“BioShock Infinite”

5 out of 5 stars

For Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC

•Style: First-person shooter

•Rating: M for Mature

• “BioShock” is back with even more feelings

• The smooth gunplay gives way to an incredible story

• Pyrokinetic powers and an incredible environment go well together

I have often found the best types of games make you question what is real and what is just an illusion within the story world. The “BioShock” series has done an admirable job of keeping your interest, playing with your sense of reality, and then twisting it around to further its plot.

The latest entry, “BioShock Infinite,” does just that and more. When all you see seems peaceful, there are plenty of things ready to rise up underneath the surface. This delightful shooter may have some serious adult themes, but it also holds an enlightening plot and an entrancing, if dangerous, universe within.

The game starts you off as Booker DeWitt, a former federal agent sent to the floating cloud city of Columbia to locate a missing young woman. The city isn’t what it seems, as warring factions vie for the fate of the woman and for the city itself.

In typical “BioShock” gameplay, you will run around, shoot things with guns, blow things up with pyrokinetic powers, and find yourself doing all manner of awesome and evil-looking deeds. Don’t worry about historical accuracy: This game has little to none, as you will find yourself receiving weapons like rocket launchers and other bizarre creations, which have no business in 1912 America.

The best part about story is its plot, of which the less said the better. It is definitely a more emotional game than previous “BioShocks,” and the way the story intertwines your hectic experiences with Booker’s larger struggle is something to behold. It is an amazing experience, and though the overall plot does seem a bit played out, the way the game guides you to its conclusion is breathtaking.

So have fun destroying your enemies with all manner of powers and gear – including a robotic George Washington if you know where to look. In a time where shooting games aspire to be something more, “BioShock Infinite” manages to challenge your expectations to create a more emotional, more personal experience.