| Bioshock Infinite | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 16 2013, 04:29 PM (166 Views) | |
| TheGreg | Apr 16 2013, 04:29 PM Post #1 |
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Storytelling in games has been and remains to be a dicey proposition. One that got it absolutely right from both a conceptual and presentational standpoint was Bioshock. The game told an intelligent, thoughtful and atmospheric story while never halting gameplay with lengthy cutscenes. The excellent story was perfectly integrated into the game. Bioshock Infinite follows the same basic formula. And as memorable as the original game was, Infinite is as good if not better. It is a monumental achievement in video game storytelling. Bioshock Infinite is dripping with political and religious commentary wrapped around an enthralling sci-fi core. And best of all, it becomes a genuine emotional powerhouse during its outstanding final moments thanks to the game's tragic heroine, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is such a lovable and empathetic figure that she becomes much more than an NPC. I genuinely cared about her character and the game's brutal, yet satisfying ending is all the more powerful thanks to her impact. It left me in stunned silence. The cast is superb, with Courtnee Draper leading the way as Elizabeth. Troy Baker's magnetic presence is also impressive as our protagonist Booker DeWitt, while Jennifer Hale and Ray Carbonel are exceptional as the mysterious sibling scientist tandem of Rosalind and Robert Lutece. As you can see, Bioshock Infinite's story (Written and directed by Ken Levine) reigns supreme. Gameplay is solid, fun and never boring, but if you've played the previous games, you know exactly what to expect. Not that it's a bad thing. It plays almost identically to the original game, except this time it takes place above the clouds instead of under the sea. The first person action is fast and fun and exploration is satisfying. One complaint would have to be with the Vigors (previously referred to as Plasmids). Just about every one of these powers mirrors a corresponding Plasmid from the prior games. I would have liked to see more variety. Also, the very presence of these powers doesn't make quite as much sense as they do in Rapture. But without them it would be a fairly standard FPS, so it's forgivable. Whether a series veteran or newcomer, Bioshock Infinite is not to be missed. Its ambitious and heartfelt story is absolutely outstanding and the gameplay is as fun as ever. This is the first must-play game of 2013. |
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| Cron Solo | Apr 17 2013, 09:34 AM Post #2 |
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It's so artistic it killed Ebert. |
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| TheGreg | Apr 17 2013, 05:54 PM Post #3 |
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With my last breath I curse video games! "To my knowledge, no one in or out of the field has ever been able to cite a game worthy of comparison with the great dramatists, poets, filmmakers, novelists and composers. That a game can aspire to artistic importance as a visual experience, I accept. But for most gamers, video games represent a loss of those precious hours we have available to make ourselves more cultured, civilized and empathetic." ~The late Roger Ebert |
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| Cron Solo | Jul 2 2013, 10:17 PM Post #4 |
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So I just finished playing through Bioshock: Infinite, and I don't know if I'm 100% on board with the story being a "monumental achievement in storytelling." While I agree that the game is absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful, and that it has some absolutely amazing gameplay and setpieces (zipping around on the skyrails and picking off Columbians flying on zeppelins), I actually thought the story was a little too convoluted for its own good. I think it's a good enough story, certainly better than you see in the majority of video games, but I don't think it really holds a candle to the original Bioshock's story/atmosphere/twist especially. Maybe part of the reason I felt the twist didn't have quite as big an impact in this game was because I was *expecting* a twist, but maybe it's also because really, this twist doesn't make a whole lot of sense. On top of that, the game does forecast it a little bit. At least that's what I felt. Anyway, curious to see if you're still on board with your original thoughts on the story now that you're a bit more removed from it. |
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| Cron Solo | Jul 2 2013, 10:18 PM Post #5 |
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And P.S., if I sound harsh, I'm really just criticizing that ONE aspect of the game. I absolutely loved the game as a whole. |
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| TheGreg | Jul 3 2013, 02:00 PM Post #6 |
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I suppose that, in retrospect, calling it a monumental achievement may be a bit of hyperbole on my part. I do believe it stands as one of the best stories in video game history. Of course, as you mentioned, the original Bioshock would be right up there as well. I really loved the Elizabeth character as well as the sci-fi elements, which become increasingly fantastical as the game progresses. Whether the game is the best or not, I can't deny that I really cared about these characters and was shaken by the game's climactic moments. Walking the sea of lighthouses, trying desperately to piece all of these plot elements together still gives me chills. Convoluted. I'll certainly give you that. But for me it was an enthralling dramatic and emotional experience of which there are all too few in games. Please excuse any awful typos. I'm using my phone while eating lunch... |
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7:27 PM Jul 10