BioShock Infinite: The Complete Edition

Bioshock Infinite is a great first person shooter / action adventure game on it's own merit, but as a continuation of excellent first two entries it falls short due to some questional gameplay and story choices.

Visually Bioshock Infinite is still incredible, it holds up quote will thanks to a creative and well developed setting, visual design and full of variety enviroment. Intro still captivates the same way it did the first time. Luckly remastered port available provides good image lift up and 60fps.

Gameplay wise Infinite is a downgrade from previous entries, gone metroidvania design in favor of more linear adventure, gameplay mechanics became more streamlined, for example hacking mini game is gone and now can be done with a vigor, limited weapon carry is rather annoying, different ammunition types are gone aswell. Shooting though feels quite nice, weapon designs, sound and animations are well done, enemy variety is somewhat lacking. Rail system is pretty good and brings to momentum to the gameplay. Big Daddies got removed in favor of Mr. Handies, they lack little sister mechanics, which means there is no choice this time around with only singular ending. Game does feel cut down at times, Songbird boss battle was teased a few times for it to just not happen.

Narrative is pretty good, Elizabeth is compelling as a character and useful in combat too with ammunition and tonic support, twist I did not see coming and is well done. Side characters are mixed, Lutece twins are great, while Daisy Fitzroy is severly underdeveloped, Comstock doesn't come close to Andrew Ryan in terms of presence. Ending is shocking but when you realise it's a cliffhanger it becomes rather disappointing, since it just ends abruptly and asks you to play Burial at Sea to get the full narrative.

To Sum Up, Bioshock Infinite does have that Bioshock feel, but substance wise it feels more like a spin-off than a full numbered entry, Burial at Sea dlcs are basically a requirement to receive the full picture, but luckly with remastered ports it is available with every copy of the game. On it's own merit it indeed it a compelling and fun action adventure with satisfying combat.

Masterpiece

Alright overall, had some clipping and environmental issues. Kinda buggy

The developers of Bioshock clearly weren't holding back with world building and setting with their final entry. Columbia simply blew me away. I could not get enough of this vibrant city in the sky. It is beautiful to look at and is teaming with life. The first 20 minutes of the game was easily one of my favourite openings to a game I have ever witnessed, and I'd happily replay this game simply for the opening. Unlike the first two entries in the series, Infinite does a complete 180 and sacrifices a gloomy, isolated underwater city for a heavenly city in the clouds. I also liked the subversion of expectations with starting with a dark lighthouse at sea like the first game and then throws the Columbia curveball at the player. The contrast is honestly staggering. The change in time period also allowed for the game to explore a different kind of artstyle, and I am absolutely here for it. The emphasis on biblical paradise meshed with Bioshock's dieselpunk aesthetic works so well. The drastic change in Infinite's tone is also reflected in its gameplay. Gone is the clunky nature of Bioshock 1 and 2, as Infinite is noticeably smooth and slick. You can't beat the feeling of whizzing round on the train rails with your Sky Hook. Infinite also improves on other aspects like a reliable autosave and the simplification of upgrading, whilst introducing new elements like a much needed sprint mechanic. Besides the appearance of Rapture in the ending, Infinite might as well not be a Bioshock game if you consider the story alone, as it follows a completely new set of characters in a new setting and plot. I can see why they didn't call this game 'Bioshock 3' because its simply a standalone story entirely. I was also surprised that they took the multiverse route in this game's narrative. Playing as a protagonist that speaks and fighting alongside your companion Elizabeth adds to the immersion and makes this game feel more cinematic than the other games. She is also a fantastic gameplay addition, being a valuable provider of ammo, salts and health, and also replaces hacking in favour of lockpicking. That latter change was the only one I was sad to see go, as the hacking mini game in Bioshock 2 was fun. The Burial at Sea DLC is also worth mentioning, as it not only brought us back to Rapture, but it also changed up the gameplay in a fun way, introducing a stealth system into episode 2. The story implications were also fantastic and perfectly incorporated the lore of Infinite with the first two games, and serves as a prologue to the first game. Immediately following the roll of the credits, I knew I was going to miss this franchise. What a pleasure.

Played on PS4 and PS5

Watched a youtube review that said this addition is a lot of endless fighting and not much exploration. Upon replay, they were right but I still like it