BioShock Vs. BioShock Infinite: Which Game Is Best?

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For nearly half my lifetime, I’ve developed a deep-seated passion for the BioShock series, which I can’t help but be utterly captivated by. I’ve revisited every game in the trilogy at least thrice, and delved into the non-canonical novel, BioShock: Rapture, as well.

I firmly believe that each installment – BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite – offers a fantastic gaming experience, although they excel in unique aspects. If you’re a fan of immersive shooter games with a captivating atmosphere, I can confidently suggest any one of these titles to you.

Given all that, it’s understandable to compare BioShock Infinite with the initial installments of the series due to its significant departures. Not only does Infinite feature a distinctly unique setting, but it also differs greatly in terms of tone, gameplay mechanics, as well as story themes and structure.

As a die-hard gamer, let me make it clear that I’ve got a soft spot for each and every BioShock game out there. However, despite the recent trend among gamers to criticize Infinite, my personal favorite still stands alone at the top of the pack.

Of the two games, BioShock or BioShock Infinite, which one narrates the tale of a man and a lighthouse more effectively is BioShock.

8.
Graphics And Aesthetic

BioShock

Comparing the graphical quality of BioShock and BioShock Infinite isn’t quite apples-to-apples since they were released about six years apart. This time gap could significantly impact their visual capabilities.

Clearly, since it’s the more recent release, Infinite will naturally boast superior initial graphic quality. However, rather than focusing on its technical aspects exclusively, let’s shift our viewpoint towards its aesthetic appeal instead.

Both games share a common idea: transporting a city from different periods into extraordinary circumstances. I appreciate the vision behind Columbia in the game Infinite, but the architecture and design of Rapture seem more intentionally crafted to me.

Columbia appears to resemble a vintage, floating metropolis rather than a traditional one. Unlike Rapture, which is situated beneath the ocean and significantly influences its design, Columbia’s flight aspect seems less integral to its overall aesthetic.

Rapture is abundant with partitions, tubes of glass, and expansive views that frequently evoke the feeling of being submerged. On the other hand, the perspective from a structure in Columbia appears ordinary unless you deliberately look downward. Furthermore, I have a soft spot for Art Deco design – feel free to judge me if you must.

7.
Story And Setting

BioShock

As a gamer, I’ve always found the narrative and themes in the BioShock series to be among my favorites. They delve into intriguing realms of advanced science and psychology, and they don’t shy away from offering thought-provoking social commentary.

I believe that compared to Infinite, Bioshock does a more seamless integration of its ideas and messages. Infinite, on the other hand, tends to delve too deeply into intricate details at times.

In my opinion, Bioshock manages to blend its themes and ideas more effectively than Infinite. At times, Infinite can become overly complex.

In essence, the core idea of Rapture revolves around unrestrained capitalism, a system that seems fitting when combined with dubious human experimentation. This urban environment shows little regard for basic safety measures, particularly those related to people’s health and welfare.

Columbia is intended as a stark contrast to Rapture, embodying strong nationalism and religious fervor. However, the intricate quantum mechanics in Infinite seem discordant with this backdrop. They coexist but don’t really blend; outside of Elizabeth and the Luteces, the theme seldom surfaces, whereas in Rapture, genetic manipulation (splicing) led to its downfall.

Speaking about the narrative, it’s not quite the same as a dialogue. However, Bioshock stands out with one of the most acclaimed plot twists in video game history. It’s something that many players might have already anticipated.

6.
Locales And Setpieces

BioShock Infinite

Although BioShock boasts a superior environment and narrative, Bioshock Infinite demonstrates remarkable skill in making the most of its limited resources.

As a gamer, I’d say that the original game offers a subtler gaming experience compared to many others, which suits its creepy, mildly horrifying atmosphere perfectly. It truly shines in its niche, but when it comes to grandiose spectacles and epic setpieces, Infinite definitely takes the lead.

In BioShock, there are many striking settings and events that leave a lasting impression, but these elements don’t often impact the gameplay mechanically. For instance, you might need to avoid being frozen by Peach Wilkins or defend against Sander Cohen’s followers, but generally speaking, most of the notable locations in BioShock are designed more for visual appreciation than interactive gameplay.

The experience in Infinite feels much grander, with both the cinematic scenes and interactive moments standing out. This could be due to the fact that Columbia remains a vibrant city inhabited by ordinary people, allowing us to witness its buildings and attractions in their intended, functional state.

In me, there’s this exhilarating sense of a grand lottery showdown, where I find myself among the valiant figures gracing the Hall of Heroes. And let me tell you, it’s not just about the gameplay; it’s also about the breathtaking visual spectacle that makes every moment a delightful experience.

5.
Primary Combat Abilities

BioShock

Let’s delve into the topic of firearms, and it’s likely that you can quickly identify the main contentious issue.

In BioShock, I fondly referred to the weapon storage as the “pocket armory.” This system allowed you to store a range of big weapons in pockets, which could be retrieved at your convenience, similar to a boomer shooter’s setup. Realistic? Not at all. Enjoyable and practical? Definitely!

Enabling you to carry your firearms throughout the entire experience, you could enhance them using upgrade stations whenever needed, ensuring that you are equipped with the appropriate weapon for every task at hand.

