One of the most anticipated video games of the year, BioShock Infinite, finally hits stores early next week, and the early consensus seems to be that Irrational Games’ latest is without question the best in the franchise.
Ironing out the few annoyances that plagued the previous games and adopting a vibrant new setting that keeps things fresh, Infinite keeps true to the BioShock name with its absorbing storytelling and thrilling action, while also evolving sufficiently so that players don’t feel like they’re paying for the same experience. If BioShock 2 proved a slight disappointment – largely due to Irrational Games’ lack of involvement – this has been remedied for the best, and hopefully not last, entry into the series.
It’s a competitive year for gaming with the next-gen race gearing up, but here are 10 reasons why Bioshock Infinite just might be the game of the year…
10. If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It
Though Infinite might look starkly different from the previous games in the series, it doesn’t play all that differently, and that’s unquestionably a good thing.
The core mechanics of the BioShock games are superbly refined and require little tweaking; the core facets of the gameplay, such as the Plasmids for instance, the power-ups that will provide with you abilities such as telekinesis return albeit with a shiny new name – Vigors. The effects are practically the same, and the game makes it clear enough that they are basically one and the same, such that veterans won’t find themselves confused by the change.
Even if some refinements have been made, they are almost exclusively for the better, yet the core gameplay hasn’t been “casualised” or toned down, as is sadly the case with far too many sequels these days.
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7 Comments
Before I even read this article I’m going to give 5 reasons why I think it’s overrated. I’ll wind up buying it (like i did with Dishonored), but in the end it’s the replay value that counts. With that being said,
#1 It’s been hyped for over 2 years, which means expectations will be shooting out of fans’ arses.
#2 It’s probably short and very linear, which means once you beat it you’ll probably not pick it up again until you’re snowed in or bored of your other games.
#3 It’s much of the same (going back to linear).
#4 We’ve only been showed a few missions worth of footage. I’ve seen no boss battles, other settings, side quests, etc.
#5 Why do we have to love BioShock? It’s in the FPS genre which seems like treaded territory.
Length doesn’t mean much when it comes to GOTY, look at Journey, but still what is so groundbreaking about this title? An NPC with personality can only go so far, and that’s only if you stop and stare at her. We’ve all scene amazing set pieces before so there’s got to be more interactivity within those set pieces. I hope I’m wrong, but with my utter disappointment with Dishonored I can’t say that’ll be wrong (this is my opinion BTW). For me, 60 dollars better be worth at least a month to two months worth of play. Again, I beat Dishonored within two days having no inclination towards picking it up again, and the story was just rehashed video game stuff. My eye is on Watch Dogs.
You really hate it.
Just another thing, the whole casual gaming genre, to me, needs to continue. Not everyone has the time to replay a mission 50 times or to become a honed master. I work, have a gf, and have bills to pay. When I shell out 60 bucks on a game, I want to enjoy it. I don’t want to spend those free hours stressing out over a level that was clearly put there to piss people off.
Nice article though.
Here’s a question…have you actually played the game, or just read IGN’s review?
It will be a great game, but not game of the year. The nominees for game of the year are: bioshock infinite, the last of us, Gta V, and Saints row 4. The winner(no surprise) is Gta V!
How can anybody talk about Game of the Year? It’s only March.
Haven’t played Bioshock 2, however since Infinite doesn’t related to both of its predecessor, and better looking, I’m going to buy this for sure. Sorry to say this, I think this article too much exaggerate.