710°
9.1

IGN: Bioshock 2 Review

IGN.com writes: It's going to be a familiar experience for anyone that played the original, but BioShock 2's improvements to gameplay and its more focused storyline make for a game that's more playable and easier to digest. Some of the sense of awe and mystery is lost in transition, but the strength of the setting and more interesting implementation of moral choice make for an experience that's more consistent and rewarding. Anyone looking for a first-person shooter that offers more than flat, stereotypical characters and copy-and-paste supersoldier plots, one that attempts to establish a sense of right and wrong and loops you into the decision making process, and one that's set in one of the most vividly realized settings around should pick up BioShock 2. It's a game in which story, setting, and gameplay are expertly blended to create an experience that's as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

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xbox360.ign.com
solar5185d ago

cant wait. thank you Valve, Steam, and 2K for the 4-pack special. brand new shiny copy of BioShock 2 for $34. :D

StanLee5185d ago (Edited 5185d ago )

Does anyone really believe this game will be poorly reviewed? The story doesn't have the same depth as the first, the protagonist isn't as interesting or involved, the world seems less engaging and you can expect gameplay to be more of the same with a tacked on, ill-conceived multiplayer. Does it deserve the 9s and 10s it will surely receive? No.

LordMarius5185d ago

This is the 1st time I agree with you StanLee

Unicron5185d ago

I too dislike the "need" to tack on more useless multiplayer into everything.

LordMarius5185d ago

I actually think the multiplayer is good, but a co-op type of gameplay would have been better

StanLee5185d ago (Edited 5185d ago )

I'm playing the game right now and it obviously wont have the impact of the first but it also doesn't have the charm or character. Everything feels generic; more like set pieces rather than your actions being organic. It feels more like gimmicks rather than solid gameplay mechanics. Had I made a sequel, this is not the direction I would have chosen and I really don't think Ken Levine intended there to be a sequel when he crafted the first game's story. If you enjoyed the first, you'll enjoy this game but I'll be less likely to play this game a second time while I've finished the first probably a half dozen times. To be honest the game feels like the final 3rd of Bioshock where the game seems to almost wear out its welcome and it's more tedious and irrational and almost unnecessary.

Edit @ BeaArthur

Oh you mean like the countless fanboys who enter every Halo thread to say what that game does or doesn't deserve?!

BeaArthur5185d ago

StanLee....again with the "it deserves this or doesn't deserve that" comments. Maybe you don't think it's all that great, I'm sure plenty of other people will enjoy it.

Cold 20005185d ago

Yeah kind of agree with you, I wont be getting Bioshock 2 right away simply because it doesnt have me excited like the first one was.

I'll give it a try but not right now that's for sure. Got my hands full already with ME2, Heavy Rain in 2 weeks and FF13 in March.

SnuggleBandit5185d ago

In my opinion, the first was reviewed so well cause it was an exclusive (at the time). I could never really get into the game for some reason, i just found it kind of lackluster

Eamon5185d ago

Great review.

Will be definately playing this game as soon as it's out.

I absolutely loved the first one.

OpenGL5185d ago (Edited 5185d ago )

Isn't it interesting that film sequels typically get hammered for being unoriginal, but the same rule does not apply to games? The game reviewing industry for the most part is very immature. Scores are based on the popularity of the franchise, not just the quality of the game. I don't wish to imply that good games get rated poorly or that highly rated games are actually bad, but that good games typically receive inflated scores based on the hype surrounding said product.

SullyDrake5185d ago

I can't wait to enter the creepy halls of Rapture again and explore the ocean around it as a Big Daddy. =)

StanLee5185d ago

@ OpenGL

Couldn't agree with you more.

frankymv5185d ago

I am on the fence with this game

Killjoy30005185d ago

Heavy Rain isn't on Xbox 360. It's a PS3 exclusive.

LukaX235185d ago (Edited 5185d ago )

The review was originally linked to the PS3 section of IGN? Over here: http://ps3.ign.com/articles...

Now it's on the 360 section? What gives? A moderator changed it? Does it matter?

Edit: Oops, my mistake. That was on IGN UK's review: http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News...

Danteh5185d ago

I loved the first one so this is win for me

HammockGames5185d ago

Loved the first one. If Bioshock 2 is near the same quality or better then I think we'll all get our money's worth.

My biggest problem is the following equation:

too many great games released in a short time = not enough time (or money)!

Darkstorn5185d ago

I'm pumped for this game. The first one was absolutely riveting and brilliant, and it looks like Bioshock 2 continues the legacy well.

MGSR THE HD VERSION5185d ago

oh look it lost .6 points from the original title, it's been gimped it should have at least gotten a 9.8.

I blame ps3 for this, it should be taking advantage of 360's power. the first game ran at 60 fps with (frame lock off) now it's permanently locked at 30. this game could have been so much better.