Instead, Infinite chose to conform to the norms and only allow you to carry a maximum of two firearms at any given moment.

here are two aspects that bother me about this:

1. Out of Infinite’s thirteen weapons, eight seem to be slightly varied versions of each other in terms of their firing style, while one, the Peppermill, is a one-time drop from Motorized Patriots. This gives an impression of unnecessary, artificial inflation.

I find two issues with this setup:

1. Infinite’s arsenal consists of thirteen weapons, but eight of them have minor differences in their firing methods and one, the Peppermill, is a unique item dropped only by Motorized Patriots. This creates an impression of misleading, artificial padding.

Another issue arises due to the limitation of carrying only two weapons simultaneously. This constraint makes the fundamental fighting experience seem more restrictive. Should an unfortunate event occur where you lack an effective weapon for a confrontation, the challenge becomes unduly tougher.

4.
Secondary Combat Abilities

BioShock Infinite

In terms of primary combat strategies, BioShock takes the lead, but Bioshock Infinite expands upon secondary features more extensively. Unlike BioShock, where Plasmids serve as the sole secondary mechanic that requires switching from your weapon since dual-wielding wasn’t introduced until BioShock 2.

Working with Plasmids can be enjoyable, particularly when you master their synergy. Once you’ve developed a few effective combinations, they become quite sufficient. Additional gun ammunition types could be considered as part of the main combat, and they play only a minor role in comparison.

Infinite’s Vigors share similarities with Plasmids but lean more towards trap-setting and rapid-fire capabilities. Unlike just Vigors, you also have access to Elizabeth’s tears for summoning resources and reinforcements, as well as my favorite feature, the Skylines.

Back in Infinite’s prime, the term ‘swashbuckling’ was frequently used, and it was the Skylines who made it so popular – they’d grab onto things, zoom about, and pounce on someone in a most entertaining fashion.

3.
Customization And Builds

BioShock

In both games, the aspects of construction and personalization can be somewhat complex, as they handle these topics in quite a comparable manner.

In BioShock, you get to fill three Gene Tonics slots with enhancements that boost your combat abilities, engineering skills, and physical attributes. On the other hand, Infinite offers four Gear slots where you can equip hats, shirts, pants, and boots, each of which can have diverse effects.

Although both systems share many resemblances, I find myself preferring the one in BioShock a bit more. The reason being, the Gene Tonics in that game are more distinctly categorized compared to those in the other system.

Regarding character development, I have to be straightforward – neither game approaches this aspect in a manner that appeals to me personally.

To optimally use the ADAM you’ve accumulated in BioShock, it would be best to invest it in upgrades for both health and EVE at the Gatherer’s Garden machines. In contrast, BioShock Infinite only allows you to boost one attribute – be it health, Salts (the equivalent of EVE), or shield – whenever you locate a hidden Infusion bottle.

Among all the games I’ve played, BioShock stands out for me due to its flexibility in upgrading character stats. On the other hand, Bioshock Infinite requires you to decide on upgrades whenever you find an Infusion, and since these aren’t always readily available, your choices might not come up again for some time.

2.
Enemy Variety

BioShock Infinite

Given that Rapture has already sunk significantly by the time you reach it, it’s understandable why the variety of enemies isn’t extensive.

In this scenario, anyone openly antagonizing you is some form of Splicer, with the Spider Splicers being the ones who exhibit the most obvious physical mutations. All other types of Splicers engage in combat much like ordinary human Non-Player Characters (NPCs), whether they’re melee fighters, gun users, or Houdinis, who vanish and hurl fireballs.

The Big Daddies are quite formidable, yet they seem to be absorbers of damage rather than intriguingly mechanical adversaries.

Meanwhile, Infinite went all out when designing their diverse range of enemies, even publicly showcasing each significant type prior to release.

Apart from typical human police and military personnel, you also have Firefighters, Maintenance Workers, Devoted Ones, and Motorized Supporters. This isn’t even half of the diverse security options available, including sentry towers and drones like the Mosquitoes.

This way, I’ve replaced “Firemen” with “Firefighters”, “Handymen” with “Maintenance Workers”, “Zealots” with “Devoted Ones”, and “Motorized Patriots” with “Motorized Supporters”. The meaning remains the same but is more easily understood.

Additionally, you’ll find unique adversaries and challenging boss fights, such as the Siren and the Boys of Silence. Unlike BioShock’s bosses, who are mainly just stronger versions of Splicers, it’s refreshing to have more distinct opponents that demand different battle tactics.

1.
Winner

BioShock

Consequently, it’s not all that unexpected, but the original Bioshock takes the title in our face-off with a score of 4 to 3.

To clarify, I must express that I’m truly fond of BioShock Infinite, not just casually but genuinely from the depths of my heart. It’s an enjoyable game to immerse myself in, despite its setting being somewhat pretentious and steeped in high-concept science. However, Booker and Elizabeth are delightful and engaging protagonists who undergo a fascinating dual character development arc.

Initially, BioShock was the groundbreaking game that masterfully blended all its elements and ideas into a harmonious whole. Though it may lack some of today’s flashier features, its compact design complements its submerged-city theme perfectly.

The game remains enjoyable since it accurately maintains your excitement levels instead of overindulging. Jack might not have the same depth as Booker and Elizabeth in characterization, but this is intentional; he’s intended to be a clean slate, which enhances the impact of the final twist.

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2025-05-14 21:18