New Bioshock Goes Old School
Recently the developers of Bioshock: Infinite said that the newest version of the BioShock series is getting an old school makeover with 1999 mode. What's most exciting, 1999 mode forces you to choose a path and stick with it. In the original Bioshock, harvesting or saving little sisters actually changed the game play. This was also true with weapon and plasmid upgrades. You could upgrade and play with any weapon, sometimes your choices were good and sometimes they were bad. Bioshock: Infinite will take this to the next level. Sure you might become a pro with a shotgun but it might hurt when running down a long hallway with snipers on the other end. You paid for this choice and there is no going back. Additionally your interactions and choices with Elizabeth with drive the direction of the story adding a real moral aspect to the game. This is a first for Irrational games to have such an interactive AI character. Elizabeth is a companion and aid to your goals and you need to use her wisely.
1999 mode also brings back a more traditional way of saving the game. Gone is a mid combat save when things start to turn against you. Much like the original Bioshock where Fontaine had to be beat with the upgrades you had at the end. There was no way to go back and if you lost the battle to change weapons or buy more ammo you fought him with what you had, over and over, possibly with no real way to beat him. Bioshock: Infinite adds real thought as to whether or not to move on as there is no real way to turn back, much like real life.
My hope is that Elizabeth brings an actual sense of morality to the game with your choices actually effecting the outcome. Bioshock: Infinite has already shown how beautiful the gameplay will look. Lets hope that the game play revolutionizes the industry and remembers what Mr Ryan said, "a man chooses, a slave obeys."
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