BioShock Infinite: Clash in the Clouds

1. TheFreshPrince

   Jul 30, 2013

   9

   This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Clash in the clouds as a standalone piece of DLC from Irrational games appeals to those who enjoyed the full on combat sequences that Columbia provided and shares many pointers with The Protector Trials DLC from Bioshock 2 Allowing Booker and Elizabeth to take on hordes of enemies in new(ish) locations set in Columbia, this piece of DLC is as straight forward as they come with complete emphasis on combat If you take this DLC as face value then it could be seen as a sharp disappointment but if you look at the bigger picture of its inclusion within the season pass and the upcoming story episodes Burial At Sea which looks set to appeal to the true at heart Bioshock Fan. All in all this first part of DLC is enjoyable within itself for both the combat, challenges and the collectibles that it provides but it's true purpose I believe is to re-wet the appetites of Infinite fans as they prepare for the arrival of Burial At Sea
   
   TheFreshPrince… Expand

   • 3 of 4 users found this helpful
2. YeahYeahCool

   Aug 9, 2013

   8

   Bioshock Infinite: Clash In The Clouds Review Originally posted onBioshock Infinite: Clash In The Clouds Review Originally posted on http://www.yeahyeahcool.com/2013/08/04/bioshock-infinite-clash-in-the-clouds-review/
   
   By: William Valdes @WTValdes
   
   Since the release of Bioshock Infinite back in March, we’ve played through and beaten the game (multiple times for some), pondered, discussed and sometimes argued about the game’s complex story but for those of us still hungry for more, a season pass for future downloadable content has been available for purchase since release but without a word of detail concerning content or release date. After months of anticipation, we finally get our first piece of DLC: Clash in the Clouds.
   
   Just announced and released this past Tuesday July 30th, CitC puts you back in the shoes of Booker DeWitt, accompanied as always by Elizabeth but if you were hoping for some new, story-based gameplay with this DLC, you’re in for some disappointment. Irrational Games have taken Infinite’s purely action-packed gameplay and distilled it into four battle arenas, each containing 15 waves of enemies. Each wave you encounter is a fun, bite-sized battle against anywhere from one heavy-hitting Handyman-type to more than ten enemy soldiers with variations in between. There’s a leaderboard scoring system for each stage that rewards the player with a higher score and money for surviving waves, racking up kills and using different combinations of vigors, weapons, tears, and environmental hazards. Every wave features a Blue Ribbon Challenge that compels you to complete the wave while following certain parameters such as defeating all enemies within a certain time limit or only using skyhook attacks. Run into a challenge that’s way too hard? Don’t worry, it’s super fun to revisit them later when you’ve acquired a bunch of infusions and purchased a bunch of upgrades from vending machines. When you want to take a break from the battle arenas, you can bring your hard-earned cash down to The Columbian Archeological Society Museum and spend some of it to unlock concept art, character models, kinetoscopes and phonographs that play some of the cover songs that were heard in the main game.
   
   Like Infinite, this is a highly polished experience with rare exceptions like when I would die during some of the tougher waves, I sometimes found myself respawning in a part of the map where the enemies would destroy my shields and most of my health within a second or two. Here’s hoping that gets tweaked. Co-op multiplayer would have been really nice with this DLC too. Overall though, I really enjoyed my experience playing through Clash In The Clouds. While I admit that I would’ve preferred something with more story, I had a lot of fun and there was even a tiny bit of story-related content at the end. (Check the museum once you’ve completed all four of the arenas). Well worth the $5 asking price and something to hold us over until the story-centric “Burial At Sea” DLC is released.
   
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   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
4. ReviewsForFolks

   Jul 31, 2013

   8

   This is probably the only DLC with challenge maps that is truly good. the 4 locations are varied and take place on places throughout theThis is probably the only DLC with challenge maps that is truly good. the 4 locations are varied and take place on places throughout the Infinite campaign (but none of them are identical to places from singleplayer). The goal is to beat 15 waves of enemies on every map. You can choose if you want to complete Blue Ribbon Challenges in every wave to boost your money and get an achievment if you can do them all (which is really hard). Then you have a sort of pre-match museum where you pick your map, buy upgrades and most importantly, you can buy concept arts, videos, models in the hall. For 400 MSP I definitely recommend this.… Expand

   • 3 of 4 users found this helpful
5. SpcSamRI

   Aug 15, 2013

   5

   Did anyone want this? I only got this, because I bought the season pass. While the action in Bioshock Infinite is good, it's generally notDid anyone want this? I only got this, because I bought the season pass. While the action in Bioshock Infinite is good, it's generally not what most people play for, I don't think. Bioshock without story, is severely lacking in my book. That being said, what is here is reasonably well done, it's just not what I want in an expansion to a game with such an amazing narrative.… Expand

