Bioshock: Infinite, Darling it's better, down where it's wetter... Wait, what? Options

[CanRay]

So, midnight sale at the last shop in Winnipeg that rents (I started buying from there so that they can stay in business, hopefully!), and picked this up.

A FPS with a STORYLINE, and a protagonist that ISN'T silent! I'm amazed!

Also, for being locked up in a tower all her life, Elizabeth is remarkably useful in combat situations. Also, she shares every PC's Klepto tendencies. And tries to brain the first intruder she ever had with a book on Quantum Physics (In 1912!!!) I approve!

Also, free Bioshock 1. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[_Pax._]

Yeah, I played it for nearly eight hours this morning (from 12:05am to 7:45am), and will shortly be diving back in.

Lots of fun. A bit more frenetic than I like during the big fights (I'm a camper at heart, I hate being so easily and quickly flanked like Infinite allows), and sometimes I wish Elizabeth would stop throwing me coins JUST AS I'M ABOUT TO SEARCH SOMETHING, argh! (Really, the woman has no sense of timing - that, or she's a closet sadist.)

But overall, very very good.

[CanRay]

She grew up in a tower with a giant steampunk robotic bird for company. She's surprisingly well socially adapted considering that!

[CanRay]

*Sighs* Do to a heavy fear of sleep (Don't ask), I beat it this morning. I'm blown away from the storyline completely!

[DamHawke]

I'm itchy to start playing but I'm still downloading my copy. Curse my crappy internet.

[tasti man LH]

And I continue to plot to raid my citys' Redboxes to find a copy, since I has no monies to buy one myself.

[CanRay]

Well, I'm certainly interested in thinking about the implications of the game quite a bit, and I have to say that it's been a long time since any form of media made me think about this type of situation in a long time.

This one will be a keeper, and I'm wondering what kind of DLC/Expansion Packs are due out for it now. And, yes, there will be some, there's a Season's Pass.

[tasti man LH]

I imagine it's themes would seem all the more relevant, considering the current socio-political climate of things.

[CanRay]

I imagine it's themes would seem all the more relevant, considering the current socio-political climate of things.

A bit, yes, but it's other parts that got me thinking. I think too much about the world's current state (too much for my mental health. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif) ), it's a very deep game.

In the "rabbit hole" sense.

[Wounded Ronin]

Also, for being locked up in a tower all her life, Elizabeth is remarkably useful in combat situations. Also, she shares every PC's Klepto tendencies. And tries to brain the first intruder she ever had with a book on Quantum Physics (In 1912!!!) I approve!

LOL, empowerment fantasy for the modern urban man, who spends his life locked up in an (apartment) tower with more access to heavy books than real weapons.

[KarmaInferno]

Grr, trying to finish 100% completion on Tomb Raider so I can trade in for this...


-k

[CanRay]

LOL, empowerment fantasy for the modern urban man, who spends his life locked up in an (apartment) tower with more access to heavy books than real weapons.

I'd resemble that, but I rent a room in a house.

[X-Kalibur]

A bit, yes, but it's other parts that got me thinking. I think too much about the world's current state (too much for my mental health. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif) ), it's a very deep game.

In the "rabbit hole" sense.

In terms of gameplay, please compare it to Bioshock 1 for me.

[CanRay]

In terms of gameplay, please compare it to Bioshock 1 for me.

Very similar, you have "Magic" powers, called "Vigors" in this game, but can only carry two different weapons at a time rather than the arsenal that you had in Bioshock. Also, you don't get health packs or Eve syringes that were in Bioshock, so you're much more careful about health and "Salt" (mana) in this game.

On the flipside, you also have shields that regenerate. They're smaller than your health (even when maxed out!), so it's not game-breaking. Cover is your friend!

The area is much less claustrophobic than Rapture, but Agoraphobics (like myself) will not like the difference. The Skyline system is quite inventive, but can be a pain when you're trying to figure out where to go. "Do I jump on this line? That one? Which direction?", but that could just be me. Also, the skyline "hook" you get in the game is also your Melee weapon, which is a nice thing, and the "Executions" are quite interesting!

Clothing replaces "Tonics" from Bioshock 1, but you can only have a hat, shirt, pants, and boots. It can be quite difficult to figure out which to want.

Also, despite Elizabeth being with you through most of the game, it is NOT a constant escort mission. She holds her own (despite being a non-combative), and passes you quite useful items at times. ("Son of a, I'm almost out of... Thank you freaky girl with a thimble for a finger! I needed those Hand Cannon rounds!").

There's no Vita Chamber, but Elizabeth will heal you up if you get "killed", which considering her powers, and the weird syringe she seems to use, as well as the cost in money for it, is a nice break from the "slap on the wrist" that the vita chambers had. Hell, I figured Rapture would have charged me out the *** for respawns! And also explains how she does it in-universe.

