Apryl Mock
Managing editor
“Bioshock Infinite,” the third installment in the hit first-person shooter game series, was released on March 26. In each game you play a different character trapped in a bizarre world where genetic mutations are not only commonplace, but are considered essential to the lives of the characters. “Bioshock” has brought a fresh take to the world of gaming with its never before seen storyline and surprise endings. “Infinite” will rock your world and is definitely worth trying.
In the first two installments your character was faced with “Splicers.” These are people who have gone mad because they overused “Adam and Eve.”
“Adam” is an injection that the characters in the games use to give themselves new powers, such as “Incinerate.” Incinerate is my favorite power because it allows you to set your enemies on fire.
“Eve” is an injection that you must find throughout the game in order to use your genetic mutations or, special powers.
In “Infinite” you play hardened detective Booker who travels to Columbia, a city in the sky. You have to find a girl, Elizabeth, in order to pay off a debt. You are quickly jolted into a world were magic potions alter your DNA and you must find “salt” to make these powers work. You never know which way this game is going to go with its parallel realities and topsy-turvy storyline.
Being an avid “Bioshock” fan, I can’t help but compare the newest “Bioshock” to the first two. Though some may say that “Infinite” is unrelated to the first two games, I would call it a prequel. It seems that powers are stronger and work better in “Infinite,” and I would compare this to the idea of the lost city of Atlantis: people who were further progressed than we are today, but their city was lost along with their knowledge.
The game play of “Infinite” is similar to the first two “Bioshock” games. Like the first two in the series, gamers must stay on their toes. I promise that you will never be able to predict the story of the game, which was part of the allure that drew me into the original “Bioshock.”
I played “Bioshock” 1 and 2 for the storyline, not the graphics. Although the art style of the first two games was beautiful with its aquatic scenery and chill-inducing gloomy colors, the first games were lacking in realistic blood and gore.
Within 15 minutes of playing “Bioshock Infinite” I realized that this game was an entirely new animal.
Although “Infinite” keeps the whimsical art style of the first games, it also incorporates realistic deaths and fight sequences.
Another major difference is the art style, which changes the entire feel of the game. Unlike the first two games which are very dark and creepy, “Infinite” feels like you’re visiting a world fair. The colors are bright, and the game even includes mini games reminiscent of carnival games.
In the first two games there weren’t a lot of enemies because the “Splicers” were stronger than a regular person. In the beginning of “Infinite” your enemies are mostly regular human beings. So the game makes up for the enemies being easy to beat by throwing a lot at you.
I find this annoying at times because I would like more time to explore the landscape. However, as the game progresses your enemies become fewer and tougher.
Infinite also incorporates the “Sky Hook” feature, which is like a virtual roller coaster that I find exhilarating. The “Sky Hook” allows your character to attach to cables meant for cable cars. After you’re attached to the cables you are suddenly zooming through the sky.
Another feature of the “Sky Hook” is that you can use it as a weapon. This weapon probably allows for the most interesting kills because you can decapitate your enemies with it.
“Infinite” is set in 1912, and there are several instances in the game that are historically accurate in regards to racism. At the beginning of the game your character is given a chance to throw a baseball at a black man and woman on stage or the old white man telling you to throw it at them.
I chose to hit the white man, but if this game is anything like the first two there would be major consequences if you did the morally wrong thing. In the first game there were three different endings depending on the moral decisions you made.
In the first two games there were “Big Daddies” who protect the “Little Sisters.” “Little Sisters” were in charge of harvesting “Adam” from dead bodies.
Your character could choose to set the “Little Sisters” free or kill them. The first game ended differently depending on whether you saved them all, killed them all or only killed a few. In a similar fashion, in “Infinite” your partner Elizabeth can open dimensional rifts and show you alternate realities.
Elizabeth is probably one of the best artificial intelligence companions I’ve ever seen in a game. She stays out of harm’s way and actively helps you find ammo and health. You don’t feel like you have to take care of her, which makes the game a lot more fun.
Despite its amazing graphics and intense gameplay, “Infinite” does have a few shortcomings. It’s completely auto save, so you have to make a checkpoint before you can save.
This makes the game more challenging but can be extremely frustrating if you have to leave your XBox for something silly like school or work.
Also, the regular human enemies and the characters just chilling in the background all look the same, which can get a little stale.
Overall I give “Infinite” 9 out of 10. In comparison with the first two games, the graphics are mind-blowing; however, the storyline of the original “Bioshock” will always be my favorite.
If you are a fan of first-person shooters with an interesting storyline and some pretty sweet graphics, I would highly recommend “Bioshock Infinite.”