Bioshock Infinite

Bioshock Infinite is probably one of the greatest video games ever created.  Now, with that out of the way we can talk about specifics.  This game came in with a heavy amount of fanfare and was expected to propel the first-person shooter (FPS) genre forward.  I am happy to report that although the gameplay itself is not enough to be revolutionary, the story, well-developed characters, and art direction are more than enough to establish this game as the gold standard that all other FPS's should strive for.

Story- NO SPOILERS
For so long FPS 's have been nothing more then an often silent protagonist running and gunning his or her way through level after level.  Titles like Call of Duty, Battlefield, and Halo are blockbuster games in their own right, but unfortunately do nothing more than give you an avatar with a gun.  In most FPS's you care nothing about your character or his motivations, you simply point and shoot.  Bioshock Infinite changes all of that.

Bioshock Infinite places you in the sky-city of Columbia.  Yes, the city is in the sky!  It's 1912 and you're put in the shoes of Booker Dewitt.  You are given a simple task, "Bring us the girl, and wipe away the debt."  Seems simple enough right?  The only problem is the city of Columbia is run by the prophet known as Comstock, who has established Columbia to promote racial purity (more on this later) and his own religious beliefs.  The girl you're supposed to bring back is named Elizabeth.  She's locked away in a tower and you gotta bust her out.  To avoid spoilers I won't mention anything else relating to the story, but suffice it to say there are complications.  I will say this though, the final thirty minutes of the game will have your jaw hitting the floor in disbelief. 

The city of Columbia is alive and beautifully created.  It's reminiscent of small town America, decorated with red, white and blue streamers, statues of the founding fathers, colorful propaganda, and full of interesting and very opinionated citizens.  Columbia is so beautifully done that it calls out to be explored.  If you try and rush through this game then you are flat-out playing it wrong!

By the end of my playthrough Bioshock Infinite made me think about justice, mercy, repentance, race, and religion.  I didn't expect any of that going into it.  The worst part of this game is the fact that it ends and I'll tell you why.

Elizabeth, your new BFF

Elizabeth

This damsel in distress will be one of the most memorable video game characters of all-time.  When you finally meet her she will be the epitome of innocence and compassion.  Within moments you will care about Elizabeth and stop at nothing to ensure her safety.  Unlike most games with escort missions, Elizabeth doesn't need to be taken care of, the girl can fend for her self.  During combat she will even give you ammo, health and  much needed salts.  In addition, Elizabeth has the ability to open tears in time to transport things like cover, guns, and environmental hazards into the world making her a more than valuable companion.

Your relationship with Elizabeth develops and evolves in a believable way and as the secrets of Columbia began to unravel you will feel sympathetic towards her and her plight.  I know that we're talking about a video game character here, but Elizabeth is so well done that she might as well be real.  (You should read some of the Twitter feeds about her: Elizabeth Obsession)  If Elizabeth is a sign of things to come in the video game world then we should all thank Irrational Games for introducing us.

Yep, that's a mechanical George Washington with a gun!

Heavy Themes

Before I close this post I have to give Irrational Games credit for daring to shine a light on the racial and religious themes that run throughout Bioshock Infinite.  Columbia is all about promoting racial purity through the guise of religion.  In one of the early levels there is even a five-story statue of John Wilkes Booth!  Another level has your character deciding whether or not to cast the first stone at an interracial couple being ridiculed in front of the whole city.  These are just a couple of examples that highlight the darkest corners of our human history and Bioshock Infinite tackles them head on.  We all know racism is wrong and Bioshock Infinite gives you more than enough reason to hate Comstock and his seriously flawed views of racial superiority.  Needless to say, this is not a game that should be played by any young children.

The Final Verdict

This is the first video game that scratches the surface of what video games can be.  Video games have typically been seen as time-wasters that rot the brains of the younger generation.  But what if video games could make you think about heavy themes such as race, religion, or war?  What if a video game could change the way you think, or the way you feel about a particular subject?  Video games have the potential to be more enveloping than television or movies because you are in actually in control, you have the ability to manipulate the environment instead of simply sitting idly by.  Bioshock Infinite is the first game that has come close to approaching that benchmark and I certainly hope that it ignites the fires of other reputable developers to do the same.  I went into Bioshock Infinite hoping to shoot up the baddies and rescue the girl, but when I left Columbia I wanted much more.