Still Waters – BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea – Episode Two Review

BioShock Infinite is one of those rare games that understands the story it wants to tell and just tells it. No unnecessary exposition. No annoying cutscenes where players don’t interact at all. Nothing. Where the first BioShock game stumbled a bit with the execution of the second half of the game (following one of the better plot twists of video game history) and BioShock 2 simply faded from memory, Infinite manages to captivate multiple audiences, whether they enjoy first-person shooters or a gripping story.

In “Burial At Sea: Episode 2,” the final piece of DLC for BioShock Infinite (and presumably the BioShock series), players control Elizabeth, the star of BioShock Infinite, in her attempt to rescue Sally, a Little Sister whom Elizabeth feels responsible for. Elizabeth controls no differently from Booker (though the gameplay changes things up), but the perfect way that the story and gameplay of Episode 2 mesh constantly shows why Elizabeth is the star of BioShock Infinite, not Booker.

If you haven’t played the original BioShock, prepare to be confused.

Those who have played the first BioShock game will recognize several characters, while those who have only played Infinite and “Burial at Sea: Episode 1” will be somewhat confused, though a small prologue that summarizes the story of BioShock makes things slightly less complicated. Unfortunately, not much can be said about this bit of DLC without spoiling the story. The story is ultimately an enjoyable, somewhat nostalgic experience that occasionally leaves more questions than it does answers, but it’s hard to deny that BioShock Infinite and its Burial at Sea conclusion will be discussed for many years to come.

One of the most memorable stealth games of the last few years

Narrowly avoiding an enemy by jumping to a freight hook before landing behind him to knock him out never fails to be fun.

Gameplay-wise, Episode 2 manages to break free of the restrictions of the frantic and occasionally frustrating first-person shooting mechanics of the rest of the series and become one of the most memorable stealth games of the last few years.

Unlike Booker from Infinite, Elizabeth doesn’t have much training being a soldier, so Episode 2 nudges players towards a stealth approach, providing plenty of ledges, freight hooks, and air ducts to give Elizabeth the jump on her enemies. Jumping to a freight hook to get a bird’s-eye view before silently landing (you have to press crouch before you land) behind an enemy to knock them out is ridiculously fun. Every. Single. Time.

He’s about to get a really bad headache.

New plasmids make gameplay all the more enjoyable

…relentlessly fun to play…

Episode 2 also features two new plasmids that make the stealth significantly easier (though I only used one new one and a returning favorite). There are only four plasmids to use in total in Episode 2, but that’s not a detriment. Players who run and gun will focus on two or three main ones, while players who prefer stealth will focus on one, and alternate between two other ones.

I won’t spoil the new plasmids, but rest assured: they’re useful and they make the game relentlessly fun to play.

This is a stealth game first, shooter second

…Irrational is throwing a bone to FPS-players than it is to those who enjoy stealth games…

Episode 2 feels more like Irrational is throwing a bone to FPS-players than it is to those who enjoy stealth games, which actually fits the game even better than the gameplay of BioShock Infinite or even BioShock. For stealth fans, it’s entirely possible to get through the entire piece of DLC without killing a single person (thanks to the return of the crossbow from the original BioShock), but you can still shoot people in the face with the handcannon or the shotgun if you really need to.

“Might I interest you in a lightly used Bathysphere?”

The story is around 4-5 hours for those who prefer a stealth experience, but those who like to run and gun might be able to speed through certain areas faster.

…those who played the BioShock series for the story and atmosphere will love this finale…

The game is well-paced and the ending felt well-earned, leaving the 4-5 hours a fantastic value (though I recommend a season pass). Those who would rather play Call of Duty or Titanfall will find themselves frustrated if they try to play it like a shooter thanks to the smaller arsenal. Regardless of your playstyle, this is a stealth game before it is a first-person shooter.

In the end, “Burial at Sea: Episode 2” is a love letter to stealth games of old like Thief: The Dark Project and even the more recent stealth games such as Thief and Dishonored  that seems to say, “Thank you,” to BioShock fans. Those who play BioShock for the series’ frantic and occasionally unenjoyable gunfights will leave ultimately disappointed, but those who played the BioShock series for the story and atmosphere will love this finale.

Burial at Sea: Episode 2 is a heartfelt goodbye.

…a spectacular, bittersweet conclusion to a saga almost seven years in the making that only makes me want to start the whole series over again…

While the story may confuse those who don’t pay attention, “Burial at Sea: Episode 2” is a satisfying conclusion to both the stories of BioShock and Irrational Games. It’s sad to see Booker, Elizabeth, and the Luteces finally gone for good (probably), but “Burial at Sea: Episode 2” is a spectacular, bittersweet conclusion to a saga almost seven years in the making that only makes me want to start the whole series over again.