up the background noise from being just gunfire and shouting all the time. There is still the typical Bioshock oldies music playing in certain areas from the radios and gramophones you will come across, but for the most part, there are still some quiet moments when you aren't in combat. It's not perfect, but it is a step up from the other games.
Control
I bumped controls back down again as I feel that Bioshock Infinite's controls are similar to the first Bioshock in that they take some time to get used to using. Once you are used to it, the game plays smoothly enough, but believe me, once again, this game had me taking damage a lot when I first started playing and for awhile actually until I got used to the controls. It's mainly knowing the shoulder buttons as one button on each side is switch between your currently active weapons or vigors and the other is fire them. Maybe it's just me, but I was constantly getting confused on which was which and switching weapons and such when I should be firing, causing me to lose health. Once you get used to it though, the game plays smoothly for the most part, but you likely will still have some hiccups from time to time on what buttons to press. It's not horrible though like in some games where there are delays.
Replay Value
Eh, once again, I will say that this Bioshock, just like all the others, has average replay value at best. Other than wanting to enjoy the game again, there is really nothing that makes you want to come back to it other than enjoy the experience again. That to me is what makes average replay value in my book. The game is something you would want to come back to collect more collectables again, or to enjoy the story again, but as for something new that will make you come back to experience it all new all over again, there really isn't much here. If you liked the game and its story, then go ahead and enjoy it again. It's great to play again, just don't expect anything different this time unless you change your play style slightly.
Overall, I would say Bioshock Infinite is a good addition to the Bioshock series and as a shooter in general. It holds up to the previous two games and does bring itself up in certain areas where it just excells, though the game does lose some things in a few areas, which do make the game feel a bit different to some. If you are expecting the game to be like one and two, then you are going to be dissappointed, but if you want a shooter that has a great story and looks great, with some decent gameplay to boot, then give this game a whirl. I'd say give it a shot if you like these types of games.
Overall, in my opinion at least, I give Bioshock Infinite an eight out of ten
Gameplay: 7
Story: 10
Graphics: 10
Sound: 8
Control: 8
Replay Value: 6
Overall: 8
