Bioshock Infinite 2013-03-29 Gameplay Meeting Elizabeth and Songbird for First Time
Bioshock Infinite has to be one of the most captivating and entertaining games I have played in the recent months if not years. In a current state of "Give me multiplayer or bust" our gaming industry has started to lack some really good story driven games. That being said for the flamers out there I'm not talking about epic back stories for MMO's and RPG's. I'm referring to games that are fashioned after a single player experience but get diluted or become an after thought in preference to multiplayer gaming titles. We all love our social interaction and multiplayer experiences but we have forgotten the time honored tradition that has been around for millennia, story telling.
The game shows an immense stride towards giving our favorite medium a mature image in our culture. Forgetting what we think of our favorite pastime, many still view video games as juvenile and even immature. This image extends to many facets of the game industry itself like story telling, graphic design, political views and game mechanics. This latest game from Irrational Games has given many a new view of what our industry can accomplish and a good foot hold to show the world that we can produce some of the most imaginative, beautiful, well built and ideological games yet. At the very core of Bioshock Infinite is the want and need for the game to challenge the lack of maturity and intellect that many games have.
That being said this scene from Bioshock Infinite has to be by far one of my favorite scenes from this game (if not of all time!). I am not comparing this section by any means to the ending which in it's own right is something very unique and epic, but this scene manages to capture many emotions I enjoy during a good game. For starters the exploratory nature I get in a good game that allows me to peak around every corner and see something put there just for those who dare look. The faux relationships one creates with the other characters in the game that allows the player to become immersed in the world built around them. The excitement at a good interval in the story whether it be a cut scene or an interactive one. One of the best ways to incite the reaction a developer is looking for is done with audio (music or simple sounds) and this is done in such a perfect melding of music, sound effects and visual eye candy that this scene above gives me chills every time I watch it. Don't get me started on how much better it is actually replaying that exact part.
My only regret with the game (and I hope a DLC expands on it!) is that there weren't more intense and engaging situations with the "Songbird" as this. For those that have played the game in it's entirety, the game is by no means disappointing as the Songbird is a major part of the story, but none of the following scenes with it are on the same hair raising level.
In all honesty I only recorded this so that others could remember this scene with a fondness for it like I do, or get excited by it enough to play for those that haven't played it.