Bioshock Infinite: Burial at Sea – Episode 1 – Review (PC)

Bioshock Infinite: Burial at Sea – Episode 1 – Review (PC)

Irrational Games, the creative team behind the original Bioshock and Infinite return to take their latest engine and descend to the depths of the ocean, taking us back to where the series began. But can they recreate that magic a third time, in a pint-sized episodic format? Read on to find out.

[Burial at Sea spoilers will be kept to a bare minimum. Infinite on the other hand, may well be spoiled. You have been warned.]

If you are anything like me, you get excited at cameos and references to previous titles in the latest big-budget video game sequel. I am certainly not alone in my enjoyment in looking out for Stan Lee in the latest Marvel movie too. So naturally, I was grinning like a goon when we made a sudden yet brief return to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean in Bioshock Infinite. However, what at first seemed like a super sweet cameo for the famous city of Rapture turned out to be an important element of Infinite’s central thematic concern – parallel universes and the differing eventualities caused by the existence of human choice. Many had theorised that Rapture and Columbia existed within the same fictional universe, but the game’s big reveal was that Rapture and Columbia were in fact alternate universe versions of each other.

The story-telling opportunities opened up by Infinites big reveal are limitless.
The story-telling opportunities opened up by Infinite’s big reveal are limitless.

Buried At Sea takes advantage of the story-telling opportunities afforded by this notion of parallel universes, placing us once again in the shoes of Booker Dewitt. Although this time, the gameplay once again takes place in Rapture. Booker is an infamous private detective, resting his head in a smoky, dim-lit office that drips with 50s noir ambience. A mysterious dame by the name of Elizabeth employs you to track down a young girl called Sally, who was up until very recently, believed to be dead. Why is Booker reluctant to help? What are Elizbeth’s motives? In true Bioshock fashion, the game starts with an air of mystery.

The game starts out layering on the Noir iconography. This eventually, and quite disappointingly fades into the background as soon as you leave your office.
The game starts out layering on the Noir iconography heavily. This eventually, and quite disappointingly, fades into the background as soon as you leave your office.

However, the most exciting thing about the storyline of this DLC is not the alternate universe depictions of Booker and Elizabeth, but instead the chance to visit Rapture prior to its fall. For the very first time we are to see the living, breathing inhabitants of this great city going about their business. We are to see the hulking Big Daddies going about their daily work, to see how technology such as plasmids and pneumo-tubes worked before civil war and hubris tore the city apart.

Unfortunately, within moments of stepping foot outside of Booker’s office it is plain to see that Burial at Sea suffers from the same problems that Infinite did. As much as I loved the setting of Infinite, it hard to deny that the NPCs were not lifeless; they simply stand around on the spot, looping animation and spouting background exposition and narrative flavour.  Although it is exciting to revisit Rapture in all its glory, I couldn’t shake the feeling it were even more lifeless than the streets of Columbia. Alongside this welcome return, another key selling point of the DLC is the inclusion of audio-diaries from the bit-players from the first game, and the opportunity to meet Sander Cohen prior to his decent into madness (kinda). Andrew Ryan is surprisingly absent. Of course, his image and his name appear, but I failed to find any new audio-diaries or speeches from him. To a sceptic, his exclusion from the DLC might suggest the original voice actor being unable or unwilling to return. However, I will reserve judgement on this matter until we see Episode 2.

Alongside the return to Rapture in setting, the gameplay and atmosphere attempts to recapture some of that ambience so lovingly revered by fans of the first Bioshock. Ammo and supplies are a little scarcer than they were in Infinite, while the suspense and horror of exploring a sunken ruin returns in the second half of the DLC. Unfortunately, as the DLC picks up the pace and throws us into larger combat encounters, ammo begins to appear in abundance and we return to the large pseudo-open area skirmishes of Infinite. The tacked-on stealth mechanic is awkward too, at times enemy Splicers couldn’t see me right in front of them, while at other times my melee strike from behind would not kill enemies instantly like it was supposed to.  Disappointingly, it feels like the developers may well be too attached to the gameplay of Infinite, and would not commit to moving away from it, or returning to an older formula. Certain key aspects that are synonymous with the first game’s mechanics and atmosphere are missing; no security bots with their hallmark beeping, no security cameras, no Spider-Splicers, no hacking and no option to carry Eve hypos or medkits. Instead, the combat is kept simple, yet kinetic like Infinite. Rather arbitrarily the ‘Skyhook’ from Infinite returns, only in this universe it is called an ‘Airgrabber’. All of these disappointing design choices culminate in a rather unsatisfactory finale boss; the famous Big Daddy. Instead of being able to set up traps, and prepare yourself for a difficult brawl like those found in Bioshock, the final fight deteriorates into pumping damage into a bullet-sponge boss while periodically jumping to a sky-rail to reload or gather more ammo from around the environment.

