Bioshock 2 it looked great and interesting but it fell horrifically short in everything I was expecting. The Big Sisters arint that threatening or scary the deep sea exploration? No such thing its a linear game 100% of the time. And the graphics are a horrific steaming pile of doodoo and crayon stains horrific infact I dont believe I see a difference between Bioshock 1 and 2. Shooting is much harder because humanoids have a hitbox to the head the size of a pin needle however once you reach end game getting headshot on the 'harder' enemies is nearly impossible not to do since they have massive big daddy heads and die in one shot. The storyline doesnt add up by the slightest it keeps saying that the events in rapture where happening all the time during Atlas's rebellion yet in Bioshock 1 there was no such thing so how does Andrew Ryan fit into any of it and how does the now have anything to do with the before. The game despite being a SEQUEL comes off as a prequel with nothing really clicking to each other to make sense. As for the multi player cool fun interesting untill it dies out because it suffers all the problems of the single player fps poor hitboxes god awful graphics and no real way to aim accurately not to mention how many people already cheated the system after the first day it came out.… Expand

The only redeeming aspect of BioShock 2 is the core gameplay has immensely improved over the original BioShock 2. However, everything stops there. The story is forgettable, the graphics are only marginally better than the first with VERY frequent framerate issues plaguing the PS3. Also, during solo and multiplayer gameplay the screen will tear on the edges, which is a very bad no-no in these days! There were NO bosses (the Big Sisters do not count, and neither does getting bum rushed by 20 splicers), no plot twists, and what the hell happened to Tennenbaum?! She's in the story for five minutes and then gets dropped for the rest of the game?? BAD storytelling!! Even the ending was predictable. I in fact waited 3 hours with 30+ people to pick up my copy on Monday night, only to return in about an hour ago for credit towards Heavy Rain and Final Fantasy XIII. If you love shooters like Borderlands or MW2, then you'll love BioShock 2. If you loved the original, then you're in for a major letdown. I don't think I've had such a short turn around from purchasing a game to trading it in. Sorry, but Irrational Games should have developed this.… Expand

I bought this game right after lunch and was able to return it right before dinner. About 5 hours is all thats in this game, I took my time I walked around and I listened to all the little tapes. I had my fun and marveled at the world I was being show. There was just so much LESS of it all. Not many people spoke about bioshock for its amazing shooter gamechanging and that fact remains. Its all about the perfect story telling. This game is worth a rent to see it and play it I wouldnt dare call it a bad game in any respect. Multilayer is all shooter and frankly there are simply BETTER shooters out there. So thats all. Good game I wish there was more of it.… Expand

Everything about the original is has been improved (even the story). now it did feel pretty familiar, but in way that made me love it more because the Bioshock formula is far from running dry. the multiplayer is pretty sweet too. i dont care what people are saying about Mass Effect 2, this is the game of the year so far, but of course there's a long road ahead, and with games like final fantasy 13, god of war 3, and gran turismo 5 just around the corner, who knows what will be game of the year.… Expand

Well, I have only played a few hours obviously but did want to give this game a rush review which is premature of course because I didn’t finish the game yet. Why am I doing this? Basically because the review scores on this game are so high I feel this version is getting severely overrated and may mislead people into rushing out to buy it. Most of my enjoyment of the original game was obtained because of the tremendous atmosphere created – the phantom moaning and whale like noises of the big daddies groaning and the vocalness of the splicers giving warning constantly where they are within a gorgeous cinematic world. I wasn’t so impressed with the actual game play of the original, it was just ok in my opinion but the impression of the living world easily forgave what I thought was just ok gameplay itself. I was hoping for better in the sequel and also looked forward to an online component. After opening Bioshock 2, the cinematic world is very consistent to the original, however that mystical feeling and atmosphere is totally missing in this game and really makes the game just average. The world seems very very hollow and unsatisfying without the ambience that was within the first game. The game play does seems improved, being able to duel wield is fun but without the ambience to go with it, this for me is just another normal game, nothing special. As for the online component, I really do love the mix of splicers and characters from the Bioshock world competing vs each other, that is cool, but I find all the arenas very cramped and tiny and the game play there is disappointing. It resembles a lot of other online modes in other games which are fun at first but quickly wear out as being fun. I think for the money it is more wise to pay less for the original Bioshock if you have not played either. This version is good though, just beware that in my opinion the two versions are roughly equivalent, each has their own strengths and faults but the prices are drastically different.… Expand

