How can you challenge a perfect, immortal machine?
Taking to the Skies of Columbia
Plenty of fans whined about Irrational devolving the magic system from System Shock 2 to BioShock in an effort to appeal to more gamers. Thankfully, those people have BioShock Infinite to calm their bodies. In the sky hovering world of Colombia, you can once again use weaponry with an array of bullet types. This time they are augmented with Vigors that require salt, just like the Plasmids in BioShock required ADAM from little sisters. With only eight Vigors to choose from things may initially seem simplified, but perhaps this is a return to the form of System Shock.
Each of the Vigors has an alternate use. While this may not come close to the five tiers from System Shock, It does add complexity to the BioShock formula of using magic with weaponry in combat. Refining the formula to and even more customizable level, both magic and weaponry can now be used at the same time. With a Vigor in one hand and a pistol in the other, plenty of combinations are accessible.
Fights can evolve in many directions, depending on your choice of Vigor. Murder of Crows, for instance, sends the pelican packers to attack any enemy in their vicinity. Switching quickly to Devil’s Kiss results in stacking two abilities in one by setting the crows on fire, dealing crow and fire damage simultaneously. To add a third source of damage, you’d better be shooting with your other hand as well.
A potentially more subtle level of complexity to BioShock Infinite’s evolved gameplay is the rail system. Not only will the inventive weaponry keep you occupied, but the environment will also be integral to your success. More so than ever before in an Irrational game, the higher ground allows the player to pump lead into unsuspecting terrors or lumbering lynch mobs. Through the firefight and strategic planning, you also have to weigh the option of having Elizabeth—your partner who can tear through time and space— enhance your Vigors while draining her strength. This time the tradeoff is an explicit choice the player has to make, unlike the tradeoff from System Shock 2 to BioShock.
In a lot of ways, the gameplay of BioShock Infinite represents a happy medium between its Irrational ancestors. You will have to weigh your options and focus on a build more than you did in BioShock and less than what System Shock 2 offered. You will have to make choices that affect not only your abilities but those of the people around you, as well. BioShock Infinite combines the hard choices of System Shock 2’s inventory system with the decisions between saving or harvesting Little Sisters in BioShock. Likewise, a more organic approach to firing magic with technologic attacks has been developed in Infinite, leading to an “infinite” amount of combat options.
All of the agonizing delays are finally going to Irrationally pay off in the form of the most evolved and refined gameplay we have seen so far in this spirited series. Hopefully, BioShock Infinite gives as much replay ability as its fans want, because the gameplay sure has changed enough to provide gamers with something new.
My only gripe about Bioshock was I blazed through it too quickly. However, the story telling and gameplay were both top notch! (Though I had no desire to play it through again just to be "evil".) I also enjoyed the sequel despite having the same qualms I had with the original.
I probably still consider System Shock 2 to be the better game even if it's not as pretty to look at.
You're most likely right about that. It was over pretty fast and there wasn't much replay value, but the story didn't lend it much to that replay either. They made me feel dirty, and I liked it. I just didn't like it in the 'I want to play it all the time' way. More in the, 'I will remember these moments and gameplay' forever kind of way.
Maybe Irrational just implanted those memories of crashing on a beach from an airplane in my head though. That would explain a lot.
Just a little Backloggers PSA: After we finish Enslaved, we'll be playing System Shock 2, so if you were always curious about that game and want to play it, or don't want to play it and just want to listen to a few people spoil the snot out of it, keep a lookout for our coverage. You can pick it up on Good Old Games right now for a pretty reasonable price
This is the best news I've heard all morning (not that I've heard any other news this morning).
Still not sure how I feel about Infinite, though I don't doubt it will be good.
Just played Bioshock 2 recently for the first time (had it for a couple years now, but hadn't ever really had the desire to play it). I have to say, very underrated game imo. Quite enjoyable. Didn't bother to play the multiplayer (which is what I remembered most people talking about when it first came out). Campaign alone was a very suitable follow-up to the first Bioshock.
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