Everything you need to know about Bioshock Infinite

Bioshock Infinite is finally upon us, and we will be picking it up tomorrow at midnight and making an unboxing video of the Ultimate Songbird Edition. But let us recap on what we currently know about the game so far:

• While the game does take place in a time before the original Bioshock and Bioshock 2 games (both past games took place in the 60's) it is neither confirmed OR denied if the original games and Infinite take place in the same universe. However no one new to the series has to know the past games to get Infinite anyway
• The game will take place in 1912 and follow the growth of "American Exceptionalism", which was a time that stressed on spreading Liberty and Democracy
• We know that the main player protagonist Booker Dewitt is a Pinkerton agent tasked to rescue Elizabeth and bring her back to land to clear off "old debts". We also know that he has a shady past that will be slowly revealed throughout the game's main story
• Instead of Plasmids and Tonics, which were the source of power abilities in Bioshock (2007) and Bioshock 2 (2010), this time we use Vigors that use powers both similar and different from the Plasmids. For example: there is a fire vigor that is similar to the original fire Plasmid, but there is a new vigor that freezes foes in the air so that you can get a better shot at em
• The female protagonist, Elizabeth, will be important to both story and gameplay. Elizabeth has an even more mysterious past and all we know about her is that she has been held captive for twelve years. She is an AI-controlled ally you work with, but unlike some AI allies she never in any way have to be babysat and never gets in the way. In fact, she will help to find and give ammo, items, and other important things. She is also able to open up "Tears" which bring other things from different timelines, maybe worlds, into the world and battle moments to help also aid you in the heat of trouble
• The main villain in this game is Comstock "the False Shepard" who is the founder and leader of the city. He is similar to what Andrew Ryan was in the original Bioshock but will be very much different altogether, since we don't really know much else about him.
• You can you Skylines to travel around anywhere, anyplace which can be useful in a battle. They are like riding a roller coaster with one hand holding you the entire time. You can also use weapons while riding them.
• There will be an unlockable difficulty mode called "1999" which will be the hardest mode to play the game on. You will be incredibly low on items and ammo during this mode
• The Songbird is a giant mechanical flying monster that acts as the second main villain in the game. It was originally the guard and companion of Elizabeth the past twelve years of her imprisonment. Throughout the game this monster hunts you down in order to capture Elizabeth. The Songbird has a similar look and design to the Big Daddies from the last two Bioshock games
• The floating city is called "Columbia" in reference to the female figure that personifies the United States
• In case you weren't keeping up with this game for the past three years, the city of Columbia is a city that floats high in the sky. Unlike the city of Rapture from past games, which was deep below the sea. While Rapture was claustrophobic and dark and frightening, Columbia is more enriched in color and feels more open, however we have reason to believe we'll have some frightening moments happen in this game too
• The game will strongly focus on sensitive past issues such as racism, heck even the games cover on the case shows a burning flag
• there will be two groups or factions in the game. The founders (led by Comstock) and the Vox Populi
• The boys of silence are one of the many found heavy hitters or "mini bosses" found in the game, these things are normal looking in nature but have some kind of metal head locked up on its shoulders and large sound horns on both sides of the head. These enemies are able to hear very well for intruders and are difficult to sneak past
• The Handymen are mechanical cyborgs with large robotic hands which have a porcelain like quality to them. It seems like the only human things left on these heavy hitters are their heads and their hearts, which are seen in their chest through a glass shield. These enemies are able to throw other various AI at you and can also grab on to Skylines. They are also considered to be the Big Daddies of this game
• You will encounter Motorized-Patriots throughout the game. These things are also heavy hitters that resemble the look of George Washington in a porcelain way and use Peppermill guns as weapons. You are able to take their guns after you defeat them
• The siren is the most unknown of the heavy hitters. They are female enemies that deal with the issue of Spiritualism movement from near the end of the 19th century. She is able to revive old enemies from the dead and use them against you
• The gameplay will not be heavily scripted. While there will be scripted moments here and there, the game mainly allows you to explore Columbia at your own pace
• you use a gear system to pick between the different vigor choices in the game
• Booker is Irrational Game's first vocal protagonist in the Bioshock franchise
• Elizabeth has gone through a lot of changes in look throughout development, same with other things in the game like the Handymen
• Game has been delayed quite a bit, but not for any dumb reasons that would lead the game to go down the crapper (cough* Aliens Colonial Marines *cough). Creator Kevin Levine wanted to make sure the game stayed true to what the fans of the franchise would want
• The people of Columbia treat founding leaders such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin like gods and deities
• The mini game spin off to the game Bioshock Infinite Industrial Revolution, which was exclusive to those that pre ordered, allowed you to win DLC stuff like weapons and extra items for when the console game came out

I hope this long and almost precise list helps anyone new to understand why people are excited for this game and we cannot wait to get our hands on our copy! Be sure to check back for an unboxing video when it's released! Until next time...