Released in 2013, the first-person shooter, BioShock Infinite, received widespread acclaim and was applauded for its innovative settings, intriguing narrative, and artistic design. However, just like other titles, BioShock Infinite was not free from criticism and did not take long to be in the spotlight for its controversial themes like the portrayal of racism and historical religious tunes.
Despite the controversial surroundings, one aspect of the game emerged exceptional for fans: the clever usage of satire. The use of satire is evident from the portrayal of the utopian city of Columbia set in 1912 by offering bold commentary on societal, political, and historical issues. Players appreciated satirical establishments as a departure from the rest of the video games that spoon-fed its morals.
The Controversies Surrounding BioShock Infinite
For reference, BioShock Infinite’s storyline is set in a utopian city that masks deep societal flaws. This city is led by Zachary Comstock, a self-proclaimed prophet who ingrains extreme nationalism with a distorted form of religion. Through its narrative, the game walks through the heavy themes of religion, freedom, and the dangers of blind patriotism. Irrational Games was courageous enough to handle provocative storytelling and address discomfiting topics of Columbian society, often using dark humor and irony.
However, critics argue that the game failed to fully explore the complexities of these issues, resulting in a shallow representation of racial segregation and minorities. Critics felt the game’s portrayal of race was insensitive and condoned racist views. Also, the depiction of certain minorities and their accents was considered stereotypical.
As for American history and politics, BioShock Infinite’s commentary was regarded as too simplistic. A few of the gamers addressed the game’s inadequate coverage of the complexities of the issues it raised.
Satire: A critically acclaimed factor
Despite these criticisms, BioShock Infinite was valued largely due to its sharp satire. BioShock Infinite embedded multiple satirical aspects, including classism, racial supremacy, and the danger of unchecked power. The game’s undue stress on depicting Columbian absurdities served as a harsh reality check for players by forcing them to confront uncomfortable, yet true, elements of American history.
The developers were bold in depicting the most absurd antithesis of Columbia’s ideals. For instance, despite being through significant technological advancements, society was still bound to outdated and discriminatory social structures.
Additionally, another stressing satirical element was unquestioning devotion to authority. For instance, the followers of Zachary Comstock blindly follow him, despite the obvious hypocrisy.
Since these satirical social elements of Columbia layered complexities into the storyline, it encouraged players to critically analyze societal morals and real-world issues. For most of the players, the use of satire in the video game was more of a breakthrough from the straightforward storylines. Many fans appreciated the game’s efforts to address and tackle such challenging topics.
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