Bungie5185d ago

hell yeah ,another AAA game for 2010

great year for gamers, Bioshock 2 is definitely on my must buy list

champ215185d ago

pre purchased 4pack with steam.. 33usd for a launch price for this game is insane.

EVILDEAD3605185d ago

LMAO @ IGN giving the game an 'OUTSTANDING' review of 9.1 and the haters are acting like it got the Dante Inferno & M.A.G. treatment..

The worst part is you got people who are playing the game early and trying to spoil it for others.

I preordered the game and really look forward to Tuesday. But, Ive said this before.the delay into 2010 really hurt the anticipation level for this game.

Plus it's hard to top such an amazingly unique experience as you had in the first game. I hated how the first's ending was so complete, because we all know that if we could have returned as the original character against a stronger foe it would have made for an enticing plotline.

I love how people are hating on the attempt at MP when no one cared that Uncharted used it to provide more value as well. It's hard to strike the same magic in all sequels..and this is especially true with a game like Bioshock where you are limited to returning to the exact same location.

But, I absolutely loved the dark atmosphere of Rapture. It was almost like playing a super smart survival horror movie set in the 50s.I look forward to returning..it's just my excitement level is nowhere near what it should be of a game of this caliber.

Guess we'll all find out Tuesday (unless your a hater clearly attempting to persuade people not to buy the game)

Evil

Cenobia5185d ago

Your comment makes me feel like you were brainwashed. You keep repeating hater over and over while calling the game a masterpiece despite the fact that you haven't played it yet.

I don't think those people's opinions are invalid. I personally didn't like the first Bioshock that much because it was way over-hyped. The shooting mechanics weren't that great in the first one (which I'm fairly certain was a design choice to make your powers mandatory) so I can see why no one understands the multiplayer. I don't know why you brought up Uncharted. It's a third person shooter, so while some people were hesitant about the MP detracting from SP, it has never been a question of why it was added.

I really didn't like the resource hoarding from Bioshock 1. If they at least let your powers regenerate over time I think I would have enjoyed it more. That and the stupid 3 second CG alternate ending kind of pissed me off.

el zorro5185d ago

Bioshock is one of my favorite games, so if Bioshock 2 is even half as good I will still get lots of enjoyment from it. Great score, in any case.

EVILDEAD3605185d ago (Edited 5185d ago )

'Your comment makes me feel like you were brainwashed. You keep repeating hater over and over while calling the game a masterpiece despite the fact that you haven't played it yet.'

And your comment lets me know that you clearly didn't READ my comment and is brainwashed to disagree and distort what I actually wrote

Please show me where I called the sequel a 'Masterpiece'.

I'm speaking in CLEAR english when I talk of when I will play the game and how I felt about the original. I keep it real 100% of the time on this site.

I loved the original and even though I'm buying the sequel I even admit to have a reserved anticipation level for the title.

I could care less if you hated Bioshock because you want to regenerate like Halo. One of the things that made the first stand out was how they handle resources and death. I played through twice and loved every minute of it. The atmoshere..storyline..and twists engrossed made for a great gaming experience. Either way..don't like it don't buy it.

My gripe is people who add spoilers to their comments just because they probably are playing an illegal copy and want to spoil it for others.

I mentioned Uncharted 2 becuase it is another high profile sequel that added MP to add replay value for the consumer. Who cares if it was a third person title of not. Bioshock is a FPS why can't the developer add it's own unique approach to MP and not get slighted for doing it..when other don't.

Bottomline..game got an 'OUTSTANDING' review on IGN and I'm not brainwashed I buy play and decide for myself. I don't troll reviews of game sequels when I hated the original and don't plan on purchasing it. Nor do I resort to spoilers.

Evil

vhero5185d ago

When looking at preview videos I didn't expect this to do as good as the first and seems reviews are following that suit however reviews are meaningless these days actually playing the game will tell me all I need to know. The first game was great though played it on my PC when released and liked it I wouldn't say I loved it but it was definitely a 9/10 for me so I expect this to hist a bit lower like with most sequels outside the final fantasy factor.

Shepherd 2145185d ago

I think IGN is trying to be fair. Based on what ive read, they were less concerned about a "feel" like the first one had (which i may add is near impossible since the first game is the wow factor) and more concerned with the features and gameplay that 2K added. You cant score a game for everyone to read just because you dont think it has the same feel or not, because not everyone will feel the same way.

Since reviews are an opinion anyway, its a reviewers job to look at the facts and score them based on what was added or taken out, and how, in order to appeal to most people and help them decide to buy it. Some people may be absorbed into the atmosphere, while some may be unimpressed.

Its like star wars films. Some people walk out of the theaters wanting to be Jedi they were so into it, while some are walking out thinking it was nothing more than a sci fi movie and they dont think much about it.

