Published by: 2K Games
Developed by: 2K Games
Release Date: February 9, 2010
Available on: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC
INTRO: In 2007, Bioshock was finally released and shattered all expectations, coming out of nowhere to become one of the best games of the year. There was just so much originality to be enjoyed in this game, and it featured unforgettable characters like the Little Sisters and the entire world of Andrew Ryan’s failed utopia was just incredible. As if ripped from a science-fiction novel, Bioshock sent the bar when it came to creating a story worth revisiting over and over again. Of course, a game as successful as this one will produce a sequel and the time has come.
Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original Bioshock, the halls of Rapture once again echo with sins of the past. Along the Atlantic coastline, a monster has been snatching little girls and bringing them back to the undersea city of Rapture. You are the very first Big Daddy as you travel through the decrepit and beautiful fallen city, chasing an unseen foe in search of answers and your own survival. Bioshock 2 has arrived, and it’s time to return to Rapture, this time as one of its most unexpected of protagonists, a Big Daddy!
PS- This review somewhat assumes familiarity with the first game. If you haven’t played it, you can read my review of it right here!
GAMEPLAY:
If you read my stuff at all, you know that I don’t like to give away a lot of plot details if the plot is worth following. Although not as complex as the plot in the first game, this one is still quite compelling. Taking place 10 years after the first game, you are the first Big Daddy who is in search of his lost sister. The story is more linear than the first, but is absolutely loaded with details through helpful audio diaries, characters and dialogue. If you just blast through this game you’re missing out on the whole experience. You really need to experience the slow descent of Dr. Lamb and her co-conspirators as things get progressively worse. There are several side stories to pay attention to as well, like the search for your ‘family’ members. There’s no big twist, but the story really works well with the gameplay.
The controls are still relatively tight and smooth like the last game, but with some helpful overhauls. You can now use plasmids and guns at the same time. This is tremendously helpful and feels like a natural and organic addition to the gameplay. The plasmids are even more fun this time around and when you get some of them up to level three you get to see some awesome effects, rather than simple increase of ‘power’ for each one.
Not only that, but the ‘hacking’ mini-game has been overhauled with a hack meter replacement which is far superior to the time-consuming pipe game of the first Bioshock. With that said, I liked that game but it took up a lot of time. The weapons are still awesome, especially the really fun rocket spears to help you enjoy yourself. The gene tonics still work but don’t add much to the overall experience. Don’t forget, you’re a Big Daddy now so you get the drill and rivet gun to add to your arsenal!
The original game forced you to kill a Big Daddy to get to a Little Sister, which would lead to you getting some Adam by either killing or saving her. Now you have to kill the Big Daddy and protect the little sister. Now, when you take Adam you’re swarmed by splicers and have to keep the Little Sister alive. You have to scout out your approach; it is your job to set traps and strategically plan your path before embarking upon it. When you’re sure, you face the onslaught , although that isn’t nearly as tough as the fights with the Big Sister. See, dealing with a Little Sister really pisses off the Big Sisters. They’re like Big Daddies but way quicker and more powerful which doesn’t do anyone any favors. These are some seriously tough fights and they add to the enjoyment of the game.
Like the first game, BioShock 2 will present you with several decisions that will question your morality. You must choose to save the terrifying Little Sisters, and you also get a few decisions that will decide the fate of characters you come across. Unlike the first game though, this one seems to sense your decision rather than forcing you to simply press a button and continues from there.
Gameplay: 8.5/10
GRAPHICS:
Both Bioshock games sport some awesome music which fits the setting very well. The score can range from epic to catchy and it always seems to fit. The sound effects, ambient noise and voice acting are all top notch as well and I can’t complain a bit.
Graphics: 9/10
AUDIO:
Bioshock 2 is another game filled with stunning presentation. Rapture is a city come to life with incredible details. You’ll notice sparks pouring out of shredded wires, great surface reflections, amazing shadow textures and lighting effects. The Big Daddy helmet adds some atmospheric depth as well that really makes it unique. Enemies also look fantastic, with great character design and execution. The game can lag during big fight scenes, but it didn’t factor in much for me. Everything seems and feels real in the world of Rapture.
Audio: 10/10
FINAL VERDICT:
I can’t say that this game holds up as well as the original does. It isn’t different enough to be the heavyweight that Bioshock was. Let me tell you though, although it might not knock you on your ass as much as the first game did, the new abilities and tweaked AI make it absolutely worth your time. This is a game that will let you learn a lot more about Rapture, and although there are some plot holes the game is still worth taking the time to play through without question. The first game is a masterpiece, and this game feels a lot similar which means it serves as a great companion piece, without surpassing the quality of the original.
Final Score: 8.5/10