Submitted by AnyGamers99 t3_zxtvnq in gaming
It really feels like the writers only had a surface-level understanding of racism and nationalism. With the original Bioshock it felt like they had a more complete grasp on capitalism and libertarianism, meaning they were able to create a much better critique of them than they could with Infinite's main themes.
What are people seeing in this game that I'm apparently missing?
Yeah, but didn't you notice how many ism's they mentioned? 4 of them!! Clearly this clown is onto something.
It's almost like -ism is a suffix used in the names of philosophies and religions, which the Bioshock series frequently critiques. Do you get upset when people use musical terms when talking about a song?
Lol they downvote you for speaking the truth
Yeah, but here is the thing. I have never once heard BioShock infinite praised for its depiction of racism. Where are you seeing that? I feel like you're trying to have some sort of meaningful Epiphany or discussion here but you're just making up the fact that it's praised for this.
>Dealing with themes like religion, racism, and xenophobia, Columbia is a richer and more nuanced setting than even Rapture, and the unveiling of the city’s culture is masterfully executed.
- Game Informer
>Racism, sexism, nationalism, and religion are all put directly in front of you, whether you like it or not. It makes a point simply by confronting you with these uncomfortable issues and forcing you to at least think about them.
- IGN
>The year is 1912 and all of the racist and religious zealotry of that time are on full display. It's a trick that Irrational pull off so well. They plonk the player in an other-worldly environment informed by historical social conventions and then put the ugliest side of humanity on display.
- The Guardian
>Some factions of the city preach in favor of maintaining racial purity, and one of the game's most powerful sequences is an early scene depicting a mixed-race relationship--something the powers in control of the city most definitely frown upon. But this doesn't boil down to the typical good guys/bad guys scenario. Due to the nature of the world and the way it changes over time, you'll also see that Vox Populi's rebel forces are capable of just as much cruelty as the forces they seek to overthrow. The changing relationships between factions and the way the main characters fit into that puzzle make Infinite far more complex than the average video game story, and it's exciting to see heavier themes like these on display.
- Giant Bomb
Nice
Oh boy you had these ready for this post didn't you?
Well, these reviews you picked sure do support your post.
I was specifically speaking of fans praise of which I have never seen any praising it's depiction of racism.
I'm sure if I was inclined, I could find sources that said what I wanted them to say as well. But I don't want to spend any more time on this than I have.
But I concede that these ones that you posted definitely do what you said they did.
>Oh boy you had these ready for this post didn't you?
No, I just googled "Bioshock Infinite Metacritic" and looked at a couple reviews, dumbass. You have Google too, right? Try using it before you make stupid comments.
>I was specifically speaking of fans praise
"but you're just making up the fact that it's praised for this."
gives examples of it being praised for this
"NOT LIKE THAT"
I didn't say not like that. I conceded that these reviews praise it. You sure are getting defensive with the name calling.
You started the name calling... you called him a clown, while agreeing with a post that called him a 12 year old...
Racism and nationalism are just the flavors that spice up the world of the game, not the actual themes of the narrative. But I'd also argue that the game's portrayal of a cultish society whipped up in a frenzy by charismatic but disingenuous leaders (sound familiar? And topical?) understands the pitfalls of unchecked nationalism much better than you're giving it credit for.
Dude, yawn. We hear this garbage all the time. We get it, you're just political enough to be obnoxious.
Being annoyed and defensive at the vaguest of allusions to modern sociopolitical problems is kinda telling on yourself, bud.
"vaguest" Hahah it wasn't even vague, period, let alone the vaguest of allusions. It was more obvious that you think you get away with, kid.
I guess I'm wondering where exactly the "Ha! Gotcha!" is in your comments here. Like am I supposed to feel called out for suggesting that the rise of theo-fascism in the US is a bad thing? Cuz that's not exactly a suggestion that should bother any decent person. Saying that those themes in Bioshock are topical/relevant to today is just fact, and thinking they're not is just intentionally sticking your head in the sand.
Unless you're one of those people who weirdly think video games shouldn't have political messages at all?
"rise of theo-fascism in the US" that delusion is what is mocked. Not the fact that it would be a bad thing, but your absurd claim that it is.
But keep insisting. It's sooo convincing.
Yeah your initial response kinda clued me in that I wouldn't be needing to take you seriously but thanks for confirming it.
I get it, you have nothing to offer. Peace.
I agree with you that the discussion of racism was shallow. I would note that if anything religion and redemption were even bigger themes, and are the ones to compare more to Bioshock 1s libertarianism. You start and end with a baptism, nothing related to race.
Infinite isnt praised much for it's dealing with racism, more for it's sci-fi parallel worlds story, visuals, acting and companion mechanic. Bioshock 1 I'd also say isn't praised as much for the critique of libertarianism, as it's twist related to player choice and narrative convention.
That's fair, the racism feels like it was kind of just there for the shock value of being like, "this society looks like a utopia, but it's actually fucked up! Look, there's racism here!" instead of being a major focus.
I donno if it was shock value, its been a while since I've played it but the real failing was making the revolutionaries "as evil" as their oppressors by kind of forcing it. My second playthrough it kinda came out of nowhere and felt shoehorned in to fit the message.
That's because it wasn't a major focus. Not really. And the story wasn't really written intending it to be so.
Why do you believe it should have been a major focus?
I get the sense that because it didn't go hard on the theme you feel that it somehow diminishes the evils of racism?
...I don't. Do you think I'm OP?
Oopsie, wrong person replied to ;)
[deleted]
People liked the game, not that hard to understand 🤷
I didn't really enjoy the story of infinite in general. Much prefer the original BioShock
Infinite's story is more than the political undertones.
External to the political themes its still a solidly told story.
I do however agree that I enjoyed the first games story a bit more.
The bioshock games are about freedom and choices. Rapture is the city of man, the us Utopia where you are truly free, you later learn you are everything but that. Infinite is the opposite, Columbia is a religious dictatorship, no one is free. Yet, Booker is bombarded with choices, he seemingly has the opportunity to make a difference. In the end we learn who he really is and why.
The first two games use a setting of "the land of the free" To tell you you aren't. The third game says you aren't in the control and God / Comstock are even though you constantly have "freedom".
Just my opinion though.
Because they can't praise the gameplay.
I didn't like it.
To go to the sky after being underwater and stuff felt kinda lame.
Praise, is too strong a word I think.
AlphaPuff_90 t1_j229a63 wrote
I love when 12 year olds think they're deep...