Bioshock 2 Dev - 2K Marin, Digital Extremes (multi-player)
Publisher - 2K Games
Released - Feb 9th 2010
The first thing I think of when I play Bioshock is the city of Rapture itself. The fantastical image of an underwater city full of drama, angst, and remarkable characters. This is the legacy that the first Bioshock cemented in the mind of gamers everywhere. A dysfunctional utopia. So rich is the world of Bioshock that a sequel was inevitable. I may not be alone in thinking this, but I was very curious what the designers would come up with for a story this time around. The first Bioshock had a fantastic story and while the ending is debatable among some circles, the fact remained that the events that unfolded were crafted very well and drew gamers into the world of Rapture like few games can. I am happy to say that the story in Bioshock 2 is every bit as impressive and engrossing as the first one and then some. That's not all, the gameplay combo of guns and plasmids is back and better than ever with new plasmid powers that totally kick ass.
The Story - 9.0
Set after the events of the first game, Rapture is being run by crazy lady and former psychiatrist Sofia Lamb. Her view of a perfect society is warped to say the least and she has an agenda for Rapture that you intend to wreck. You are a Big Daddy, the very first of your kind in a series called the Alpha series. From the very beginning you are linked with a specific little sister called Eleanor who just happens to be Sofia's daughter. Because of your intense link to Eleanor and her hidden agenda, Sofia has you killed when Eleanor is just 7. The journey begins when somehow you have been resurrected and you immediately set out for revenge and to find Eleanor. Other important characters help you along the way while others who are inexorably linked to your plight will try to stop you at all costs. As in the first title, finding audio diaries hidden in each level help to fill in the gaps and give you clues to access secure areas. Goals are clearly marked on the map and an arrow at the top of the screen (which can be turned off) helps you reach it. Overall, the plot climaxes when it should and the intense portions of the story ramp up your action sequences accordingly. The effect is superb. All of the elements and loose ends are tied up fantastically in the final levels. The ending is one of the best I have seen in a long time. This is one of those slow build ups with a big pay off so hang in there! 12 - 15 hours later you will be smiling, trust me.
Presentation - 9.2
Menus are simple, sounds are amazing and the score is superb. Loading screens play 40's type music that fits right in with the atmosphere. Gun sounds, plasmids, and ambient sounds all sound great. I especially like the sounds of water plunking against your characters diving helmet when walking under a leaking pipe.
Gameplay - 8.7
The gun and plasmid formula from the original is intact here in Bioshock 2. 2K Marin has improved it all by giving your character the ability to fire a plasmid and shoot at the same time without having to switch between the two. Basically, Plasmid in your left hand, gun in your right. It also helps that you can now zoom in on most weapons, or aim down the sights. You can't fire a plasmid in this view but it is useful for hitting those splicers who are annoyingly pelting you with bullets from a distance. The gun lineup is nice with a shotgun, a mini-gun, and a launcher being the most used with different ammo types for each, but a few others like the spear gun or the rivet gun (standard Big Daddy issue) are good additions too. You will start off with the rivet gun and my new favorite weapon the drill. Nothing is more satisfying than running up to a splicer and revving up your drill inside his gullet. All of these are upgradeable too by using special vending machines called "'Power to the People." Plasmid powers and tonics are also very important in the game. With so many powers available to you its really a personal preference which ones you equip as you go. The trusty Electro Bolt and Incinerate plasmids are a mainstay, but others prove particularly useful for laying traps during defensive situations. The plasmids themselves have some new progression capabilities that differ from the first game. Like level 3 Incinerate will have you shooting a continuous flame of fire out of your hand, or Insect Swarm 3 will not only send a swarm of bees at an enemy but the bees will infect their dead body and when another enemy gets too close the bees will burst out of the body and attack. Makes for a good defensive tactic. While we are on the topic of defense, as a Big Daddy you can adopt the Little Sisters in the game (after dispatching their Big Daddy guardian) and have them gather 'Adam' for you, which is a type of bio-currency for obtaining more plasmids and tonics, but while your endearing little girls are gathering this precious commodity enemies will come from all over to attack. My favorite moments in Bioshock 2 are protecting the Little Sisters. This portion of gameplay is an absolute joy and its an absolute requirement in order to level up. Using special plasmids like Cyclone Trap (which launches enemies into the air), placing a few trap rivets (booby traps that fire rivets when enemies come near them) in a doorway, hacking some security bots that fly around and shoot at anything shooting at you, and perhaps laying down a mini-turret or two around your Little Sister, all make for great fun! Another gameplay addition that is great fun is your battle with Big Sisters. Big Sisters are the female versions of Big Daddies only they are MUCH faster and deadlier. They will attack you once you have rescued or harvested all the Little Sisters on the level and you WILL die. Often. With enough health kits and upgraded weapons though, you can kill her without dying. There is even an achievement for it if you pull it off. What's most impressive about Bioshock 2's weapons system is the variations. I didn't even use all of the plasmids or tonics available to me, and I forgot to use some of the ammo types during battles. By the way, I highly recommend that you try the 'Rocket Spear Ammo' type for the spear gun. Hilarious and effective. All in all, the gameplay is largely the same as in the first title but with a lot of refinement and a few new additions. Oh and this time you get to take some of the adventure outside the walls of Rapture and put that diving suit to good use.
Multiplayer - 7.5
Digital Extremes is the team who undertook the task of turning Bioshock's world into a multiplayer arena. They did a fine job too. The multiplayer is decent fun with plasmids and guns. Hey I just made a rhyme! Running around and shooting other players can be challenging though. Higher level players have better perks so starting off can be a bit rough. I did like that at some point during a match a Big Daddy suit appears on the map that you can wear and for as long as you can stay alive you can wreck shop with the rivet gun, proximity mines, and the stomp and gain some serious ground. I mostly played the free for all mode in multiplayer but other variants like Civil War, which is a Team Deathmatch mode, and Capture the Sister (CTF) are added to the mix along with a few others. Customizable loadouts on plasmids, guns, and tonics give you some flexibility during and before matches. Some plasmid powers are unique to multiplayer, such as Aero Dash which makes you run very fast for short bursts.
Replay Value - 7.8
Finding all of the audio diaries or unlocking all of the upgrades and tonics in single player during one play through is impossible. So playing through two or three times is plausible for those who aim for gamer score. The multiplayer adds a ton of replay value to the mix, but since Bioshock is mainly known for its single player experience I don't see this vaulting to the top of the Xbox Live servers.
Final Score - 8.9 not an average
To sum up, this is a great game with a great story. With the already unique and exciting gameplay formula coupled with the new weapons, great atmosphere, and solid multiplayer its hard to not fun with Bioshock and its quirky inhabitants. A great addition to any gamer's library.
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