Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Bioshock 2 Review


I finally got my review out for Bioshock 2. With a lot of hype and high expectations, did the game deliver?

Yes, yes it did. Gameplay feels great and well thought out. You really get a sense of being the hulking metal behemoth Big Daddy(that's him on the cover ^^). Enemies are suitably more powerful compared to the first game to match your own increased strength. The much touted 'Big Sister' throws in a new dimension to the game and gives you something to fear. You can take her down with proper tactics but hearing that piercing scream and seeing a darting shape around corners will be sure to make you approach each corner with care. You also get to play with new weapons, plasmids and equipment.

Big Sister

The environment is as great as the first game but now lacks the air of mystery. You will approach Rapture with a sense of familiarity this time round. The addition of serene underwater environments allow you to admire the artwork and take a breather. However, you cannot backtrack to previous areas this time.

Rapture Underwater

In terms of story and characters, Bioshock 2 just fails to match the original. The twists and turns of the story fail to compare to the first game's "would you kindly" reveal. It still has multiple endings though, which are now based on more than just your interactions with the Little Sisters. Sophia Lamb does a pretty good job of taking over as the main antagonist and she has a stunning introduction in the opening cutscene that makes you WANT to get rid of her.

The multiplayer element is quite entertaining and features some wacky fun not found in other multiplayer shooters. It features a Call Of Duty-ish set up which is easily understandable. It won't be at the top of charts but delivers great fun and variety. An interesting thing to note is that the multiplayer also has a bit of story line and character development that makes it unique.

In conclusion, Bioshock 2 is an excellent game and is well worth your time and money. Must have for shooter fans.

Critic review from IGN below.

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