• 7Apr 13

  Uni Review

   So I've never written a review (or anything beyond comments for that matter) before and was required to do one for a writing unit I'm doing at Uni.  After finishing it I found I quite enjoyed it so thought I would upload it to be chewed up and spat out by teh interwebz.  A couple of points:

  - I didn't post this under the reviews for the actual game because I didn't want to, and I feel assigning a numerical score to a game in a review is redundant and subjective. #dealwithit (omg, it's already poisoning my mind)

  - I realise it may be lacking in detail, but after the first paragraph I only had 45 mins to finish it and needed to take a crap, however any criticism will be taken seriously (or not, depending on whether I feel it should) as I really do want to improve my writing.

  - Regarding not being able to find plot-holes in the story: I couldn't. Everything made sense to me, and if it didn't to you, you have my sympathies. Sometimes the ignorant have it better.

  
  

  Enjoy:

  
  

   Nothing beats a good story in a game backed by solid gameplay mechanics. Granted, there are many games that sell extremely well that get by only having one of these qualities, but I dont believe they are as memorable. Irrational Games Bioshock Infinite is one such game that delivers both qualities in ample servings. From its tried and true gameplay mechanics to its thought provoking conclusion, one cannot help but be impressed once the ending credits begin to roll, so much so that this reviewer couldnt help but start a new game straight away, and was pleased to see that a second play through with knowledge gained from the first only added to the enjoyment. 

   Set in an alternate history during the early 1900s, Bioshock Infinite takes place in the fictional American city of Columbia some 20,000 feet above sea level. As Booker DeWitt, you are sent here to rescue Elizabeth, a girl trapped in a tower by the citys fanatical prophet Father Comstock, and bring her back to New York in order to clear a debt/ However, when you finally locate Elizabeth, you realise everything is not what it seems. The main narrative is delivered through short cut-scenes and conversations, only relaying to the player the essential parts of the story (which by no means constitutes a shallow story), while collectable audio logs are scattered throughout which fill the player in on a rich backstory, providing an incentive to travel off the main path and explore the sights and scenes Cambodia has to offer.

   Being a first-person shooter, for the most part the gameplay is much what you would expect: aim the gun at the bad guys trying to kill you (or good guys if you are so inclined), and pull the trigger. Throughout the game Booker acquires various supernatural abilities called Vigors that can be used to assist you in various combat and non-combat situations. This is one area where it improves from the previous entries in the series because the powers are actually useful. Even on the lower difficulty settings you can still use your powers to get yourself out of a tight situation like pulling that enemy sniper close to you so you can stun him or set him on fire. Another new feature is equip able gear hidden throughout the game that offer various perks such as increased melee damage, or quicker shield regeneration, and are a necessity when playing through the brutal harder difficulties. Adding to the list of hidden collectables are flasks that permanently upgrade your health, shields, or energy required for using vigors, and kinetoscopes, which offer a short film black and white silent film showing the history of certain places or events that took place in the city in the sky. Another major influence on gameplay is Elizabeth, who after being rescued, follows you around for much of the game. Elizabeth can assist the player in a number of ways, from picking locks on doors, to throwing you health or ammo when in a dire situation. She also has the ability to rip tears in time and space and pull objects through that can be used to your advantage, such as cover, automatic turrets, or even vending machines for you to buy weapon or vigor upgrades. 

   Getting around in Cambodia is a blast. For a game brought out on dated systems like the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, the graphics and detail are really quite eye-catching. The city is built on platforms suspended by quantum engineering and blimps which float around in the sky in an almost dreamlike state. In order to travel to these various platforms, you use a handheld skyhook to swing from place to place via crane hooks or along skycart rails which you can shoot from while sliding at blistering speeds, which is an exhilarating experience from the first time you do it till the last.

   It is not often I come across a game where I struggle to find something wrong with it. There is generally some sort of story plot-hole or AI annoyances to pick on, but no matter how hard I look, I fail to find any. Bioshock is not a perfect game by any means. Anything can be improved upon one way or another, but for what it does, it does it well; from the character building, to a gloomy scene where the character can interact with a beat up guitar to hear Elizabeth sing a sorrowful melody, making this one of the most heartfelt moments I have ever seen or read in any type of media. Irrational Games shows us that games can still be works of art while offering good value entertainment at the same time. Bioshock Infinite is definitely a must play for anyone who has an interest in video games, and even for some who dont. Its world and story will leave you breathless.

  • Posted Apr 7, 2013 5:52 am GMT
  • Category: Games
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