So, essentially, same but different, with some nice add-ons.

[_Pax._]

Very similar, you have "Magic" powers, called "Vigors" in this game, but can only carry two different weapons at a time rather than the arsenal that you had in Bioshock. Also, you don't get health packs or Eve syringes that were in Bioshock, so you're much more careful about health and "Salt" (mana) in this game.

On the flipside, you also have shields that regenerate. They're smaller than your health (even when maxed out!), so it's not game-breaking. Cover is your friend!

The shields at max, are equal to yoru healtht at the beginning of the game (in my current playthrough, I consciously decided to build those up to 11, before adding to Health or Salts).

Oh, and: because you don't carry around syringes of EVE or medkits, the various snack/drink items laying about are more important for survival.

...

Oh, one other thing "missing" in Infinite: no hacking ... damnit. All the lock-picking is done by Elizabeth, and simply costs a specified number of lockpicks (which you pick up in 1's and 2's and 3's around the gameworld).

[X-Kalibur]

The plumbing... ahem... hacking in Rapture was a bit bland. I ended up getting a refund check yesterday that I was expecting so perhaps I'll get Infinite.

[CanRay]

Oh, one other thing "missing" in Infinite: no hacking ... damnit. All the lock-picking is done by Elizabeth, and simply costs a specified number of lockpicks (which you pick up in 1's and 2's and 3's around the gameworld).

To be fair, neither Booker or Elizabeth have experience with vending machines in their life, so hacking is not possible.

That said, the first Vigor you get can be used on the machines. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[_Pax._]

Yeah, I don't like the Possession vigor for the simple reason: it's too easy. I liked having to look around, and figure out a good approach to a camera or turret, minimising my exposure time, in order to hack it. Now, though? Clear across the area map, WHAM, turret is mine, WHAM, Motorized Patriot is on my side, etc.

And they had a great mechanic available to them - the same kind of puzzles they used in Industrial Revolution.

[Wounded Ronin]

So, knowing that I wouldn't be able to play this game for a very long time, I decided to simply watch someone play it on YouTube.

I got engrossed just from watching and ended up watching like 3 or 4 40 minute installments while working on other stuff.

It seems like an excellent game.

But, yeah, Elizabeth kind of strikes me like some kind of fantasy for guys who want a smart, nice, empowered girlfriend who nevertheless likes them and feels the need to hang around and depend on them for some things. The closest real world analogue might be some young lady who's been locked up in some ivy league university with domineering, wealthy parents. Considered in this light, Elizabeth seems to take gory and lethal massacre-firefights with, like, ravens eating people alive and decapitation and shotguns at closer range very, very well. In stride, even.

Which is just fine...I mean, that's why it's entertainment.

[CanRay]

The fantasy gets really tainted real quick at the end, I assure you.

[tasti man LH]

...well then, my thumbs hurt for playing this game nonstop for 8 hours.

Really need to stop and sleep, but all I can say is that this game is awesome: DAMN awesome.

[X-Kalibur]

The fantasy gets really tainted real quick at the end, I assure you.

Without spoiling anything for anyone else... While I appreciated the writing quite a bit, I still saw the plot twists coming from a mile away. Nihil novi sub sole.

[tasti man LH]

Just finished it.

...

HO.LY.SHIT.

To me, this game is a shining example of video games being an experience. And that video games don't have to be about JUST killing dudes in cool ways, solving puzzles in colorful environments and in unique ways, or to simulate/roleplay as something that you aren't in real life.

Going to need a bit of time to process things: that ending was a doozy.

One thing to warn people about this one though: there are lots, and LOTS of wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey...stuff.

And:

[ Spoiler ]

that a Bioshock multiverse is officially canon thanks to this game.

[CanRay]

Without spoiling anything for anyone else... While I appreciated the writing quite a bit, I still saw the plot twists coming from a mile away. Nihil novi sub sole.

I probably would have, but my brain isn't exactly in good shape right now.

I also just realized how RACIST the naming/advertising of the weapons are in-universe. Really, there are levels upon levels in this game that you just don't get things on the single playthrough. I think the "Broadsider" pistol (The Broomhandle Mauser) is the only one that doesn't have any negative implications to it.

[X-Kalibur]

The racism is rampant (and appropriate) throughout the game. While I powered through the game I did catch quite a bit of thing in it (hearing Fortunate Son as a slave hymn was awesome). I did miss the Bioshock 1 feel of upgraded weapons looking different and the randomness of the clothing wore on me a little. You could end up getting awesome stuff (30% faster reload pants, 40% chance for salts on kill) or much less useful stuff that involves doing jump kills which you can't use in most fights.