My first impression of BioShock Infinite was the amused thought, "Wow, the bad-guy is a Sky-Mormon. (DISCLAIMER: The commentary here regarding the LDS and FLDS is from 19th and early 20th century values and does not reflect their modern beliefs, which admittedly, I don't entirely understand. The game worked upon religious stereotypes, I didn't and I'm not bashing anyone's faith). As Infinite takes us into the floating city of Columbia in 1912 rather than the sunken city of Rapture in the 60's it presents us with a microcosm of what America could have been had we been a theocracy instead of a Republic.
I was delighted at the bright scenery and openness of Columbia. I was puzzled as I walked past the bandstand to hear a barbershop quartet singing "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys. (Coincidentally the theme to the FLDS HBO drama, Big Love further cementing the image of Sky-Mormons) in 1912. Then as I crept further I encountered a narrative appropriate moment of racism that left me pausing the game saying, "what the fuck?" for several minutes. At first I thought that didn't fit and then I remembered and a quick google later I confirmed, Yeah, the LDS/FLDS had a huge racism problem in the 19th and early 20th century. Someone did their homework - very impressive.
Moving on: BioShock: Infinite is the last of the BioShock FPS games to date. The protagonist, Booker DeWitt, an ex-army, ex-Pinkerton detective, now Private Detective has gone to Columbia to find a missing girl (presumably Elizabeth) and is quickly branded an enemy of the state and finds the once friendly citizens very hostile. After initially rescuing the girl, who can bend time and reality in a way that would make JJ Abrahms jealous (it is well written and makes sense which is something you can never say for anything Abrahms is involved in), Booker finds himself involved in Columbia's dangerous political situation and fighting for his life and Elizabeth's on multiple fronts until he confronts the Prophet Zachary Comstock and himself in one of the most mind-bending endings I've ever seen. And major credit goes to the developers for taking a huge chance of how the game ended from the boss fight forward. It doesn’t end how a typical FPS game ends. It ends on a narrative that could have been part of the Dark Tower book series (though not quite as complicated).
The environment of Columbia is bright, open, and airy; completely in contrast with Rapture’s oppressive feel. It completely reverses the feel of the first part of the game from the Rapture’s “Man, I’m gonna die horribly down here” to a “This place is pretty cool” attitude. The anachronistic music makes you laugh when you catch it. The music in general is a blend of traditional, early 20th century gospel, and music from the last 50 years. How? Well, that would be spoiling it. Go find out for yourself. Columbia is riddles with skyways. Mono-rail like lines that you could hook onto and transit to other islands in the floating chain. I found them to be frustrating, personally.
Instead of the DNA altering plasmids, Booker has access to 8 vigors that give him supernatural abilities (to fight the False Sheppard and his agents of evil. Or anyone else who gets in the way, for that matter. They’re function exactly like the plasmids of old. The biggest control change is that you can only carry two weapons at a time. That made planning and knowing your enemy a lot more important and is another major departure from most FPS games. At first it annoyed me, but as I went on I realized this was more than a point and shoot game and that gained it a lot of points with me. Also gone is the map. Technically it isn’t needed because you can always use the “find your path” mechanic, but I think I’d rather have the map to at least show me how close to a goal I am. Especially when you get badly turned around using the skyways.
Summing up!
Control: 4/5: Improved controls overall, but the lack of map knocks a point
Story: 5/5: Well thought out, well executed, twisted, and in the end, makes you wonder if Booker is still utterly fucked.
Sound/Music: Fun. Fantastic music and a great troupe of voice actors.
Graphics: 5/5: The environment made for a lot of fun to play in. The openness made combat more strategic and in general it was pleasing to look at.
Playability: 4/5: Great game. A lot more strategic than other FPS games. Better story than most FPS games. Harder than the average shoot ‘em up without being impossible the end didn’t leave you feeling like it was just too easy (I’m looking at you BioShock 2). There is a catch. It would be a hard game to replay unless you are a perfection/completionist. Once you discover the secrets of Columbia, they’re hard to forget so a replay wouldn’t pack as much of a punch.