Bioshock Infinite (1)

Bioshock Infinite was a departure from previous games in the franchise. Taking to the clouds, the game was a five-year development odyssey that ditched the oceans and objectivism of an underwater kingdom for a more personal tale of love, loss and parallel dimensions.

With Irrational Games now closed, the Bioshock franchise has gone with it. But Burial At Sea gives the cult hit games the send-off that it deserves in a second act that plays to its strengths.

Episode 1

Bioshock Infinite (4)

Another time, another world and things are still the same. Returning to the world of Rapture, Burial At Sea Episode 1 places you once again in the gumshoes of Booker DeWitt, as an older and wiser Elizabeth recruits him for a job to rescue a missing child, Sally.

With an opening ripped straight from a noir detective movie, the game starts out in a Rapture that is at its height of decadence and ambition. Just before all hell breaks loose. Exploring Rapture shows just how opulent the underwater society had become since it was first revealed in 2007, with painting, jewelry and record shops dotting the glowing kingdom where a man makes his own way.

Things quickly take a turn for the worse, as Elizabeth and Booker find themselves stranded in the Fontaine Department store on the eve of the Rapture Civil War that preceded the events of the first game. It’s not long before Burial At Sea ditches exploration for combat, as players take on spliced prisoners and dissidents.

Bioshock Infinite (2)

The key difference however, is that enemy encounters are now significantly scaled back from the small armies that assaulted you in Bioshock Infinite. Ammo is rare, stealth is recommended and making every shot count will get you further in the game when you need to be ready for your next battle.

While Plasmids still feature, they’re hardly any different from what has been seen already in Bioshock Infinite. Old Man Winter is your Winter’s Blast which allows players to freeze and shatter enemies, something that has already been experienced in Bioshock 1 and 2.

Bioshock Infinite (5)

Instead, the only real new addition to the gameplay is the Radar Range gun, a creative expression of violence that can reduce Splicers into explosive collections of red mist. The downside to this, however, is that by the time you get the weapon, the game is almost over.

Burial At Sea Episode is a conflicted return to Rapture. It’s far more interesting to explore Rapture before the fall, instead of rehashed battles on a smaller scale with fewer resources.

Episode 2

Bioshock Infinite (6)

The second episode feels like the kind of DLC that Bioshock Infinite not only deserves, but needed after the news came that Irrational Games were shutting their doors, where the sweat of your brow has finally paid off.

Instead of feeling like a conflicting pairing of exploration and murder simulation, Episode 2 instead feels like a fully realised game that easily stands tall next to the original Bioshock game and offers closure for fans seeking a satisfying resolution to the saga. It’s a piece of DLC that not only sets a new benchmark, but is essential for anyone that is emotionally invested the game.

Episode 2 wraps up the entire franchise, tying up loose ends all the way back to the first and up to the latest games, in a manner that is remarkably well thought out. Elizabeth is on her own this time, stuck between the opposing forces of Andrew Ryan and would-be usurper Atlas, as she struggles to make her way back to the top and uncover a new mystery that shan’t be spoiled here.

Bioshock Infinite (3)

Lacking Booker’s rechargeable shield with which to protect herself, Elizabeth needs to tread more carefully, with the game feeling like an homage to another Ken Levine creation, Thief. In fact, Episode 2 even throws in “1998 Mode”, which emphasises that connection far more clearly.

Elizabeth has several weapons on hand to help her escape Rapture, such as a crossbow that fires drugged-up bolts and a plasmid ability that gives her the ability to see through walls. Stealth is indeed the order of the day here, and when you’re confronted by the fact that the Big Daddy cannot be killed by Elizabeth, it creates a terrifying realisation of how close you are to being killed.

Bioshock Infinite burial at sea (9)

The downside however, is that enemies are remarkably inept at actually realising that you’re standing right next to them as you stealth-murder your way from one to the next. It strips the game of some challenge and tension in the long run.

Bioshock Infinite burial at sea (1)

Beyond that, Episode 2 manages to more successfully balance exploration with combat in comparison to the previous episode. A grand sense of detail and narrative lurks around ever corner, painting a complete picture of Rapture that ties into Bioshock Infinite, giving gamers something that is rare in gaming today: a story with a definitive beginning, middle and end.

 

Last Updated: April 7, 2014

Bioshock Infinite: Burial At Sea
While Episode 1 doesn’t manage to live up the heights of the previous Bioshock games, Episode 2 closes the book on the series that not only extends the world of Bioshock, but also creates the sweetest farewell to a beloved franchise.
8.0
Bioshock Infinite: Burial At Sea was reviewed on PlayStation 3
83 / 100

39 Comments

  1. Part 2 has been on the back-burner since release. One day soon (projected time somewhere 2018) I will get around to it.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief in Space

      April 7, 2014 at 15:39

      Bio2?

