Bioshock Infinite - Xbox 360

Enjoying The View From Above

2013-03-25T12:00:00Z

In BioShock Infinite, players must be comfortable with the concept of parallel realities. What appears to be a peaceful street could be a war-torn battleground in a different version of the world. A person can be alive in one place, dead in another. Male here, female there – or never even born at all. As hero Booker DeWitt confronted these truths through the abilities of his companion, Elizabeth, I toyed with the same ideas in my own mind. If just a few things had happened differently, how would my life change? Could I be smarter? Richer? Happier? No matter how many parallel realities I ponder, I cannot imagine one in which BioShock Infinite is not among the best games I’ve played.

It all begins with Columbia. The floating paradise isn’t just Rapture in the sky; it is divided by its own political problems, and driven by its own ideals. The city is beautifully realized, from the early 1900s-era buildings bobbing on the clouds to the zeppelins soaring by. As Booker walks down the streets, he is surrounded by a living Norman Rockwell painting; kids play in the water from a leaking hydrant, people gawk at technological marvels at the local fair, and a general store sits unattended but for a note about the honor system. Life in Columbia seems perfect, but the real fun comes from discovering the ugly side of the city.

Dealing with themes like religion, racism, and xenophobia, Columbia is a richer and more nuanced setting than even Rapture, and the unveiling of the city’s culture is masterfully executed. Whether you’re looking at a piece of propaganda, listening to an audio log, or participating in a horrifying raffle, almost everything you encounter contributes to your understanding of the floating world. This is one of the ingenious ways Infinite blurs the lines between its component parts; Columbia may be a backdrop for the action, but the setting, narrative, and combat all loop back to reinforce each other.

Booker wanders Columbia alone at first, but once he saves the young woman named Elizabeth from captivity, the adventure begins in earnest. Elizabeth is with Booker for most of the events that follow, and she is among the best AI companions I’ve ever had. You don’t ever need to worry about protecting her, which prevents the experience from feeling like an escort quest. Not only does Elizabeth stay out of harm’s way, she actively helps Booker by finding ammo and health, making her a valuable ally in gunfights. She can also open doors to alternate realities called “tears,” bringing objects like rocket launchers, automatons, and cover in from other worlds. She can use this ability as often as you want, but can only maintain one object at a time. This means you have a lot of options in any given encounter, but you can still adapt your approach and try new strategies.

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Booker’s tools in combat are less mysterious. He plows through enemies using firearms, brute force, and creative powers. I picked off foes with my shotgun as they fought off the murder of crows I summoned. I possessed a robotic George Washington and watched him cut down my Columbian aggressors. I jumped on the roller coaster-like skyline, boarded an airship, and jammed my skyhook into a foe’s throat. The upgradeable weapons and abilities – augmented by the skylines and Elizabeth’s powers – give players plenty of space to develop their own style of play. The encounter design could use more variety (you walk into a lot of wide-open areas full of tears and wait for enemies to pour in), and the meager penalty for death doesn’t keep stakes high unless you’re playing on the brutal-but-rewarding 1999 difficulty. Despite those issues, combat on the whole is fun and satisfying.

My favorite aspect of Infinite is the one about which I can say the least: story. The build-up is slow, but it works wonderfully thanks to the small ways other elements flow into the narrative. Elizabeth’s observations help you get to know her, and when she assists you in battle, it strengthens your connection to her. Opening tears keeps you thinking about the possibilities of other realities. Hearing the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” being sung in 1912 reminds you that you have a lot of questions that need answers. My only complaint on the narrative front is that the hulking Songbird is under-utilized; for such a cool concept, the beast is relegated to the role of screeching deus ex machina. Otherwise, Irrational ties the remaining story threads together to create one of my favorite game endings in years.

Replicating the achievements of the original BioShock is a challenging goal (as 2K Marin’s sequel demonstrated), but series creator Irrational Games returns with a fresh vision and redefines what the BioShock name means. Infinite is more than a new setting, story, and characters; those elements are seamlessly integrated with complex themes, a mysterious plot, and entertaining combat to create an amazing experience from beginning to end. Familiar threads run through it – a lighthouse, a strange city, a charismatic antagonist – but they are homages to the past rather than attempts to recycle it. The core of Infinite is unlike anything else on land, sea, or air.

The Edge

I did not notice a drastic difference in performance between the console versions. The PS3 may have a slight edge, but it also has the comically clunky Move controls. The PC iteration certainly has a graphical advantage, but I initially had issues getting the mouse-and-keyboard controls to work properly. If you go the PC route, you may want to stick to the gamepad, which worked fine for me.

BioShock Infinite's Elizabeth Comes To Life

2013-03-20T14:16:00Z

Elizabeth is a key character in BioShock Infinite, one that Irrational Games' creative director Ken Levine believes the developer has to get right in order for the game to succeed. Check out this trailer for the game discussing her creation.

The latest trailer for the game talks about her genesis by the people who brought her to life, from her voice and movements to her actions in the game.

BioShock Infinite comes out in under a week (!) on March 26 for the PC, Xbox 360, and PS3, so we’ll soon get to see how it all comes together.

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For more on the game, take a look at the recent TV commercial.

See BioShock Infinite's Booker DeWitt Gun Down George Washington

2013-03-14T14:37:08Z

There are a lot of mysteries surrounding Columbia, Elizabeth, and Comstock in BioShock Infinite, but this latest trailer for the game reveals a little more about protagonist Booker DeWitt.

"Bring us the girl, and wipe away the debt," an unknown voice tells Booker at the beginning of his journey. What follows in the trailer entitled "False Shepard" is an encapsulation of some of Booker's time in Columbia, from fighting crazy enemies to riding the skylines and interacting with Elizabeth.

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BioShock Infinite comes out for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 on March 26.

For more on the game, take a look at the previous trailer revolving around Elizabeth. And to learn more about why George Washington is a robot, read this other preview.

The Lamb Of Columbia

2013-02-19T15:09:56Z

Elizabeth is one of the many mysteries surrounding Columbia, and this new trailer for BioShock Infinite revolves around her and some of her strange powers.

The captivating new trailer below not only showcases Elizabeth, but also raises questions about some of the game's enemies, Comstock, and Booker's mission to help Elizabeth.

For another intriguing look at the game, I highly suggest the Truth From Legend trailer series.

BioShock Infinite hits PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 on March 26.

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Click on the hub below for more BioShock Infinite from our exclusive cover story hub.

Second BioShock Infinite Trailer Separates Truth From Legend

2013-02-15T16:19:00Z

Last month, Irrational Games and 2K released a clever video for the upcoming BioShock Infinite. The first episode in the faux-documentary series highlighted what supposedly happened to Columbia, the game's flying city. Now we've got part two, which focuses on the mythology surrounding the game's mysterious Songbird.

The Truth from Legend video below retains the '70s In Search Of... vibe, though you'll have to live without Leonard Nimoy's narration. It's definitely worth watching, even if you're averse to spoilers.

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Head over here if you'd like to watch part one of the series, and click here or on the banner below for more exclusive BioShock Infinite details.

The Wonders & Dangers Of BioShock Infinite's Columbia

2013-01-31T14:59:44Z

Take another look at the wonders and dangers of BioShock Infinite's Columbia in this new trailer for the game.

The trailer shows a bit of everything – gameplay, the people of Columbia, Elizabeth (and her interesting powers), and the political backdrop of the floating city.

BioShock Infinite comes out for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 on March 26.

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Be sure to check out this previous video as well, done in the style of a educational film strip.

In Search Of Columbia

2013-01-28T15:14:00Z

Comstock's Columbia was the pride of America until it all went horribly wrong. Where did the floating city go? This teaser trailer for BioShock Infinite endeavors to find out. Don't worry, there are no spoilers here, so click and enjoy.

This cool educational film strip discusses Columbia's origins and inquires about its current whereabouts.

For more BioShock Infinite, check out this recent interview with one of its writers, Drew Holmes.

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For more exclusive BioShock Infinite details, click here or on the banner below:

BioShock Infinite Writer Talks About Writing BioShock Infinite

2013-01-26T20:32:00Z

Drew Holmes is part of the new Irrational Games writing team, and he chatted with the PlayStation Blog about penning Infinite's story.

The original BioShock writing team was made up of only Ken Levine, but for this new entry Levine brought on two additional writers because the scope of the story this time around is much larger.

Holmes prides himself on being the member of team most capable of finding picture of dogs on the Internet who think they are human beings, so I'm guessing that must be an important theme in BioShock Infinite.

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New Screens Highlight High-Flying Action, Gunplay

2013-01-08T13:32:00Z

Irrational and 2K Games have released a small batch of new screens for the upcoming BioShock Infinite. They may not provide much in the way of major revelations, but they're another solid glimpse of the game's action and atmosphere.

The screens include a look at Elizabeth, the exceptional young woman that protagonist Booker DeWitt is sworn to protect. In addition to her paranormal abilities, it appears that she's quite handy with a book. There's also a nice shot of one of Columbia's interiors, a long statue-flanked hallway with a reflecting pool. The more action-inclined out there will probably appreciate the shots of Booker attacking from a zip line and blasting into one of the floating city's demented residents. See, there's a little something for everyone here.

Look for BioShock Infinite on March 26.

Take A Look At The First Few Minutes Of BioShock Infinite

2012-12-19T15:38:00Z

Perhaps to make up for the fact that BioShock Infinite just got delayed, developer Irrational has sent along this trailer featuring the game's opening moments to assure the public that everything's on track. Warning: Spoliers ahead.

