Bioshock 2 Game Review

I knew the original BioShock was a special game from the moment I first laid eyes on the underwater dystopia of Rapture. The setting was so unlike anything I'd ever seen, and exploring it was so enthralling, that I easily overlooked the game's less-than-stellar elements (the hacking mini-game, the shooting mechanics, and the story's ultimate conclusion). While BioShock 2 largely addresses the shortcomings of its predecessor, it also bears the curse of familiarity. Traipsing around Rapture is certainly still enjoyable, but it's kind of like a magic trick you've already seen -- not quite as impressive as it was the first time around.

You don't have to be super-familiar with the original BioShock to enjoy the sequel, but if you are, you'll still learn plenty about the fate of Rapture. BioShock 2 takes place about 10 years after the original, with the player taking up the mantle of a special Big Daddy who wields a host of superpowers. (For the uninitiated: You're essentially a genetically enhanced super-soldier with a drill for an arm who can cast spells called "plasmids.") This particular Daddy is on a quest to find out why he's been revived.

Since one of BioShock 2's biggest strengths is its narrative, I don't really want to get into more of the story than that... suffice to say that Rapture still holds some secrets for you to uncover, and many areas that weren't present in the first game. Fanatical collectors will learn much about what transpired during the decade-long gap thanks to BioShock 2's hoard of audio logs, which supplement the main story nicely but aren't essential. I was worried that the story would feel contrived, set up in such a way to force Rapture into the plot once again. Yet everything makes sense considering the events of the first game, and is conveyed in such a way that I still felt invested in the characters involved.

I appreciate the smart improvements upon the first BioShock's shortcomings, but I'm still a little confused as to why the developers decided the game needed a multiplayer component. BioShock 2's improved combat mechanics lend themselves to player-versus-player combat, and while I had plenty of fun while playing this mode, I don't think it was necessary. While BioShock 2's multiplayer has all the modern trappings of an addictive online shooter -- complete with level-based perks and a host of unlockables -- I can't see people buying it for this reason, or trying it for more than a few games before heading back to their multiplayer shooter of choice. I hope I'm wrong about this for the sake of those interested in BioShock 2's multiplayer, but with so many other great online-centric shooters to choose from, I don't feel like BioShock 2 is unique enough to garner a strong community.

In short, you really should at least rent the game and give it a go, especially if you loved the first, but playing the first is not absolutely necessary. The game has a similar feel than the first, but all the minor tweaks make it even more special.