I just finished BioShock Infinite. I mostly enjoyed it: the graphics, art, and gameplay were good. However, I was disappointed by the ending -- I should not have to read Wikipedia to figure out what actually happened. Also (and I had a hunch this would happen after a couple occurrences during the game), I think the concept of "tears" was used as a sort of crutch to get away with a weaker plot -- much as time travel is often abused in the movies. I think there was a lot of anticipation for this game (including my own), but ultimately I think it was overhyped; I would not rate it any higher than 8/10.

As for the knocks at Objectivism and American Exceptionalism, I think the author of the article is correct, but as at least one of my fellow commentators has pointed out, the various BioShocks fail at both because Ken Levine doesn't seem to understand either one. Instead, he posits straw men. Fortunately, a concretization of the application of Objectivist principles does exist, although not in video game form: the novel Atlas Shrugged. And those of us who still believe in American Exceptionalism can see that we are living it, despite the efforts of many of our so-called elected leaders. (show less)

This game is based on atheist logic and reasoning or agnostic logical or reasoning or maybe theism when God is very distant and one lives like an atheist or agnostic to create the world you want.
So you invent a nomenclature which is a sign it has become your religion. From the article: "There is nothing utopian about the notion that men ought to live free of coercion and fraud"
I believe the time is close to prepare for the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ the Lord. What will be the nomenclature as the signs of faith in Jesus increase? Instead of compassion conservatism will be Jesus fed the masses of hungry people and he did not to this for profit. To the enmeny that begins to get very powerful in the nation atheist rebels flee to come back and attack the nations who stand with us in our approved by God Babylon :we need a Moses red sea experience to swallow up the armies of Pharaoh. But with Jesus no death penalty for the sinners but repentance except for the great sin of treason against against the CHOSEN of GOD nation : WE need an Elijah great burning fire to turn the treason traitor to ashes
The GOP and people then prepare for the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ the Lord when the three Abrham faiths bend their knees to Jesus and the rebels flee to atheist communist capitalist RED china
Rebels good to start learning China men language now and have plastic face transformation to be accepted by them unless you have gifts they need it will be difficult to fit in except as an inferior with useful organs for their elite (show less)

I agree with the assessment. I predict I will find myself often frustrated at the straw men they prop up as the "founders", however I will probably still buy (and love) the darn game.

Side note: I don't think Vox Populi (nor OWS) are supposed to be Anarcho-Capitalist, but Anarcho-Syndicalist (i.e. socialist anarchists), hence the name Vox Populi "the voice of the people."

I just finished the game.

You pretty much get the whole story in the previews in regards to the ideas presented.

The Founder Faction has elevated the Founding Fathers to deity level beings along with their prophet Father Comstock who himself fought at Wounded Knee.
The good father (sarcasm ;D) is pretty much a racist asshat on his face but there is a great deal more to the story.

As for the Vox they don't really have a system in place. They simply want to be elevated to where the others are.

In total the game distorts things like they did with the last two but aside from some minor issues on the actual game side that are hardly worth the time to dwell on it's a fantastic game where only flaw is how fast it seems to go by.

The ending was...you gotta see it. It's...epic.

"You can’t just make a set of ideals and expect those to change people."

Isn't that what the founders said, anyway? Isn't that the whole point of putting limits on government?

American exceptionalism - gone with the wind. Will it ever return - God only knows.

I'm playing the game now and I'll be honest:

You Need To Play It First!

You are between the extremes in Infinite. The Founders which take extreme views on what they deem American.

Then you have the Vox Populi which are defined as Anarcho-Capitalist.

First game was a distorted Objectivist line.

Second game (the one you did not mention) is based on collectivism.

Fact is that Bioshock is about the extreme lengths of various ideals.

I happen to like all three games because I recognize that they are in fact extrme distortions.

Not all players do, though. I recognized it in Bioshock, just as you did, but met many MORE people who thought it was an accurate representation of what Objectivism is in real life.

An interesting bit I noticed in the first Bioshock is the real villain of the game is the guy promising collectivist utopia to anyone willing to make him their defacto king.

The authors tried to make Rand the scapegoat for Rapture's demise, and, in the end, failed. The needs of the story demanded it. I rather expect Infinite will end up the same way, or won't work as a story. Your characters have to behave like real people, or it withers on the vine.

You could argue that Rand was a heartless , but her sort is never the ones who set up the gas chambers.

Bioshock's first sequel, simply Bioshock II, was made by another developer. It showed the other side, as it were. A collectivist psychologist, Sofia Lamb, seeks to meld religion and communism. You play one of her fist victims, a Big Daddy, a previously mindless animal made from a man. Your "little Sister," another apersonal abomination, who has been freed, revives you. Big Daddy's and Little Sisters are necessary to acquire the means to give men the incredible abilities the player can use.

She is Eleanor Lamb, the daughter of Sofia. Sofia seeks to destroy her daughter by giving her all the gifts and memories of the people of Rapture. Eleanor revives you to stop Sofia. Sofia is Ryan's opposite in everyway, using the idea of utopia to excuse any immoral action. The only morality to her is the good of the collective. Eleanor responds to decisions you make, being merciful or brutal. She can become the straw man Ryan on steroids, or she can become something closer to Rand's true philosophy, wanting to quietly pursue her own good without harming others.

The second game is much more personal. I prefer the second game to the first. The Minerva's Den DownLoadable Content is probably one of the best DLC packages out there.

I'm not sure if I'll get Infinite. I knew it was going to critique hyper-nationalism, but I'll probably get very angry at the religious and conservative straw men. (The first game was okay because I respect Rand, but I definitely reject objectivism).

Why does nobody critique the hypernationalism on the left? Obama and other progressives conflate patriotism with support for an expansive federal government. Patriotism is more about the government, but also for American culture and history. The true patriotic appreciation for our government should not be for what it does, but for how the government is limited to ensure the liberty of Americans. Pride in the Bill of Rights and our history of limiting government power is real patriotism, not pride in entitlements. Our pride in our military walks a thin line. Patriotism honors the sacrifice of our military to protect our liberty, but historically progressives, from Wilson to Obama, have only expressed pride in our military as an example of collective discipline and power. (show less)