BioShock 2

You are one of the first Big Daddies, and ten years after you are left for dead, you come back to rescue the young Eleanor(...yeah, it is kinda cliché) who you are personally bound to(and her to you, so you can not leave before you are reunited, in fact, you'll go into a coma or mad if you stay apart for overly long). This puts you in Rapture again, the underwater city of the best artists and scientists for them to be free to pursue their craft with no one to prevent them. It was to live the dream of pure individuality and freedom, somewhere you could satisfy your desires. This time, it isn't Andrew Ryan in charge, who wanted that... it's Sofia Lamb, the mother of the woman you are trying to find. She represents the equal and opposite reaction to his ideology, with a restrictive, authoritarian religion(or cult, since it isn't big enough). This was the perfect way to approach a sequel; not repeat, but respond. You again choose whether to rescue(complete with the faith healer gesture) the Little Sisters, or harvest them(is it just me or does the start of that look like you're putting on a handpuppet-show?) to define the strength of your character(do you put yourself or others first?), and this time, you can also "adopt" them, where you protect them as they gather(and then return them to a vent) the ADAM(letting you unlock and upgrade tonics(that you don't have to activate) and plasmids(that you do... and you can now dual-wield, that in one hand and a weapon in the other(no switching back and forth)! And yes, you can use them at the same time!), the special abilities(electricity, fire, ice(and you can now freeze others solid, and shatter them into pieces! And these are now all projectile, no idea why they weren't before), hypnotizing enemies, etc. And you can now charge them up for other benefits, such as hitting more with a single use, or stronger FX!) of these. Those have been increased in power, and since everyone has them, this has a real "war of the titans" kind of thing going on, with amazing battles(and a fantastic climax). These are both FPS', and this one offers something that goes beyond the basic for that. You have the usual set of weapons, with all-new ones, since you're no longer a mere person... and yes, you get the drill, and yes, you can do the "dash" move with it(!)(you can use it to smack others, as well). There's a pistol, a shotgun, a machinegun, etc. You can hack at a distance using darts(bear with it, being able to move during it gives really cool opportunities), it's now based on timing("stop the needle in the correct zone"), so it doesn't pause during. Yes, this is simply more intense than the original. The objectives and enemy types(some once again climb ceilings, and you actually have to use different tactics against them, and they have cool first appearances this time) are varied this time, so you don't get bored. Then again, this is pretty short, with 10-12 hours of playing time, meaning you can complete it in a single day, as I did. There are only three difficulty settings and not much else to get you to play it again. Well, there is one thing... multi-player(set during the civil war a decade or so earlier, and with plenty of unlockables). It's got all the modes you'd expect, FFA(team and otherwise), CTF, Hold the Flag(with an LS in place of it), Domination and Last Man Standing. As you play it, you get higher in the ranks, and those specify what your arsenal can be filled with, and this automatically evens the matches so that experts don't go up against noobs. That does bring me to the remaining problem of the excessive streamlining. They don't really fix that(customizing remains pretty minimal, this has nothing on System Shock 2 or Deus Ex), if the risk does remain(like with Kane & Lynch: Dead Men... I think it helps that there are bullets and manual aiming, that's why Assassin's Creed and the newer Prince of Persia titles fail in that regard). You still have an easy time buying ammo and the like, and basically never run out(I do like that they further limit the amount of healthkits and the like). This is challenging, intense and fun, however. Part of it is how emotionally engaging this is. You care about the cause, and the people involved, and you want to *win*. The story is gripping, with a marvelous and effective intro and conclusion(with highly effective use of the first person perspective). You're not some undefined, bland person that there's no reason to care about other than that he exists and happens to be in the place where there's something interesting going on that we haven't seen before, you have a purpose, a mission, and for it's formulaic setup, it really manages to strike a chord. This builds atmosphere well, being creepy and unsettling, by use of the grotesque or "slightly off" sights(I do think we tend to miss the disfigured faces and bodies of the Splicers, because it goes so fast, their movement(and they now randomly dodge your strikes), yours, and then with the ragdoll physics... it does make good sense that they'd follow a fanatic rather than "they're insane"), the tense score and the various ambient sounds(and silence). Level design is also magnificent, and we see new areas under the sea. The graphics are well-done, with expressive faces for the few fully animated scenes, and real-looking animations in-engine. Controls are intuitive and easy to remember, you get into this quickly. You do not have to have played the '07 one before this one to understand it, it merely uses the same setting, and neither of them spoils the other one. There is disturbing, brutal, violent, bloody and gory content in this, as well as swearing. I recommend this to any fan of the concept. 8/10