      Reply

      • Kromas

        April 7, 2014 at 15:41

        Bioshock Infinite:Burial at Sea part 2.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief in Space

          April 7, 2014 at 15:45

          Oh, no I thought you meant you haven’t jammed Bio2 yet

          Reply

          • Kromas

            April 7, 2014 at 15:54

            Nah .. played it all.

      • Jedi JJ

        April 7, 2014 at 15:42

        Well, they’ve done the underwater thing and the sky thing. Next is underground and the big daddy is replaced by a mechanical mole.

        Reply

        • Rock789

          April 7, 2014 at 16:10

          How did you know? Were you in on that meeting with 2K execs too?

          Reply

          • Jedi JJ

            April 7, 2014 at 16:34

            I was. Apparently the big corps are allowing anyone to pitch in for ideas these days. They didn’t like my Honey I shrunk the kids idea though.

  2. Axon1988

    April 7, 2014 at 15:47

    On a completely unrelated matter, have you guys seen what’s going on, on Gavin’s twitter? Some people…

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      April 7, 2014 at 15:53

      Who’s he annoyed this time?

      Reply

      • Axon1988

        April 7, 2014 at 16:03

        More like who has he not annoyed? I feel sorry for the old man.

        Reply

    • Rince

      April 7, 2014 at 15:57

      This related to that little turd he met in CoD?

      Reply

      • Axon1988

        April 7, 2014 at 16:03

        Eh… Honestly I have no clue where it started. But it sure is entertaining.

        Reply

        • Rince

          April 7, 2014 at 16:04

          Yeah, I enjoy watching him go off at the internet 🙂

          Reply

          • Axon1988

            April 7, 2014 at 16:04

            He’s mentally stronger than I am. Would have done some ugly things to those pretenders.

          • Rince

            April 7, 2014 at 16:06

            I think he’s just very very dense *RUNS

          • Admiral Chief in Space

            April 7, 2014 at 16:07

            I smell a lawsuit, or a PK…

          • Axon1988

            April 7, 2014 at 16:07

            Maybe both…

          • Rince

            April 7, 2014 at 16:08

            *Calls lawyer

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            April 7, 2014 at 16:16

            Maybe you can pool with Colin?

          • Rince

            April 7, 2014 at 16:16

            Indeed!

          • Axon1988

            April 7, 2014 at 16:07

            Dense like the hulk? Or some other kind of dense?

          • Rince

            April 7, 2014 at 16:11

            As in VERY STUPID hehehehe

          • Axon1988

            April 7, 2014 at 16:21

            Did you just stir the hornet’s nest?

    • Admiral Chief in Space

      April 7, 2014 at 16:01

      Man I hate twitter, platform for douchebaggery

      Reply

      • Axon1988

        April 7, 2014 at 16:04

        Tell me about it. All the people who are arguing with him are bringing up sexism and “anger calculus” WTF is that?

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          April 7, 2014 at 16:10

          Sounds complicated. I like simple maths. Me + something I don’t like = Angry.

          Reply

          • Axon1988

            April 7, 2014 at 16:20

            I think Gavin feels the same about it.

  3. Rince

    April 7, 2014 at 15:52

    Me needs this!

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      April 7, 2014 at 15:53

      I’ve got it. Want to guess if I’ve played it yet or not?

      Reply

      • Rince

        April 7, 2014 at 15:55

        NOOOOOOOOOT!

        Reply

        • VampyreSquirrel

          April 7, 2014 at 16:05

          WINNAH!

          Reply

      • Jedi JJ

        April 7, 2014 at 16:01

        I am proud to announce that I have not knocked anything off my backlog list this weekend. Thank you very much updated FTL

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief in Space

          April 7, 2014 at 16:01

          Likewise, updated FTL and Planetside 2

          Reply

          • Jedi JJ

            April 7, 2014 at 16:03

            I’m not near your amount of hours, but I’m working on it. Also unlocked many ships. Still can’t finish it though. Die on the first ship in the last sector. I’m such a noob.

          • Admiral Chief in Space

            April 7, 2014 at 16:08

            You need to pick a strategy, and keep to it, you can’t upgrade all, so you need a combo of what works for you (and the ship and the crew)

          • Jedi JJ

            April 7, 2014 at 16:35

            I’ve recently tried boarding. Really liking it, but need more experience in it.

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          April 7, 2014 at 16:18

          I have a feeling Xcom is going to prevent me from doing any clearing of the backlog too.

          Reply

  4. Mossel

    April 7, 2014 at 16:04

    Yup, this DLC was pretty badass. Really liked how the lock pick worked.

    Reply

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