The Wasted Potential of Bioshock Infinite

Description :

When I think "wasted potential", Bioshock Infinite is one of the first games to pop to mind. Bioshock Infinite is a jumbled mess of ideas from a game that had a long development cycle that promised so much more than what was released. While that is common, the sheer difference in what was shown prior to launch is staggering. Bioshock Infinite has a fascinating setting with incredible art direction and atmosphere. It has great worldbuilding and makes use of a unique timeframe not often seen in games. And yet, the ho-hum shooter gameplay of Bioshock Infinite is a few steps back from the first Bioshock, and a major step back from what Bioshock 2 did with its gameplay. Bioshock Infinite has some interesting subject matter, but it doesn't know what to say about it. It lacks the focus that Bioshock did with its subject matter. Toss in the concept of multiverses and you end up with a plot that's a jumbled mess. The more you think about it, the more Bioshock Infinite starts to fall apart. The promise that Columbia shows gets swept away in the second half to focus on this idea of multiverses. This Bioshock Infinite review/analysis/retrospective/critique will look at the making of Bioshock Infinite, the themes, combat, Elizabeth, the plot, the ending, what Bioshock 2 did better, and what happened during the development. Timestamps: 00:00 - Prelude 04:49 - Intro of Bioshock Infinite 06:35 - Columbia 08:05 - The Fair & Walking Simulator 11:19 - The Red Flags Emerge 13:03 - Combat in Bioshock Infinite 17:05 - Elizabeth 21:38 - What Bioshock Infinite could have been 23:43 - Booker, Slate, Hall of Heroes 26:17 - Vox Populi, Tears, & Plot Collapse 31:22 - Downtown Emporia & Lady Comstock 33:50 - Songbird 34:32 - Our Lady Elizabeth 36:27 - The Final Stretch 38:25 - The Ending 44:02 - Bioshock 2 Did It Better 47:45 - What Happened During Development on Bioshock Infinite? 53:50 - In Conclusion