BioShock® 2

this games make me feels adopted daddy

Best campaign of the trilogy. The multiplayer experience is also very solid.

Amazing game, but play remastered instead

Of all the games I played, why is this the one that goes crashing, it had fun mechanics like the drill going brrrr, big sad

This shit is a masterpiece buy it and play it NOW.

If you love fps games with story, this is the game for you. I love the Bioshock series and this is my second playthrough of it.

Juntou tudo o que tinha de bom no primeiro e melhorou.
10/10.

Great gameplay and characters. Though, I felt less tension playing as a Big Daddy, as opposed to a (seemingly) normal human in the first game

the gamr keeps crashing, do not recommend no one to play this game

I wasn't a big fan of the Bioshock series at first but I've grown to like it. Bioshock 2 is a great sequel to the first one and adds some new pieces to the story and gameplay. I really like the vintage steampunk style of sci-fi that makes up the game world.

This is probably my favorite game of all time. I would recommend this timeless masterpiece for everyone.

Classic

In 2007, BioShock shook up the gaming world with its unique universe and exploration of dark philosophical themes. Two years later, BioShock 2 plunges us back into the fallen city of Rapture, but this time, with a new perspective: that of a Big Daddy, these imposing and terrifying protectors that we feared so much in the first opus. This game, developed by 2K Marin, offers a new story, new characters, and above all a new gameplay dynamic. But, does it manage to match the magic of its predecessor? Or is it simply an "encore" in troubled waters? Let's dive into this review and see if this second chapter succeeds in capturing the essence of Rapture.

Good points
Playing a Big Daddy: We play as Subject Delta, one of the first prototypes of Big Daddy. From the beginning, this perspective changes everything. You feel more powerful, but also more vulnerable than ever before. The combination of brute strength and agility gives you a new way to approach combat, with the iconic drill and the ability to use Plasmids alongside traditional weapons. Playing as a Big Daddy is both rewarding and nerve-wracking, as you find yourself in charge of a Little Sister, adding an emotional layer that the first game didn’t explore as deeply.

Enhanced gameplay mechanics: Refines the gameplay of its predecessor with more fluid and dynamic combat. The ability to use Plasmids and weapons simultaneously makes for more intense and strategic encounters. Additionally, new weapons, such as the drill and harpoon launcher, are tailored to Big Daddy’s style and provide a brutal and satisfying combat experience. The sequel also features a more robust enemy variety, with foes like Brute Splicers and the terrifying Big Sisters providing a unique challenge and adding a constant level of danger.

Introducing the Big Sisters: While the Big Daddies are protectors, the Big Sisters are their female counterparts—agile, aggressive, and downright fearsome. They appear to defend the Little Sisters you adopt or free, and each encounter with them is an intense ordeal. These fights are some of BioShock 2's most memorable moments, as the Big Sisters are fast, vicious, and unpredictable, forcing you to use all your skills and resources to survive.

More emotional and touching story: Unlike the original BioShock, which dealt with philosophy in a more theoretical manner, BioShock 2 explores more emotional themes, including parenthood and sacrifice. Subject Delta is searching for Eleanor, his original Little Sister, in a quest for redemption and protection. The antagonist, Sofia Lamb, brings a vision that is the opposite of Andrew Ryan’s, advocating collectivism over individualism, which adds a new philosophical dimension to the story. This exploration of family ties and human nature offers an emotional depth that enriches the experience.

Surprising and innovative multiplayer: Tried something bold: a multiplayer mode in the universe of Rapture. This mode, although often overlooked, is actually very well integrated. Set during the fall of Rapture, it allows players to take on the role of a citizen in the midst of despair, with epic PvP combat using Plasmids and iconic weapons. Although this multiplayer mode did not mark as much as the single player, it brings a touch of novelty and replayability.

Bad points
Less mysterious city of Rapture: One of the pleasures of BioShock was the discovery of Rapture, this place both fascinating and terrifying. In BioShock 2, this effect of discovery is less strong, because we are already familiar with the places and the atmosphere. Although the game introduces new areas, such as flooded districts and less explored sections of the city, the mystery has lost its luster. The nostalgia is still there, but for players of the first opus, this sequel does not offer the same wonder.

