An awe-inspiring setting coupled with frantic combat and a well-constructed narrative takes Infinite to the peak.
You follow the eyes of Booker Dewitt, a former Pinkerton agent emotionally scarred, in his attempt to "wipe away the debt". The narrative in Bioshock Infinite is about to set new standards in video game storytelling. Controversial themes such as religion and politics are married with metaphysics in such a cohesive manner that the universe in which the game is set becomes truly established.
Gameplay remains mostly the same like its predecessors. Booker can shoot and cast vigors at the same time. Weapons in Infinite are reminiscent of those found in previous Bioshock titles. You've got your standard submachine gun, shotgun, rocket launcher, and rifle variants. While most of them are somewhat copies of what we had already got our hands on, the process of shooting them differs much as most of the weapons feel powerful and meaty. Blasting an enemy with a shotgun at point-blank for example brings out a very convincing effect as the screen shakes flashing a red gush while the victim flies outward with a fierce velocity. Vigors at the same time are your standard plasmids. However, unlike those in the orginal Bioshock, more inventive ones instill an empowering feeling. Using both guns and vigors feel ultimately satisfying. Nothing ever comes close to casting Bucking Bronco on a lucky group of enemies, their helpless bodies hovering above the ground, then blasting them with a shotgun. Artificial Intelligence has also been improved, though not that outstanding. However, they still provide an intelligent challenge to the player. Combat becomes tactical while at the same frantic and chaotic. It is very easy for such an encounter to become overwhelming.
Infinite's a beast in the storytelling department and it is such a wonder considering a grand twist would already be expected pulled off on us on the first Bioshock on how could still succeed in surprising with such an unexpected revelation. It is mind-boggling, awe-inspiring, and very, very challenging to wrap your heads into. The core of it becomes apparent minutes after having watched the credits. Such a game becomes a rarity in that it makes you play again after completion not for the purpose of unlocking more content or a more challenging experience, but for additional insight and further exposition.