Feb

BioShock 2: Review

By admin

When the first Bioshock game was being released, the video previews and photos that were on the web, along with the HUGE article in Gameinformer magazine set my mouth to drooling. The graphics, the unique storyline, the whole creepy atmosphere of the game captured my attention. Upon the games release it delivered all these elements masterfully and engrossingly. A standout title, a truly different fps (first person shooter) whose bizarre and David Lynchian (some said Ann Rand) weird setting made this game an instant classic. Rarely has a single title delivered on all fronts, universally praised and many an award given in 2006-7. I even played through twice to see the different endings, something I rarely do. Now, it’s 2010 and the sequel to this groundbreaking masterpiece is released…is it as dope as the first? You’re damn right it is, yes even better in some subtle ways, some not-so-subtle but still an INSANELY tight game.

Welcome back to Rapture my fellow splices, ahhhhh yessss! First and foremost before I begin the review, I have to say this game is a visual feast, way more colorful, dazzling architecture and the water…fuggedaboutit! I had the misfortune of seeing some early reviews of the game, mostly good to great but Gameinformer mags review seemed surprisingly uptight and misleading. It dogged the game for being “too much of the same thing”, no innovative changes etc. wahhhh, wahhh, wahhh. It almost made me question the purchase of the sequel, stupid on my part. The reviewer was waaaay off base, yes it’s more of the same, SO WHAT! Would any fan of the original would want anything less. The game rocks period.

Here’s the story, it’s 10 years after the first game and the underwater city of Rapture still has a few inhabitants, mostly children who need saving. The way that the aging of Rapture is shown is done well, leaks everywhere (that a few of the legendary ”Big Daddies” are tasked to repair), barnacle growths, more undersea flowers and bio-luminescent sea creatures everywhere. The story this time revolves around a doctor Lamb and her continued experiments with raptures children. Just like her previous boss Andrew Ryan, one of which you are linked to…Oh, did I mention that you are an older version of the “Big Daddy” who are all “linked” to the children they protect. Just the fact you get to be one of the most feared characters in gaming is change enough for me. Well, you are tasked to keep your “little sister” alive so she can stick long needles in dead people to extract their precious “adam”, a gene altering drug that gives you powers. It just so happens that the little sister you protect is Dr. Lambs daughter. Most people in this underwater utopia have become “splicers” mutated drug addicts who kill each other off. There’s Big Daddy fights and the even more terrifying “Big Sisters”, just think a thinner more streamlined big daddy, whose faster, stonger and waaay more agile. There’s also some new and different splicers along with other sick-ass creatures.

New “plasmids” or powers are here as well as the ability to walk around the outside of Rapture The storyline is a lot more cohesive than the first. Hacking has been streamlined so it is not as annoying as the first…no plumbing here. A slow start leading to a fantastic ending, this games pulls you in like no other (maybe because you are a Big daddy). You are a part of Rapture, not an outsider like the first game. This in my opinion makes the game and it’s morality more engrossing. Fans of the original will love this sequel a DEFINATE contender for game of the year. Great graphics, good single player game length and a hot multi-player mode (yes multiplayer). Another masterpiece in my opinion, 2k does it again. Get this title immediately if you loved the first. Just get it…even if you didn’t play the first game, it’s that hot. A definite 9,loved it.

Rating: (9/10)