Let’s discuss BioShock Infinite (Part 3).

And here we are at last -- the ending.  Where to begin, where to begin.

Warning: it all ends here, folks.  If you’re ready to take the plunge, read on.

Let’s discuss BioShock Infinite (Part 2).

Before we keep going, there’s something that I want to bring up.  Something that’s…well, not critical, but I think it’s an important distinction to keep in mind.  Basically, the word of the day is “preference”.

In the last part, one of my biggest issues with the game had to do with Elizabeth.  Not because she was a bad character (she isn’t), but because I wanted her to take the leading role instead of the steely private investigator Booker DeWitt.  That desire is still within me.  I still think there’s something to be had if Elizabeth was the star -- and while I can’t quite come up with a way to tweak the gameplay to suit her, it’s still a possibility that might have worked with a little elbow grease.  But here’s the thing: even if they COULD have made the game from Elizabeth’s perspective, I’m not saying they SHOULD have.  Nor am I saying the game is any worse off because of it.

That’s the thing about preference.  In the case of Infinite, virtually everything that’s on display here is objectively good.  Mechanically airtight, intellectually satisfying, sensually appeasing…like I said before, the high marks it’s earned from magazines and websites are more deserved than with dozens of games released this generation.  Granted a TENOUTTATEN only means so much, but surely you get the point.  In the case of preferences, people prefer what this game has to offer.  There’s not much for them to complain about.

Except for the ending.

WARNING: GOOD GOD, DO NOT READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN’T FINISHED THE GAME.  I’M NOT PLAYING AROUND HERE.  GO.  LEAVE.  DON’T READ.  DON’T MAKE ME DISABLE YOUR INTERNET FROM HERE.  BECAUSE I CAN, THANKS TO THE POWER OF ANTI-SPOILER TECHNOLOGY.

Let's discuss BioShock Infinite (Part 1).

Before we begin, there are three things I have to say.

1) This is a great game, and I have no problems recommending it.  If you haven’t played, watched, or tried it, do so now.

2) This is not the greatest game ever created -- and if you think that it’s a masterpiece, you might need to start re-evaluating your standards.

3) I accurately predicted the ending for the game -- and said ending very nearly ruined the entire experience for me.

WARNING: I know I say this pretty much every time, but in the name of all that is good and pure (i.e. the average hot dog), DO NOT READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN’T FINISHED THE GAME.  If you have any intention of playing through Infinite for yourself, turn away now.  I mean it.  Seriously.  Go away.  This is not a post for you.

It’s the only way to protect you from SPOILERS like Booker becoming a robot and Elizabeth learning how to moonwalk.

So Why Not Make a Female Protagonist?

Yep.  This topic. 

I didn’t really want to make a post on this topic, because the point has been argued elsewhere, and probably argued far better than I ever could (or am about to).  But the thought’s been on my mind for a while now, and I figure it’s as good a time as any to discuss it while it’s still a fresh topic.  So here we go.  Bear with me here.

Do Video Games Need Good Stories?

Short answer?  Of course they do.  Post's over.

Long answer?  The rest of this post.