Not quite as great as the first BioShock, but online was pretty well done, and the single player is good while it lasts
User Rating: 8.5 | BioShock 2 PS3
Since it's a new year I decided to go with the majority of reviewers and change my review style so bear with me. BioShock 2 is really similar to the first game in terms of gameplay, so similar in fact that I''m not going to explain it in detail. You still have your weapon wheel and almost all plasmids are the same. The tonics and Adam system are all the same, and same goes for saving little sisters from big daddies. I like how you can now dual wield plasmids with guns, as well as the new parts of rapture you explore, even though a few of them feel like they have been cut and pasted from the first game, that isn't bad though. This game's story isn't quite as immersive or shocking as the first, there's no unsurprising plot twist or anything, I guess they figured we'd catch on this time. Still the story is good in its own sense and goes along well with the entire environment, however it doesn't really connect to the first game, it kind of feels like this is a separate storyline, I wish they could have included more that connects you to the events and story of the first game, nobody really acts like Ryan's been dead for ten years, no mention of Cohen, and such, but its not really that big of a deal, just would have been nice to see some of this. There are some pretty psychotic people you deal with, and I like how this game puts more emphasis and value on the females of rapture, and shows how they are just as insane and effected as the men. Being a big daddy isn't that bad either, you just move a little slower, and you can remove the helmet through the options or change controls, which the first game lacked. Overall, everything is similar to the first so if you liked that you know whats up.
The graphics are almost the same as the first with a slightly better framerate and less clayish looking character models. The environment is also very unique and mysterious and dark, only a few parts feel like they've been copied and pasted from the first game, which is fine with me. The voice acting is amazing, as well as the vintage music they throw in now and then, which adds to the gameplay. Sound effects are even better and crisper than the first and everything is well.
This game is a few hours shorter than the first and can easily be beaten under 10 hours on the first playthrough, even if you do some exploring and save all the little sisters. There are a lot of trophies though, and online which adds a lot of value. Online is very fun so far and has a pretty good system of leveling up as well as pretty fair and nice perks for reaching those levels. There aren't a lot of characters to choose from to play as online, but the whole online system and different types of matches and maps make up for it. So if you are looking for single player, just rent this, but if you are willing to play online, buy this as the single player won't let you down for what it lasts, and when you complete that you have online to keep you busy.
Pros
+Dual Wielding
+Expanded Story
+Online
+New weapons
+New enemies
+Feels the same as the first game
+Customizable controls
Cons
-Way too short single player
-When you walk, you have a feeling that you are massive
-Doesn't make enough connections to the first game
-No new game+ like first game had with the expansion
-You can't go back to old area like the first game 
