There is a moment in Bioshock Infinite where you are given the option of picking up a guitar. You sit down, and end up playing it while your companion sings as she is giving an apple to a poor boy. It is brief and has no impact on the game’s plot whatsoever, but it is a testament to just how much care the developers gave Bioshock Infinite, one of the best games of this generation.

Bioshock Infinite is the third game in the Bioshock series. The first was a masterpiece of creativity, design and storytelling. Bioshock 2 could not match that, but was still, at least from this reviewer’s opinion, awesome regardless. Now Bioshock Infinite has arrived and has managed to capture a lot of what made the first one so memorable.

Bioshock Infinite takes place in 1912. The protagonist, Booker Dewitt, is tasked with finding a girl to wipe away his debt. You are very soon whisked away to the air city of Columbia high up in the sky. It is a beautiful city with people chatting and playing. There is a fair going on where you can see the history of the city and its many unique wonders as well as participate in numerous games to win prizes. You would think it was a normal city like any other. However, you sense something amiss in the air and you are very soon pulled into a world of religious and certainly racist bigotry as you fight your way toward the girl you are after.

Bioshock Infinite has to be congratulated for the world building that went into it. It really helps to flesh out the various themes such as religion, race and even quantum physics when you have a believable world built around them. The themes themselves are powerful and help to not only immerse yourself into this world, but also keep your interest throughout what is a delightfully intriguing plot.

As a first person shooter, Bioshock has the usual things you have come to expect: guns, ammo and health. You gain these through picking them up, either off the bodies of your fallen enemies or inspecting crates for such items as well as coins to buy upgrades or replenish your stock.

A system that is unique to Bioshock though is the vigor system. Basically the equivalent of mana for wizards, you are given an increasing array of powers to use against your foes or accomplish certain objectives you otherwise would have been unable to complete without them. From throwing exploding fireballs at your opponent to creating energy shields, the variety is excellent and really comes in handy as the game throws at you increasing numbers and types of enemies.

Another great addition is the railing system. I love this thing. Basically, once you get the Skyhook, you have the ability to ride rails around the levels. This adds a whole new dynamic to engagements as you can shoot as well as make dive attacks from the rails. It is incredibly fun and never gets old.

But the standout addition has to be Elizabeth, your partner. A very thoughtful and bright girl, you will very quickly become attached to her, not just in her personality or the way she looks at things in a curious matter, but in her support abilities. Suffice it to say without giving away too much, on top up giving you health, ammo, money and salt packs (which power your vigor), Elizabeth has abilities that can summon air ships, turrets, cover and even packs of health. When combined with the railing and vigor systems, this creates some of the most fun, frantic, and surprisingly tactical gameplay I have experienced.

If there is anything wrong with Bioshock Infinite is that at times it feels like it is trying too hard to capture the magic of the first one. Despite what is a very thought provoking narrative, it does not pack quite the punch that the first one did. Nor are its enemies and villians as memorable as the first one. Even the big sisters from Bioshock 2 had a better presence (yes, I just used Bioshock 2 as a positive example, sue me!) I also had issues with the inconsistent enemy A.I. and the character models themselves do not lend to smooth movements.

All those complaints though are minor in the grand scheme of things, for Bioshock Infinite is a phenomenal scheme. A game that simultaneously manages to pull off great storytelling and great gameplay without sacrificing either and it is an experience that is not to be missed, and will not be soon forgotten.

(Note: Screenshots are not my own)