+ Show (25) more repliesLast reply 5185d ago
chak_5185d ago

mine is on the way

I'm over skeptical, but who knows =)

5185d ago Replies(1)
BeaArthur5185d ago

Can't wait to pick it up Tuesday.

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320°

Netflix announces Bioshock film in the works

One of the most popular video game franchises of all time is set to receive a Netflix film adaptation, according to an announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

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invenglobal.com
-Foxtrot792d ago

Gee...can't wait to see how many things they change and stray away from, oh don't forget the miscast actors

Neonridr792d ago

I have such high hopes because the first game is so near and dear to me. That being said, I'm sure they will mess it up. I'm hoping it's adult rated, and violent. I want to see a Big Daddy put that drill to good use :P

camel_toad791d ago (Edited 791d ago )

They're great at butchering stuff but there have also been some gems and surprises.

I never in my life thought I'd like a series based on League of Legends but it was pretty great.

Maybe just maybe they'll do Bioshock justice.

cheetah791d ago

Priority checklist
- Pander to POC
- Pander to woman
- Pander to LGBTQ
- Story

In that order

Silly Mammo790d ago

Damn! It sure sucks when white men aren't the sole focus of everything! Why can't these fringe groups be kept on the fringes like the good ole days?!? /s

senorfartcushion790d ago (Edited 790d ago )

Virgin detector

*****SCREEEECH*****

Vx_790d ago

Remove the story and I totally agree with the list

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senorfartcushion790d ago

You can cast who you want as a director. Don’t be sulky.

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Knightofelemia792d ago

Netflix did well with Dare Devil and the Punisher and I hear the Witcher is pretty good I know when I had Netflix at the time Stranger Things was also good. But Bioshock I love the franchise Bioshock Infinite is my favorite game I would pay the $21 Canadian just to check out Bioshock. Normally I would never renew my Netflix after they did their price hike but Bioshock would be worth it.

LoveSpuds791d ago

When firing on all cinders, Netflix do produce some brilliant stuff so I am not feeling pessimistic at all here. If Netflix deliver to their potential then this could be incredible given the quality of the source material. Personally, I am quite excited.

EvertonFC791d ago

Agreed, Netflix originals etc are fantastic in general, it's rare I don't like something they do.
Certainly not feeling negative with Netflix doing bioshock quite the opposite infact.

Ashunderfire86791d ago (Edited 791d ago )

Bu bu bu bu but what about Cowboy Beebop though? That was a little miss opportunity. Just a little nervous that Bioshock could turn to crap 💩 like that show. If they do a Horizon Zero Dawn show, I hope they don’t screw that up as well. I know a few good actresses that could play Aloy like Jon Snow’s girlfriend from Game of Thrones, and his wife in real life. Definitely see Aloy in her.

Livingthedream791d ago

Netflix does a lot of great things, recently finished the first season of Arcane and it was brilliant.

MadLad791d ago

Arkane was so damn good.
I just hope they keep up the quality with later releases.

I'm not even a LoL player.

Livingthedream791d ago

I’m sure they will, I don’t play the games either, I love the fact that I didn’t need to play them to enjoy it.

Michiel1989790d ago

Arcane was insanely good imo, I was hooked almost all the way. Im not sure of this but i think Netflix didnt have much to do with the production of the show? More like they just bought the rights to have it exclusively on there?

Some of their original shows are really good so im quite hopeful this might turn out to be a good show. Lets hope they wont F it up.

Nacho_Z791d ago

Love Bioshock but I'll prepare myself for the likelihood this will be both crap and a pale imitation of the source material. That covers most video game adaptations and Netflix films.

dumahim791d ago

How many have they done? It sounds like Witcher and Castlevania have done well.

Nacho_Z791d ago

I meant Netflix films in general, there are some good ones but most are average at best in my experience. Castlevania is good but I didn't like The Witcher, although it is successful.

Not sure if there are any live action video game film adaptations on Netflix as yet but they don't have a great track record.

dumahim791d ago

@ Nacho
For movies, I think it’s very difficult to cram he narrative from a 10+ hour game into 2 hours. I think that’s why series are much better suited for video game adaptations. Seems we have a bunch coming up, so we’ll see how well it plays out.

Terry_B791d ago

Why are PS2 and Wii and even the PS Vita tagged?

Atom666791d ago

The Vita tag stung a little bit extra.

Atticus_finch791d ago

Starring Tom Holland I'm guessing.

FlavorLav01791d ago

Haha. Now if it was a Sony movie, very likely

Outlawzz791d ago

Lol the Tom Holland craze is real

Terry_B791d ago

Kevin Nash is going to play the..Big Daddy.

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200°

Ranking the BioShock Games From Worst to Best

The best games are able to create a never-before-seen setting and weave a completely engaging story into its DNA. One series beats almost all others out for its environmental storytelling and narrative: BioShock.

