While its storytelling left something to be desired, Bioshock Infinite still has one of the most important political, economic, and social messages of any major game put out in the last few decades. Though a fictional narrative, Infinite’s presentation of Socialism, both in its revolutionary form and what Socialist governments are actual like, is amazingly true to life. At the same time, Infinite also shows what happens to a society that embraces violence as the vehicle of change and shows the ultimate holocaustal outcome of choosing violence. Herein, I look at how the true nature of Socialism is laid bare for all who play the game, whether they like it or not.
Tag: Zachary Comstock
Bioshock Infinite: Great Ideas, Faulty Storytelling
Herein I review the game Bioshock Infinite and its two DLC extensions, Burial At Sea Episodes 1 & 2. I mostly eschew gameplay (it is a typical first-person shooter with some small variety) in order to focus on the storytelling and character elements in the game. I look at the major characters of the game, important elements, and notable settings and evaluate what they tell us about one another/themselves and how they fit in the overall story. And while I find much to laud in specific memorable moments of the game, the overall storytelling in Infinite and its DLCs leave a lot to be desired. Much of it is contradictory, nonsensical, vague, ill-defined, caricaturistic, and out of character for those involved in the events taking place. The game is enjoyable and playable. It even flirts with some grand ideas. But ultimately it has plot holes big enough to drive a semi-truck through, which brings the entire experience down.