BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea

This is a two-part, single-player expansion for BioShock Infinite, requiring the base game. It shifts the setting to the underwater city of Rapture before its ruin, utilizing Infinite's shooter mechanics. You play as Booker DeWitt, hired by Elizabeth in a noir-style narrative. Reception noted the return to Rapture was praised, though the content is a focused story extension rather than a massive addition.

This content is a two-part single-player expansion pack for the core title, BioShock Infinite. It serves as a narrative bridge, taking players back to the iconic, decaying underwater metropolis of Rapture, the setting of the original BioShock, but set before the catastrophic events that led to its ruin. Released in 2013, this expansion utilizes the gameplay systems introduced in BioShock Infinite to explore Rapture in a distinct, earlier state. It requires the base game to be played and offers a focused narrative experience rather than a large-scale addition comparable to the main game's scope.

Setting and Narrative Focus

The story shifts perspective significantly. Players step into the shoes of Booker DeWitt, now operating as a private detective. He is employed by the enigmatic Elizabeth, who appears in the role of a classic femme fatale, requiring Booker's investigative services within the pre-fall city of Rapture. This expansion is notable for revisiting the atmospheric environment of Rapture, allowing players to experience the city before its descent into chaos, contrasting sharply with the airborne city of Columbia featured in the main game.

Core Gameplay Mechanics and Structure

As an expansion, it primarily builds upon the established first-person shooter mechanics of BioShock Infinite. While maintaining the core combat loop—which includes using various weapons alongside special powers—the environment of Rapture necessitates a different approach to navigation and engagement compared to the floating city. The expansion is structured across two distinct episodes, each offering a unique segment of the overarching narrative connecting the worlds of the two main BioShock entries.

What new perspectives does this expansion offer on the BioShock universe?

The primary appeal lies in the narrative context provided by returning to Rapture under these specific circumstances. It offers a chance to see the city through the lens of characters established in Infinite, providing lore context and exploring the intersection of the two distinct settings. The development focus was on utilizing the advanced engine and mechanics of Infinite to render Rapture in a new light. While the return to the setting was generally praised, the initial episode received feedback regarding its brevity and lack of significant mechanical divergence from the base game.

Platform Availability

This expansion content is available across a wide range of platforms, including PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Linux, Mac, as well as later generation consoles such as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch.