History BioShockInfinite / TropesAToH

* EaglaLand: Columbia is what happens when a Type 2 gets worse. Once, the USA is referred to as the 'United States of Un-Merica' because it just wasn't psychotically racist and imperialistic ''enough'' for Columbia's elite.

* AttackReflector: Maintaining "Return to Sender" allows Booker to catch enemy bullets, crush them into a lump of metal, and then violently throw it back. This can be seen as the spiritual successor to the ''Telekinesis'' plasmid of previous [=BioShock=] games. This is also a call back to Suchong's audio recording that stated the Telekinesis plasmid couldn't catch bullets not because the plasmid was imperfect but because human reflexes were imperfect. Columbian scientists fixed the problem by making it a continuous shield.

* AwesomeButImpractical: The Crank Gun. It's a hand-powered [[GatlingGood gatling gun]] that does considerable damage per shot, has good accuracy, and has a higher rate of fire than any other firearm in the game. The latter however, is something of a double-edged sword: the Crank Gun will eat through an entire magazine of 100 rounds in less than 10 second and has only another 100 in reserve. Moreover, you can only find the gun (and ammunition) on Motorized Patriots or in tears, and it also requires about three seconds to spin up before it can fire, which makes it very impractical to carry around between major battles.

** The general consensus on using the skyrails (From both [[WebAnimation/ZeroPunctuation Yahtzee]] and [[CynicalBrit TotalBiscuit]]) is that blasting enemies while zooming around at high speeds grappled onto a skyrail is FREAKING AWESOME.

** Despite the low damage and recoil, the Machine Gun is the most common weapon in the game, easy to use and found on dead enemies easily, meaning ammo is very plentiful for it. It remains accurate when fired in short bursts and does huge damage in close quarters fighting. Along with that, it's very easy to aim with the iron sights and the reload time is incredibly fast. If you upgrade it and wear the Bullet Boon, you've got a JackOfAllStats primary weapon that does huge amounts of damage at all ranges, can carry 70 rounds and is incredibly easy to find.

** The Boy of Silence that gives the player a JumpScare in Comstock House is very similar to a Doctor Splicer giving a similar JumpScare to the player in the first BioShock.
* CallForward: [[spoiler:You can hear the Songbird's cries in the background of the original [=BioShock=] just around the time you [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpmvkZ6TIMk witness Sander Cohen's student play the piano]]. Either [[TheDevTeamThinksOfEverything Irrational thought so far ahead as to plant his death in that game]], or their sound team just really liked that sound and ended up re-using it for ''Infinite'']].

* [[spoiler:CanonWelding: It turns out that ''Infinite'' is actually part of the same multiverse as VideoGame/BioShock and VideoGame/BioShock2; not only do Booker and Elizabeth visit Rapture at the end of the game, but it's connected to hundreds of other universes in which a story begins with a man, a lighthouse, and a city]].

* CharacterFocus[=/=]DemotedToExtra: For all the hype and assumed importance about Columbia, the game isn't really ''about'' the flying city. It's about Elizabeth, following her relish in new found freedom, charting her growth and maturity, [[spoiler: and her relationship with her father]]. It helps that she's a wonderfully three dimensional character from the outset, far from the doormat damsel in distress who hangs off the arm of her rescuer and exists purely to be saved from yet another castle; there are a few wonderful moments where she flat out '''refuses''' to put up with Booker's crap, and [[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre even forces him to develop in his own ways as well]]. She's strongly characterised with real depth and a measurable arc that truly marks her as the main character of the game, above the petty politics of Columbia and even the internal narrative of redemption that Booker follows. This is emphasized [[spoiler: at the very end of the game; the credits begin to roll the precise moment Elizabeth ceases to exist]]. Also in [[http://www.halolz.com/2013/05/10/video-elizabeths-escort-mission/ this]] spoiler-free video on Halolz.

* CruelAndUnusualDeath: Execution kills with the Skyhook are brutal, the ''least brutal'' being a gruesome neck snap and going up from there. Counts as an in-universe example, as well, as performing an execution in front of Elizabeth upsets her.

