Bioshock Infinite.

[Infern0]

This is a fantastic game which I would recommend to all.

As a huge fan of the original Bioshock, I was a little nervous about this new game in the series, I loved the setting of the original games in the underwater city of rapture, and wanted to explore more of it. However the new setting, the floating city of Columbia is just as interesting to explore, and full of the same kind of charm.

The ending of the game blew me away, it was like the developers giving a big warm hug to the fans of the original games, and it was unexpected and well received (will say no more because of spoilers) and it makes me excited to see where they go next.

The "Elizabeth" character may just be the best NPC in a game. ever. you get an emotional connection with her, it's hard to explain but she is fantastic and never a burden.

Gameplay is great but these games are about the atmosphere, the people and the places.

Anyway 10/10 best game in years, go get it.

 

[lennier1]

I'll wait a bit longer until the price has dropped to a reasonable level. Since the "console first" pattern has led to PC versions being crippled bug-infested disasters that need at least a couple of patches to be worth playing it'll still take some time.

From what I've heard they actually fixed one of my major worries, because while the player is accompanied by a constant NPC it's not a continuous escort mission, where you have to waste time on protecting some character that constantly walks into someone's like of fire. From what I've read, Elizabeth is actually able to take care of her own.

It looks like it's also a great upgrade to the graphics engine. The screenshots that showed an updated version of the surface environment from the original game really did the visual style of its predecessors justice. The first time I played the original back in the day I was amazed, because the quality of that scene rivaled some pre-rendered sequences in other games of that time.

 

[Seven of Five]

I'm just on my second playthrough now. I'm trying to understand certain events by searching for everything I missed, and because it's such an engrossing world with wonderfully realised characters, I'm having as much fun as I did the first time.

I was very iffy about the game up until its release. I did wonder if it was just a cynical attempt at 'Bioshock in the Sky' in order to cash in, but it's so much more than that. I just wasn't expecting to get so involved in Elizabeth's plight.

If you're on the fence about this, it's certainly worth a punt.

 

[AlphaMan]

On my second playthrough as well. After that mindf*#k of an ending, I had to play it again. Great game! Irrational has to be among the best in the games industry right now!!

 

[Ayelbourne]

This game is a friggin masterpiece and Ken Levine one of the best storytellers out there.
The ending blew me away with it's mindfucking salvo of twists and turns and it doesn't let go of you even days later.
I've never seen anything like it in video games. Seriously, this even blows the original Bioshock out of the water (see what I did there?).
The gameplay is great. The fights, or rather battles, are more action-packed than ever and often require you to change positions/locations frequently. You have to think on how to approach fighting certain foes and you are offered multiple possible paths to victory.
Elizabeth is not only not annoying at all, you'll even miss her in those parts were you're separated. Not just because she actually helps you but because you grow a real strong connection to her character.
The visuals are amazing. This game is sooo very pretty, especially on the PC with everything on ultra.
Audio has also always been a very strong point in Bioshock games and Infinite delivers on that part as well.
And for those worrying about a buggy console port: Don't. Bioshock Infinite is very stable. At least I haven't come accross any issues yet.

Game of the year, imho. Possibly even game of the decade.

 

[lennier1]

Guess I'll have to look into it after all.
It's not like the franchise is exactly new to screwing with the player's head. For the third part they had to dial "Would you kindly ... ?" up to eleven.

 

[Ayelbourne]

And they did.

 

[throwback]

I played the game over the last several days. For me, the major pro of this game was that there were intervals where there wasn't combat. Many games nowadays don't do this. However, I am not gushing over the game, and, in fact, I traded it in.

I was enjoying the game. I was learning how to adapt to the environment, how to use the vigors in conjunction with my weapons, and how to shoot enemies at a distance with a carbine. I am the kind of player who enjoys taking cover, selecting a target, and methodically taking that enemy down. I would occasionally use the vigors for mob mediation. Less often, I would use Elizabeth's aid - the tears which introduced artillery to the battle. Then came the final battle, and I found that my strategy, which I had used to that point, was rendered obsolete. I felt that the battle was designed for a rail-and-gun shooter. I felt frustrated and betrayed. Up to that point in the game, the player had choices on how they were to fight. I felt those choices were removed in this final battle. Even worse, Elizabeth's role is reduced to a supply mule; she doesn't bring in assets that can help the battle. She does bring in an asset that, in true CoD fashion, is governed by programming. (Select a target, Strike a target, Wait, So On) Then there was the design of that level. I would like to see someone rationalize the design, and rationalize the strategy of the enemy.

I have been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression. I was worried that this game would elevate my anxiety to uncomfortable levels. Thankfully, it didn't, and, at times, I was able to relax. Occasionally, I would panic, when facing some enemies, but then I recovered. Then came that final battle. Ugh. Four times in, and I am feeling pulses of anxiety roiling through my back and I am in pain.

As for the environment, I take it for granted that levels are simplified representations of what the "real world" could potentially be. However, even after playing the game, I am not sure how Columbia qualifies as a functioning city. When I think of a floating city, I think of Cloud City or Stratos of Ardana. I don't think of free floating buildings and city blocks that connect like Lego blocks and, the player has to traverse the city using skyhooks, skylines, and airships.