Creepy and foreboding atmosphere returns, complete with unattended 1940s prams and deep, dark shadows.
Creepy and foreboding atmosphere returns, complete with unattended 1940s prams and deep, dark shadows.

So the atmosphere and the gameplay pale in comparison to its predecessors, and I can’t help but feel frustrated when you think about what this DLC promised. In that regard, it is a grave disappointment. But I know what some of you are thinking, after all, this series is renowned for its narrative as much as its ambience. Without spoiling much, I can say that the narrative ties itself quite loosely into the canon, making small connections between the events of the DLC and the events of Infinite. However, the twist (yes, it is Bioshock after all, there is a twist) is a blatantly obvious and quite unimaginative one. After the fantastic, world bending ‘surprise’ moments of both the original and Infinite, Burial at Sea feels incredibly uninspired from the offset. For the first time in a ‘Shock game I knew what was coming within the first few minutes of the story.

I am apprehensive with regards to which screenshots I use in case of spoilers. So here is an image exemplifying the striking visual design present through the DLC. Here we see the hallway into Cohen's art gallery.
I am apprehensive with regards to which screenshots I use in case of spoilers. So here is an image exemplifying the striking visual design present through the DLC. Here we see the hallway into Cohen’s art gallery.

And then we come to the largest transgression of all – the length. I clocked in somewhere between 2-3 hours with the DLC. When you take into account that I am an obsessive compulsive explorer, and spent a lot of time being a tourist within Rapture, listening to the inhabitants background dialogue and taking screenshots, it is a little bit frightening how short this Episode has been. I have heard of people finishing it with a playtime of less than two hours. For a price tag of £11.99, it is impossible to argue any sort of value for money. It cost as much if not more than a cinema ticket, and for some it will provide less entertainment. There is an argument for the Season Pass option, but no one should feel obliged to fork out money on content that isn’t even made at time of purchase. On the upside, the content is most certainly new. Aside from the concept, it is clear that the content is not just a section cut from the original game; a practice all too prevalent in the industry at this moment in time. I find it disheartening to even include such a comment as a positive praise, as this should be the norm and not the exception.

Pros:

–          The game looks great – combination of high levels of visual polish and a beautiful art style

–          Returning to Rapture is exciting for fans of the series

–          If you enjoyed Infinite, you will enjoy what little time you will spend with Burial at Sea

Cons:

–          The DLC is just too short for that price tag, even if designed as an episode

–          Stealth doesn’t work, got stuck on environment once and was shot through a wall

–          The game is too attached to the weaker elements of Infinite – e.g. the combat

–          Predictable narrative that adds little to nothing to the Bioshock mythos

Perhaps I was too hyped after how much I fell in love with Infinite. Regardless, all I feel is frustration and disappointment with this DLC, for thought of what it could have been. Its length may not have been such an issue if it had not been so poor in other areas too. Criminally short, I can only hope Episode 2 delivers the goods.

Rating: 3 out of 5.
logo

Related posts

JARS – Review (PC)

JARS - Review (PC)


JARS - Review (PC)

JARS is a charming, fun hybrid of the puzzle and tower defence genres, with a touch of the spooky side, making an enjoyable purchase.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania – Review (PC)

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania - Review (PC)


Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania - Review (PC)

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is an extremely fun entry into the classic series, and is worth a play by any fan of the genre.

Tales of Arise – Review (PS5)

Tales of Arise - Review (PS5)


Tales of Arise - Review (PS5)

Tales of Arise pushes the action-rpg genre to it's absolute pinnacle, and whilst it is never revolutionary, it is one of the best in class.

Starlight Alliance – Review (PC)

Starlight Alliance - Review (PC)


Starlight Alliance - Review (PC)

Starlight Alliance is a fairly basic action-rpg about a pair of outcasts trying to take down an out of control drone network.

Jack Axe – Review (PC)

Jack Axe - Review (PC)


Jack Axe - Review (PC)

Jack Axe is a fun yet challenging puzzle platformer, with colourful retro inspired graphics and a nice soundtrack.

Bonfire Peaks – Review (PC)

Bonfire Peaks - Review (PC)


Bonfire Peaks - Review (PC)

Bonfire Peaks is a calm and satisfying puzzle game about putting all your belongings in bonfires, by moving around boxes.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl – Review (PC)

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl - Review (PC)


Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl - Review (PC)

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is a bare-bones fighting game, and despite it looking quite nice, is severely lacking in content and replayability.

Xuan Yuan Sword 7 – Review (PS4)

Xuan Yuan Sword 7 - Review (PS4)


Xuan Yuan Sword 7 - Review (PS4)

Xuan Yuan Sword 7 is a straightforward action adventure game that does exactly what it sets out to do, and is worthy of a play.

The Last Friend – Review (PC)

The Last Friend - Review (PC)


The Last Friend - Review (PC)

The Last Friend is a fun and satisfying crossover of the tower defence and brawler genres, featuring plenty, and plenty of dogs.