What is an ocean but a multitude of drops?
It's quite the contrast they've made, from the dark, damp and desolate corridors of Rapture, a city built underwater, to the city floating in the sky that's beaming with life and light wherever you look. Columbia feels alive, many people walk the streets, there is various chit chat and insights you can hear from residents all around the city, you just have to stop and listen. Just as in Rapture there is a strong urge that makes you want to explore every single corner of the place and you should take your time and do just that. Attention to detail is sky high (pun intended).
They managed to created another unique and believable setting and it's a marvel to look at. There is nothing quite like the world of Columbia out there, beautifully designed buildings, walkways and interiors inspired by early 20th century America just call you to stand there and look at the world in awe.
Columbia despite at first seeming to be a great place to live, very suddenly shows it's dark side and myriad of problems. The story masterfully bounces around such themes as religion, nationalism, racism, duality of man and the universe and it will make you think, it will question your reality and puzzle you until the very end where the ending will bend your mind completely and unforgettably.
Main protagonist this time around actually isn't a mute and the actor doing voice work did a good job, most of the voice work in game is top notch, especially Elizabeth. She very quickly grows on you and ends up being a really good companion on your journey, rarely getting in your way and even lending a occasional hand every so often. You will easily connect with both main characters and live their story as it was your own.
Gameplay mostly stayed the same, obviously improved since last games, but feels familiar which is good. Weapon sounds are excellent and shooting feels good, plasmids (vigors) got a slight overhaul and brought more variety to combat via various combinations you can use, for example you can lift enemies into the air and then use charge plasmid blasting them to smithereens. You can only carry 2 weapons this time which is more realistic but there is no more different ammo types which means less thinking involved when it comes to shooting bad guys. There is also no more hacking and Big Daddies which is a shame. Weapon upgrades are available whenever if you have money which kind of took away the enjoyment of stumbling upon them like in previous games. There was a better sense of progression before, and more satisfaction when you actually found an upgrade.
Expected a lot from this game, almost too much, and then I mostly got everything I wanted, it truly is a joy to be able to play this game. This definitely goes shoulder to shoulder with the first Bioshock that is still on the list of my all time favorite games.
Bioshock Infinite is a roller coaster of a ride, with its well tailored multi layered story, exciting gameplay, interesting and memorable characters and utterly satisfying ending will be a source of debate for quite some time and it shouldn't be missed by anyone.This truly is a masterpiece of world building and storytelling and will be remembered as one of the greatest games ever created in gaming history. This is not just a game, this is a work of art.