690°
8.5

GameSpot: BioShock 2 Review

Rapture may not be as mysterious and intriguing this second time around, but it is nonetheless host to a powerful and moving tale that allows you to better realize--or pervert--Ryan's principles at your own discretion. Regardless of whether or not this is a return visit to paradise lost, there is plenty to be found here to make it a worthwhile, meaningful, and compelling one.

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gamespot.com
-Alpha5180d ago

Good score, but I'm a little surprised because the hype was AAA.

Still, looks like an amazing game. I still have to buy #1

chaosatom5180d ago (Edited 5180d ago )

It's a good score nonetheless.

I think it would be better if they just focused on single player than multiplayer.

The problem with a sequel is that it looks more of the same. I can't really get too excited. Other games like GT5, heavy rain, gow3 just look much more exciting.

But I will eventually rent/buy this when I get time.

blitz06235180d ago

No, the hype wasn't AAA. If you're looking for that, look at FF13. Bioshock 2 didn't have that much hype into it. People just expect it to be a AAA game because of the first game. The first game set the bar too high so people expect the same reception on the 2nd one.

BS2 is still a good game, but people think it isn't that good because of the first one's 95 average.

zagibu5180d ago (Edited 5180d ago )

@chaosatom: "The problem with a sequel is that it looks more of the same...Other games like GT5...GOW3".

TukkerIntensity5180d ago

lol every time you post it is about some game in relation to "AAA"...you need some new material.

SL1M DADDY5180d ago

Something that made Bioshock one so great. Bioshock 2 lacks the input of Ken Levine. He was a crucial team member in the creation of Bioshock and his input made the game feel right. Anybody that knows what happens to a sequel when he is not present knows what I mean. This game will be good but it won't be what it could have been had he stood at the forefront of the development team.

Lifendz5180d ago

especially for a game most said wasn't necessary. I thought the critics would give the game must lower scores than this. Kudos to 2K. I'm actually planning on picking it up now.

mega BIG time5179d ago

it's sad that they just couldnt leave bioshock alone. It couldve reached legendary status. I really hope 2K marin doesnt milk it and destroy the bioshock name.. I just love me new ip's.

bacon135179d ago (Edited 5179d ago )

Lol, I love how people think that getting high 80's and mainly 90's as a score is worthless. Sorry guys and girls, some of your video game standards are out of wack. BS2 looks like its going to be a great gameplay experience, can't wait to pick it up after work. Only question that remains is whether to purchase the PS3 or 360 version. Any thoughts from competent non-fanboys?

Megaton5179d ago

There really wasn't much of any hype, which I've been kinda surprised about. The first game is a classic. You'd think the sequel would be getting more attention than it has been.

OhMyGandhi5179d ago

I'm rather disappointed by this.
Not by the sequel, but my the looks of the game.
I remember seeing some random guy draw up his own inspired artwork for what a sequel could look like,
his idea and my idea were the same: put the game much further in the past, before everything went to hell.
See happy people doing things, and near the end of the game, hint at the city's flaws, obviously creating that sense of irony for the original.

I would of LOVED that idea.
unfortunately, this game looks nearly the same as the last one, which isn't a bad thing at all, but considering the fact the original had so much going for it, not to mention drive, ambition and Ken Levine's sense of vision of how EXACTLY he wanted to present such a unique world.

Something, for me, was lost in the details.

Shepherd 2145179d ago

A game doesnt break 9.0, so according to N4G logic, its not "AAA". Do any of you know what "AAA" really means?

What exactly is "AAA" material? What criteria must a game meet to be considered "AAA"?? Please someone tell me, the past few weeks havent treated me well and i need a good laugh.

xionpunk5179d ago

You know, the term AAA just refers to the priority a publisher places on a title, it has nothing to do with the score it gets from websites.

Anyways, 8.5 is a good score, though I never even played the first game. Maybe I will check it out.

Sevir045179d ago (Edited 5179d ago )

AAA is not a status given to a game because it has a meta score of 90% or higher... LOL!!! contrary to what fanboys would have you believe, AAA is a term used to signifiy the properties BUDGET!, thats right, The Development BUDGET of a product determines if a product, IE: a Movie or a video game or a an electronic device, dictates if that said product is AAA status.

Most Games that have a budget Higher than $10 million like Uncharted, Gran Turismo, Resistance, Grand Theft Auto, Mario, LBP, Devil May Cry, Final Fantasy, HALO, MASS EFFECT, are all AAA Status because of the Money going into it and marketing funds going into it. Not the review score.

It is why You'll always have Movies and games with Super huge budgets tank in critcal acclaim, but are still none the less AAA status. You fankids need to stop throwing the term around so loosely. AAA=$20m+ budget, not 90-100% meta score. How the hell can hype be considered AAA?!

mastershredder5179d ago

Apparently some folks here do not know what a AAA title means or what the qualifiers for a title to be considered one are. Look it up. Any person that finished work on Bioshock 2 will sure as heck list this a AAA delivery in regards to work experience.

maniacmayhem5179d ago (Edited 5179d ago )

Thank you for actually telling people what AAA means.

I face palm myself every time I read a post that states scores make a AAA game.

Edit: @ xionpunk - you too

-Alpha5179d ago

I didn't say Bioshock 2 wasn't AAA, just that it was getting AAA hype and Gamespot gave it 8.5

The game looks great and I'm not saying the game is bad, just that Gamespot giving it an 8.5 is surprising.

DaTruth5179d ago

Somebody please make an article about AAA... And let it not be biased and pretend only one console fanboy says it!

