'Bioshock Infinite', the upcoming first person shooter by Irrational Games, takes players out of the ocean depths of Rapture and into the high flying city of Columbia. Though the third installment in the Bioshock series, 'Infinite' is a being all its own and protagonist Booker DeWitt is about to find out how much trouble he's really in.
The year is 1912 and Booker DeWitt is sent to Columbia, a ballooned propelled city designed as a traveling world fair. For one final job, he is tasked with finding and rescuing a young woman named Elizabeth. She's been a captive within the city for most of her life, under the watchful eye of her jailer Songbird. This automaton's one mission is to keep his prisoner where she is. Should she ever manage to escape, he must find her and bring her back. Booker must infiltrate Elizabeth's tower and somehow get her safely out of the city. This, however, is quickly revealed to be no easy feat. The colorful and industrious city is only a mask for its actual existence as a battleship and arena for the two warring factions tearing it apart: the Founders and the Vox Populi. Elizabeth is somehow in the middle of this fight, suspected for the reality bending abilities she possesses. These two characters form a strong and deep bond, their needs for escape and answers to questions unheeded only bringing them closer together.
As in the previous titles, players control the protagonist through use of several different guns and special powers called vigors. Booker can manipulate electricity, bend animals will to aid him, or move objects around to where he needs them to go. In previous 'Bioshock titles', powers could be switched at one of several gene banks. In 'Infinite', players must be careful about which vigors they want to use. Once ingested, the vigor becomes permanent. The consequence of that choice can carry though the game.They require Salt to be used, a relative ingredient to the EVE used in Rapture city.
A new addition to the game-play is the grappling hook, an instrument that allows Booker to ride the rails of the city. He can travel from district to district or try and out run enemies by hitching a ride. In one of the media trailers, throwing up the hook just might save Booker's life from one heck of a hard fall. Gear also assists Booker with his strength and endurance, helping to minimize the damage he may take.
Expect quite the new roster of enemies as well. Booker and Elizabeth do have to watch out for the Songbird, but he is only one example. There are several types of mechanical enemies prowling the streets. The Heavy Hitters are reminiscent of the Big Daddy. There's the Boys of Silence, who through the metal hood locked onto their heads can hear with preternatural accuracy but are utterly blind. The Sirens are shrouded female figures who can help injured or dead enemies back on to their feet. Then there are the people in the city, very human indeed but still very dangerous.
Let's see if the wait until March 26th helps keep this fortress afloat.
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