BioShock vs. BioShock Infinite: A Comparison of the Best Game

My passion for the BioShock series runs deep; it’s an obsession that’s spanned over half of my life. With each installment played at least three times and even delving into the non-canon novel, BioShock: Rapture, it’s safe to say I’m thoroughly invested.

Each game—BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite—offers a unique experience that stands out in its own way. I enthusiastically recommend any of these titles to fans of atmospheric shooters, as they each possess distinct qualities that make them worth playing.

However, given the significant changes made in BioShock Infinite compared to its forebearers, it’s only natural to contrast it with the original title. Notably, Infinite presents an entirely different setting, along with variations in tone, gameplay mechanics, and narrative themes.

To clarify my stance, I enjoy every entry in the BioShock series, despite the current popular critique of Infinite. Yet, when evaluating which game tells its story of a man and a lighthouse most effectively, we must set aside BioShock 2 and focus on the comparison between the original and Infinite.

8 Visual Design and Aesthetics

Visuals in BioShock

When comparing BioShock and BioShock Infinite based on graphical prowess, it’s somewhat unfair due to the six-year gap between their releases. It’s to be expected that the newer game would boast superior graphics, so let’s shift our focus to aesthetic appeal.

Both games present cities from different eras, placed into unconventional settings. While the concept behind Infinite’s Columbia is intriguing, Rapture’s architectural style feels more intentional and carefully crafted.

Columbia resembles a vintage city suspended in the sky, yet its flying nature doesn’t inform its design in the same compelling way Rapture’s underwater environment does. Rapture is filled with bulkheads and glass tunnels that repeatedly remind players they are deep beneath the sea, whereas Columbia’s landscape can appear ordinary without a glance down. Additionally, as an admirer of Art Deco, I find Rapture’s visual storytelling particularly captivating.

7 Narrative and World-Building

Narrative Depth in BioShock

The BioShock series is renowned for its narrative intricacies, specifically its exploration of high-concept science, psychology, and social commentary. Between the two titles, I argue that BioShock weaves its themes more effectively than Infinite, which can get somewhat convoluted at times.

Rapture’s core narrative revolves around unfettered capitalism, seamlessly blending with themes of unethical experimentation. It’s a city where safety concerns are disregarded, reflecting the darker aspects of human ambition.

On the flip side, Columbia symbolizes nationalism and fervent zealotry, yet Infinite’s complex quantum mechanics often feel disconnected from its overarching narrative—merely coexisting rather than intermingling with the themes. Outside of Elizabeth and the Luteces, these ideas lack integration, while the issue of splicing is integral to Rapture’s decline.

In terms of storytelling, it’s hard to contest that BioShock features one of the most iconic plot twists in gaming—a fact that underscores its narrative strength over Infinite, despite my fondness for Booker and Elizabeth’s adventure.

6 Locations and Key Moments

Setpieces in BioShock Infinite

Both games excel in their own right, yet Infinite showcases a greater capability to utilize its environments effectively. While the original BioShock is a subtly engaging experience echoing a claustrophobic horror tone, Infinite excels in delivering grand spectacles and dynamic setpieces.

Although BioShock boasts plenty of unforgettable locations, most serve primarily as visual eye candy rather than directly impacting gameplay. In contrast, Infinite’s narrative pace allows significant moments—such as the raffle shootout and the Hall of Heroes sequence—to be equally playable and visually stunning.

5 Main Combat Mechanics

Combat Styles in BioShock

Let’s delve into the guns, one of the most notable contrasting features of both games.BioShock offers players what I fondly designate as the “pants arsenal, ”allowing a wide range of weapons to be stored and switched at will, emulating a more fluid gameplay style. This lends itself to a playful experience where players can tailor their weapon selection to fit combat situations.

Conversely, BioShock Infinite adheres to a more conventional approach, restricting players to two weapons at any time. This choice presents two primary issues: the lack of distinctiveness among many of its arms—where eight of their thirteen weapons are mere reskins—and the inherent limitations this system imposes on gameplay flexibility.

4 Supplementary Combat Skills

Supplementary Skills in BioShock Infinite

While BioShock shines in its primary combat mechanics, Infinite outperforms it in secondary abilities. The original game allows players to utilize Plasmids, but they must swap out their weapons to do so—a limitation eased in BioShock 2 with dual-wielding.

Using Plasmids provides enjoyable combat options, but once a few effective combos are mastered, they feel somewhat limited. Infinite’s Vigors serve a similar function but place a greater emphasis on tactical play with trap mechanics and quick execution.

Add to that Elizabeth’s ability to open tears for additional resources and allies, along with the exhilarating Skylines for swift movement, and it’s evident that Infinite broadens the combat experience significantly. Players often refer to this dynamic movement as “swashbuckling, ”showcasing its engaging combat approach.

3 Character Development and Customization

Character Customization in BioShock

Character customization in both titles presents a unique challenge due to their similar approaches. BioShock features three Gene Tonic slots that provide combat, engineering, and physical enhancements, while Infinite has four Gear slots that incorporate apparel with varying effects.

Though both systems share similarities, I gravitate more towards BioShock’s Gene Tonics because their categories are clearly defined. However, the progression mechanics in both titles leave something to be desired.

In BioShock, players need to spend their hard-earned ADAM at Gatherer’s Garden machines for health and EVE upgrades, while Infinite limits upgrades to one attribute per Infusion item found.If I had to choose, I’d favor BioShock’s system, as it allows player agency for when to enhance their character’s capabilities, instead of being bound to sporadic opportunities.

2 Diversity in Foes

Enemy Variety in BioShock Infinite

Given that Rapture is already in a state of decay by the time players arrive, it’s understandable that enemy variety is limited.Opponents primarily consist of Splicers, with Spider Splicers as the only notable variant showcasing more visible mutations. Most enemy types in BioShock fight similarly to standard human NPCs, which can feel repetitive over time.

In contrast, BioShock Infinite excels in its diverse enemy roster, highlighted even before its release with promotional material. In addition to standard soldiers and officers, players contend with unique foes like the Firemen, Handymen, and Motorized Patriots. There are also interesting encounters with distinctive bosses that demand varied strategies compared to BioShock’s more uniform confrontations.

1 Overall Conclusion

The Verdict: BioShock Triumphs

Consequently, it is perhaps no surprise that the original BioShock emerges victorious in this face-off with a score of 4-3.

To emphasize, my fondness for BioShock Infinite is unwavering; its gameplay is enjoyable, and the characters of Booker and Elizabeth provide a memorable narrative experience. Nonetheless, BioShock laid the groundwork for the series and adeptly integrated all its mechanics into a cohesive narrative.

While Infinite may offer a more grandiose experience, BioShock’s smaller scale and deeper thematic connections resonate profoundly within its submerged city context. It still remains engaging to play as it effectively calibrates expectations, unlike Infinite, which sometimes becomes too ambitious. Although Jack might not be as richly developed as the protagonists in Infinite, his role as a blank slate enhances the impact of the game’s legendary twist.

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