The real genius of Bioshock: Infinite is the way in which it plays on a heavily clichéd storyline (hero rescues damsel in distress from a tower) while still making it feel fresh and original. The world of Columbia has a massive helping hand in that, of course, but Infinite's two central characters are the key factors in creating an engaging and interesting storyline. Elizabeth is the damsel in distress, though she's far more intuitive than your regular fairy tale princess. Booker is the knight in shining armour, though for the majority of the game, it's a role that he never really looks comfortable in. His motives are entirely selfish, for one thing. Throughout the game, we hear a familiar line which drives Booker's mission: "Bring us the girl and wipe away the debt". Our taskmaster isn't revealed until later on in the game but it's the second part that is key to shining a light on Booker's character. Exactly what debt he owes is unclear; what is clear is that Booker seeks to rescue Elizabeth so he can hand her off to someone else to wipe his own slate clean. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a pretty unheroic act. Even if Booker's actions were noble, his short fuse and willingness to commit unspeakable acts of violence contradict his intentions. While he bears the responsibility for those actions, hearing them discussed openly gives us a sense of unease about the guy. While the full extent of Booker's story isn't revealed until the fantastic closing scene, there's not a point in the game where you can really trust Booker to do the right thing for Elizabeth (a character that we quickly grow attached to) and that makes it hard for us to will him onto success.
I have an addiction to achievements, a craving for new bands and a dream to become Captain America. I once finished second in a Mario Kart 7 tournament so I'm kind of a big deal.
