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BioShock 2
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
MSRP: $59.99 (console), $49.99 (PC)
ESRB Rating: Mature

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What kind of game is it?

BioShock 2 is the sequel to the brilliant 2007 first-person shooter BioShock. While the original balanced horror and combat, action takes a more dominant role in the follow-up. You still might want to keep a clean pair of pants around though just to be safe.

Who's the developer?

2K Marin cut their teeth porting the original BioShock, which was developed by Irrational Games (formerly 2K Boston), to the PlayStation 3 back in 2008. BioShock 2 is the studio’s first original game since being founded in 2007.

What's the story?

It’s been 10 years since the events of BioShock. Andrew Ryan’s death has allowed another twisted ideologue – longtime Ryan enemy, Dr. Sophia Lamb – to become leader of the failed underwater utopia known as Rapture. You play as the first Big Daddy, who is tasked with reuniting with your original Little Sister, named Eleanor, before Lamb can realize her own warped vision of what humanity’s future should be. My Spoiler Free plasmid prevents me from revealing anything else about the story. Sorry.

What’s new?

This time around, players will encounter stronger, more varied enemies, have access to more powerful weapons and be able to duel-wield plasmids and guns with spectacularly satisfying results. The most notable, or at least most talked about addition, is the game's multiplayer mode, which is set during the fall of Rapture just prior to the original game.

What'd we say?

There were a few disappointing aspects of BioShock 2, but for the most part I really enjoyed my return to Rapture. Here's a snippet from my 4/5 review:

"Later on, there are fights where you take on Tank-like brutes, Big Daddies and waves of wall-climbing Spider Splicers that are absolutely nutty. While the ramped up combat does give the game a decidedly different feel than the first game, it also effectively gets across just how much Rapture has changed since you last sloshed through its rotting corridors."

See it in action: