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About BioShock Infinite
Booker DeWitt, a former U.S. Cavalry veteran turned hired gun, is forced to rescue Elizabeth, a girl imprisoned since childhood, from the floating city of Columbia. Their uneasy partnership drives a story set in 1912, where they must navigate sky‑bound combat and uncover the city’s dark secret.
The game blends first‑person shooting with supernatural abilities called Vigors, allowing players to wield fire, lightning, and summoned crows. Players traverse zeppelins, Sky‑Lines, and street level while opening Tears in time to pull weapons and turrets from thin air, creating a highly customizable combat experience.
01 / THE GUIDE
The City in the Sky
Columbia is a flying metropolis that replaces the underwater setting of its predecessor. The city’s vibrant architecture and aerial pathways provide both visual spectacle and tactical terrain for combat. Its beauty masks a hidden, dark secret that the player discovers through exploration.
Players move across zeppelins, high‑speed Sky‑Lines, and street level, encountering enemies in varied vertical spaces. The environment itself can be weaponized, turning the city’s infrastructure into a dynamic battlefield.
- Use high ground on Sky‑Lines to gain line‑of‑sight advantage.
- Observe environmental hazards; some structures can be destroyed for strategic openings.
02 / THE GUIDE
Unlikely Mission
Set in 1912, the core objective is for Booker to rescue Elizabeth from Columbia or die within its walls. The narrative frames the rescue as Booker’s only chance to wipe his slate clean, adding urgency to every encounter.
The mission structure intertwines story beats with combat, requiring players to progress through distinct districts while protecting Elizabeth, whose presence influences gameplay and story outcomes.
- Prioritize clearing paths for Elizabeth to keep her safe.
- Listen to dialogue cues; they often hint at hidden routes.
03 / THE GUIDE
Whip, Zip, and Kill
The Sky‑Lines act as weaponized roller coasters, letting players zip through the city while delivering melee attacks. This mechanic encourages fast, fluid movement combined with close‑quarter combat.
Players can also wield conventional firearms in one hand, pairing them with Vigors or Tears for layered attacks, creating a highly personalized combat style.
- Combine zip movement with a quick melee strike for surprise damage.
- Switch between weapons and Vigors to adapt to enemy types.
04 / THE GUIDE
Vigors and Tears
Vigors are supernatural powers that let Booker throw fireballs, shoot lightning, or summon crows. These abilities surge through the body and can be unleashed alongside conventional weapons.
Tears in time open portals that pull weapons, turrets, and other resources from elsewhere, reshaping the battlefield and allowing strategic placement of firepower.
- Use fireball Vigors against clustered enemies for area damage.
- Open a Tear near a turret to gain a defensive position quickly.
05 / THE GUIDE
1999 Mode
After completing the main campaign, players unlock 1999 Mode, a difficulty setting that mirrors the design and balance preferences of hardcore gamers from the late 20th century. This mode offers a tougher combat experience.
The mode does not add new story content but challenges players to survive with the same tools under stricter conditions, rewarding mastery of the game’s systems.
- Re‑familiarize with enemy patterns before entering the mode.
- Conserve Vigors; they become crucial when health is limited.
COMMUNITY
Player discussion