Though I enjoyed Bioshock Infinite, it was probably the biggest disappointment of the year for me. What started as a smart look at another world devolved in to yet another damned shooter. It was good, but I expected better. It felt complete though; I really don’t need to see any more of booker DeWitt, Columbia or Elizabeth. Or at least I didn’t, until I heard that its DLC was set in gold old Rapture. It’s out today to Season Pass (ugh) holders and those who want to buy some DLC. Is it any good?
It’s a crime noir detective story featuring DeWitt and Elizabeth in a 1950’s Rapture, which alone makes no real chronological sense, but I digress. This is what the scores look like.
- CVG – 7/10 : While the general gameplay experience has been brought more in line with Infinite’s predecessor, it’s not an exact match. Players will notice the absence of Health Stations and scrounging in dustbins doesn’t yield dividends. Crucially, neither gun turrets nor vending machines can be hacked. Players can only take control of the former for brief periods using the Possession Vigor, but there’s no way to lower Rapture’s extortionate prices for ammo and Vigors.
- Destructoid – 6.5/10 : I wasn’t too impressed by Burial at Sea Episode One, mostly because it just doesn’t add a whole lot to the overall franchise outside of the last 30 seconds, and it’s simply not compelling enough. While it’s quite possible that Episode Two will tie everything together in a neat bow and blow us all away, Irrational Games has yet to make a legitimate case for a return to Rapture.
- Eurogamer – 7/10 : Part One of Burial at Sea is predicated on so many constants and variables that it will undoubtedly prove divisive. It feels all too brief, even as half of a two-part whole, but it delivers a rich storyline that builds to a suitably stunning climax. Its standalone price of £11.99 is steep, especially when you consider that there’s little replay value here, yet its production values exceed those of some full-price games. It lacks variety but delivers quality; it offers plenty to ponder but misses enough to do.
- IGN – 7/10 : Though Burial at Sea Episode 1 may be a short vignette next to Infinite’s novel, it’s still one you aren’t likely to put down for the brief time it lasts — and it’s priced accordingly at $15. Just don’t expect the story to yank the rug out from under you quite so delightfully this time.
- Joystiq – No Score : Burial at Sea is an all too brief visit to Andrew Ryan’s playground. Its best and most intriguing moments are over far too quickly, and even if you hunt down hidden secrets and listen to every conversation, the adventure tops out at around two hours. It’s an excuse to return to Rapture, but it’s not worth much else.
- NowGamer – 6/10 : Burial at Sea is by no means a bad game, it’s just one that doesn’t live up to the high standards that Irrational themselves have set and frequently leaves the player wishing they were playing the original Bioshock.
- Rock, Paper, Shotgun – No Score : When this first chapter of Burial At Sea ends, far too soon, it does so with an inevitable cliffhanger and a return of sorts to Infinite’s over-arching story. It’s a reminder that Rapture is now just a small piece of that puzzle rather than being lead actor in this performance.
It seems like Burial at sea is decent fan service, but like Infinite itself devolves in to little more than shooting. Will you be going back to Rapture?
Last Updated: November 12, 2013
oVg
November 12, 2013 at 15:33
WOW it got better ratings than COD Ghosts and its only DLC 🙂 SOLD!!!
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 12, 2013 at 15:33
And it’s SP campaign is longer.
Admiral Chief Wang
November 12, 2013 at 15:33
…and it’s not copy/pasted
Vampyre Squirrel
November 12, 2013 at 15:36
I’m totally sold on this for these reasons… guess I should get Bioshock Infinite so I can get the DLC! 😛
TiMsTeR1033
November 12, 2013 at 15:48
Join the club..
SpookyMossel
November 12, 2013 at 15:52
Bro, get Infinite. Its farking amazeballs. Dont listen to Geoff!
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
November 12, 2013 at 16:19
Not being a fan of FPS’s, is it still worth getting?
JHN
November 12, 2013 at 16:24
Hells yes it will blow your mind.
SpookyMossel
November 13, 2013 at 07:21
Definitely! It was the first game in about 10 years that I wanted to play twice! I was never bored, it has your attention for the whole game. In the combat department there’s nothing new, especially if you have already playd other Bioshock games. But that story…
That Dark Twit
November 12, 2013 at 15:36
And it doesn’t have fish AI.
Vampyre Squirrel
November 12, 2013 at 15:37
Or a dog companion
oVg
November 12, 2013 at 15:38
CATCH
http://i.imgur.com/MY5FQ9M.gif
SpookyMossel
November 12, 2013 at 15:47
You have a Elizabeth companion
Vampyre Squirrel
November 12, 2013 at 15:49
She’s got cleavage… already better than a dog
oVg
November 12, 2013 at 15:37
It has soul from a perfectionist art director and writer.
SpookyMossel
November 12, 2013 at 15:46
LOOOL!!!!
SaintsRowNigri
November 12, 2013 at 16:01
But isn’t a game of naughts and crosses longer than COD’s campaign?
RinceandRepeat
November 12, 2013 at 15:41
Any idea how much? I think I may go for this, just because I loved the first so much. Oh fluck, I don’t own the first… OVG! *Waves fist.
Ross Woofels Mason
November 12, 2013 at 15:48
I will wait till episode one and two are out. Cant take the waiting hahaha
SpookyMossel
November 12, 2013 at 15:48
I will definitely be going back to rapture! Didn’t even know it was out yet! Gah how big is the dlc?! Can I download it and play it tonight still?
