BioShock 2

There can be no denying that the predecessor of this title was the most intelligent 360 game that really put the 360 on the world stage. Its intuitive game-play accompanied with a compelling and original storyline brought huge relief to 360 gamers after a period of frustration where only Oblivion stood up to the mark in the early goings. Now, some years on, the brains and little sisters at 2K Marin and now 2K Australia have taken us back to the mid-Atlantic bathysphere which leads us back to the glorious underwater utopia-gone-wrong, Rapture. Possibly the hardest act to follow on the 360, and now with the introduction of multi-player, to keep up with the team death-match virus that seems to be spreading throughout new 360 titles, with the help of Digital Extremes offering a feast of innovative new multi-player options, Bioshock 2 looks to be the first great all-rounder on the 360.

The games story is all based around the character you play. The games protagonist has been caught up in what seems to be a parental struggle. With a tragic event forced upon you at the hands of a maverick and shrewd woman, you are put out of action for a very long time, and thought to be dead. However, due to a special connection with a Little Sister, you come back to life with the help of Tennanbaum, the creator of the little sisters from the first Bioshock. From this, you once again explore the world of Rapture. You can see the vast damage and bloodshed caused by the maddened citizens as they prey on Adam control in the city. Never before seen areas are now at your disposal to explore, with all the hallmarks of BioShock still visible to see, I'm talking the eerie atmospheres, the crazed foes, the sublime detail given to each and every location, and of course the outside world of the ocean which serves not only as a viewing spectacle, but it also serves as the closest character friend you have.

The plasmid civil war hasn't stopped raging since the ten year gap between both titles. But this time, instead of being the helplessly controlled Jack who stopped the megalomaniac Frank Fontaine, you now step into the heavy divers suit(ed and booted) Big Daddy. But unlike the hunkered and quite simple Big Daddy's from BioShock, you play as a prototype Big Daddy who has full control of the plasmid abilities and also happily the favoured drill and Rivet gun respectively, with many other weapon varieties that were seen in the first Bioshock.

Of course, you get all the perks that you would expect from being the Daddy. Scaring the crap out of splicers is just the tip of the iceberg. Because you now can use both plasmids and guns at the same time, it makes the game-play more tactical than ever before, allowing traps to be made, controlling groups of enemies with minimal effort and also throwing innate and familiar household objects to stun your foes as you finish them off in as bloody a mess as you see fit, to further decorate the world in a coat of splicer red. All this sounds quite appetising and somewhat simple, but don't underestimate what you could run into in this place. The splicer's are now in tighter packs, making it harder to dispatch them without sustaining significant injury. There is no room for complacency in these kinds of fights. Also, ammo is an issue, which may come as a surprise and an Achilles heel for most players.

The single player as a whole is very tough. Thank God for that I say! The game offers you the chance to be the Big Daddy, which in turn makes you feel purposeful and powerful, but BioShock 2 very cunningly and subtly makes the story a fun and exhilarating challenge. But is doesn't stack up to the first Bioshock. Of course it was a hard act to follow, and honestly it has done the best it can considering, but it has only just fallen under the bar set.

Of course however, we have multi-player for the first time in Bioshock. The somewhat rustic looking online multi-player takes gamers down a trip to memory lane as locations from BioShock have been re-envisioned to create multi-player environments, such as the Kashmir Restaurant, one of the first areas in BioShock. The multi-player itself is surprisingly effective and quite addictive, but not to the standards of the Call of Duty games of course.

Bioshock 2 then is a solid all rounder; with a single player that takes precedence over the multi-player. It was a very risky move by 2K to introduce the multi-player after such a successful first effort of a story driven game. Bioshock 2 still offers its great vibrant world of Rapture, offers a new dynamic to the game utilising the Big Daddy's obvious high standing in the Rapture hierarchy. The multi-player does a good job for nostalgic Bioshock fans as you can revisit your favourite locales once again, but in the hustle and bustle of plasmid enthralled multi-player action. Top- notch Bioshock sequel that will wet any gamer's appetite.

Some may argue that the Graphics are not as nice in this installment of the Bioshock series, not true especially if you are using a 3d setup and this game is definitely geared for 3D. In the Graphics options menu there is an option for turning 3D on/off so perhaps the developers know or have an inkling of where future games are headed and indeed 3D will soon be appearing on our TV sets if the current Hype is to be believed. The current 3d gaming setups are limited in range. From Zalman to NVIDIA. Using an NVIDIA setup requires that you purchase a monitor with 120 Hz refresh rate (expensive) and TVs are on their way with this and much higher refresh rates. You will need at least $1000.00 for the glasses and monitor plus a very fast graphics card and a quick computer plenty of RAM and at least a dual core 2800 to get the most out of 3D. On to the game. The quest for ammo and money give you an added objective in this game which can be a bitch or a blessing depending on how you like your games. Some (like Borderlands, see my Borderlands review) shower you in money and weapons/ammo. In BioShock2 you are constantly scavenging for money to buy ammo or health kits. If you die without a health kit to spare you are mercilessly sent back to a re spawning station where you are given some health and Eve (Eve is your plasmid power). From there you have to backtrack to you objective and kill, Mame and destroy newly spawned enemies in the form of Splicers until you get back to where you were. Fairly linear in design but some nice tricks to keep you off the beaten track such as finding Adam (the necessary tender for purchasing upgrades to your special powers) with the help of a little sister who roosts on your shoulder whilst screaming platitudes like "your'e the best daddy ever!, and beating up other Big Daddies. Most sequels are a sad disappointment depending on the age gap. Take half-life and Doom 2 for instance, the sequels in both these cases were beyond unbelievably fantastic. In this instance most people would be expecting mediocre at best but they will be pleasantly surprised. 9 out of Ten little sisters in this level!!

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 game keeps up with it's reputation, And as much as i loved the first Game i do indeed love this too.

And as i played through the game, I really feel the Father and Daughter connection. and the end was not disappointing at all. it was really really suitable with the feeling and the story. Almost like you get tears.

Very well i'm a bit optimistic, but if there should been an improvement, then it would be the Huge Feeling, Because the health was not as much as in the previous game, so that got lost somehow.

Anyway i think i rated this Game Fair. 8 out of 10 (Little Sisters)

Bioshock 2 may have sacrificed storytelling for cleaner gameplay, but the story is still well written and better than your average VG narrative. Sophia Lamb isn't nearly as charismatic as Andrew Ryan but does a pretty good job of getting me to despise her, making her a decent antagonist at worst. Gameplay tweaks seem minor at first, but dual wielding guns and plasmids, the ability to melee with any weapon, and the new real time reflex-based hacking system made a world of difference. I had more fun protecting the little sisters in this game than the first. Probably due to the unstoppability I felt having improved plasmids, weapons, traps, and ample time to set up and unleash my inner Macaulay Culkin whenever I was ready to harvest.