   • 2 of 2 users found this helpful
6. Sunykamey

   Aug 10, 2013

   4

   This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Made short:
   This DLC costs 400 ms but if you bought the season pass it is 800 ms, meaning 10 dollars.
   I make the math Usually DLCs are about 800 ms (or used to be) for mappacks or story substance...
   If you bought the season pass for example for Borderlands 2 you got 4 DLCs for the price of 3 (3 x 800 2400 but you got 4 DLC each individually 800 ms). The same is it with Metro last light, there you bought (3 x 400 1200 but will get 4 DLC indiv. 400 ms).
   What is it with Bioshock? You pay 1600 for 3 DLCs (would make 2 x 800? NO! This one is 400 ms) meaning you get less. Meaning for those that bought the season pass will pay relatively 800 ms.
   The DLC is 10 Dollars not 5.
   And you will get:
   No new enemies nor gameplay mechanics (vigors/ weapon upgrades/ weapons) nor story extras (yes, you get virtual collectibles videos, artworks) nor graphic upgrades on console and not even places you yourself couldn't imagine if you played the original game would sit down for some time.
   
   The DLC itself is a challenge mode, where you play in 4 different arenas with 15 rounds each, that should have been included in the original game if you ask me!
   If it takes a storyline-giant like 2K/ Irrational 4 months to come up with this DLC and furthermore, as they have, they always insisted that they haven't been working on it before release, I would expect a lot more lets call it unique experience out of it (considering the price tag).
   Even with a price of 400 ms it was by comparison with DLCs of small developer like 4A Games (Metro last light Fraction Pack) an underwhelming experience for me.
   Yes, they have announced the return to rapture in two story driven DLCs that look so far amazing (trailer).
   But under all those circumstances it comes as this DLC is just a filler and considering the 4 months of work they supposedly spent a bad one.… Expand

   • 2 of 3 users found this helpful
7. TheBoldman

   Aug 22, 2013

   4

   After purchasing my Bioshock Infinite season pass, I was very much looking forward to the first piece of DLC. Unfortunately, what I receivedAfter purchasing my Bioshock Infinite season pass, I was very much looking forward to the first piece of DLC. Unfortunately, what I received was best described as filler.
   
   In the modern videogame world, AAA developers seem to be obsessed with multiplayer additions to games where it is completely unnecessary. Tomb Raider is one such example. I was very pleased when Bioshock Infinite was released without any multiplayer options. Clash in the Clouds feels like a multiplayer addition, without actually being a multiplayer game. The competition is not on a face-to-face basis, but over leaderboards. I play Bioshock games for the interesting storylines, incredible characters and varied single-player combat mechanics. So this doesn't interest me in the slightest.
   
   Well... I say that, but Irrational Games have done something very clever here. And that is the ability to buy collectibles voxphones, statues, artwork which will complement and expand the storyline from the original Bioshock Infinite single player experience. As that is my focus, does this mean that I will be "grinding" through this DLC to unlock them all? Possibly. But under duress.
   
   To me, Bioshock games are fantastic single-player experiences with just the right difficulty level for those gamers that adore storyline and cleverly-crafted backdrops over getting sniped by a 14 year-old from two miles away on COD. Having to fight two handymen and a patriot on the same map, at the same time, feels more like the latter, I'm afraid. A chore that must be endured if you want to unlock all of the collectibles.
   
   Can't wait for Burial at Sea.… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful
8. sknighty

   Aug 16, 2013

   2

   An absolute disappointment and waste of money. Many only have this DLC because they bought the Season Pass, which many now regret. This wholeAn absolute disappointment and waste of money. Many only have this DLC because they bought the Season Pass, which many now regret. This whole challenge mode could have simply been in the original game. This DLC has quite a number of bugs that can't seem to be fixed, nothing is really added that is worth buying an entire DLC pack, many of the Ribbon challenges are incredibly difficult and time consuming with little to no reward. This also ruins anyone's chances of completing BioShock Infinite Achievement wise, as there is an Achievement to collect all Ribbons. 2K have even had the audacity to give out a competition where the only way to enter is to collect all Ribbons, giving a pretty poor excuse to a very poor DLC Pack. I advise everyone to skip this waste of money and time and simply hope they can redeem themselves with Burial at Sea.… Expand

   • 1 of 3 users found this helpful

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