BioShock 2

BioShock 2 for PC, X360 and PS3 is an extensive first-person action game featuring elements of different genres. It is a sequel to the bestselling BioShock released in 2007, Several years after the events shown in the original game, the player visits the underwater city of Rapture again. The mysterious metropolis was supposed to become a utopian paradise for scientists tired of limitations brought by fear or morality. The original game gave an insight into what Rapture actually did turn into. This time, the player takes on the role of the first Big Daddy prototype in order to face Rapture's new leader.

Mechanics

Assuming the role of a powerful Big Daddy, the player gains access to all the specific skills he has. The player's basic weapons are a huge drill and a rivet gun - a powerful pneumatic cannon. The player makes use of different tonics and plasmids, which appeared first in the original game. These improve certain parameters describing the protagonist and offering new, incredible abilities, allowing the player to set the enemy on fire for example. Different mutations of this kind can be upgraded, increasing their effectiveness. In contrast to the original game, the player is allowed to use plasmids and firearms simultaneously, which constitutes a significant change. A flashlight attached to the protagonist's helm is a useful addition, for it activates automatically several times during the playthrough.

In BioShock 2 for PC, X360 and PS3, the player encounters different types of enemies that made their presence first in the original game, including the mutated inhabitants of Rapture. An important role is played by somewhat frightening Little Sisters again - each of them is accompanied by a different Daddy, Having defeated one of these powerful guards, the player can either sacrifice the girl to obtain the substance known as ADAM or adopt her. In the latter case, the Little Sister continues the search for the valuable material by the player's side, whose task is also to protect her. From time to time, the player faces a new enemy type - the so-called Big Sister, who is incredibly agile and capable in combat. She appears each time the player has dealt with all the Litte Sisters in a given level.

BioShock 2 for PC, X360 and PS3 borrows certain mechanics from the original game. Again, the player stumbles on audio recordings acquainting them with different aspects of the plot and stories of Rapture's inhabitants. Vita-Chambers resurrecting the protagonist after death are of high importance here as well. The game features many additional options serving the purpose of gameplay modifiers, thus the player is free to adjust the experience to their liking. To illustrate, the player can hack and repair gun-towers and bots in order to use them to their advantage, as well as combine traps with plasmids in order to create even more powerful tools.

The second installment in the BioShock series extends the city of Rapture significantly, adding several new locations as well. Among these, Fontaine Futuristics is present for instance. It is a research lab where ADAM is processed. Apart from that, the player is given an opportunity to take a walk on the bottom of the ocean, when travelling to subsequent buildings and chambers. Both in terms of the visuals and city architecture, BioShock 2 is an impressive game. A great single-player campaign is complemented here by an extensive multiplayer.

Last updated on 19 January 2010