Less complex and philosophical story: Although the story of BioShock 2 is touching, it is perceived as less rich in philosophical themes than the first. The story is more linear, with a clear motivation to find Eleanor and thwart Sofia Lamb's plans. The themes of Lamb's collectivism versus Ryan's individualism are less developed and less subtle than the ideals of freedom and power explored in the first game. This lack of philosophical depth may disappoint those expecting a new dose of existential musings.

Little artistic innovation: Graphically, BioShock 2 takes up the style of the first game with a few minor improvements, but without any real artistic changes. While the technical quality is slightly better, the environments are relatively similar to those already explored, and the general aesthetic of Rapture remains unchanged. For those who were hoping for a marked visual evolution or more varied areas, the game can seem a little repetitive in terms of atmosphere.

Sometimes frustrating AI: Enemy AI in BioShock 2 can be uneven. The Splicers, while terrifying in idea, sometimes act erratically or inconsistently, throwing themselves headlong into attacks or getting stuck in scenery. This unpredictability breaks the immersion a little and harms the fights that should be more tense. The Big Sisters, while formidable, can also show some AI weaknesses, especially if they get stuck on obstacles or don't always react logically.

Redundancy in gameplay Like the first game, BioShock 2 follows a repetitive structure with exploration, combat, resource gathering, and skill upgrading sequences. The Little Sisters' quest can sometimes become mechanical: you fight a Big Daddy, adopt a Little Sister, and then protect her while she collects ADAM. While the concept is interesting, it can feel repetitive after a while, especially for players looking for variety in gameplay.

Summary
BioShock 2 is a sequel that manages to deliver a satisfying experience without necessarily reaching the philosophical heights of its predecessor. With refined gameplay, more dynamic combat, and a touching narrative about family ties, the game explores a more emotional and intimate side of Rapture. Playing as a Big Daddy is a game changer, giving the player a sense of power while adding emotional vulnerability. While the discovery effect is less and the story is simpler, BioShock 2 is still a captivating adventure for those looking to extend their stay in Rapture.

85/100

keeps crashing, unplayable

missouri

beautiful amazing powerful

It's a good game but inferior to its prequel. My biggest gripe with bioshock 2 really is that its basically a first person shooter action game, but the devs decided to greatly increase the scarcity of ammo and supplies so that it would feel more like a survival sort of game similar to system shock, but that doesn't really work to well when you are a big ass armored big daddy instead of some wimp with a wrench.

The 2nd thing I generally dislike about bioshock 2 is that it is truly an ugly ass game, I mean a lot of character models got a real glowup in a sense, but the general art of the actual levels is so grimy and disgusting. What made bioshock cool was it was a fallen art deco city, bioshock 2 is just damp collapsed walls, flooded rooms, grime, and barnacles. I despise art directors that purposely make environments look like vomit because "its supposed to!". You do realize I have to look at that garbage and play through it right?

Lastly, the story is omega boring and uncomfortable. You just have this boring whore named Sophia lamb who spews babble and gaslights you non stop while being a total intellectual dead weight. Lamb is not an interesting character, shes not even an entertaining villain, she just sucks, like everything about her sucks. I also despise having someones face flash on my screen every now and then like I am supposed to give a shit about the person I am telepathically being communicated with, flashbacks are fine be telepathy is not, just fuck off already with that shit.

Anyways, the first problem makes the game a real chore to play, which is why I always replay bioshock 1 and rarely bother replaying bioshock 2. The multiplayer, while it was still alive, was pretty neat and captures the feel, and art style of bioshock 1, so theres that.

I want to give this game a neutral rating and say its mid, but I will compromise with saying its good.

good game, byt not my type

Region-locked, can't access Steam page without VPN.

I had a lot of fun with this.

My fav game 👍

BioShock 2 is a really fun game. However, I was only able to beat this version, not the remastered version, and it took me a couple of hours to fix the crashing. Please, if you want to enjoy this game, look at a guide to fix the crashes.

Absolute perfection, starting with gameplay and finishing with scenario, everyone must play it and have it in his Steam Library. Pure Perfection, the game is wonderful and teaches a lot. 10/10
0 Comments

Nice!

this one is underrated, but it's also easy to see why

the only 2 things that separate Bioshock 1 from 2 are:
A: Bioshock 1 was just "smarter" as a piece of fiction. While Bioshock 2 does cool things with being a Big Daddy and the "programming" involved there, Bioshock 1 exists as a commentary on bigger ideas AND does its own fantastic twist
B: Bioshock 1 has smaller levels that feel better paced. Bioshock 2 can also get too hard rather quickly.

