MUSICAL MONDAY PRESENTS
BIOSHOCK INFINITE PRE-RELEASE EXTRAVAGANZA
I've talked about Bioshock before. Some of the articles I've written on the subject are some of my most memorable pieces. Now, before we even get into today's features, make sure to check out those excellent articles linked below:
And now for a look at the trailers for my most anticipated game of the year and, most likely, hot contender for best title of 2013, Bioshock Infinite.
It was way back in 2011 that we got our eyeballs coated in the sunshine of the beautiful new Bioshock's setting, Colombia. The trailer did an excellent job; first, they tease us with a fish tank to start with a image from Bioshock, then we're running from some brute, rope to rope and airship to airship, to see something like Disney's Main Street USA floating in the clouds above the scenic pastures of American farmland. This time, it was clear, that rather than anti-altruism being the central theme of the society, that Colombia was "City upon a Hill" taken to new heights in a tableau of American Exceptionalism. The trailer ends with a mystery. You see a beautiful woman-- the game's princess stuck away in some tower guarded by a dragon-- before plumetting toward the ground.
The imagery is a gorgeous and well-lit paradise that completely contradicts the sunken, cold, and claustrophobic tomb of oddities that was Rapture. Also, make sure to check out the delightfully quirky LITERAL video by Tobuscus for added fun.
This trailer kicks things up a notch and gives us a better introduction to Booker Dewitt, the game's protagonist, and his mission to "save" Elizabeth from Colombia-- in exchange for his debts and crimes being wiped clean from the slate. Then it focuses on the new enemies unique to the setting that all represent different threats and how you'll deal with them. Surely, this was an exciting addition to get us hyped up.
Then, a couple of months ago, we got this neat video promo that represented an old documentary or teaser for a documentary on the video game world's myths surrounding this lost marvel that sets up some ideas of how Colombia fits into the history of the same world as Rapture (presumably). I especially loved the creepy 80's mystery music in the background and the narration.
Infinite's main character relationship and, according to Kevin Levine, one of the trickiest elements to nail down for the final product was the relationship and gameplay built around Elizabeth. According to review and previews, Dewitt spends most of the game with Elizabeth close at his side and her characterization, through animation and voice, is superb. I can't wait to find out about more about the mysterious girl to meet since the first trailer.
And lastly, we've got the action packed launch trailer that shows some of the ways that you'll interact with characters (besides shooting them in the face and blasting them apart with powers). I'm excited to start playing this game, well, like in 2011. But I'm excited by the prospects of getting this in the mail tomorrow or Wednesday and hope to share my feelings with you on the title soon.