Let me state this off the bat. This game is not nearly as good as the first one. Partly because the magic and wonder is not here any longer, part because of its uninspired corridors, part of the lack of belief that you are a big daddy (yeah a big daddy whos ass can be wooped by 2 splicers with a wrench) and lastly partly because the games world is not meant to be experienced with a trigger finger. Despite these problem however this game is awesome. It has a great story, great set pieces and solid action mechanics. To call it Bioshock 2 however is missleading. This game could easily be Bioshock extended or 1.5 or whatever or even a lengthy episode on top of the first one. Its still worth a look but i suggest you rent before you buy.… Expand

I just picked it up and havn't beaten it yet but i can tell you that this game is about the best sequel you can hope to get from a company that has to follow an epic game like bioshock. Im just voting now because i cant believe these critics are docking this game the score it deserves because the story isnt as solid. hmm, this reminds me of another sequel that got really high scores even though it had almost no noticeable differences at all from the first...hmm what was that game called? oh yeah modern warfare 2. it gets a 94, a 94...and the game is hardly different from the first...wow. for those of you who actually judge games because of what the critics say..um DONT listen to them on this one. playing this game is most fun i've had in a long time and all i can say is fuck the critics, pick this one up every gamer should.… Expand

This is game is phenomenal. The story is tol with such an elegance which is extremelly rare for a game. The visuals are stunning and the way the story and action are fused together is sublime. Top this with the outstanding multiplayer and you've got yourself a perfect game. If you enjoyed the first one as much as I did then question as to whether or not you should regiot rapture is a pretty easy one to make.… Expand

Feels like a rehash or cash-in but at the same time feels great because being like the original which was so great is a good thing. It's a "damn if you do, damn if you don't" sort of game. If you liked the original, this is the definition of fan service: more of the same, although with some improvements. If you didn't like the original, just move on. But be warned if you played the original: Although the game looks sharper & more vividly colored than the original, the texture resolution has been toned back greatly making the game look sharp & low res at the same time which is strange & disappointing. The 360's small storage format most likely to blame for another PS3 multiplat being held back. I guess PS3 owners should be used to this by now even though we have Uncharted 2 sitting right beside this game proving what it could have looked like if designed on the superior console to begin with. What a shame.… Expand

Bioshock 2 is one of my favourite 2010 games so far, (even though its still early in 2010). Bioshock 1 was considered a masterpiece. Bioshock 2 may be lacking in certain departments, but it has improved in others that needed it. For one, the gameplay: it has been improved with many new features such as the dual-wield. And fighting as Subject Delta is much more fun than fighting as Jack from Bioshock 1. I like the story a lot more this time around. There's much more emotion and darkness put into it, although I will admit that Rapture feels more of the same. In some ways, thats a good thing, but still Bioshock 2 feels like it didn't change Rapture at all. And the fact that the graphics have not improved does not help this, at all. I will admit that there is a lot more lighting this time around and it makes the game look really nice. A nice, long single-player mode like the 1st game and a new multiplayer mode which isn't just a "small" addition to the franchise. It's a fun multiplayer mode and it will drain a few hours out of you. It's not nearly as good or Call of Duty's multiplayer, Halo s multiplayer or Uncharted 2's multiplayer, but its better than average. I believe that fans of Bioshock 1 will love Bioshock 2, but will naturally look for things to complain about. If you thought the first one was "just good" because the gameplay was awkward, then give this installment a look, because you might like it more.… Expand

Bioshock 2 may not be as grand of an experience like the outstanding original but it does everything a sequel should do and it is still the best game ever in terms of narrative richness.

Multiplayer has stolen the show for me. Interesting backstory and characters, fun (upgradable) weaponry, beautiful and nostalgic environments, and measured level progression all make this one shine; but the best thing may be the lack of weapon or plasmid spamming (overuse by everyone). My biggest qualm is, when will i ever get around to the true story?

