BioShock: Infinite Preview

BIOSHOCK: INFINITE PREVIEW

Okay, so it’s not really new, but that doesn’t stop it from being blog-worthy. This ten minute spectacle is nothing short of jaw-dropping, and if it was even possible, elevates the BioShock franchise to a whole new level(quite literally).

It’s no secret that I’m a BioShock nut-when it comes to next gen games, it’s the only one I’d say was my favourite-but it’s no secret to anyone that it massively succeeded. I fell in love with the first game’s atmosphere, and it took me and thousands of other gamers on an unforgettable deep-sea adventure.

By BioShock 2, people were either anticipating it or dreading it, because it would either ruin the so beloved memory of the first game, or build upon the decaying world of Rapture with enough interest to sustain a second trawl across the city. It did neither, because unfortunately it fell prey to its own genius.

Rapture, though still glorious, still terrifying, just… wasn’t as impressive the second time around. The thought of a forced BioShock 3 so soon afterwards was a dangerous concept. Because BioShock is so obviously connected to Rapture, most assumed that it would be yet another descent into the broken Utopia.

They were wrong, and this trailer proves that. This is still BioShock, no doubt about that. But it’s much more personal, much more intimate. As Booker experiences Columbia, he speaks-he’s not a faceless, nameless unfortunate simply wandering around the city by accident, he’s there on purpose.

They’re Plasmids, but not as we know it!

The Plasmids seem to have had an overhaul, with some old favourites returning-like Telekinesis, which now allows you to grab guns out of enemy’s hands and shoot them. Most intriguing is Elizabeth-Booker’s purpose for being in Columbia-she has powers too, and hers augment Booker’s. During the video they’re seen combining them several times in ways that will definitely make for some interesting setpieces throughout.

I’m really looking forward to experiencing Infinite through an actual character. ‘Jack’ Ryan was little more than an avatar, a story device, a sort of viewing window for the player to experience the city. Delta, whilst having a motive and a face-sort of-was still voiceless, and seemed to have no reaction to the world around him.

Booker reacts as Columbia reacts to him. He speaks, he shouts, he seems to be approaching the flying city with the same level of wonderment that we do. So much has changed, and yet the game is still so definitively BioShock. Roll on 2011, because I can guarantee Infinite will breathe new life into the series.

Laurence Braddow