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culturedvultures.com
Inverno963d ago

Infinite better than 2? No way

roadkillers963d ago

IMO Infinite is better than 2... The only thing I remember from 2 is playing as a little sister. It felt too much like Bioshock (which wasn't bad). Infinite was the right stepping stone.

Inverno963d ago

Infinite was a huge step back. It played like a generic fps because it was dumbed down to be an fps and it's not at all the gameplay evolution Bioshock needed. It was a mindless shooter where story and it's world building took a backseat to repetitive shooting galleries against dumb AI while making you look for health in trash cans cause they removed mechanics that worked in favor for a more action oriented gameplay.
I think people are remembering Infinite all wrong.
It's story is a mess and it's world isn't as fleshed out as Rapture was in the first Bio.

LucasRuinedChildhood963d ago (Edited 963d ago )

@Inverno

"It was a mindless shooter where story and it's world building took a backseat to repetitive shooting galleries"
Sounds more applicable to Bioshock 2, tbh. B2 has wave-based gameplay where Subject Delta casually goes through large hordes of splicers to protect Little Sisters. C'mon. I still wouldn't call any of the Bioshocks mindless shooters though.

If you want to criticize the lack of the weapon wheel and the replacement of certain mechanics in Infinite in favour of increased mobility (e.g. addition of the sky-hook), fair enough, but the story and world-building of 2 are less memorable, noteworthy and interesting than Infinite by a huge margin. Most people don't even remember much beyond the basic premise of 2 (including any of the characters) because it felt so unnecessary. It's not even close.

"It's story is a mess and it's world isn't as fleshed out as Rapture was in the first Bio." Needing to use Bioshock 1 to criticize Infinite instead of 2 is an admission that 2's story is the weakest.

roadkillers963d ago

@Inverno

I remember it being very imaginative and a breath of fresh air, while still being familiar. The last hour or two was big on shooting.

SegaSaturn669963d ago

Infinite was the most boring and repetitive in terms of gameplay. It lost the suspenseful atmosphere of the first 2

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SonyPS360963d ago (Edited 963d ago )

Am I reading that backwards or are you really shocked that people like infinite more than 2?

Just wanna make sure I have it right because you're literally the first person I've seen say that 2 is better.

Inverno963d ago

I understand 2 is more of the same but I much prefer more of the same than going backwards in terms of gameplay. It wasn't the step in the right direction. But thats just my opinion, I'm not surprised at all. Just to me I much rather the first 2. However what they had planned for Infinite originally sounded very interesting and it sucks we won't ever see it

Concertoine963d ago (Edited 963d ago )

Imo 2 is tied with 1 as my favorite Bioshock. The gameplay is the natural evolution of the first, with more freedom to experiment. The story and locales are more intimate and less grandiose than you would see in a Ken Levine story. I love the atmospheric break of the underwater sections and never understood the hate for them. All 3 games have pacing issues but imo 2’s are less severe. The level design has a lot of ex-Looking Glass alumnis and is generally more open ended.

The endings are more tailored to your moral choices than the other games.

Infinite hedges on a admittedly cool twist that is poorly executed when scrutinized. The gameplay takes a huge step back, it isnt the game that early gameplay and trailers promised. The world is less fleshed out. It was prescient politically and that makes it interesting but otherwise i have no desire to replay it.

Yui_Suzumiya963d ago

2 had better gameplay but 3 had a better story

leahcim963d ago (Edited 963d ago )

Hurts to see the word "worst" related to Bioshock saga.
The 3 games are masterpieces.

ScootaKuH963d ago

Bioshock 2
Bioshock
Bioshock Infinite

That was easy

Rebel_Scum963d ago

oh great. Can’t wait to see the posts of game titles in a ranked order without context as to why.

Show all comments (27)
130°

BioShock 2's director reveals what could have been a different BioShock

In a podcast with Wassup Conversations, Jordan Thomas, director and the writer of BioShock 2 reveals his initial ideas for a new rapture and how they were shut down by 2K.
"My first proposal was about a little sister, it was playing as a little sister and it was much more horror-oriented pace and about vulnerability, closer to Thief frankly, but I was told no, we want it to be our Gears of War, this need to be a big shooter franchise with an emphasis on the shooter element, and so what I think of the protagonist of a shooter as is a big lumbering sort of porthole on a stick with guns sticking out in front like you’re almost a vehicle."

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nikoofarmusic.com
plainview10301484d ago

And he also wanted it to be above the sea or in space. What a wasted opportunity.

Nacho_Z1483d ago

It's surprising the game turned out to be good with this guy at the helm. The combat mechanics were actually the biggest improvement in the sequel as much as he wouldn't want to hear that, everything else was inferior.