We've been getting all sorts of teases from Irrational's own Ken Levine about the incoming BioShock Infinite DLC, Buried at Sea, but details regarding when players can get their hands on it have been sparse. 'Til now that is.
2K Games revealed in a press release today that players will return to the underwater metropolis of Rapture in a new adventure for Infinite's Booker and Elizabeth next month, November 12.
The DLC "features Rapture as you've never seen it before-a shining jewel at the bottom of the ocean, built almost entirely from scratch in the BioShock Infinite game engine. Join Booker and Elizabeth in a film noir-style story that places them in a shining, pristine Rapture on the eve of its fall from grace. Explore the underwater city, try your hand at a grift or two, and even encounter some old 'friends' from the original BioShock."
Quite true. In a recent gameplay trailer, we saw a few Little Sisters, a Big Daddy with a new "grappling drill," and a few posters for, and mentions of some of Rapture's more infamous characters like Frank Fontaine and Sander Cohen, as well as some familiar locales.
But the DLC is more than just a visit to old stomping grounds. There's also a new weapon, an old favorite from the first BioShock, new Gear, and even a new Plasmid (Rapture's plasmids take over for Infinite's vigors) designed by a fan.
"Old Man Winter" was the brain child of graphic designer Joe Trinder, based on the "Winter Blast" plasmid from the first BioShock. Levine spotted the design at the 2K forums. "I just saw the piece of art and I was like 'Holy shit, this is fucking great,'" Levine told IGN. A month later, Irrational bought the design, and it's now a part of BioShock history.
As hinted in Infinite's ending, Burial is an alternative history of the Booker and Elizabeth seen in Infinite. It begins shortly before the city tore itself apart in a plasmid fueled civil war. As such, things are reasonably calmer for the time being, and its here that alternate versions of Booker and Elizabeth call home. During this relative peace, a rather sultry Elizabeth has turned to Booker, still an investigator, to help locate a missing girl.
"This is a love letter to the fans, but it's also the beginning of a story that will give gamers a new perspective on the BioShock universe," said Levine in the release. "With Burial at Sea, we built a Rapture not fromBioShock and BioShock Infinite scraps and pieces, but with environments almost entirely crafted from scratch."
Gamers who have the Season Pass get free access to this and the next episode of Burial at Sea. Non-holders will have to pay $9.99 per episode. The Season Pass is still up for grabs at $19.99. It will include the initial Clash in the Clouds DLC, and the Early Bird Special pack which offers four pieces of exclusive gear.