My Favorite Moments
Some games are worthy of so much discussion that it's sometimes difficult to cover everything all at once. Some are loaded with so many spoilers that they can't be discussed until after most people have played through to the end. This new series of posts that I'm calling "Two Weeks Later" will give a more in-depth look at the larger or more complex games. Topics may range from analyzing themes to just gushing about my favorite moments. These posts will more than likely go up two weeks after the review is posted and only if I feel like I didn't get to say everything I wanted to say in my review.
Bioshock Infinite has quickly become one of my favorite games of this generation for loads of reasons. It is one of those few games that have made me want to replay it as soon as I've finished it because I just can't get it out of my head. It's possible to write many research papers over the themes and story points used in the game, but for now I'm just going to go over a few of my favorite parts.
Warning: Everything below is spoilerific. If you haven't finished Bioshock Infinite, I'd advise you not to keep scrolling.
Entering Columbia
Infinite offers many call-backs to the original Bioshock throughout the game. The first is right at the beginning when Booker launches into Columbia from the lighthouse. The player gets a good look at where their adventure is taking place before drifting into Comstock's church. After a quick, foreshadowing baptism/near-drowning, Booker embarks on a sight-seeing tour of Columbia. The atmosphere is full of celebration and fireworks as the citizens enjoy the city's annual fair. One of Comstock's followers calls the place "Heaven, or the closet thing to it until Judgement Day," and it really seems like an ideal and happy place to live until Booker finds out what's really going on in this "paradise".
Buzz Kill
Some games are worthy of so much discussion that it's sometimes difficult to cover everything all at once. Some are loaded with so many spoilers that they can't be discussed until after most people have played through to the end. This new series of posts that I'm calling "Two Weeks Later" will give a more in-depth look at the larger or more complex games. Topics may range from analyzing themes to just gushing about my favorite moments. These posts will more than likely go up two weeks after the review is posted and only if I feel like I didn't get to say everything I wanted to say in my review.
Bioshock Infinite has quickly become one of my favorite games of this generation for loads of reasons. It is one of those few games that have made me want to replay it as soon as I've finished it because I just can't get it out of my head. It's possible to write many research papers over the themes and story points used in the game, but for now I'm just going to go over a few of my favorite parts.
Warning: Everything below is spoilerific. If you haven't finished Bioshock Infinite, I'd advise you not to keep scrolling.
Entering Columbia
Infinite offers many call-backs to the original Bioshock throughout the game. The first is right at the beginning when Booker launches into Columbia from the lighthouse. The player gets a good look at where their adventure is taking place before drifting into Comstock's church. After a quick, foreshadowing baptism/near-drowning, Booker embarks on a sight-seeing tour of Columbia. The atmosphere is full of celebration and fireworks as the citizens enjoy the city's annual fair. One of Comstock's followers calls the place "Heaven, or the closet thing to it until Judgement Day," and it really seems like an ideal and happy place to live until Booker finds out what's really going on in this "paradise".
Buzz Kill
When Booker arrives at the lottery, it all hits the fan. Booker chooses the winning number and his prize is the first throw of a public stoning at an interracial couple, giving Booker his first look into the rampant racism that consumes the city. The game gives you a choice to throw a baseball at the couple or at the announcer of the lottery. No matter what you choose, the guards notice you as the "False Shepherd", and you end up shredding an officer's face with a skyhook. This crazy, sudden change in tone sets the stage for what is to be expected during the visit to Columbia.
Meeting Elizabeth
When Booker enters the tower where Elizabeth is kept, he first discovers all of the experiments and observations that were done to her. Once he finally meets her, the two have a brief exchange before her keeper, Songbird, realizes what's going on and begins to tear the tower down in order to keep Elizabeth from escaping. This huge escape scene is followed by another enjoyable exploration of the city except with the aid of the wonderful Elizabeth.
The Revolution
Jumping through parallel universes can complicate things. Booker and Elizabeth find this out when they walk into one too many tears and realize that they entered a world where the Vox Populi are taking over Columbia after an alternate version of Booker becomes a martyr for their cause. Their leader, Daisy Fitzroy, believes this new Booker is an imposter and sends in waves of enemies to kill him resulting in a huge and difficult battle. This drastic change in events is miniscule compared to what lies ahead for Booker.
The Asylum
The creepiest part of the game is the asylum that Booker is brought into after being K.O'd by Songbird. Avoiding the Boys of Silence while listening in on tears from the past that describe a timeline where Elizabeth slowly becomes the same tyrannical monster as her father is unsettling. Towards the end, the biggest scare in the game occurs and causes players everywhere to fire rapidly into the air in a state of panic. This scare could also be one of the many nods to the original game.
Bioshock Infinite
The original Bioshock for comparison
After finding Elizabeth, the eerie vibe of the asylum comes to a head. She reveals to Booker that she pulled him into the future where Columbia destroys New York City as part of its plan to annihilate the entire world. She then gives him the key that would prevent these events from happening.
The Mind-Blowing Finally
This is where I yelled "No way!" I felt like that I was going to end up seeing Rapture as sort of a hint that it was possible to travel there through the multiple tears in reality, but I didn't expect to actually go and kill Songbird there. The best part of that little scene was hearing Booker exclaim, "A city at the bottom of the ocean? Ridiculous." Piecing together all of the events that lead up to the end as well as trying to make sense out of everything being explained is one experience that is hard to forget. What's great about the somber ending is the glimmer of hope seen after the credits where one timeline exists in which Booker and his daughter live happily ever after.
There are plenty of other sections of Bioshock Infinite that I loved, but these are the moments that stand out the most. If you want, let me know what your favorite part was in the comments.
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