Just about everything else Bioshock 2 does better.
-gameplay is more typical of Infinite, with two hands useable at once, and the drill is a hyper satisfying weapon.
-graphics look just better, and the world has more detail; as an even more broken down version of Rapture, environmental storytelling is everywhere.
-hacking is not a dumb pipe puzzle

NOW, Minerva's Den almost deserves a separate review:
-all of the gameplay benefits of Bioshock 2 are there
-story is seriously top notch.

Game blows always at a disadvantage and AI cheats in the game. Devs are never going to release another game.

⠀

If the first game was good this game was even better! The story was fun to follow coming off of the first one and the DLC was pretty good too, wish I could play this again for the first time (dfficulties and all).

game go pew pew, plasmids brrrrr. THIS IS THE BEST GAME OF ALL TIMe

First, let me get the bad out of the way as the bad aspect is short but the premise behind why I don't recommend: The crashing. The crashing is so horrific. This game crashed almost 30 times in one night, no matter the settings -dx9/texturestreamer/lowered settings/etc. The game just crashed constantly. I had so many saves that I was needing to purge/back-up my save directory. I was overwriting saves, creating new ones, rolling them back after a crash corrupted them - it was bad. I played for 25 hours, a good chunk of those were JUST restarting to get back where I was before a crash, only to crash again. It wasn't even all before cut-scenes. So with that in mind, and the fact that the "Quality of LIfe" update was JUST a launcher? No. I do not recommend this game on PC.

Now, that said, if you want to risk that - this game has a lot going for it.
Positives:
First, I'm confused about how we got here from the first game after the ending, but.. whatever. The story itself here is good. It was nice seeing the place again after everything we did.
The art is still really amazing and fits in so well with the environment.
Music is wonderful.
Writing is pretty good. There are some issues, but overall it was pretty decent.
Voice acting was largely spot on and the characters had great accents and fitting 'gentile' voices.
The mobs were REALLY annoying at times, but that's fine. I did not like how they'd literally spawn in right next to me, but overall it was pretty easy to play (I was in hard mode).
Weapons felt good, but I REALLY do not like that you can't reassign weapons and the plasmids just randomly go into whatever F1-F8 slot they wanted. Small critique though, I just changed the keybinds for 3 to be 8, 7 to be 4, etc.

This game had so much going for it that it's a great example of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. If the devs had just put even the smallest amount of care into the PC port this game would have been amazing for years to come. They didn't. It's frustrating, I can't recommend this amazing game because it's just not worth the effort to actually be able to play it.

Felky Fun Meter

|-|---------| [1/10] Meh fun!

It's one of my biggest principles to write my review when I'm completely finished with a game, and the Bioshock series is more than simple entertainment for me, but the only problem with this game is the technical issues...

Firstly, older games don't have the habit of creating save files on their own, which the player must do occasionally before exiting the game.

Secondly, the game crashes all of a sudden, even if my computer is well-equipped to play this game, it crashes all the time due to a number of technical issues, and it's getting harder and harder to find a solution.

If you are determined to play the second game in the series, please do not buy this old version.

crashes around 15 minutes into the game

fun game, will crash a lot

Would you kindly play this game? (cause it's worth it)

Really enjoyed this Game, probably my favorite Bioshock.
Plays like the first game but more polished and more likeable Characters.

The game started crashing a lot towards the last Stint which was annoying.

8/10

improved on the first one in a lot of ways

Bio shock 2 is a lighter version of the first (that's not a bad thing). the first bio shock just had a darker theme to it. which is completely fine!!! i enjoyed both games! i was very impressed.i used to be to scared to play these games as a kid and i would just watch my older brother play. 17 years later i saw these games in a bundle and i bought it and faced my fears! after i finished the first one i loved it ,on to the 2nd and i felt like a veteran.loved it! then theres infinite........WTF is that trash? its like a completely different game. i wouldn't bother with it . Bio shock 1 and 2 is all you need!
BioShock=10/10
BioShock2=10/10
BioShock infinte=0/10 flaming dog poo

2 minute TLDR:

This time you're a big daddy - bigger guns, bigger fights and more bombastic engagements. Still the same classic vibe as the original Bioshock. I remember the game dragging a bit toward the end, so I'd suggest taking it in chunks if you get burnt out. Otherwise this is a peak late 00's shooter with some very light imsim patched in for flavour.