CaptainNemo42
November 12, 2013 at 16:15
Depends on the platform. I saw Ken Levine tweeting something about it only being out on PSN tomorrow, but is available on Xbox Live today.
SpookyMossel
November 13, 2013 at 07:16
I checked Steam this morning, it’s a 5.4gb update. I’m about 3gb done downloading! Might be able to play tonight!
CaptainNemo42
November 13, 2013 at 07:35
You’re lucky. I’m on PSN, and it should only become available today.
SpookyMossel
November 12, 2013 at 15:48
Also Rapture fell in 1959, so it does make sense.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 12, 2013 at 16:05
Booker DeWitt and Elizabeth were adults in 1915. In 1955, they’de be pretty old. Of course, with the series time hpping nature, I’m sure it’s explained.
SpookyMossel
November 13, 2013 at 07:14
Oh yes, didn’t even think of that! But yeah like you said, that probably isn’t the same Booker and Elizabeth.
Wyzak
November 12, 2013 at 16:02
After reading the first paragraph I could have already told you that it would not get a good score by the reviewer. If the game was such a big disappointment for you why did you bother to review it’s DLC? I on the other hand loved the game and I’m really excited for the DLC.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 12, 2013 at 16:03
This is a review round up; I have no, and will not review the DLC.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 12, 2013 at 16:22
A review round up that rounds up various reviews from other reviewers on the interwebz? No. No. No. No. WAAAAAAAY to complex for some people to understand. Clearly all those different scores (and weird names next to them) were for each of your dysfunctional personalities, Geoff. 😉
You’re not alone, though. I thought the game was pretty “meh” too.
Wyzak
November 12, 2013 at 16:42
Fair enough, but after your first paragraph it was clear that you could not be objective about this game, so how can I trust that you fairly chose review scores and didn’t just choose the ones which favoured your opinion?
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 12, 2013 at 16:53
I just grabbed the big sites I visit; skipping OXM and OPM. current Metascore is 68, the reviews I used are all at about 70, so a good slice of the status quo.
Don’t get me wrong; I love Ken Levine’s work and the first Bioshock is one of my very favourite games of ever. I enjoyed Infinite, but ultimately left me disappointed that it dropped the smarter gameplay and mechanics (trapping a dig daddy was really rewarding) for more straight out shooter combat. I WAS stupidly exited for Infinite, and even previewed it really positively.
http://www.lazygamer.net/xbox-360/bioshock-infinite-left-me-enraptured/
I really look forward to Irrational’s future projects.
Wyzak
November 12, 2013 at 16:58
Yeah, I have since checked out some other reviews and it’s also in the 65-75% region. Your first sentence just left a sour taste in my mouth, which made me doubt your objectivity.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 12, 2013 at 17:06
It’s me being honest. It’s the most disappointing game of the year for me – but not because it’s a bad game, but rather that I let my expectations get the better of me, I guess.
Wyzak
November 12, 2013 at 17:11
It happens. Mine would be Simcity.
SpookyMossel
November 13, 2013 at 07:29
I must admit, Infinte was dead easy compared to the original Bioshock (I would know, I played Infinite first and Bioshock second). Whenever I heard a Big Daddy close by I would shit myself, frantically checking if I have enough armor piercing rounds to take him down!
But that is just it, Infinite has a far superior story (or ending/twist) than Bioshock. Ofcourse I was suprised as to who the villian was in Bioshock, but in Infinite it was way more surprising…and confusing! Which I love. And skylines was super fun. I dont know if you played it a second time, but it really makes the game better playing it twice, you see all the things you missed and all the witty comments by the Lutece twins suddenly makes sense! By the way…how much do you know about the twins? It blew my mind when I found out.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 13, 2013 at 07:46
See for me, I saw the BIG TWIST ending coming a mile away – so I wasn’t surprised by it at all, and it lessened the overall impact of it for me. I have, however, spent a lot of time afterwards checking the story, and the theories and yes, the Lutece “twins” bit is very entertaining.
SpookyMossel
November 15, 2013 at 07:22
Oh crap, if you figured out the ending before the end it would ruin it. I think, because it was my first “shock” game I played, I didn’t expect a twist. I expected your normal “save the damsel in distress an kick everyone’s but while doing it” vibe. That was the reason Bioshock was less impressive for me. I saw the ending coming.
Skyblue
November 14, 2013 at 17:49
The definitive graph:
System Shock 2 > Bioshock > Bioshock Infinite > Bioshock 2
CaptainNemo42
November 12, 2013 at 16:18
For the first time, I am actually keen on DLC. Problem is the whole shooter thing. Think I’m in the same boat as Geoff. I enjoyed Infinite, but it was just another corridor shooter that kinda missed its mark a bit.
Still, I’m curious. And I might take a chance on it.
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
November 12, 2013 at 16:19
I am just waiting for the Xmas Steam sales and then Skyrim: Dragonborn, Bioshock Infinite…
Although I am sure there are other games that will help kill my wallet too.
JHN
November 12, 2013 at 16:23
Must say i really enjoyed infinite, i know it wasn’t the same as its predecessor but i enjoyed it even more than the original 2.
smallesy
November 17, 2013 at 11:59
not very good at all done the whole dlc in hour an 15 mins max way to short £11.99 is rip off i would pay £4.99 for it , its that small