Monday, April 1, 2013

Bioshock Infinite Review


Bioshock Infinite is simply put, one of the most perfectly crafted and engrossing video games ever conceived. I hesitate even writing this review as I feel no words I can string together could possibly encapsulate the sheer wonderment of exploring this world and its grandiose themes that are unprecedentedly profound for the medium. Video games rarely, nay, NEVER touch on topics of much debate; I mean why would they, these are multi-million dollar endeavors that demand exceedingly high sales figures. This is just one of the many ways Bioshock Infinite subverts typical video games, touching on themes such as identity, nationalism, racism, sexism, faith, and belonging with many more than possible to count. It oftentimes looks and even plays like a normal big-budget first person shooter but it quickly reasserts itself and begins toying with the concepts of reality all the while tackling issues that are persistent throughout the in-game world but never overbearing. Bioshock Infinite is a game with grand ambitions but what makes it one of the most remarkable creative experiences is how perfectly realized and crafted every single inch of the game is.


Bioshock Infinite begins in an alternate 1912 with you, Booker Dewitt, being given the deceivingly simple task of bringing back a mysterious young woman to wipe away the debt you owe to some very nasty people. But as you quickly discover after quite literally being flung into the floating idealized city of Columbia, this is a world few could ever have imagined thus begins your thrilling and sometimes emotional roller coaster through the city. Bioshock Infinite is developed by Irrational Games, who above all else are masters of world building, sensorially transporting you into a place of their own creation. Columbia is the perfect city as envisioned by Zachery Comstock, a self-proclaimed prophet, and leader of the ultra-nationalist party who worship the founding fathers as if they were gods. But festering under this hyper idealized vision of America is a disturbing drive for racial purity and immigrant slavery to maintain the city's pathological idealist vision of the America that never existed. The game brilliantly and subtly brings up themes of religion, racism, and sexism within the world with out ever stating its standings nor overemphasizing its existence, letting it seep into the players conscience through pedestrian interactions, posters and music. It's one of the many ways Irrational creates a highly detailed and believable world you can truly lose yourself in.


Booker quickly finds the girl, Elizabeth, locked away in a tower and protected by a mechanical beast and with that minor set-up Irrational quickly sets its sights on creating one of the most well realized video game companions. Suffice to say they surpass their goal and with Elizabeth they craft one of the most impressive accomplishments in video game history. Elizabeth is obviously modeled after the classic Disney princesses and between her design and mannerisms she endears herself to you quite quickly. Her sheltered upbringing allows her a unique perspective on the world and her interactions with the city of Columbia and its inhabitants  drive home some of the darker elements of the story. This attachment is an important feat as you will be tasked with guiding her through Columbia as you both attempt to escape from the myriad of forces out to kill Booker and send Elizabeth back to her prison. But this is no glorified escort mission, Irrational knows better and instead makes her a indelible ally in combat who can toss you health, ammo or salts (this game's magic source) in a time of need. As the game develops her proficiency with her powers allow her to access items through tears in the fabric of the universe to appear at a critical moment in combat. Bioshock Infinite is similar to its predecessor in its mix of gun-play and magic use, Vigors take the place of Plasmids but act similarly. These drinks bestow the player with different powers that give you more control in the battlefield, setting traps and tossing enemies around like rag dolls. The combat is perfectly tuned and with this game's variety of enemies and large open area scenarios make it a highly enjoyable experience above the pitch perfect narrative.


Bioshock Infinite goes above and beyond what video games even attempt and delivers an experience that has no equal in the medium. Elizabeth is brought to life in such a magnificent way you'll find yourself truly falling for her as you spend more time with each other. Irrational crafts an extraordinary story that will sink its hooks deep into you so by the time the ending rolls around you'll be hard pressed to recall a more emotionally resonate narrative in a video game. But its the way the story is conveyed to the player that is truly breath taking. The world of Columbia is bursting with an excruciating level of detail in signs, radio broadcasts, civilian conversations, and general level design that reveal an exacting portrait of this world that is at times both beautiful and haunting. The game definitely has some tricks up its sleeves and its ending alone will deservedly spark heated debates, analysis and meaningful conversation for a long time to come. Poetically written, perfectly realized, memorable and beyond comparison, Bioshock Infinite single-handedly reinvigorates and redefines everything video games can accomplish.

(5 out of 5)