BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea - Episode One

 PC
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 654 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 434 out of 654
  2. Mixed: 162 out of 654
  3. Negative: 58 out of 654

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  1. timeknight
    Nov 13, 2013
    10
    Absolutely stunning gameplay. I am on my toes and waiting for the second episode. The Bioshock Infinite team is able to create a masterpiece within gaming. I would definitely say this DLC is worth it.
  2. DoubleEntendre
    Nov 12, 2013
    10
    First of all, I would love to say thanks to team of Irrational Games for bringing me back to Rapture. I cant describe how wonderful to go back to one of my favorite places in videogames world. All i can say game design and atmosphere are incredible, I made about 200 screenshots! Well done!
    I love the story. Its good to meet Booker and Elizabeth again.
    DLC is quiet harder than the game    First of all, I would love to say thanks to team of Irrational Games for bringing me back to Rapture. I cant describe how wonderful to go back to one of my favorite places in videogames world. All i can say game design and atmosphere are incredible, I made about 200 screenshots! Well done!
    I love the story. Its good to meet Booker and Elizabeth again.
    DLC is quiet harder than the game itself, you are suffering from a lack of ammo and large amount of damage from splicers. And its a good thing!
    So I will give this DLC 10/10, because I got everything I was expecting from this DLC. And I`m looking forward to Episode 2! The end of the Episode 1 left me so hungry for more.    … Expand
  3. TheAtomicTofu
    Nov 12, 2013
    9
    Just finished it! The atmosphere was captivating,brings back memories of the old Rapture.Although it is short in terms of story length wise,still a great DLC.Can't wait for part 2!
  4. catchao218
    Nov 12, 2013
    9
    The entire DLC actually feels quite different from any Bioshock the pre-fall rapture has a much more modern feel, while the department store has a lot more of a horror element than seen anywhere in Infinite.. A lot of the plot doesn't quite go along quite well, but the minor references to Infinite and the amazing ending made this a nice little escape. Don't expect too much it took me 3The entire DLC actually feels quite different from any Bioshock the pre-fall rapture has a much more modern feel, while the department store has a lot more of a horror element than seen anywhere in Infinite.. A lot of the plot doesn't quite go along quite well, but the minor references to Infinite and the amazing ending made this a nice little escape. Don't expect too much it took me 3 hours, and I didn't find much replay value. Also, consider buying the season pass instead, as the $15 price is a little bit hefty.… Expand
  5. jmyster1
    Nov 12, 2013
    10
    The first story based DLC for Bioshock: Infinite is a fantastic return to rapture. Piecing together the connections between worlds is incredibly entertaining and i cant wait for part 2.
  6. HeavyLead
    Nov 12, 2013
    8
    Despite what a lot of reviews say this DLC isn't bad. It has the same look and feel that Infinite had yet set obviously in the world of Rapture. I did notice that the developers went for a more combat focused game. The story is bland and shoved under the rug most of the time. The few bits you do get to explore Rapture are great yet short lived. The combat is much harder to compensate forDespite what a lot of reviews say this DLC isn't bad. It has the same look and feel that Infinite had yet set obviously in the world of Rapture. I did notice that the developers went for a more combat focused game. The story is bland and shoved under the rug most of the time. The few bits you do get to explore Rapture are great yet short lived. The combat is much harder to compensate for the lack of story. Medium is pretty challenging and the diversity of combat that the splicers bring is sporadic and chaotic. Definitely worth the money but too hyped up for its own good.… Expand
  7. itholstrom
    Nov 12, 2013
    5
    Currently crash city. Nothing seems to help. Can't even comment on the quality of the game itself, aside from the fact that the crashes don't give you the feeling it's been made with much care. I'm running an AMD 6850 with current drivers apparently even with the damn game made with AMD tech in mind the game manages to crash. Already hearing some middling things about this DLC. With thatCurrently crash city. Nothing seems to help. Can't even comment on the quality of the game itself, aside from the fact that the crashes don't give you the feeling it's been made with much care. I'm running an AMD 6850 with current drivers apparently even with the damn game made with AMD tech in mind the game manages to crash. Already hearing some middling things about this DLC. With that combination? I'm getting that sinking feeling I shouldn't have dished out for the season pass....… Expand
  8. cwilder06
    Nov 12, 2013
    9
    I first want to address the most popular topic of conversation; the length relative to the price.