* DamnYouMuscleMemory: Using/selecting weapons/vigors are swapped from [=BioShocks=] 1 and 2. Jump and crouch are also moved.

* DeadAlternateCounterpart: [[spoiler:The second time Booker and Elizabeth enter a new Columbia through a tear, it is one where Booker and Slate, together as members of [[LaResistance the Vox Populi]], helped to get them much more power over Columbia, but that Booker had a HeroicSacrifice. Unfortunately, this version of Daisy Fitzroy, unlike earlier ones, is much more AxCrazy, and, upon learning that Booker is alive suddenly, [[MistakenForAnImpostor immediately believes that Booker is either an imposter]] or [[MistakenForAfterlife a ghost]], and tries to have him killed anyway, turning the group who had been following him against him]].

** On a more meta-level near the end game: [[spoiler: it functions as a deconstruction of story-telling itself, specifically within the Franchise/BioShock franchise but also generally in any series of stories which shares themes internally but have ostensibly separate canon. Everything is an AlternateUniverse, every choice the story-teller makes literally creates a new universe and a new story to tell. Sometimes they are connected by a few common starting points, other times they are less obvious, but each one is just another facet of the creator's imagination and choices]]. This is itself deconstructed [[spoiler:and [[DeconReconSwitch reconstructed]] by the ending undoing each and every one of those realities and the player's own]].

** The "Return to Sender" vigor [=DeWitt=] picks up late in the game. It functions in one of two flavours, the first of which simply generates a magnetic bubble to swat bullets and projectiles away. The other function catches incoming projectiles and crushes them into a lump of semi-molten metal which Booker can then throw back.

** When you get to [[spoiler: Rapture]], you can actually explore a few areas rather than immediately following Elizabeth to [[spoiler: the bathysphere]].

* EagleLand: Columbia is what happens when a Type 2 gets worse. Once, the USA is referred to as the 'United States of Un-Merica' because it just wasn't psychotically racist and imperialistic ''enough'' for Columbia's elite.

** [[InvertedTrope Inverted]] if you bought the game with the included pre-order bonuses, which after the first few sparse combat encounters (shortly after defeating the first [[EliteMook Fireman]]) the game gives you several bonus [[HeartContainer Infusions]] in a row and some nice gear. These make Booker almost overpowered, until the enemy threat level gradually creeps back up.

* EasyLevelTrick: In the Hall of Heroes both the Peeking and Wounded Knee fights, the doors lock upon entering, trapping you with little cover and a bunch of enemies. Since they lock behind you when you enter, however, there's nothing stopping you opening the door, throwing down several vigor traps, before backtracking for salt refills and ''then'' entering.

* ContinuingIsPainful: More so than the previous ''[=BioShock=]'' games. If you run out of health in this game, you lose some money and the enemies will regain some health. On 1999 Mode the amount you lose is ''100'' Silver Eagles, so dying there is really discouraged.

-->'''Elizabeth''':[[SelfDeprecation I've heard it was delayed three times]]!

-->'''Elizabeth'':[[SelfDeprecation I've heard it was delayed three times]]!

* DifficultButAwesome: The Return to Sender vigor, which projects a shield that absorbs damage, which can be released back at the enemy as a projectile. However, the shield's activation window (when the casting button is pressed) is very brief and only takes effect when Booker is taking hits from the front. It's also very tricky to use offensively, especially as the projectile is very short-ranged and has a smaller area of effect than most vigors. However, with enough practice and the right timing, Return to Sender can be a life-saver on higher difficulty levels, especially against Snipers. It's also a godsend against Handymen and the Siren, as their powerful attacks are completely negated by the Return to Sender shield and can quickly charge the projectile up to its maximum damage cap. With the right gear, it also has the potential to be by far the most damaging and efficient vigor of all.