Console:

Playstation 3

Genre:

First person shooter.

Setting:

Retro future Utopia...i.e. the game is set in the 1960s, but it's an alternative world scenario...a place where humanity has advanced significantly in their development...more advanced than our current society. The sequel explores new parts of the city of Rapture.

Story:

If you liked finally playing as a Big Daddy in the original, you should get a kick out of playing as a Big Daddy for the entire length of the sequel...except for one part where you play a...

The story concerns your Big Daddy becoming separated from your Little Sister. This separation is harmful to both parties health, so you must locate your charge. Of course, powerful forces are working against this outcome and your life is in danger.

Graphics:

As far as character representation goes, this is a step up from the original...they're more realistic, less stylised than the cartoonish looking splicers of the original. It's actually a pity that this level of character representation wasn't in the original...then maybe we could have expected an Uncharted 2 like step up in visual quality for the sequel.

Sound:

Probably less obvious repetition in character utterances than the original. Some noises seem to be constant...like there is a faulty elevator or some other mechanical/electrical device. Not a huge issue but sometimes I wished that that noise would just go away.

Good about the game:

The weapons/plasmids/tonics have been tweaked. The plasmids especially are fun. On acquiring a certain plasmid I'd think to myself "Wouldn't it be cool if you could..." and then I'd try doing just that. And it would work! It's good how the makers have thought out the logical consequences of some plasmids, so you actually can do what you think that plasmid should allow you to do. Best example of that is the "Scout" plasmid. Personally, I missed the crossbow of the original (for it's precision shooting) but the speargun did become my default weapon (for being able to regather fired ammo).

If you enjoyed the "upgrade" paths of the original, the sequel has the exact same quality, but is a bit more polished in execution.

Misjudgements in the game:

I'll start by way of introduction saying that since you play the top of the food chain in the original game, the sequel knocks you down a peg. This was a bit naff for mind, but it brings up the first misjudgement...where strategy is crucial in taking down these ultimate warriors, it's disappointing that the first time you fight one of them you are not in control of the circumstances in which you engage them. They're tough to beat, so to not have the ability to fight them on your terms sucks. There was a similar problem in the original, and like the original, this misjudgement goes away in subsequent battles.

As with the original, the splicers are a constant annoyance...more so than in the original. Another naff splicer is introduced too. At least in the original you could find ample opportunities to use plasmids like the Cyclone Trap...set pieces in the game. In the sequel you probably don't even have to use them. Related to this, with the research you do on splicers, it turns out you won't be able to fully research them anywhere in Rapture...some of them are limited to certain parts of the city...which is annoying...some classes of splicers I didn't get to fully research as a result and for some of those I could have really used my Cyclone Trap plasmids to good effect in set pieces...which never arrived (e.g. in defending yourself from attack after performing an action).

My third misjudgement is the lack of a final boss battle as in the original. The Frank Fontaine fight there was too hard, but in the sequel there's a feeling of anti-climax as the final fights aren't really different in kind to the normal hurly-burly of defending your Little Sister when she is gathering ADAM. And if you have certain tonics and plasmids, your task is made easier and you can simply discover how to do things better next time if you die.