    I think the shortness of the game is a bit overblown. I suppose it depends what difficulty setting I played it in 1999 Mode my first run through (so accounting for being rusty) and was quite thorough making sure I got all the gear/plasmids/etc. That being said, I clocked in at just about 5    I first want to address the most popular topic of conversation; the length relative to the price.

    I think the shortness of the game is a bit overblown. I suppose it depends what difficulty setting I played it in 1999 Mode my first run through (so accounting for being rusty) and was quite thorough making sure I got all the gear/plasmids/etc. That being said, I clocked in at just about 5 hours.

    I view the price as $10 since anyone who is a big Bioshock fan is generally planning on getting both story DLC's. In light of that price, I thought the amount of game was good a bit light, but when I compare it to many other games that are $60 and have ~$12 of campaign play and are vastly inferior story-wise and gameplay-wise I don't find this pricing particularly offensive.

    Putting that issue aside, the game feels very much a continuation of Bioshock Infinite and certainly has more in common with it than Bioshock 1 or 2. This is very much Infinite in Rapture, as opposed to Bioshock 1 with some Infinite mechanics. I personally actually liked Infinite more than the predecessors, thus I'm thrilled with that being the case, but I could see how some people hoping for something else might be disappointed.

    As for story, it's typical Bioshock quality, thoughtful and not without a surprise or two despite us as the audience being conditioned to expect these surprises throughout. It serves as a worthy continuation of what took place in the main game, though simply by the nature of the issues risen in the original the plot requires you to take Irrational at their word that the universe makes sense (spend too much time overthinking it and it is sure to show some holes).

    In summation, the game is not perfect, but it's every bit as good as Infinite if not for the relative brevity. As noted, it's not as bad as some would have you believe if you're playing at a high difficulty and being thorough, but you could certainly speed through it in an hour and a half if you so desired. Then again, I've seen people play a game like Dark Souls in 5 hours whereas it took me almost 50 on my first play through, so it really is a matter of how you wish to play the game and how thorough you are. For these really well crafted games I take my time and enjoy the sights and sounds and would suggest you do too.    … Expand
  9. Tib3rian
    Nov 12, 2013
    9
    Well made DLC. It`s really short, and storytelling doesn`t tell much(there are more Rapture-talking and less Infinite), but it brings the things what was great in both Rapture and Columbia. It feels more like side story, but that`s why ending is so pretty nice. Normaly I could give 8/10 but in hater time, I must give 9 For BS fans, it`s a clear choice.
  10. Nishi
    Nov 12, 2013
    10
    After completing the amazing Bishock Infinite (Definitely a contender so far for GOTY, even with next gen consoles) and seeing the first 5 minuets gameplay for this game I was hooked. The download size was around 5.4 gigs on the pc version, which means its all new assets and tons of detail into the environment.

    It was really awesome going back to rapture and the story of this DLC makes    After completing the amazing Bishock Infinite (Definitely a contender so far for GOTY, even with next gen consoles) and seeing the first 5 minuets gameplay for this game I was hooked. The download size was around 5.4 gigs on the pc version, which means its all new assets and tons of detail into the environment.

    It was really awesome going back to rapture and the story of this DLC makes sense as you progress through it and have beaten Infinite previously. Not going to mention any story spoilers, but the audio-logs and ending of this dlc was well worth the price of 10 dollars (assuming you get the season pass).

    Best addition to the gameplay is that you can carry all your weapons again and they introduce one new weapon that uses microwaves to explode enemies. Its really satisfying killing off enemies with this and the random vigor combinations with this weapon to pull off crazy chains of death. Along with that new weapon they added a new Plasmid (Vigor) that freezes enemies and can shatter them if you do enough damage.

    Another cool addition to the gameplay is the addition to allow you to stealth kill enemies. I know infinite had some of it, but since these are closed off corridors and not as open as Columbia it allows for trap setting and stealth melee attacking. You can even run away after killing an enemy and loose the aggro of them and can sneak up again if you follow their pathing. I found myself doing this a lot at the start of the DLC and it definitely added some survivability in 1999 mode when I had very limited ammo.

    To the length of this dlc, it took me around 3-4 hours to beat it on 1999 mode (including restarting at checkpoints), which if you played non-1999 mode it would be around 3 hours or so to complete it. This completely overshadows the common “90 minuets” of gameplay that critics are trying to pass off. It feels to me that they just spammed through the game without exploring at all and actually enjoying the experience.