BioShock 2: A Howling Dive into Rapture's Legacy - An Alpha Ice Wolf's Review

❄️ Introduction

❄️ Basic Plot Summary & Originality

❄️ The Studio: 2K Marin, 2K Australia & Digital Extremes

❄️ Mechanics & Gameplay

❄️ Character Development: Main Characters & Supporting Cast

❄️ Structure, Mechanics & Implementation

❄️ Impact & Replayability

❄️ Praise & Critique

❄️ Personal Opinion

Kiba Snowpaw wrote:

You can follow my Steam Curator page to stay up to date with more recommendations! Or check out my YouTube channel for gameplay tips and tricks from the frozen paws of yours truly. 🐾❄️🔥 Danish Furry Game | YouTube: Kiba Snowpaw Gaming

I'm Back To Sacrifice The Child For Power Of Lighting And Other Magic!

cool game

Just get this one. The remaster is not that great. People have said that the remaster crashes a lot and sometimes it is the case for the OG version here. But for me, i have had no problems in terms of the game crashing. Only thing I got was a bit of stuttering and that's it. My guess is that the crashing is more of a computer issue for this version rather then a game issue. Regardless though, I love this game. Truly a good sequel to the first one. Also if you pay attention to the detail at the beginning where you are underwater and you get a good view of Rapture. At the start of that water area, where you are about to make a right. Look up. You'll find the plane from the first game. Don't believe me or can't find it? Use Youtube. Once you get Youtube to help you, can't miss it. And I love the fact that 2K hinted this game in the first game at the end. And this game is only 2 years younger then the first one. Where's s*** like that in games these days? Wtf

Liked it far more than I'd expected. Especially enjoyed the last few hours

It is great, but the crashes ruined it

Important notes before I begin the review: There is a really strange issue with the audio balancing in this game, which makes all the weapons sound very quiet. Luckily, there’s an easy fix for this: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=322637977 Install Mirror 2, then extract the downloaded file into “Bioshock 2\SP\Content\System”, and that’s it. There is another issue with the audio where background sounds get cut off sometimes, which is also distracting. Fortunately, there’s a simple fix for this, too. Go into File Explorer, then type in “appdata roaming bioshock2”, then open Bioshock2SP.ini, scroll down to “[FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem]” and change the number next to “MaxChannels” to 2048 (you can do an even higher number if you want, like 4096, just nothing ridiculous like 99999999). I also recommend choosing 5.1 in the audio options, just for better sound quality. One more thing: If you try running this game and get a notif that your hardware is out of date, do yourself a favour and wait until you get a better PC. You CAN run this game on low end PCs in Directx9, but I REALLY don’t recommend this, as it makes the game look terrible. Well, that’s the technical stuff out of the way, let’s begin.

BioShock 2 is an FPS horror game like its predecessor. Taking place 8 years after the events of BioShock, you play as Subject Delta, a Big Daddy being revived in a Rapture even more horribly dilapidated than it was before. You’ve lost your Little Sister, Eleanor, to a mysterious woman called Sofia Lamb, a psychiatrist and now a cult leader in charge of what’s left of the city. Being a Big Daddy, you are a large, plodding behemoth far stronger and tougher than Jack from the first game. However, this doesn’t mean you aren’t vulnerable. All the remaining splicers are fanatically loyal to her and will viciously attack you and get in the way of your quest to find the little girl you were made to protect. Unlock plasmids to kill your foes in various fun ways, whether that be burning them, freezing them, swarming them with angry bees, etc. Equip gene tonics that can make you faster, tougher, stronger, and much more. Destroy enemies with your lofty drill and many other potent weapons that are lying around Rapture as you uncover Lamb’s bizarre and sinister plans for Eleanor and Rapture’s remaining populace.