+ Show (14) more repliesLast reply 5179d ago
frankymv5180d ago

Its the Resident Evil 5 of 2010

LordMarius5180d ago

my thoughts exactly
good for a rent I suppose

Elven65180d ago

You guys must have insanely high stands if games hovering near 90 on MetaCritic, N4G, etc are simply disappointing rents.

Doesn't seem to be as good as the original but from the reviews still an amazing experience.

Anorexorcist5180d ago (Edited 5180d ago )

RE5 was a good game. I would even say better than RE4 in certain areas. If you think you could have made a better sequel, pitch the ideas and changes that you would have incorporated and let everyone else decide whether you would have done better or not.

On topic, so far Bioshock 2 has been getting somewhat underwhelming scores. I was expecting nothing but GOTY-calibur reviews just like the original earned.

xabmol5180d ago

RE5 was crap.

My idea for a better sequel?

Less bag headed chainsaw dude, more lake monster. In other words make it a SURVIVAL HORROR GAME!!

BlackAvenger75180d ago (Edited 5180d ago )

And I think the single player will be good, but my only problem:
"The bad: A bit too familiar for fans of its precursor"
that is the same thing I felt when playing AC2.. It was a great game but I felt that I've done everything before! so I think newcomers will like it a bit more...

Sarcasm5180d ago

Nah, RE5 was a disappointment but Bioshock 2 still looks pretty good to me.

solidjun55179d ago

Bioshock 2 looks good. I might be in the minority but I think the first Bioshock was overrated. Extremely overrated. However, I did enjoy it and I thought it was a good game. I'm still going to get part 2 because the great thing about Bioshock 1 was the atmosphere and the story and I love story. So this game is still a buy for me.

BlackTar1875179d ago

RE5 wasnt crap as a stand alone it was utter garage compared to other RE's .

okay i lied RE5 was really only that much fun in coop. if you try to speed run thru that game you actually are saddened by how little content and area there is in the game i mean hell there is like 15x were you run thru a ally with nothing in it just to get to a new load sceen. Complete worthless but fun coop.

dabri55179d ago

They have high standards because their parents will only buy them one or two games a year. Thus they have to wait for that perfect must have game of the year or all their friends will think they are lame.

corneliuscrust5179d ago

They are allowed to think whatever they want about a game.

IMO the shooting and much of the gameplay in Bioshock was bad. The game played out like Clive Barker's Undying back in the day. The STORY was what sold the game. Had tons of potential until just under half way through, then plateaued. The story couldnt save it after that.

I WAS hoping that Bioshock 2 would be what I wanted in the first game. Looks like the gameplay has been tightened up a bit, but the story took a big hit. I do like that you can explore outside Rapture though, there are definitely some good ideas in this game.

Would have LOVED it if (as one poster stated above) they went back before Rapture went to hell and you got to witness things falling apart...woulda been sweeeet

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 5179d ago
KingKionic 5180d ago

Good score .

Im looking forward to playing it today .

kingdavid5180d ago (Edited 5180d ago )

I dunno how anyone couldve thought it was gonna be as good as the 1st bioshock. This is a good score given its context. Couldve been way worse imo.

darkequitus5180d ago

Only an 8.5? /s

Will play mine tomorrow (a brief rest from ME2), As I still got Heavy Rain do deal with on the 23rd

KingKionic 5180d ago

Yeah .

I like the way the combat mechanics work . Dual wielding both the weapon and the plasmids were a great idea .

kingdavid5180d ago

I played it for a good hour just then.

After a slow start, Im starting to like it. Its different to the first but familiar at the same time. No complaints from me.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5180d ago
Michael-Jackson5180d ago (Edited 5180d ago )

This score was predictable, I said to myself 8,5 and there it is because sequels like Tekken 6 and Ratchet got the same score - new story and plays the same with minor improvements.

PS360PCROCKS5180d ago

Lame "more of the same" that's what I wanted!

Show all comments (63)
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
-Foxtrot790d ago

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

Neonridr790d 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_toad789d ago (Edited 789d 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.

cheetah789d ago

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

In that order

Silly Mammo788d 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

senorfartcushion788d ago (Edited 788d ago )

Virgin detector

*****SCREEEECH*****

Vx_788d ago

Remove the story and I totally agree with the list

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 788d ago
senorfartcushion788d ago

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

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 788d ago
Knightofelemia790d 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.

LoveSpuds789d 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.

EvertonFC789d 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.

Ashunderfire86789d ago (Edited 789d 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.

Livingthedream789d ago

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

MadLad789d ago

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

I'm not even a LoL player.

Livingthedream789d 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.

Michiel1989788d 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_Z789d 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.

dumahim789d ago

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

Nacho_Z789d 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.

dumahim789d 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_B789d ago

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

Atom666789d ago

The Vita tag stung a little bit extra.

Atticus_finch789d ago

Starring Tom Holland I'm guessing.

FlavorLav01789d ago

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

Outlawzz789d ago

Lol the Tom Holland craze is real

Terry_B789d ago

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

Show all comments (54)
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
Inverno961d ago

Infinite better than 2? No way

roadkillers961d 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.

Inverno961d 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.

LucasRuinedChildhood961d ago (Edited 961d 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.

roadkillers961d 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.

SegaSaturn669961d ago

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

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 961d ago
SonyPS360961d ago (Edited 961d 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.

Inverno961d 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

Concertoine961d ago (Edited 961d 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_Suzumiya961d ago

2 had better gameplay but 3 had a better story

leahcim961d ago (Edited 961d ago )

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

ScootaKuH961d ago

Bioshock 2
Bioshock
Bioshock Infinite

That was easy

Rebel_Scum961d 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
plainview10301481d ago

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

Nacho_Z1481d 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.