    This also doesn't even include a second playthrough that I will do for an achievement mop up that will make the dlc even more longer (but I know some people don't enjoy that, so it wasn't included as the overall time).

    This is the only season pass I have bought for a game and it has been well worth it so far. If you exclude the clash in the clouds (Some people don’t enjoy it and it isn’t story based), it ends up costing 10 dollars for the first and second episode. I felt like I got more than my 10 dollars worth for this episode and since this is supposed to be the shorter of the two story dlc's, the season pass is an actual good investment (as opposed to most season passes these days >_>).

    Buy, Pass or Rent:
    An absolute buy

    ~ Nishi, 11/13    … Expand
  11. Ticklefist
    Nov 12, 2013
    8
    A good trip into the multiverse for fans of Bioshock Infinite. If you're a fan of the original Bioshock but didn't really care for Bioshock Infinite, this may not be the redeeming expansion that you were hoping for.

    It's not without a few bugs either, and 1999 Mode is horribly tuned. With a lack of cover and sparse ammo you'll find yourself in a lot of brawls. Then you'll find yourself    A good trip into the multiverse for fans of Bioshock Infinite. If you're a fan of the original Bioshock but didn't really care for Bioshock Infinite, this may not be the redeeming expansion that you were hoping for.

    It's not without a few bugs either, and 1999 Mode is horribly tuned. With a lack of cover and sparse ammo you'll find yourself in a lot of brawls. Then you'll find yourself getting picked off in the middle of a brawl often enough to find Burial at Sea's 1999 Mode a little more frustrating than its worth.

