Parents' Guide to

BioShock Infinite

By Chad Sapieha, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 18+

Provocative, violent shooter tackles complex ideas.

Game Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows 2013
BioShock Infinite Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

  • BioShock Infinite Game: Screenshot #1
  • BioShock Infinite Game: Screenshot #2
  • BioShock Infinite Game: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 21 parent reviews

Mauricio Fernando
Mauricio Fernando Adult
January 30, 2021
age 16+

INNOVATIVE, BUT VIOLENT SHOOTER...

Bioshock infinite tackles some complex issues, suchlike religious fanatism and white supremacy, and also the outcome of violent revolution and slave labor, merged in a world of mysticism and prejudice. -Gory Violence: Blood is expelled from the bodies of enemies, and their heads can be blown or cut off. Civilians can be murdered (at the player's choice). - Drinking and smoking: The characters can smoke and drink to recover their energy (although they lose their health if they do so). Some occasional profanities, almost none sexual content.

This title has:

Great messages
Easy to play/use
Too much violence
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
AgeRatingsUK
AgeRatingsUK Adult
September 18, 2020
age 17+

17+

Language: Mild Sex: Mild Violence: Strong, Blood Other: Mild Drug References and Scary Moments
See all 21 parent reviews

What’s It About?

The setting is the sky above the United States circa 1912, where a mechanical floating city called Columbia is inhabited by citizens overcome with religious devotion to an enigmatic man known as the Prophet. Welcome to BIOSHOCK INFINITE, a game that tackles cultural issues and ideologies of the past and present, ranging from racism to religious extremism. Players take on the role of Booker DeWitt, a man who unexpectedly finds himself in this strange dystopia on a mission to rescue a woman. The city's inhabitants see him as a long-prophesized antithetical figure come to destroy their community and attempt to kill him. Employing both traditional firearms and a selection of chemically induced abilities known as \"vigors\" -- think fiery grenades and blasts of electricity -- DeWitt does his best to fend off his attackers while learning more about the bizarre world in which he finds himself.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (21):
Kids say (69):

Few games are bold enough to take on the controversial subjects that BioShock Infinite tackles head first, and fewer still are those that manage to do so with maturity, intelligence, and even a bit of wit. Alternating with impressive agility between thought-provoking ideas and visceral action sequences, the game engages players on emotional, intellectual, and gut levels, resulting in a heady experience difficult to compare to anything else (save perhaps the original BioShock, which managed a similar feat back in 2007).

Even the presentation is something unique. The world of Columbia is a clearly fantastical -- yet weirdly believable -- mechanical marvel. Early 20th century architecture is covered in old-fashioned posters and billboards as traditional music -- such as the classic folk hymn "Down to the River to Pray" -- emanates from phonograph horns throughout the streets. It's a full and beautifully realized environment, the likes of which have not been seen before. Every last brick and stone simply begs to be explored. Its graphic violence and decidedly mature themes may make this game unsuitable for kids, but BioShock Infinite will prove a rare and satisfying treat for grown-up gamers looking for a shooter with substance.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the depiction of racism in games. Are games, as a medium, ready to thoughtfully tackle this difficult subject? Do you think games can affect change in players' thinking on controversial subjects, for good or for ill?

  • Families can also discuss religion in games. Would you play a game that calls your faith into question? How about one that creates a fictional religion to serve as an analog for real-world faiths?

Game Details

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