BioShock Infinite Combat Has Evolved

While BioShock Infinite might be quite different than most shooters on the market, at the end of the day it's still a shooter. Irrational Games Ken Levine says that they're putting a lot of effort into making sure that the combat is top-notch.

"Combat is one of the things that has evolved in a very substantial way," Levine told CVG. "The reason I feel that way is that in BioShock the combat got a little bit samey along the way because of what we demanded of the player. You'd generally come across an enemy and the right way to deal with them - almost all the enemies - was to use the Electro Bolt, which was incredibly effective across the spectrum."

Infinite's new setting helps Irrational Games diversify the combat, according to Levine. The game takes place not in the cramped underwater city of Rapture but in the massive floating metropolis of Columbia. Columbia features massive outdoor environments, with a rail system called the Skyline that provides speedy travel. The ideal weapon will depend on whether you're at long range or close range, on the Skyline or on the ground.

There are other reasons, unstated in this interview, to be excited by the combat. In BioShock, you only fought splicers and Big Daddies but Infinite will have a fresh set of foes for you to battle. These enemies will include some intriguing "heavy hitters." The cooperation between the player and A.I. companion Elizabeth should spice things up as well.

Even with these improvements, I don't expect Infinite to have the best action out there. The BioShock series has always separated itself from the pack with its storylines, environments and character customization. Good to see Irrational trying to make sure that Infinite feels like a 2012 shooter, though.

Infinite was recently delayed to February 2013. If Irrational is using that extra development time to add multiplayer, then combat is even more vital. Engaging action is what drives multiplayer, rather than story or characters.