In 2008, you were introduced the underwater world of Rapture in Bioshock. As you travel from city to city in this once aquatic utopia, you defended yourself against ADAM hungry splicers and Big Daddies. Fast forward, two years later, and you’re back (in a sense) with a new kick ass suit and different breed of enemies. But after two hours of play, your virtual character isn’t the only one stricken with déjà vu.
The Bioshock franchise was the breath of fresh air for publisher 2K Games. After years of lackluster RPGs, Bioshock’s first person shooter was exactly what the doctor ordered. Competing with Activision’s Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Bioshock ads some pizzazz by not only adding a well stock arsenal, but the icing on top of ADAM fuel powers ranging from electricity to the ability to summon a swarm of killer bees. In Bioshock 2, the bees are still present, but instead of the originals protagonist Jack, you are now Subject Delta, one of Rapture’s first Big Daddies. After a run in with Sofia Lamb, the city’s new head honcho, you are left for dead. Your goal is ultimately defeat the evil of Rapture, while trying to save the helpful, Eleanor.
The great thing about Bioshock 2 is that it lets you embody that of a Big Daddy. You move from level to level, wielding the large drill you once feared. That plus slew of other weapons that would make most armies cry. As a Big Daddy, you have the option of adopting little sister as your own (once you defeat their original overseer of course). After the adoption, she sits perched on your shoulder until she finds a ‘little angel†that is worth draining. This, however, alarms the still living splicers and well, it’s not going to be as easy as it sounds. Controlling the Big Daddy is not much more difficult than Jack (from Bioshock), but the fishbowl helmet you wear can cause some visual obstruction. Also, there is no such thing as lock-on shooting in this universe, so try to keep a steady hand.
The new addition to the Bioshock family is the Big Sister. She’s you on ‘roids. The Big Sister comes out of nowhere once you’ve basically used the Little Sisters to their last stick of ADAM. She can leap up walls, and then climb that very same wall, while simultaneously causing a tidal wave.
All over a little ADAM. Geez.
With that said the graphics are amazing. Running under water while fish scurry past, you duck and dodge to make it to the next terminal where you are greeted (again) by facial disfigured splicers that are out for ADAM (and lots of it). The design satisfies the idea that ADAM has destroyed Rapture and those that inhabits, both physically and emotionally.
Even though the Big Sister is a royal pain in the ass, it is the only perk to the games general storyline. It is really the only thing that sets Bioshock 2 apart from the original. The levels are just about the same and so are the missions, the names of the train stops are just different. Also, Bioshock kept you on your toes. The ever twisting plot let you know that you couldn’t trust anyone and you would play it for hours, upon hours ignoring basic hygiene. Bioshock 2 you can stop playing and ignore for about three months.
Yes, this is a day of online multiplayer and last kill standing shootouts, but every so often, gamers want to play a story out. Bioshock 2’s game play while it is average lacks fluidity in its game play. A good story at that. Stories like MGS, Kingdom Hearts and Zelda that gave you a goal, and said “GO!†You feel more involved within the game that way, leaving you with an experience and a feeling that leaves you wanting more. After you learn the basic controls and understand exactly what is being asked of you in Bioshock 2, all you really want to do is take it out of the tray and replace it with its precede.
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