After the original Infinite shipped with a truly punishing 1999 Mode for those looking for a supreme challenge, “Burial at Sea - Episode Two” will come with an aptly-titled ‘1998 Mode,’ granting players a higher difficulty - requiring they not simply endure stronger enemies, but do so with self-control.
The announcement comes from Irrational directly, explaining that fans saddened by the news surrounding the studio’s downsizing will at least have a chance for added replayability once the DLC releases:
Irrational boss Ken Levine (now preparing to take a small sliver of the studio in a brand new direction) explained that the emphasis on stealth and old-school non-lethality came from the team’s internal testing and design. As deadly as Elizabeth may be, the developers themselves seemed to think a subtle approach would be best - for the most devoted players, at least:
Unfortunately, more precise details on how players will be charged with completing the DLC without leaving a wake of deceased inhabitants of Rapture in their wake are not yet being given. But with “Burial at Sea” already promising some serious surprises in its final chapter - not to mention some returning faces - it’s nice to know there will be a mechanical hook to grab fans’ attention as well as story.
Our hopes are high for “Burial at Sea - Episode Two” since the DLC’s first chapter wasn’t quite what was expected, mainly setting up the most powerful story beats for episode two. Does the inclusion of a 1998 Mode make you more or less interested in the last batch of Irrational-produced content? Will you be trying the mode out to test your stealth skills, or is it the story that you most crave?
BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea — Episode 2 releases March 25, 2014 for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360.
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Source: Irrational Games