    Length is also an issue at $15 US but as part of the $20 Season Pass I have no problem justifying the cost. It was a cool little alternate look at the story of Bioshock Infinite.    … Expand
  12. JaviSS4
    Nov 12, 2013
    10
    (Review in spanish)
    Yo ya me lo he terminado en PC, casi 4 horas muy intensas (me gusta ir pausado y fijandome en todos los detalles que pueda, conseguí 16/17 diarios de sonido, para daros una idea).
    En estilo visual genial, como ya nos tienen acostumbrados, y la recreación de Rapture no puede ser mejor. La jugabilidad ha mejorado lo justo para que, personalmente, parezca algo fresca    (Review in spanish)
    Yo ya me lo he terminado en PC, casi 4 horas muy intensas (me gusta ir pausado y fijandome en todos los detalles que pueda, conseguí 16/17 diarios de sonido, para daros una idea).
    En estilo visual genial, como ya nos tienen acostumbrados, y la recreación de Rapture no puede ser mejor.
    La jugabilidad ha mejorado lo justo para que, personalmente, parezca algo fresca respecto a los anteriores (nuevos equipos, 1 arma nueva, y un plásmido nuevo), y la IA de los enemigos también la he notado mucho mejor.
    La historia... no quiero spoilearla, pero GUAU, no podría ser de otra manera teniendo a Ken Levine de guionista.
    En fin, excelente dlc para una obra maestra de juego.
    Y a los que os quejáis tanto de la duración... Digamos que 3 horas de la primera parte, más 3 de la segunda, son 6 horas(sin contar el tiempo que juegues al modo horda) 20 (season pass).
    6 horas son más de la mitad, me atrevería a decir 3/4 de la duración del Bioshock Infinite, el cual tenía un precio en su fecha de salida de 60 €.
    Yo no sé dónde veis el problema, en serio.    … Expand
  13. Legendi
    Nov 12, 2013
    9
    Burial at Sea is in short in a great DLC for one of best games of the year. In my opinion the gameplay of Burial at sea is better then that of the main game. a perfect combination of Bioshock Infinite and Original Bioshock. While it is short it is well worth it for 15$.
  14. saint07
    Nov 12, 2013
    7
    So, when playing really throroughly and checking out every nook and cranny Burial at Sea took me 3.5h. Kinda nice, but it was really very lazed out.
    As I love Bioshock Infinite and Elizabeth and co, it wasn't that what I thought it might be. I actually didn't feel much plot along the way. Hadn't really had any urge to find that Sally. Nothing much like Infinite. Not very much emotions.    So, when playing really throroughly and checking out every nook and cranny Burial at Sea took me 3.5h. Kinda nice, but it was really very lazed out.
    As I love Bioshock Infinite and Elizabeth and co, it wasn't that what I thought it might be. I actually didn't feel much plot along the way. Hadn't really had any urge to find that Sally. Nothing much like Infinite. Not very much emotions.
    And unfortunately game is very buggy. I had to reload checkpoints twice as I encountered never-ending spinning doors. And sometimes Elizabeth was disappearing and only unlocking doors and safes was bringing her magically back.
    But like in every Bioshock game this I must say there's a killer ending. But if you will like it or not is up to you. It was a bomb, but I'm not sure I like it like I liked Infinite's one.
    But it's surely one of the highest points of this DLC. 7 from me because in Poland we had Season Pass for free if you bought the game at premiere. But I wouldn't pay for it 15$ that's for sure. It's still too short and buggy considering the time they were producing it.    … Expand
  15. NickPreveza
    Nov 12, 2013
    8
    Its not bad Its not either great We were promised an alive rapture but everything i see again is just arcade shooting room to room Since its only the first episode i cant tell anything bad for the storyline...yet Hopefuly i wont have too Everything else reminds bioshock infinite as it should and works fine I found some bugs but i am sure they will be fixed Not something i wouldIts not bad Its not either great We were promised an alive rapture but everything i see again is just arcade shooting room to room Since its only the first episode i cant tell anything bad for the storyline...yet Hopefuly i wont have too Everything else reminds bioshock infinite as it should and works fine I found some bugs but i am sure they will be fixed Not something i would spend 15 right now but still i found it good … Expand
  16. stranglehold
    Nov 12, 2013
    7
    Really liked the game-play, really liked the graphics, but it only took me an 1.5 hours to finish it, and personally i did not like the ending at all. I would say get it, but not right now while it is 15 bucks, get it when it is on sale. (i bought the season pack so i saved a little)
  17. GuyWhoReviews
    Nov 12, 2013
    10
    Burial At Sea has a great story and still makes Rapture interesting. You can explore the area of Rapture that is still same and on the rise while also visiting a destroyed sunken area filled with splicers. This features the air grabber (skyhook) and drinkable plasmids. Overall the game was short, but had a great story. It costs $15 but with the season pass which costs $20 you can get bothBurial At Sea has a great story and still makes Rapture interesting. You can explore the area of Rapture that is still same and on the rise while also visiting a destroyed sunken area filled with splicers. This features the air grabber (skyhook) and drinkable plasmids. Overall the game was short, but had a great story. It costs $15 but with the season pass which costs $20 you can get both episodes (when the second comes out) and Clash in the Clouds. This game was great but I would recommend getting the Season Pass for this.… Expand
  18. GenericGamer286
    Nov 12, 2013
    1
    I see that Irrational's devs and advertisers are already doing their stuff, as usual waiting for user scoring to unlock to praise their DLC from their mediocre "Game of the Year", that "perfection", that "master-piece after which you won't play anything else, I swear, just BUY IT and you'll see".... Not on my watch!
  19. BardiaSaeedi
    Nov 12, 2013
    10
    Short for a $15 game, but then again, it's Bioshock. It's not about the length of the game, it's about the quality.

    I would rather have a quality A+, polished game, than a long and unfinished one.

    This is definitely worth the purchuse
  20. Rem
    Nov 12, 2013
    7
    Burial at Sea may have the familiar treadings of Infinite, but if you loved Columbia and Rapture, you get both in one sweet deal. Combat is more focused this time around and seeing Rapture at its peak of prosperity makes this game already worth the price of admission. I only wish it was a bit more different in its mechanics. I can't wait for Part 2.
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Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Most Discussed PC Game of 2013
77
#77 Most Shared PC Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. PC PowerPlay
    Dec 30, 2013
    50
    The high price and lack of polish make this one to avoid for now. For art-deco die-hards only. [Jan 2014, p.93]
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Dec 28, 2013
    80
    Short but generous trip into the underwater city of Rapture with all the perks we know from Infinite. This DLC benefits from an attractive setting and slower paced action. [Issue#237]
  3. Games.cz
    Dec 28, 2013
    70
    A promising start? A rather cautious one. The return to Rapture evades déjà vu feelings, but it doesn't deliver more than a spark of curiosity for its fans.
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