Niggles:

How the game basically rewrites the history of Bioshock. I really didn't see any scope for a sequel to that game and the scenario seems manufactured out of nothing. However, the ending does have a pay off, even though I didn't buy into the story's new characters.

It would have been nice to have your moral choices highlighted more explicitly. And in the case of Gil Alexander, the game makers seem to have had a different take than me on the moral thing to do with him...relating to in game trophies.

Some characters from the original story make cameo appearances but are soon forgotten. That was a pity. And even some new characters of interest eventually disappear, never to be heard of again.

General observations:

I was prepared to give this game the same score I gave for the original (85/100), but have knocked it down a smidge due to the anti-climax of the ending. Even though I wasn't sold on the premise of the sequel and found some new character classes naff, the game held the same addictiveness as the original.

Personally I'd recommend the original over the sequel for my view of the 'real' story of Rapture. But if you don't feel like returning to the original but want something similar, play the sequel...it has polished some of the exciting weapons of the original. But the lack of use for certain weapons in game and the inability to gain research points on certain character classes anywhere in Rapture is a disappointment.

Pros:

• Good story and characters
• Gameplay has improved abit from 1
• Great graphics
• Good variation of weapons and abilities

Cons:

• Not allot of differentiation from Bioshock 1
• Story not as interesting as it could be
• No real great plot twists

Verdict: All in all, does kinda feel like a Bioshock 1.5 however it's still very enjoyable and fun to play. I shouldn't, but it's hard to not compare with Bioshock 1. Still a really good game thou

8/10

BioShock 2 might often be overshadowed by the original, but it absolutely deserves recognition as a brilliant continuation of the Rapture saga. While it builds on the foundations set by the first game, it carves its own identity through refined gameplay mechanics, deeper emotional storytelling, and a new perspective that makes the experience feel fresh yet familiar.

One of the most remarkable elements of this sequel is the fact that you play as a Big Daddy - a drastic shift that adds a fascinating dynamic to the game. From the very beginning, you feel stronger and more secure than in the previous title. Walking through the eerie, decaying halls of Rapture while wielding both brute strength and powerful plasmids gives you a thrilling sense of dominance. But the game doesn't let you feel invincible for long - enemies are smarter, encounters are more intense, and the strategic use of your resources becomes more essential than ever.

Combat is fluid and surprisingly tactical. The dual-wielding system - using a weapon and a plasmid simultaneously - is a massive improvement, and it helps keep the action fast-paced and versatile. The battles, especially on higher difficulties and during fights against Big Sisters or groups of Splicers, can become chaotic in the best way possible. There's a constant tension, a need to adapt and rethink your approach, which mirrors the same thrill and frustration you'd feel in a real card game - making you regret certain moves or celebrate a perfect combo of actions.

Narratively, BioShock 2 holds its ground with a compelling plot that delves once again into the darker aspects of human psychology and morality. The themes remain philosophical, rich, and thought-provoking - exploring the consequences of utopian ideals gone wrong and what happens when people are left without a moral compass. It offers a story that's both emotionally powerful and intellectually engaging, with well-written characters and moments that stick with you long after the game ends.

It was an unusual and fascinating experience - I absolutely loved the mechanic of playing as a Big Daddy in this installment. It makes you feel much more confident and secure as part of that class, even though the challenges remain excellent and demanding. The story is just as powerful as in the first game, touching on similar themes that show how twisted the human mind can become when left without guidance. Simply brilliant. BioShock 2 stands as my personal favorite entry in Rapture.

This is one of the best first person shooter games I have ever played. Great story line, awesome weapons and better fighting. The enemies are more varied that the first game, including Big sisters, Rumblers, Brute splicers and more. The loading music is good, it fits in very well with the whole feel of the game, I particularly enjoyed the "Inner Persephone" loading music.

Only one problem, It is a little too short, I would have liked it to be longer.

The different endings are also awesome, Depending on how you play the game. I have seen them all.

so 10 out of 10 for Bioshock 2. Well worth it. I've played it more than 20 times already!