The 10 Most Awesome Features Of "BioShock Infinite"

The city of Columbia is a very open one but that doesn't mean that playing through BioShock Infinite isn't a linear journey. You still have to go from point A to point B in order to progress but the scale of the environment is breathtaking. The beauty of the background is alive with movement and its easy to imagine yourself in the game itself.

One of the concerns for a lot of gamers was how usling the skyline would work and how difficult it would be to navigate. Fortunately, it's a very straight forward action. All you do is attach yourself to the skyline and you automatically slide to your destination. There's no accidental falls, you can go in reverse and you can even shoot from it. The biggest challenge of skyline travel is knowing which one to choose but it doesn't take long at all to figure it out.

Unlike enemy artificial intelligence of old where they come out, take their places and fire at you, the enemies in move around to areas where they can best take you out. At times they even employ strategies like providing cover fire for others to run in for the kill. This keeps you on your toes and avoids boring, repetitious gameplay.

It can be extremely frustrating to die and then have to start a level from the very beginning. When you die in BioShock Infinite, Elizabeth gives you an injection that revivies you and all of the enemies you were fighting remain at the health level you were previously. Not only does that make it a bit easier on you but it also adds a realistic element of actual battle to the story.

Granted, cut-scenes are a part of video games that are not going anywhere but BioShock Infinite adds flavor to them by integrating the story telling into the gameplay. Sometimes when riding an elevator or running to a new challenge, characters (more importanly Elizabeth) will talk and fill you in on information vital to the story. There's almost never a reason to skip a scene unless you're doing a second playthrough.

It's way too easy to lose track of the direction you need to in after an intense battle or a hunt for money and supplies. Luckily players can depend on an arrow that shows the path to your next destination. It's not mandatory to use it, but it helps a hell of a lot when you need it.

The original BioShock video game brought us the power of plasmids that allowed players to electrocute, freeze and burn enemies at will. Infinite has kept a few of the classic powers but has also added possessive and water-based attacks that you'll acquire through the plasmid replacement, vigors. You can also combine vigor effects to make them more effective.

For the gamers out there looking for a more challenging run through the game, you can play on what's called the 1999 mode where all of your choices are permanent and everything becomes incredibly difficult. There's less ammo, less health and basically you have to be ultra elite to survive. Good luck with that.

BioShock's music has always been great and BioShock Infinite's tunes keeps the same standard of accentuating the feel of the era. Pay attention and you'll hear a barbershop quartet version of the Beach Boys' classic "God Only Knows."

Don't you hate it when you're trying to get to supplies or through a doorway and your companion blocks your way? Elizabeth has enough smarts to get out of the way when you're handling business. In shoot outs, she finds cover and stays there. But if you're in trouble, Liz is always close enough to lend a hand.