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What I Love About The New Bioshock


On 04/09/2013 at 11:39 AM by Chris Yarger

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Bioshock Infinite is a good game.. No.. It’s a GREAT game. I’m not going to sugar coat it, it’s fucking phenomenal! But there are some things that really stick out to me and I’m only a few hours into it. I’ll try to be as spoiler free as possible as I write this so no worries, ok? We cool?

Sweet..

5. The Change of Atmosphere

After the first two Bioshock games, I was craving for something new and fresh, and Infinite delivers on an entirely new scale. Going from the seas to the skies, the land of Columbia leaves me awestruck at times. More often than not I’ll simply stop shooting and simply gander out onto the horizon. But the location isn’t the only change; there are people around as well! They not only go on living their daily lives and enjoying the current events around Columbia, but they also interact with you and each NPC is different. There are ladies who hit on you, children who tell you that it’s ok for them to smoke, and even photographers who get angry whenever you step into their shooting frames.

4. The Introduction of a Shield System

What the hell right? This isn’t fucking Halo!

But.. It works.

Really really well actually.

The thing about the shield that I like is the fact that it’s small and can’t take much damage. The shield to me isn’t a weapon to help you conquer the floating island of Columbia, instead it acts more like a breathing device that gives you a chance to peek out and plan your moves or act as a temporary cover while you move from point A to point B. It never once acted as a game breaker for me in which it allowed me to simply power through hoards of enemies. It’s actually quite flimsy and breaks easily, and I think its real intention was solely to give the player a bit of a break during an onslaught. It’s one of those things that you never take for granted because it helps in such odd ways if you’re being bombarded.

3. Weapons

What I love about the new weapon system is the fact that you can only carry two at once. While this may seem like a disabling tactic by the developers, I actually find it more enjoyable because I’m not cycling through a colossal list and having an anxiety attack while peeps are hurling bullets and obscenities at me since I killed their bestest friend ever. Its simplicity actually is makes it really nice, plus it throws in an extra challenge that I thoroughly enjoy.

2. Scavenger Hunts Are No Longer For Children

I love the fact that I’m unable to stash 9 Med-Packs and 9 Eve Syringes in my hidden underwear pocket, because that’s where I typically store my Reese Cups and Kit-Kats. The days of carrying support supplies are over this time around, leaving you to scavenge Columbia for food, cigarettes, and coffee to slowly heal yourself, or you can occasionally (Quite frequently actually) find a Med-Pack laying around. I really liked the way they approached this concept because it actually made the scavenging experience more of a necessity and less of an option. If I wanted to heal up before I put my slaughter-face on, I had to find what I needed. Of course, I could always go to the ever-helpful vending machines that conveniently dispense Med-Packs and Ammo.. Am I the only one concerned for the well-being of the children with a pocket full of coins in Columbia?

Another great addition to the weaponry is the brand new spank-me-good Skyhook. It’s like a helicopter and Megaman’s Buster mated and gave birth to a machine made of half metal and half awesome. The Skyhook allows you to not only perform gruesome fatalities, but it also allows you to traverse Columbia’s sky lines with ease.

1. Yes, It’s A Giant Fucking Escort Mission

And….

It’s amazing..

I’ve never played a game that had such a flawless escort feel to it.

Elizabeth is FAR from worthless. Whenever I’m busy fighting off cops and cultists, she always finds time for me and my needs like a true companion; and by needs I of course mean ammo, health, and salts. Even whenever we’re not in combat she’s still finding things like a child on Easter such as Lockpicks and Coins. Plus, she’s always up for conversation and always has interesting things to say in regards to her new and ever-changing view on the world around her.

She’s also able to pick locks to open new ways or hidden areas, and she’s also able to open things in the environment called Tears that bring shit to you for your advantage such as various forms of cover, sky cranes to hook onto with your Skyhook, turrets, ammo, health crates, and all kinds of marvelous stuff that you need.

When she first followed me I thought of her as a crutch, but whenever she leaves to do her own things (Which she does on occasions), I found that I missed her and wanted her back. It’s actually rather peculiar how it works.

 

With all of that said, I must say that this is just the tip of the mountain. I’ve only played the game for 2-3 hours and I feel as if I have barely scratched the surface. Sure, there’s a lot of things that I haven’t mentioned such as abilities, gear, Vigors (Plasmids), etc., but I just didn’t feel the necessity to mention them as much as what I’ve already listed above and I don’t feel like typing a Bioshock Bible right now. But believe me whenever I say this; if you EVER get the chance to get this game, do it. It’s well worth it and I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed; unless you’re blind, deaf, and numb from the neck down.