* BoringButPractical: The Pistol is kind of bog-standard average when compared to other weapons in-game. However, it is highly accurate, can be fired as fast as its trigger can be pulled, has a high critical damage multiplier, is very cheap to upgrade, and has a near-instantaneous draw speed. With the right gear and upgrades, the pistol can be upgraded to have over 31 rounds by the time you get to Soldiers Field and provide solid performance at all ranges.

** [[RedHerring The one thing]] that ''doesn't'' have any later significance is the gun, because Booker almost immediately loses it. Unless you count it as a ContinuityNod to the original BioShock, [[spoiler: where Jack begins the game by opening a box that contains a note and a gun, for hijacking the plane]].

* BuildingSwing: The Skyhook often serves this purpose for Booker. It has a user-activated magnet which can yank him boldly up to an equally magnetic tram rail, or pull him to a hanging cargo hook. Using this, he can ReversePolarity to launch himself off and then activate the magnet again to pull himself to another one, often leaping from hook to hook to traverse areas.

** ''Infinite'' makes a point of stating that even though there can be millions upon millions of alternate universes depending on the decisions we make, there are some events that cannot be changed. For example, [[spoiler:the coin flip during the fair will always be Heads, and Booker will always pick ball #77 ''even after explicitly being told not to''. The game also communicates this by offering several multiple choice decisions (like whether to throw your ball at the announcer or the captive couple) that may change subsequent events a ''little'', but ultimately have no effect on Booker's eventual fate]].

* GrenadeLauncher: The game has the Volley Gun and the Vox Hailfire; both have more ammo than most examples, and the Hailfire has the option to detonate its ammo manually. For these reasons, both weapons are recommended for taking down many of the game's Heavy Hitters.

* CoolVersusAwesome: You can summon a Founders' Motorized Patriot to fight a Vox Populi one, resulting in robot minigun GeorgeWashington vs robot minigun AbrahamLincoln.

* AddedAlliterativeAppeal The Rolston Reciprocating Repeater, or more widely referred to as the "Triple R" Machine Gun

** It's hinted that there are also at least 110 other universes you've been through prior to the start of the game, based on the coin flip board at the carnival.

** The SniperRifle. First received right before the [[spoiler: confrontation with Slate at the House of Heroes]], you'll want to keep track of this gun for a while as it packs a serious punch early in the game and allows you to hide more in combat, reducing the risk of death as enemies get stronger.

** [[RedHerring The one thing]] that ''doesn't'' have any later significance is the gun, because Booker almost immediately loses it. Unless you count it as a ContinuityNod to the original Bioshock, [[spoiler: where Jack begins the game by opening a box that contains a note and a gun, for hijacking the plane]].

** The Boy of Silence that gives the player a JumpScare in Comstock House is very similar to a Doctor Splicer giving a similar JumpScare to the player in the first Bioshock.

** [[spoiler:The priest at the start of the game is the same one that baptised Comstock-Booker. (Except he's now blind, so he can't recognize Booker, and might not be able to anyway.)]]

*** The Irish/Colored bathrooms - The man you find inside says "You need to get out of here or we're both going to be in trouble"
*** The White Men's bathrooms - Elizabeth says "I hope you don't think I'm following you in there".

** The US Government and America in general had a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment upon realizing what happened in Peking and what Columbia really was.

** Don't forget Comstock: one of the really frightening things about him is the fact that you could find him to be a kind and pious man if you didn't know he was a racist, megalomaniacal dictator who'd [[spoiler: torture his own "daughter"]]

* DeadManWriting: Three of the recordings are from [[spoiler: an alternate Booker who died]], funnily enough. It's... pretty jarring.

** When you first start traveling with Elizabeth, the game straight out tells you that she can take care of herself and you don't need to worry about her during combat.

* DarkMessiah: Comstock and Fitzroy come in their own flavors: Comstock sees himself a messianic figure who will bring judgement on "The Sodom Below", while Firzroy wishes to stop oppression against those of different races in Columbia [[TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized by any means necessary.]]

