May The Circle Be Unbroken
BIOSHOCK INFINITE REVIEW BY PETER FRANKO
Imagine Herman Melville lived long enough to see his masterpiece become the literary staple it is today. Now imagine the public demanding that a sequel to Moby Dick is made. How could Melville create something that struck similar chords, retained its integrity, challenged the minds of readers, and was altogether original?
Such is that with Ken Levine and BioShock.
Such is that with Ken Levine and BioShock.
After much patience, Levine has cast the curtains from his work of art. What stands for judgement is the product of six years of thought, collaboration, and development. A game that surpasses the golden standard he set in 2007, and pioneers beyond.
Infinite abandons the watery depths of Rapture and takes us aboard Columbia, a floating city formed around an eerie religion of American exceptionalism. The aerial utopia is ruled under the clenching hand of its "Prophet," Zachary Comstock, who has built not only Columbia, but a platonic re-imagination of himself as a god. Players assume the role of Booker Dewitt, a Pinkerton PI sent to Columbia to retrieve a girl named Elizabeth and clear an immense debt from excessive gambling. A seemingly simple job that escalates to an extravagant degree as Elizabeth as the ability to create inter-dimensional portals called "tears" and is Comstock's crown jewel.
Elizabeth is the central drive of the Infinite. Booker's relationship with Elizabeth grows and fluctuates due to the events around you, and as you slowly uncover the mystery behind Columbia, you uncover the mystery behind her as well. In many ways, she is the cherry on top of Infinite and its biggest success. She never seems unnatural or forced, her actions always have meaning, her voice acting is incredible, she harbors an emotional devotion in the player, she's a puzzle to be solved and she is quite possibly the finest crafted video game character... ever.
Infinite's story and universe has been so thoroughly polished that the disk should have an aura radiating around it. Most characters are intertwined in ways so fantastic, that a second playthrough is crucial and likely encouraged. After beating Infinite, I sat on my sofa contemplating for a solid twenty minutes as to what I just played. It's the type of gripping narrative that seeps into your head and just doesn't come out. The story twists and contorts in such devilishly clever ways that I had to draw it out on paper to reach a full understanding.
The world of Columbia seizes your curiosity upon entry like it was contraband. You don't go through Columbia, it goes through you. The people, the characters, the music and brilliant art design all work together to move you as you play it. During my first thirty minutes in game, there was not a moment that was not disturbed by incessant chills as candle-lit hallways and spiritual hymns coursed through my body. Believe it or not, it was a physical experience at times.
Infinite culminates with the most mind blowing ending to any adventure I've seen during my short existence that will be discussed, debated, and theorized for years to come.
In our Melville metaphor, Moby Dick 2 was a striking success. BioShock Infinite is that gaming masterpiece. A defining work of art that makes its mark on the medium for eternity and will stand as an icon of perfection. It is an epic to be missed by no one, and experienced by everyone. It has redefined the boundaries of video game storytelling and could very well be the most magnificent game of the past decade.
10/10
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