 

Comments

True Gamer At Heart

04/09/2013 at 12:23 PM

Looks good..but i know i am going to hate the ending thou!

Chris Yarger Community Manager

04/09/2013 at 12:36 PM

I haven't read nor seen anything about the ending, so hopefully I won't be disappointed!

Super Step Contributing Writer

04/09/2013 at 04:08 PM

It's apparently one of those Inception type endings that will get people talking. In any case, the more I hear about this game, the more pissed I am that my current financial circumstances don't allow for now-gen systems and games. lol

Chris Yarger Community Manager

04/09/2013 at 04:16 PM

Hmm. Interesting..

I have my theories on what all is going to happen, but I suppose I'll just have to see for myself!

BrokenH

04/09/2013 at 01:51 PM

Looking forward to this! Based on what everyone has said I'll probably end up enjoying this even more than the original two Bioshocks. They seem to have expanded upon and improved a lot of things. (Despite the limited carrying capacity and limited weapon slots) Regardless, I like the idea of a shield too. It doesn't seem over powered but it does seem helpful enough!

Chris Yarger Community Manager

04/09/2013 at 04:16 PM

in my opinion Ben, the new Bioshock blows all of the other games out of the water (Pun intended lol).

But the shield is a great addition. It doesn't provide too much security, but allows for you to be able to move from cover to cover easier.

Aboboisdaman

04/09/2013 at 03:33 PM

I don't really care for the concept of limited amount of weapons... but I must admit that playing Doom 3 again has me wishing for hotkeys lol. There's so many weapons and they aren't all useful in certain situations. So how bad can it be? I'm looking forward to playing this one eventually. A shield sounds cool too.

Chris Yarger Community Manager

04/09/2013 at 03:59 PM

I like being able to find what I need on the fly. I suppose though that I should've mentioned that you can pick up any weapons dropped by enemies too. So usually you can find whatever you need where ever you are!

Ranger1

04/09/2013 at 05:49 PM

So Courtney finally let you have a turn, lol. I hate first-person perspective in games, so I may rent this one first to see if I like it well enough to buy it.

Chris Yarger Community Manager

04/10/2013 at 06:18 AM

I think you'll be surprised at how good this game is Tami. Definitely give it a try and let me know what you think of it!

And it's been easier and easier to get time in to play ever since Court's rage-quit LOL

Cary Woodham

04/09/2013 at 07:15 PM

The gameplay in BioShock games aren't my cup of tea, but I will admit they have a heck of an atmosphere.

Chris Yarger Community Manager

04/10/2013 at 06:19 AM

Bioshock's atmosphere is definitely a unique experience. I'm really surprised at how well they were able to completely overhaul it from under the sea to the skies. It was such a drastic change, yet they pulled it off so well.

smartcelt

04/09/2013 at 08:17 PM

Outstanding blog about a mind blowing game. I agree with you about the shield thing. It helps me without feeling like a crutch. I find myself gawking at the beauty of the world a lot in the game. I also watch to see what Elizabeth is doing. I like knowing where is she is during battles. I often wonder if I'm watching out for her,or she is doing that for me. She is definitely a valuable companion to have around. The vigors are incredibly cool to use. I like the weapons and the fact you can upgrade them. One of the best gaming experiences of the past couple of years for me.

Chris Yarger Community Manager

04/10/2013 at 06:17 AM

It's simply amazing at how well they put this game together. A while back whenever it was announced, I was extremely skeptical.. But I'm glad I took the time to give it a try because I'm simply dumbfounded at how well done the game is!

GrayHaired

04/10/2013 at 10:46 PM

Bioshock:  I have 1 and 2 but I have yet to play them. So it will be a long time before i even think about playing this game.

Chris Yarger Community Manager

04/11/2013 at 05:54 AM

Whenever you wrap up your MGS playthough, you should look into starting the first Bioshock! It's not too long and it's a great game!

daftman

04/12/2013 at 05:07 AM

That's a good list. I agree with you on all counts. I just finished Infinite the other night and I really liked it, including the ending. Now that I know the whole story I'd like to go through it again sometime to see how it fits together as you go.

Chris Yarger Community Manager

04/15/2013 at 06:46 AM

I was briefly distracted by Skyrim there for a bit last week, but now that I've finished it I'm going to be all about Bioshock until I get it finished! I'm making some decent progress and I like how the story is shifting in Universes through the Tears. I can't wait to see what happens!

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