** Robert Lutece helped Comstock [[spoiler:steal Booker's daughter]]. His insistence himself and his sister aid Booker over the course of the game is his way of trying to set this right.

-->'''Booker:''' Elizabeth, I've made an arrangement to get our airship back!
-->'''Elizabeth:''' ''[skeptical]'' ''You'' can get us out of here?
-->'''Booker:''' Yes! I just need to...supply enough weapons to arm an entire uprising.

* ClarkesThirdLaw: The Lutece Twins had invented interdimensional travel initially, but it is never explained in-game how Elizabeth can manipulate tears without needing a huge machine. Also Vigours produced by Fink Industries.

* BodyHorror: Aside from the Handymen and related individuals, we have the physical side effects of Vigors. For instance, Bucking Bronco causes the skin on the hand to crack apart and bleed, and [[MakingASplash Undertow]] gives the arm barnacles and octopus-like suction cups. Picking up the [[KillItWithFire Devil's Kiss]] vigor gives you a vision of your fingers being burned to the bone, then the bones crumbling. After that, every so often your hands ignite, small areas blackening then glowing and spreading. [[DeflectorShields Return to Sender]] strips the skin off Booker's fingers and seemingly causes the bones to become metallic.

** [[spoiler: Disputable, but when Booker washes up on Battleship Bay he calls Elizabeth "Anna", which she refutes. Towards the end its revealed that she actually is Anna, given up by Booker to pay a debt. Maybe he subconsciously recognizes her]]?

** The Undertow Vigor is one of the few non-offensive Vigors and is relatively simple (use to push enemies away, hold to draw them close). However, pushing enemies away is tremdously effective at killing mooks given you're in a Flying City, and holding enemies in place is excellent at taking out the [[EliteMook Heavy-hitters]] as it draws in Snipers or enemies with rocket-propelled grenades, and stuns bigger Mooks.

** The Undertow Vigor is one of few non-offensive Vigors and is relatively simple (use to push enemies away, hold to draw them close). However, pushing enemies away is tremdously effective at killing mooks given you're in a Flying City, and holding enemies in place is excellent at taking out the [[EliteMook Heavy-hitters]] as it draws in Snipers or enemies with rocket-propelled grenades, and stuns bigger Mooks.

** Even though Booker takes falling damage above certain heights, he can jump from any height off a skyline and land safely.

* AllTheMyriadWays: Averted, as Booker and Elizabeth abandon multiple {{Alternate Universe}}s for ones that better suit their needs at the moment, with little concern about the "old" realities that still exist, including their own home reality. [[spoiler: Though as it turns out, technically the reality at the beginning of the game wasn't their home reality anyway.]]

* DeathIsTheOnlyOption: [[spoiler:At the end, Booker must allow Elizabeth - [[AllTheMyriadWays and all the other Elizabeths from all the other timelines]] - to drown him before he can make the choice that would, in an alternate timeline, lead to him becoming [[BigBad Comstock]] and setting the events of the story in motion]].

* DevelopmentGag: The original raven-haired design of Elizabeth shows up [[spoiler:during the ending, as one of the many alternates spawned by AllTheMyriadWays]].

'''Tropes A-H''' | BioShockInfinite/TropesIToP | BioShockInfinite/TropesQToZ | BioShockInfinite/BurialAtSea

** The ''Burial at Sea'' {{DLC}} takes place in an alternate version of Rapture, complete with alternate(?) versions of Booker and Elizabeth. The first five minutes hint that [[spoiler: Booker is an alternate who doesn't know about the adventure in Columbia, while Elizabeth is the same one from that adventure.]]

** Burial at Sea Part 1 references this via audio log: [[spoiler:Fink used a tear to obtain the Plasmid blueprints from Dr. Suchong's lab and ended up modifying them so that they could be absorbed through the digestive system rather than the bloodstream.]]

* GenreShift: From what's currently known, the ''Burial at Sea'' DLC seems to be taking the game into a noir themed romp through Rapture, [[JustBeforeTheEnd the night that Rapture's civil war begins]].

[[/folder]]