I hear this game has great graphics on PC. I wouldn't know. I played it on the XBOX 360. The graphics didn't strike me as innovative, and I saw some issues. I examined a flow of water from a pipe; it looked like the bend of the flowing water lacked curving edges. And, for a game that reportedly cost 100 to 200 million dollars to produce and market, couldn't they have spent that money in making more models? When I watched Elizabeth dancing in a company of generic civilians, for me, it became apparent where they spent their money and where they didn't spent their money.

As for the storyline, I feel that it is maybe rather pointless, really. From what I have read and heard, would there be success if the pattern of disruption was altered? I am dubious.

 

[Ood Sigma]

I've been curious about this game. I saw a commercial on TV and it looked pretty amazing, and I've seen the glowing reviews. Only problem is, I'm not really a fan of FPS games. I did like the Mass Effect games because of the great story, but I saw the combat mechanics as something to get through rather than something to enjoy. Does Bioshock Infinite contain any RPG elements or is it strictly a shooter?

 

[throwback]

Bioshock Infinite is a first person shooter. I have read and heard that for some that the combat mechanics are flawed in this game, that the combat itself mars the flow of the storyline, and that the game degenerates into a blood bath, where the protagonist becomes the vanquisher of hundreds of Columbian citizens and police. (cf. TotalHalibut videos on this game, which are available at YouTube) From my personal experience, the game ramps up the killing about half-way in, when one set of enemies is substituted for another set of enemies. During battles, Elizabeth can be called in to bring in assets that can aid and lengthen the player's presence on the battlefield; however, she doesn't engage in combat.

There are a few moments where the player can make a choice; however, these choices have no impact on the story.

Finally, this isn't an open world game. The player is constrained to maps that have a start point and an endpoint, with objectives constantly being updated as the player progresses through the map.

 

[Ayelbourne]

Does Bioshock Infinite contain any RPG elements or is it strictly a shooter?

Improving your character by upgrading vigors, weapons and your worn gear could be considered as RPG elements.

 

[ATimson]

I did like the Mass Effect games because of the great story, but I saw the combat mechanics as something to get through rather than something to enjoy. Does Bioshock Infinite contain any RPG elements or is it strictly a shooter?

I would say that it's about as much of an RPG as Mass Effect 2 if you play as the Soldier class - there's limited customization but it's mostly a shooter.

 

[Kelthaz]

I wanted to like the original Bioshock, but I truly hated the game because of the Vita Chambers. Wow, a game where you can't die? Brilliant idea. What's next, a car that doesn't move and is only used for the CD player? However, after having just found out about 1999 mode in Bioshock Infinite, I might have to give this game a shot.

In 1999 mode the player picks a specialization and sticks with it, and his or her actions will be ruled by that choice. Ammo will be hard to come by. Every small sliver of health will be precious, and if you die you'd better have the resources needed to revive, or it's game over.

...

Thirteen years after the release of System Shock 2 failure has become something of a dividing line between the hardcore and non-hardcore gamer. "Failure can be fun," Levine said. "That's an old-school notion. The average gamer stops playing when they fail. The hardcore gamer says 'That's it, I'm gonna show this game who's boss'".

That's exactly the attitude the hardcore gamer is going to need going into 1999 mode. It's going to try to break them using their own decisions.

Oh, yeah, baby. That's what I'm talking about. And you can unlock it by entering the Konami code? Too cool.

 

[ATimson]

I wanted to like the original Bioshock, but I truly hated the game because of the Vita Chambers. Wow, a game where you can't die? Brilliant idea.

IIRC, it's not free - you have to pay a monetary penalty. The equivalent in Bioshock Infinite definitely isn't free, and still exists in 1999 Mode.

They added the ability to turn off Vita Chambers in a patch. Alternately, you could also reload your game whenever you died, for the same effect.

 

[RoJoHen]

I also attempted to play the original Bioshock AND Bioshock II, but I couldn't get into them at all. It bummed me out because everybody seems to love them so much, and this new game just looks awesome. I don't know if it's even worth it for me to play it.

 

[ATimson]

I also attempted to play the original Bioshock AND Bioshock II, but I couldn't get into them at all. It bummed me out because everybody seems to love them so much, and this new game just looks awesome. I don't know if it's even worth it for me to play it.

Do you know why you didn't get into them?

If it was something in the gameplay, Infinite won't be an improvement. If it was something about the story, or how it was presented, it probably was fixed.

 

[RoJoHen]

It was generally the gameplay. As a rule, I'm not a huge fan of first-person shooters. Occasionally there are some that I end up liking, and I thought that Bioshock might be one because of how popular it is.

 

[ATimson]

It was generally the gameplay. As a rule, I'm not a huge fan of first-person shooters. Occasionally there are some that I end up liking, and I thought that Bioshock might be one because of how popular it is.

Which I understand completely. I wouldn't recommend that you buy Infinite, though, since the core gameplay is more or less identical to the earlier games...

 

[Ood Sigma]

Is there a demo version on XBox 360 so I could try before I buy, and if so, does it give a good feel for how the game goes? The comments I've read make me unsure as to whether I'd like it.

 

[throwback]

Another approach is to go to Youtube, and watch videos of people playing the game. This will give an idea of how the gameplay is like.

As for a demo, I think there is one available.