Is BioShock Infinite Connected to BioShock 1 and 2? Mostly Through Shared Themes Rather Than Direct Narrative

While not a direct sequel, BioShock Infinite revolutionized the acclaimed series with a new setting, characters, and evolved gameplay that build on the shared DNA of Rapture‘s fallen utopias. Infinite pays clever homage to its predecessors, but tells an ambitious self-contained story set in 1912 aboard Columbia that lays groundwork for an infinite number of BioShock tales to come.

Separate Storylines – Shared Thematic DNA

As a passionate BioShock fan, Infinite is not narratively linked to the plots and key characters of the first two games. It stands alone as a masterpiece that long-time fans and newcomers alike can fully enjoy without needing context from previous titles. BioShock and BioShock 2 are set in the underwater Objectivist dystopia of Rapture built by Andrew Ryan in 1946 then led by Sofia Lamb. Players embodied Jack and Subject Delta exploring iconic locales like Fort Frolic and Hephaestus in the 1960s heyday and decline of this once-great city.

In contrast, Infinite transports players high into the clouds to the floating city of Columbia in 1912 – an American exceptionalism utopia led by self-proclaimed prophet Zachary Comstock. Booker DeWitt enters this alternate history reality on a mission to rescue Elizabeth from her towering monastery prison. Alongside Elizabeth and the rebel Vox Populi, Booker struggles to escape this fallen utopia facing issues of extremism, racism, and ideological civil war.

------------               | Rapture (Bioshock 1/2) | Columbia (Infinite) ------------

Era & Year                   | 1960s                 | 1912

Creator                     | Andrew Ryan          | Zachary Comstock  

Leaders                     | Ryan, Sofia Lamb     | Comstock  

Politics                    | Objectivism          | American Exceptionalism

Key Locations               | Fort Frolic, Hephaestus | Monument Island, Soldier‘s Field                

Main Characters             | Jack, Subject Delta    | Booker DeWitt, Elizabeth

Threats Faced               | Splicers, Big Daddies | Founders, Handymen 

Player Abilities            | Plasmids             | Vigors

Story Themes             | Utopian collapse, morality | Racism, nationalism, redemption  

Yet what ties Infinite and the original games together is not direct narrative, but shared philosophical DNA. Both Rapture and Columbia serve as failed utopias facing consequences of ideological extremism. Players in all games wield fantastical powers and unusual weapons to survive the remains of these once-promising cities filled with ethical questions on progress and human nature.

According to co-creator Ken Levine, the connecting strand is that "we had that common DNA of wonder and impossible things married with a more realistic story. And that, to me, is what BioShock is." While not sequels, this ambitious thematic DNA allowed Infinite to pay homage to its predecessors while evolving gameplay and artistic direction to stand proudly as its own revolutionary BioShock entry.

Comparing Settings: Rapture vs Columbia

The decayed Art Deco corridors of Rapture contrast brightly with Columbia‘s sunlit Beaux Art-inspired streets. Yet both settings prove visually iconic playgrounds that reinforce thefailed utopia themes. Rapture‘s cracked golden statues and faded signs for Kashmir Restaurant epitomize the death of 1960s optimism and progress. Meanwhile Columbia‘s vibrantly colored flags and balloons cannot hide the boiling racism and police state oppression lurking beneath the carnival façade.

Gameplay also shifts dramatically between the titles – from Rapture‘s dark claustrophobic spaces to the open-air verticality of soaring between Columbia‘s platforms. However, the freedom of choice and consequence remains similar whether wielding Plasmids or Vigors. Players can adopt aggressive, stealthy, or inventive playstyles to engage with morality systems like saving or harvesting Little Sisters.

While very distinct, "both worlds have a lot to say about the time that they were created in", says creative director Ken Levine. Rapture represents unchecked progress without ethical guidance. Columbia symbolizes clinging to comforts and privilege of the past at the cost of human rights. Ultimately showing that "extremes …in either direction don‘t end up in a very healthy place." Players experience how the path to hell is paved with good intentions in both ill-fated cities.

Playing the Series – Recommended Order and Approach

For fans new and old, I generally recommend playing the games in release order to best appreciate the evolution of gameplay, visuals, and ambition across the installments. However, Infinite stands out as an equally strong entry point with its self-contained plot welcoming new players.

Those intrigued by Rapture‘s setting but nervous to play 2007-era games can jump into Infinite first then explore the original duo afterwards. This allows enjoying Infinite‘s advances like the Skylines and tearing open Elizabeth‘s surreal tears before experiencing where the franchise began.

Either way, keeping an open and exploratory mindset pays off when visiting each unforgettable city for the first time. Let the atmospheric spaces wrap around you. Read every poster and overheard conversation. Bioshock stories reward curiosity and attention – making the most of their environmental narrative to uncover the truth behind utopian dreams turned to nightmares. Both Rapture and Columbia have mysteries to unravel and ideologies to question for those willing to immerse themselves completely.

Pushing Boundaries While Honoring Franchise Roots

After seeing Infinite‘s stellar review scores and trailers, I knew this entry would revolutionize and honor the BioShock legacy. Series newcomer Ken Levine could have played safe – simply reskinning Rapture with new locations and enemies. Instead he went for creative gold – crafting an artistically daring statement that expanded possibilities for characters, settings, and ideologies the franchise could explore.

2K Games took a bold risk allowing Levine and Irrational Games to depart so widely from previous titles with Infinite. But the vibrant world-building paid off in spades, winning over 90/100 reviews and ‘Game of the Year‘ awards from influential outlets like Destructoid, IGN and more.

"Infinite‘s story, character arcs and world-building rival literature, film and poetry in terms of quality and emotional resonance" – 10/10 Destructoid

In my opinion, Infinite will influence video game storytelling and artistic risk-taking for years to come – representing a masterclass in interactive environmental narrative. It retains just enough signature gameplay with plasmids (now vigors) and moral choice to feel like a Bioshock game while opening players‘ eyes to the thought-provoking creative potential of games.

If rumors of a new Bioshock game in development prove true, Infinite sets a high bar. Early leaks suggest it could connect previous games’ universes or introduce fresh multiverse settings for veterans and newcomers to explore. Wherever the iconic franchise travels next, Bioshock creators should continue embracing Infinite’s fearless spirit – innovating artfully on top of strong philosophical foundations.

Final Analysis: Connectivity Through Theme Over Narrative

At its core, Bioshock Infinite shares the thematic DNA of its siblings rather than outright narrative connections. On the surface, little overlaps between the radically different settings, eras, threats and story events across games. What binds them as a groundbreaking series are shared values of choice, morality, collapsing ideologies and questioning extremism in societies built on wonder and ambition.

Rapture and Columbia may be opposites aesthetically – one a leaking art deco underwater labyrinth, the other a colorful breezy cloud city peppered with zeppelins. At their hearts lay the same provocative veins; stories of collapse when science and social engineering go awry. Infinite evolves its predecessors’ DNA, not replication it outright. This keeps the series feeling fresh rather than derivative. Fans feel at home amid mind-expanding concepts rather than just predictable settings. And with infinite multiverses now established, the doors are wide open for radical new Bioshock stories limited only by imagination.