BioShock 2’s gameplay is largely the same as the first game except for the fact that you’re much stronger and larger. Playing as a Big Daddy was as much fun as I expected (especially when using Drill Dash). The game really does a great job of making you feel like a walking tank, with you making heavy plodding noises when walking, and even hearing sounds of water pouring onto your helmet when you’re under a waterfall or leakage. You also occasionally hear sounds of bullets ricocheting off of metal when enemies shoot at you. These may be minor details, but they are very important in creating that experience of playing as a heavily mutated super bodyguard in a bulky diving suit. The combat itself is improved from BioShock 1 in regard to plasmids and weapons. Every gun that you have is basically a more powerful version of the ones in the first game: instead of a tommy gun you now have a minigun, instead of a wrench you now have a huge drill, instead of a crossbow you now have a harpoon gun, etc. Also, every weapon you have is wielded single-handedly, so now, rather than having to switch between weapon and plasmid mode, you can use both simultaneously. Plasmids also have an additional upgrade level, making them all even more powerful than ever. Now you can unleash a continuous stream of fire like a flamethrower, shower enemies with razor-sharp icicles, etc. All of these changes make the combat feel highly enjoyable and a step above what was offered in the previous title. The hacking minigame is also a lot quicker and simpler, which I welcome. In fact, you literally have a new weapon that launches hack darts. So, you can shoot drones, cameras, or turrets and safely hack them from a distance.

The enemies are another aspect of Bioshock 2 that should be praised. The splicers in this game look even more morbid than they did in the first. They are also, in some cases, stronger and tougher. Replacing the nitro splicer from the first game is the brute splicer, large and bulky like yourself, but a lot uglier. Brutes are ferocious fighters, being able to charge at you, disorienting you while dealing a lot of damage. They can also pick up nearby objects and throw them at you. Three other new enemy types are the Alpha Series and Rumbler Big Daddies as well as the Big Sisters. Rumblers have a shoulder-mounted cannon that they can launch rockets and mini turrets from. Alpha Series are the same type of Big Daddy as you, weaker than the other variants but still formidable in combat. They can wield either a launcher, machine gun, or shotgun and can also make use of plasmids. Big Sisters are the most dangerous enemies you’ll face, being extremely agile as well as hardy and powerful. Big Sisters are able to climb walls and ceilings, move at great speeds, charge at you, and use plasmids to a far greater effect than any of the Alpha Series. They can also teleport, making them all the more challenging (and irritating) to deal with.

Other than the deformed denizens of Rapture, there are certain characters stuck in the damned submerged metropolis who are (relatively) sane: Grace Holloway, Stanley Poole, and Gilbert Alexander. Each of these characters have different backgrounds and are all very relevant to the main plot of the game. They also have very different personalities and stories, making them unique and memorable. The game gives you an option to spare them or not, whichever you choose to do will effect the ending of the game. Having these characters in the game you can either choose to sympathise with or outright kill is a nice addition, I’d go as far as to say that it’s more interesting than mostly just having completely evil characters throughout (like the first game did). While I’m on the topic of characters, I should definitely mention that Sofia Lamb is a very interesting and well-written villain and learning more about her and her plans made the experience all the more intriguing.

As I’ve already mentioned, the city of Rapture is even more dilapidated than before which means more decay, more ruin, and more misery. The game does an excellent job showing all this and every environment feels even more bedraggled than the previous. Another thing I mentioned before was the splicers being even more horribly deformed than in the first game. While before they mostly looked like insane humans with botched plastic surgeries wearing party masks, now they mostly look almost completely alien, especially the spider splicers that might as well be a whole other species. This not only reinforced the theme of an ever-degenerating Rapture but also the horror aspect.

As much as I love this game, it does have its downsides. The game occasionally crashed, which was quite annoying, especially considering that I didn’t have this issue with the first game AND I now have a much better PC. I also feel that the ending was disappointing and a bit anticlimactic. In the first game, you actually face a final boss that is subtly built up throughout the game, whereas here you just face waves of enemies and that’s it. One more thing I should mention is that the multiplayer is a total ghost town. This would have been fine, had there been an option to play with bots, but there sadly isn’t. Other than that, I don’t have much else to complain about.

In conclusion, BioShock 2 is an enthralling experience and a fantastic sequel to an already brilliant game.

Final verdict: 9/10 “If the modern world were a patient in my care… I would diagnose it suicidal.”

No reason to play this one - especially considering that the multiplayer is dead. Stick to the remaster.

Really good game, great combat (though I wish it was a bit easier to see where attacking enemies are), and a story that had me hooked from start to finish. My biggest issue is though is with the crashing. Really often the game will crash or just at random times. It caused me to lose a lot of progress and consider dropping the game. But I managed to get around it. However it did significantly impact my enjoyment of the game and something I feel people interested in this game should know.

👍

I love freezing folks and dashing into them like that one guy from that one show that has homander in it