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Developer/Publisher: Irrational Games/2K Games
Genre: First-person shooter
Available on: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, OS X
Mode(s): Single-player
Release date: Nov. 12, 2013
BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea is a beautiful fusion of the classic BioShock and the 2013 hit BioShock Infinite.
While most BioShock fans enjoyed gliding along the skylines in BioShock Infinite, many of them missed the living, breathing underwater city of Rapture that they came to know and love in the first two games. In Infinite’s first story-driven DLC, Burial at Sea, they can experience Rapture in a whole new way.
In Episode 1, you play as an alternate version of Booker DeWitt, a character you know well from BioShock Infinite. He is working as a private investigator when Elizabeth hires him to help her search for a little girl named Sally. Booker and Elizabeth’s relationship is much different this time around. Elizabeth isn’t a scared little girl anymore; in a lot of ways, she’s more brave than Booker is. Also, she looks much different than she did in Columbia. She dons a cigarette and red lipstick, which is appropriate for the 1958 setting.
Rapture is more beautiful than ever before. It’s so enthralling to be able to explore Rapture before its collapse. Rapture is alive and well; peaceful. It took me more than an hour longer to complete the game than it should have because I found myself walking around and exploring Rapture. It was so nice to see the underwater city before its destruction.
Upon finishing Burial at Sea Episode 1, I craved more. I sat there in my bean bag chair in awe, not believing what I had just played. It was even better than I had anticipated.
For those who have played the original but haven’t played Infinite, I highly recommend playing Infinite before diving into Burial at Sea. After all, you need Infinite to play the DLC, anyway. It’s one of the greatest games I’ve ever played, and playing it will help you understand some of the references and things happening in Burial at Sea.
Final thoughts
Gameplay: The combat takes the best things from BioShock and BioShock Infinite and blends them seamlessly. Be warned that the game can be completed in under two hours. It’s about quality, not quantity, in this DLC. Purchasing the Season Pass is a wise investment.
Appearance: Burial at Sea is gorgeous. Rapture has never been more breathtaking. Graphics are on par with Infinite.
Sound: Get ready to get hit right in the nostalgia if you played the original BioShock. While exploring Rapture, you will hear the classic “Somewhere Beyond the Sea,” and the comical “Circus of Values” vending machines are back. My face lit up when I heard, “Come back when you get some money, buddy!”
Bottom line: This DLC was made for the fans. If you enjoyed BioShock and/or BioShock Infinite, this is one of the few DLCs that you cannot afford to pass up.
Overall score:
90/100