BioShock Infinite: First Hour Impressions!

Yes, it has been that long since Irrational Games and Take-Two gave us the previous installment in the award-winning BioShock series. One of the pillars of the exiting gaming generation and likely to be a fixture of the next one, BioShock has established itself as the thinking person's shooter, replete with good story, deep philosophy, subtext and moral implications.

All of that is intact in BioShock Infinite, though whether or not it takes place in the same universe as the first two remains arguable. There are definitely allusions to those games, but seeing as I've only played the first hour or so, I can't say for sure.

What I can state is that if you enjoy good gaming, well, don't pass this one up. Naturally, if you enjoyed BioShock thus far, then you have to get Infinite. However, this isn't the wonderful Tomb Raider reboot. It's not a re-imagining of BioShock, but rather an expansion of the concept. Those who played the previous titles will feel immediately at home, which is perhaps what Irrational was going for. I have to say at times I felt overly at home. Pretty much every element in Infinite is something we've seen before, with a different name or a slightly different approach to it. But familiarity is the primary directive here - like it or not, that's entirely up to you. I say like it, because this is for certain a good game.

It's also a pretty game, with a very stylish look that manages to be completely different from the first BioShocks while echoing them very nicely. There's tons of color here, lots of open spaces, and seemingly a very pastel-ish serenity about the floating city of Columbia. To me Infinite looks a lot like Dishonored, and likewise while a handsome game a benchmark of technology it may not be. Even a modest gaming PC will have no trouble running this at very high or even max in 1080p. BioShock Infinite is definitely the biggest game of the year since Crysis 3 (I make it sound like that was a million years ago...), but it is that by virtue of gameplay, design, and story, not sheer technology-from-the-future amazement, which is by now a Crytek hallmark.

So please kindly let's get into this quick overview, with the story beginning in 1912 and you playing as a bounty hunter/ex-Pinkerton named Jack. No, that's not right, his name is Booker DeWitt, and unlike the two previous BioShock protagonists, this guy talks. A lot, which I find very refreshing and interesting, as he has plenty of very good things to say and comes across as a very likable person. Booker is no mind-controlled Jack or tragic Big Daddy test subject, he's a living breathing guy, and you even catch the odd glimpse of his countenance in mirrors and other reflective surfaces. He's also on the cover art for the game, so that settles it. Needless to say though, Irrational couldn't help themselves and Booker does have a sort of tattoo/mark on him, much like the chain emblem Jack sported in the first game. This is also significant, but is only revealed later in story.

Have to admit I was very excited when this came up, it's been quite a while since the last BioShock.

First look at Columbia in the title screen.

 

Graphics settings are not really an issue here, but Irrational at least explains them in very clear terms and the alternate/DirectX 11 post processing sounds interesting. On my PC BioShock Infinite runs super smooth with these settings, which I believe will be the case for most decently-specced desktops and notebooks.

Booker receives his assignment, and we learn a little about his background. Clear shades of John Carter abound.

Oh, a lighthouse in the middle of the sea, with stairs you have to climb. Where have we seen this before, I wonder? Good thing there were no jetliners back in 1912!

The loot aspects so loved from the other BioShocks are completely evident here, and Booker has an infinite appetite for a wide variety of snacks that are just lying about all over the game world.

Lots of nice lighting and mood-setting effects, but nothing too ground-breaking in technical terms. If you're into atmospheric games, get ready for a treat - but then that's a BioShock staple.

United States of North America? In 1912? Apparently not the same 1912 as it existed in our timeline!

Must resist acerbic attempts at BioShock humor...OK, can't! Instead of a downward trip in a bathyscaphe, there's a skyward journey in a rocket/elevator. And instead of a whale passing by the window we get an airship. I think you get the point!

Zachary Comstock is the resident innovator/leader for Columbia, and seemingly more competent than the flat-out crazy Andrew Ryan. If I really had to choose, I'd take Columbia over Rapture any day of the week. At least judging by the first hour! BioShock Infinite goes against its predecessors in one very important thematic way, in that it brings a lot of religion into proceedings, where the first games revolved around placing human mastery of the world at the center of things.

    

 While it may not be completely cutting-edge, Infinite looks good and clearly the visual artists and designers put a lot of effort into crafting unique and believable environments. DX11 effects are also well implemented, particularly in water and reflections.

Columbia's residents have many interesting stories to tell, and what do you know, they've left recordings all over the shop that you can hunt for and gather to get a more complete picture of the story. By the way, you can turn off the shimmer effect on important items, and one critical aspect of Infinite I neglected to mention is that there's nearly no handholding or directions. You are not given any clear idea of where you're supposed to go, but the game is quite linear from what I can tell, so it's more like casual exploration than open world. Sooner or later you will find your path, getting lost is not an issue.

This is what the recordings look like this time. In keeping with the era, they use vinyl instead of magnetic tape, but the result is the same.

That's taking admiration of the founding fathers a little bit too far, but yes, it's what Infinite is all about. You'll see!

Tons of color and very picturesque: Columbia is a city in the clouds, and Irrational have done good depicting that. Nearly every building has its own physics, so they float and bob individually of each other, which is quite impressive.

 

Once more we see some of the impressive lighting effects, although how that is possible at around 20,000-30,000 feet is not clear. Plus I don't think people can actually live in the open at those elevations for very long!

Another reference to the previous games? Lamb? As in Dr. Lamb? Perhaps not...BTW false Shepherd is NOT a reference to the final Mass Effect 3 DLC. I think even the spelling of the name is different.

In a clever touch, Irrational shows us that living in the clouds as an uber-aristocrat that wants to literally look down at everyone else comes at a price. And I don't mean genetic mutation. I mean four bucks for a melon. In 1912.

Unsurprisingly, children play an important role in Infinite. I just hope these kids don't turn into Little Brothers at some point. "Look Mr. Bubbles, an angel!" They do have that samey look about them...

There's no conventional tutorial, and it takes a while but you eventually start shooting things. At least for practice at a state fair. And yes, aiming down the sights is beautiful as always.

 

 Come get your plasmi....vigors! Yes, you can shoot flames from your fingers, make people float in the air, force them to fight on your side, and listen to little girls exclaiming "my daddy's smarter than Einstein!" Not exactly, though it is effectively the same thing.

The first time you imbibe a vigor is quite...trippy.

We'll close with this guy, The Handyman. Put a diving helmet on his head and really no prizes for guessing where he's familiar from. I am not saying all this in a mean-spirited way, as more of a good thing is typically...good. And Irrational have not crossed the line into overdoing it, not by a long shot.

BioShock Infinite is now available on Steam and at your retailer of choice. Recommended? For sure! Will your PC run it? Doubly for sure! Note I did not mention Booker's query/partner Elizabeth, as I didn't get that far into the game. So I'm really looking forward to delving into this, and would like to congratulate Irrational on their triumphant ascent, I mean return.

Have you grabbed BioShock Infinite? Let us know what you think of it in the forums!