BioShock Infinite Complete Edition

I'm not even sure where to start a review on this game. I've played countless amount of games in my lifetime, some that have given me very fond, happy memories. Some have given me grief, or regret, and some have made me feel... Sad, Attached.. Inspired. This is one of those few games that have made me feel this way. I can honestly say that I fell in love with this game from the first part. I won't spoil it but, the first area after the lighthouse? Oh it's beautiful. I think I just stood there and walked around listening to that song, looking at the scenery as it played. I got really attached at that point. The story, to me, is like.. when you want to play a game and you want it to have a really good story, and something that makes sense and seems worth your time. That's definitely this story. I could go on and on about how fantastic this game is, but I think if you're on the edge of purchasing it, then definitely do so. It could honestly change your life. I know it has for me. It seems a bit silly, as this is just a game to some, but I believe that games are a form of artwork, and with artwork, you can produce certain feelings and messages to give to the receivers. This is my favorite game of all time, and it will always be forever now. It holds a very special place in my heart... I'll never forget it. Story: 11/10 (Seriously, it's breathtaking) Graphics: 10/10 (I'm a sucker for the art-style, heh) Audio: 8/10 (Sometimes, very very very rarely the audio would mess up and sound like it was underwater or something. Pretty sure that's on my end though, as it happened with another game too) Gameplay: 8/10 (The combat is quite fun, it's very different from what you may be used to, it's like.. crisp. If that makes sense.)

I really, really wanted to like this game. It has a lot going for it, especially great visuals, audio, and atmosphere. I found the game world and story very interesting. Perhaps too interesting... I wanted to explore and experience more, but I couldn't. I wanted to talk to people and find out how they fit into the fascinating history. I wanted to read books and learn more of that history. Instead, I found Bioshock Infinite to be very linear, and I felt like the game and interface were forcing me into a mold rather than adapting to what I wanted to do. I could not simply immerse myself; I was always a little uncomfortable and restricted. I might have enjoyed this more as, say, an open world role-playing game. The killer for me was the use of checkpoint saves. Twenty years ago I was able to play for long periods of time without interruption, but no more. I need "save anywhere" to play a game. If these things don't bother you, then this might very well be your five star game.

Bioshock Infinite can be summed up by the title. The story is frankly one of the best I've ever seen in a game. It's a masterpiece, able to truly surprise you while not going nonsensical. It's the kind to make you replay the game to notice all the small details that you overlooked the first time and which are all part of a bigger picture. The graphics, writing, artistic design are also top-notch. The very concept of a city in the sky allows for superb sceneries, the characters are deep and relatable, the game manave to be moving and drags you in. But for all these qualities, the game aspect is rather mediocre. Fighting is boring, powers are meh, and the whole "corridor-like ultra-linear shooter" has simply been overdone for years. The whole gameplay sequences are just annoying set piece between the story elements.

[Note: while currently I do not own this game on GOG, I do own it on Steam. This is my review of the game I played on Steam.] Bioshock Infinite is easily the less strategic of the bioshocks. It has a brilliant story, with some tremendous voice acting, world design and music. Unfortunatly, the thing that keeps this game down, if anything could, is the gameplay. This is not a game you'd come back to going "oh wow, that gameplay sure felt like it added to what had previously been established in a Bioshock game!". You don't get to choose specific plasmids for specific areas, instead you get clothing, which give you minor passives, as well as not allowing you to carry more than two guns. Yeah, very strategic, Ken. It also railroads you into a specific story, so you can't go off and kill the Big Daddy equivilent like you could in the other bioshocks. But if I hear anymore "two dimensional princess" comments on Elizabeth, they must have not played the same game I have, since the entire character arc of Elizabeth is to not be that type of Disney princess and make tough decision regarding herself, like she displays at the end of the main game and in Burial at Sea. Refusing to spoil what that is, but would you see Belle, Ariel or Rapunzel doing the shit she does? Fuck no. Is it perfect? Fuck no. If they kept gameplay closer to the earlier Bioshocks rather than trying to make Call of Bioshock, it would easily be better. But is it a game you should play? Yes. Yes. Yes. I love this game, despite its flaws. It's character focused story keeps you entranced, almost forcing you to continue to see what happens next. Some parts are stupid, like 2 particular bosses that really test my patience), but not completely out of character stupid. Oh, and I'll never forgive them for making the cover art as bland as cardboard paste.