Thank god for the return of the 'thinking man/woman's shooter'! Not only has 2K Marin returned to a fantastic and gripping narrative, the gameplay, combat, environments and voice acting will draw you in and keep you thinking about rapture when you're not playing it. Don't even think about it, go out and buy Bioshock 2 right now. It's a perfect example as to why we play video games.… Expand

I am back to Rapture! This game is a blast and although it starts out kind of slow, the pace picks up not long afterwards. I feel more powerful and more ready to face "...them Big Daddies..." now that my one-two punch system is more efficient and time-saving (thus, life-saving). I have been saving my lil sisters so far and i'll kill 'em all later on my second playthrough...lol...but it doesn't matter to Big Sister as she is really angry! Multiplayer is crazy fun but takes time to apply Bioshock's somewhat clunky/clumsy control...Honestly, this is the only plus-factor to this installment as to me, the first Bioshock is better story-wise with both being beautiful graphically and are engaging. graphics: 10 sound: 10 gameplay/controls: 8 story: 8 (Bioshock 1 is better story-wise) length: 9 (lots of things to explore...and splice!) A.I.: 9.5 (they're fast and ain't so dumb...I tell you) Over-all: 9/10... "...daddy, it's dancing!..." says the lil sister...I say, 2K, go on and dance you victory dance!… Expand

I was fairly disappointed in Bioshock 2. Sure it was a fun FPS but in an aged sort of way. Kind of like how I loved Power Rangers as a kid but when I watch the new ones I can't remember why I loved it. The story was a bit lacking for me, you're just a good guy in another city full of bad guys and although the new weapons and plasmids were fun they couldn't make up for the repetition of this game. I just hope that if there's a third installment the guys a 2k man-up and try something new. "crossing fingers".… Expand

i thought the first bio shock was a ok game so didnt have any hype or great expectations for the second and waited for it to come down in price and got it for $10 on amazon, much like the first it is just ok but the first one is alittle bit better. the story mode has you playin as a big daddy out to find his little sister who was taken from him . the story isnt as good as the first bioshocks with no real suprises in store and no real boss fights. you pretty much have all the same guns as you had in the first game plus the rivet gun and a drill arm . you also have 2 new enimys theese giant brute looking things and the big sisters. the game doesnt feel like any thing fresh and the story doesnt do much . the online is a mixed bag . the servers are complete crap after 9 months you would think they would be more stable you will get kicked out of games alot and i do mean alot . ive gone from level 1-40 in the online and you can go to 50 if you get the DLC that lets you for $4.99 . i passed on it . the game can be fun online provided you are playing with people that are around your level . lvl 40s and higher will just own you at lower levels as they have so many cheap and i do mean UBBER cheap tatctics they can use to just 1 hit kill you causing the game to be very frustrating if you are playing on a team of alot of high lvls and you are just a lower lvl . so the games balance online can be complete crap . the online is also headed on its last leg with people playing it as finding a match online can some times take you 5 min or more some times . all in all bioshock 2 is ok and worth owning if you liked the first one just dont expect a vast improvement to any thing.… Expand

Fairly good game. However it just doesn't seem to have any appeal to me after a few missions. The impression that you are this massive "Big Daddy" seems unreal, because you can be easily taken out by a relatively weak splicer with ease. Haven't even bothered with multi-player. I'll eventually get round to playing it again, but I guarantee that'll be a long time waiting. Have no idea why people are claiming this will be game of the year, no chance. However, I would recommend renting/ lending it before you buy. It's not a bad game by a long shot, but there are better games with more appeal out there.… Expand

As long as you don't overhype this game you will find a pretty good shooter in Bioshock 2. I can't say it was as good as the first but it was still worth playing through and I am even motivated to get the DLC which says a lot of the game.