How exactly does one get up to the floating city of Columbia? Find out.

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BioShock Infinite comes out on March 26 for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC

New BioShock Infinite 'Beast of America' Trailer

2012-10-22T14:21:00Z

Update: Irrational Games has just officially released the new trailer for BioShock Infinite entitled Beast of America.

You can also enjoy a few new screens for the game as well.

BioShock Infinite comes out for PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 on February 26.

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Original Story: Bioshock Infinite has been operating under the radar lately, politely allowing the big holiday games to take their spotlights. This trailer reminds us, however, that February 26 is painfully far away.

At the end of the trailer, we are reminded that it was made entirely using in-engine footage. It also has a nice little call-out to the beginning of the original Bioshock. Unsurprisingly, it looks like the two games may share similar introductions.

Bioshock Infinite releases February 26 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, which is approximately 3,027 more hours away than I would like it to be.

Sirens Do More Than Make Noise In BioShock Infinite

2012-03-27T13:46:49Z

Irrational Games has released the latest in its series of Heavy Hitters videos, introducing us all to the Siren enemy type. As the team explains in the clip, she's a throwback to when the term "spiritual" meant something a bit different than what it does now.

This former singer has the unnerving ability to raise the dead with her songs. As creative director Ken Levine explains, this creates a bit of a challenge for both Booker and the player: Do you focus your attention on the Siren, because putting her down also instantly kills her minions (again), or do you worry about the guys who are actually attacking you? All we know for certain at this point is that her "song" isn't anything you're going to enjoy.

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If you haven't been keeping up with this video series, there's plenty of time to catch up before the game's October 16 release. The Boys of Silence keep Columbia on high alert, the Handymen have giant fists and plenty of pep in their step, and the Motorized Patriots are about the creepiest robotic George Washingtons you're ever likely to see.

BioShock Infinite's Boys Of Silence Keep Columbia On Alert

2012-03-20T13:36:00Z

The more we learn about BioShock Infinite, the faster it's becoming a contender for creepiest game of 2012. In a new developer video, the folks at Irrational Games introduce us to the Boys of Silence. Columbia may not have electronic surveillance, but you'll soon see that the powers that be have been able to make due.

As Ken Levine and his crew explain, the Boys of Silence are blind, relying on their elevated senses of hearing to monitor their surroundings. We don't know what they look like under their masks, which Irrational says adds to their general creepiness. One thing's certain: If Booker finds himself within range of those massive brass ear horns, he needs to decide whether to sneak around or take out the foe head on. As technological precursors to BioShock's surveillance cameras, however, they'll call for backup when they determine that an enemy is lurking nearby. In other words, Booker will have to think quickly.

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If you missed out on the previous two entries in BioShock Infinite's Heavy Hitters series, you're in luck. Click here to learn more about the game's Motorized Patriot automaton and here for a glimpse at the Handymen. Look for BioShock Infinite on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on October 16.

BioShock Infinite's Handymen Pack Huge Fists, Tragic Pasts

2012-03-14T13:59:23Z

Irrational Games has released the second installment of its video series focusing on BioShock Infinite's so-called heavy hitters. These larger enemy types seem to function like minibosses, breaking up the action between run-of-the-mill encounters. In this clip, you'll meet the Handymen. These hulking monstrosities have exposed hearts, porcelain fists, and a terrifying indifference to anything other than destroying Booker.

Ken Levine and the rest of the Irrational team explains that the Handymen have somewhat tragic origin stories, which he doesn't want to spoil before the game hits. In the meantime, all you need to know is that these modified people have huge, porcelain fists, mechanical bodies (with functional human hearts), and the ability to leap great distances. They're also more than happy to toss friend and foe alike at Booker, which makes them a feared enemy no matter where you stand.

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If you missed the first heavy hitters video, check out the game's Motorized Patriot here. Look for BioShock Infinite on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on October 16.

Stare Into The Dead Eyes Of BioShock Infinite's Motorized Patriot

2012-03-08T14:57:00Z

With BioShock Infinite, the team at Irrational Games wanted to deliver more enemy variety than they did with BioShock. In a new series of videos, creative director Ken Levine and the gang debut the new heavy hitters, minibosses of sorts designed to keep players on their toes. First up is the Motorized Patriot, an automaton with a familiar face and a deadly will.

The Motorized Patriot is a nightmarish version of George Washington with a Gatling gun. The Founders' automaton, described by Irrational as "a clockwork Terminator" certainly lives up to that description. Unlike other enemies in the game, this machine doesn't have any sense of fear or self-preservation. It will relentlessly attack until it is blown into a pile of smoldering junk. Take a look at it in action below.

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Look for BioShock Infinite on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on October 16. For more information on the game, visit our hub page.