The first Bioshock was the pinnacle of great story, gameplay, and visuals. To say i was excited for the squeal would be an understatement. Sadly, i wasn't as impressed by this one as it's older counterpart. The game gets one thing right, improving the gameplay to where its easy to grasp what it is you need to do. Playing as a Big Daddy in the concept is really exciting, to play as a being that has killed you countless times in the last game would make any person jump for the chance, but they decided to downgrade the experience to a human level, and at times i actually said 'i don't feel like a Big Daddy'. The story behind why you are so weak is that your little sister has been away from you for 10 years, so your body is decaying. It's understandable as to why the developers decided not to make you this power-filled behemoth, but i still would have liked to be one from the beginning. The gameplay itself is some-what improved from the last, they have added some new weapons, such as the drill being your first weapon, to liven things up a bit. Sadly, some of them arn't very fun at all. The hack gun, which is used to hack turrets and camera from a distance, sometimes dont work and they must be hacked in real time, meaning that in the other game you could brave being bombarded by bullets and then hack it, you have to stand there and take the rain of pain in able to hack. The visuals havn't changed, but in the case of this game that is ok, it's unique and memorable. The main thing i noticed is that the beginning of the game feels like a 'you have to do this to go on'. You are on a train in the beginning and you have two stops, each of which require you to go get something to move on. These moment, while they were technically in the last game, never felt like this. The newest edition of this is the multiplayer, which it is quite good. You are a member of a new organization in Rapture that is testing new plasmids. While the story behind it is strait forward, the concept of it is quite good. You level up to get new plasmids, cloths, and guns. The only problem with it is that it takes forever to level up. In an over all gaming experience, this game is pretty good. The problem it never got the appreciation is deserved is because it was a game squeal to one of the best games of all time. Now, it should be noted that the parent company of the first, Irrational Games, did not work on the squeal. This lack of the parent company behind the project does alarm some, but to be brunt this is a good game… Expand

Honestly Bioshock 2 was a slight failure but there is nothing wrong with it at all. The graphics are almost the same but there is nothing at all wrong with that, it didn't need a revamp. The combat is impressive and fun and the new enemies feel fresh. The story is not as complex as the original but Sofia Lamb is a fitting replacement of Andrew Ryan. 8/10

extremely similar to the first one except you are the big daddy, graphics are pretty much the same, the original was better in my opinion, however it was still worth while game play

I was one of those who thought that the original bioshock was indeed a great game, but not a classic. It had many issues and for me it wasn't memorable. However, I dont question the game's brilliance. As a first person shooter Bioshock is as good as it can get( along with Half Life 2). So Bioshock 2 comes up and I happen to like it just as much as the first. Admitedly it doesn't feel fresh or unique as the first but it still has many of the things that made the original so awsome. I loved the fact that you play as a prototype big daddy and the story shows life in rapture from a big daddy's point of view. The gameplay has improved. There are more gene tonics, more plasmids, new weapons( the drill being the best of them all) and generally a refined experience. I actually though the story was just as good as the first's. The plot unfolds in a very subtle way and isn't a copycat to the first Bioshock's, as you would expect. The graphics are, more or less, the same but the sound is really fantastic. The sound effects really pulls you deeper into the game, I constantly had shivers thanks to the epic/scary music the game throws at you at certain times. So, to sum it all up, Bioshock 2 is brilliant. Anyone who thought Bioshock was one of the best games of all time would be dissapointed with this game. If you are like me and you really liked the first game, mainly the gameplay over the story, then Bioshock 2 will definatly be great for you. Nowadays it's dirt cheap( I bought it for 5 pounds) and I can tell it's worth much more then that. Fantastic game.… Expand

I appreciate the game makers' attempt to inject life into the same world, but I feel like the magic of the first game is just being recycled. In its own right, this is an enjoyable and thrilling game, but I'd stick with the original. 74%.

I wish I could say I enjoyed this game, but it felt too similar to the first Bioshock which really detracted from the experience. However, it's not a horrible game for it has redeeming qualities, such as the gameplay itself where you can wield both plasmids and a weapon at the same time. Also the multiplayer wasn't too shabby and I actually enjoyed it. Overall, its okay, but those expecting to have their minds blown like the first will be a bit disappointed.… Expand

I'm glad I scored Bioshock 2 so well on my scale. Sounds like a weird thing to say, but I remember being really disappointed upon reading the initial reviews of Bioshock 2. Many reviewers couldn’t seem to get the idea out of their heads that just because it wasn’t as good as the original that it deserved a much lower score. I thought that was stupid. Because even if it wasn’t as good, it was still a great game according to the reviewers themselves. But now that I have written this review, I guess I see what their problem was… you can only write "not as good as the original" or "just like the original" so many different ways, which can actually be detrimental without trying to be. The fact of the matter is that it’s trying to live up to impossible expectations. But don’t mistake me (or other reviewers) on this; Bioshock 2 is great game in it’s own right, and a worthy sequel. I mean, come on! It’s Bioshock 2! Hello?!? It’s freakin' Rapture for God’s sake! It’s awesome! Want to read my full review? Go to http://thereplayreview.blogspot.com!… Expand

A thrilling and entertaining game. Good graphics, a great amount of possibilities and... well, that's it. The storyline is too simple, it doesn't trap you at all (is the only bad point compared with it's predecessor). But, which is the principal objective of a game? To entertain the player. In my case, Bioshock 2 did it.

The whole game is decent, but nothing more than that. Not as interesting to play as the first, offers nothing we are significantly better off with having. skip or rent (or pirate)

I played this game with the friend on his xbox. It looked great and i bought it for ps3 but wasn't very interesting. It is very boring. When i played it at first it was exciting. But soon i understood that itis very line game. It is not bad. It is not good 5.0

Though this game is not as good as the first story and graphics wise it is still a great game. The story though not as interesting is easier to understand due to it's simplicity. For some reason the graphics have received a downgrade, I know it was developed by a different team but still you'd think they would improve on it. Bioshock 2 does fix up the little gameplay problems that were in the first one. Multiplayer is quite enjoyable with a CoD style level up system though there aren't that many people playing it.… Expand

Great game very impressed, should be made into a movie the story writing is very amusing, the sounds are incredible and not to mention over-the-top shooting and combination with plasmids. (+10) FREEZING ISSUES 6hrs in to it, froze had to restart (-10)

Loved the first game and this is a good sequel but suffers from sequel status too. Enough fresh ideas to keep things interesting, plenty of plasmid/weapon combos and fantastic nostalgic settings. Story was confusing and had to research online afterwards to find out what the hell it was about :-) Worth playing if you liked the first but missing that extra special 'wow' factor. Solid.

Of all the sequels in the industry, this was the most unnecessary one we needed and it isn't even that good. The plot is an absolute mess that creates nothing but screw up the entire backstory that was given to us in Bioshock 1 along with a dull villain who really isn't that threatening. The game has became insanely easy with nothing even being remotely challenging, the bosses have no personality except for 'thing that wants to kill you', they didn't even bother to improve on the moral choices. The only improvement this game has is the new hacking mini game. The multiplayer is poorly designed, unbalanced, tacked on and forgettable. All the sparkle, atmosphere, charm and livelihood of the first game has been sucked out which is a real shame. I hope this teaches developers a lesson: Some games are only one-hit wonders and unless Infinite proves that wrong, Bioshock is a franchise that has no future.… Expand

BioShock 2 is a great shooting game i only paid £5 so i didn't pay much i like the horror part of the game mix with the powers you get i give it 7/10

Gameplay is excellent, as it was in the first one. Very fun game to play with tons of new weapons and areas of rapture to explore. Graphics are slightly dated at this point but still good. Sound effects are prestine and overall presentation is great. Have to admit that I was a huge fan of the first which had an amazing plot. The plot of this game is not well written, compared with its predecessor. There are no twists or turns in the plot. No backtracking to previous areas should have been implemented into this game as it was in the first. Multiplayer is fun but unnecessary deterrent from the main game, which is excellent overall.… Expand

Bioshock is awesome. Bioshock 2 is a sequel to an awesome game. Where else can you go from the top except downward. The graphics in this game are great and really capture the look and feel of Rapture as it slowly falls apart. The gameplay is greatly impoved and makes the game more fun to play. having plasmids and guns out at the same time is exactly what this game needed, and the weapons have never been more fun to play with. Trap rivets, mini turrets, and an auto-hack gun are great for strategically overpower enemies and protect your little sisters from harm. But as the narrative plays out, I couldn't help but get this feeling that I'm playing a typical "shinny sequel." The story and environments are good but not as good as the original. The original had a sense of mystery about it that this game doesn't. The original bioshock was almost scary with its mystery, but this game isn't. Andrew Ryan is one of the best video game villians I've ever seen, but Lamb just comes across as a good villian. This game impoves on a lot as far as gameplay is conserned but lacks the same punch the first had. I hate holding games at certain expectations, but I feel there is no other way to describe this games faults without doing so. The game is good, but it shies just short of greatness.… Expand