Bioshock 2 is underrated.

I know that it's getting lower scores than the first because it's not as fresh and because it's "samey". Even though I'm a huge Bioshock fan that would love to see the sequel have the impact of the first, I saw this coming a mile away.

That being said, judged on its own merits, the game is chock full of improvements.

• The level designs seem to be more "confident". The first Bioshock had superb level design but the levels in the sequel seem to be more detailed, more interesting, and more well-rounded. The use of glowing coral and underwater segments serve to make Rapture's dark beauty even more pronounced.
• Because of the adoption mechanic, the Little Sisters concept has tiny bit more gravity and depth.
• Combat is unquestionably better. Fights are more intense, weapons have more oomph to them and the ability to fire off plasmids and weapons at the same time is just what Bioshock needed. Plus, the drill owns.
• I don't know if anyone else noticed this, but the audio diaries were more interesting and had more surprises in them.
• Although Sofia Lamb was a weaker villain than Andrew Ryan, the supporting cast in Bioshock 2 seemed to be more interesting.
• The hacking is so much better in Bioshock 2. Hacking used to be a pain in the you know what. Bioshock 2 gets rid of all that hassle.
• Multiplayer wasn't really needed but it seems to be a nice addition for a series that didn't offer too much in the replay department.

I urge anybody who liked the first game but is holding out on the second to purchase this game immediately. It is samey but it is samey in a good way. And there's just enough improvements that is doesn't feel totally redundant.

I played it and it was an ok game.Nothing special about it,it doesnt have the original Bioshock charm.

• Combat is unquestionably better. Fights are more intense, weapons have more oomph to them and the ability to fire off plasmids and weapons at the same time is just what Bioshock needed. Plus, the drill owns.

GreySeal9

This is something I have been wondering, why is it that Splicers will attack only one Big Daddy on sight and leave the rest alone completely? That one Big Daddy being the player.
Plus I disagree, I don't enjoy the combat as much as the original BioShock.

Although Sofia Lamb was a weaker villain than Andrew Ryan, the supporting cast in Bioshock 2 seemed to be more interesting.

GreySeal9

Just me nit-picking, but I think you mean antagonist and not villain.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

• Combat is unquestionably better. Fights are more intense, weapons have more oomph to them and the ability to fire off plasmids and weapons at the same time is just what Bioshock needed. Plus, the drill owns.

R3FURBISHED

This is something I have been wondering, why is it that Splicers will attack only one Big Daddy on sight and leave the rest alone completely? That one Big Daddy being the player.
Plus I disagree, I don't enjoy the combat as much as the original BioShock.

Although Sofia Lamb was a weaker villain than Andrew Ryan, the supporting cast in Bioshock 2 seemed to be more interesting.

GreySeal9

Just me nit-picking, but I think you mean antagonist and not villain.

Yeah I suppose that is a more accurate word.

I agree that its slightly underrated.

Ive played about 13 hours of the singleplayer and its fantastic, much better then I expected.
And about 2 hours of the online, which is actually fun.. I thought it would be real bad.

The gameplay is better this around, and they kept the awesome atmosphere and good story from the first one. IMO they did exactly what the needed to to improve on part1.

Id sway story and atmosphere are even, but the gameplay is leaps and bound sbetter then Bioshock1.. plus u get a fun online!

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

• Combat is unquestionably better. Fights are more intense, weapons have more oomph to them and the ability to fire off plasmids and weapons at the same time is just what Bioshock needed. Plus, the drill owns.

R3FURBISHED

This is something I have been wondering, why is it that Splicers will attack only one Big Daddy on sight and leave the rest alone completely? That one Big Daddy being the player.
Plus I disagree, I don't enjoy the combat as much as the original BioShock.

Although Sofia Lamb was a weaker villain than Andrew Ryan, the supporting cast in Bioshock 2 seemed to be more interesting.

GreySeal9

Just me nit-picking, but I think you mean antagonist and not villain.

What did you like better about the first game's combat?

As for your first comment, I've seen splicers fighting with other Big Daddies.

I agree that its slightly underrated.

Ive played about 13 hours of the singleplayer and its fantastic, much better then I expected.
And about 2 hours of the online, which is actually fun.. I thought it would be real bad.

The gameplay is better this around, and they kept the awesome atmosphere and good story from the first one. IMO they did exactly what the needed to to improve on part1.

Id sway story and atmosphere are even, but the gameplay is leaps and bound sbetter then Bioshock1.. plus u get a fun online!

kozzy1234

I agree with all of that.

The only thing I would complain is the inability to go back to previous levels.

I agree that its slightly underrated.

Ive played about 13 hours of the singleplayer and its fantastic, much better then I expected.

kozzy1234

13 hours?All that and you still didnt finish it? :roll:

Many reviews said that the return to rapture was to familiar, but I disagree. It is much more dark and demented, and how can it be so familiar with all the new locations and the enemies that go along with it? It's not like the first one at all. iammason

I don't think it was a night and day difference, but I agree with you that there was definitely a tangible difference.

[QUOTE="kozzy1234"]

I agree that its slightly underrated.

Ive played about 13 hours of the singleplayer and its fantastic, much better then I expected.

Regisland

13 hours?All that and you still didnt finish it? :roll:

It was a great game but the story was a complete bore. The first story was brilliant and interesting.StealthMonkey4

Yeah.It just doesnt grab your attention.Lamb and all other charecters (besides the daughter,which i forgot the name) are so forgettable.Specially Lamb as a villain.

[QUOTE="kozzy1234"]

I agree that its slightly underrated.

Ive played about 13 hours of the singleplayer and its fantastic, much better then I expected.

Regisland

13 hours?All that and you still didnt finish it? :roll:

[QUOTE="Regisland"]

[QUOTE="kozzy1234"]

I agree that its slightly underrated.

Ive played about 13 hours of the singleplayer and its fantastic, much better then I expected.

StealthMonkey4

13 hours?All that and you still didnt finish it? :roll:

Dont get me wrong.I explored most of the game and it felt so much shorter than 13 hours.

Then again,it just felt,because I didnt actually see the amount of tme I spent playing.

What did you like better about the first game's combat?

As for your first comment, I've seen splicers fighting with other Big Daddies.

GreySeal9

How come nobody is talking about the mp? Just tried it for the first time and I was amazed at how much I enjoyed it. Very good.rockguy92

I haven't played enough of it to seriously comment on it, but the fact that they gave it a "context" was a brilliant touch that was true to the Bioshock name.

How come nobody is talking about the mp? Just tried it for the first time and I was amazed at how much I enjoyed it. Very good.rockguy92

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

What did you like better about the first game's combat?

As for your first comment, I've seen splicers fighting with other Big Daddies.

R3FURBISHED

I get the feeling that 2K Marin didn't want the player to be overpowered.

[QUOTE="Regisland"]

[QUOTE="kozzy1234"]

I agree that its slightly underrated.

Ive played about 13 hours of the singleplayer and its fantastic, much better then I expected.

iammason

13 hours?All that and you still didnt finish it? :roll:

I don't know how long it took me, but I do the same thing.... leave no rock unturned.

How come nobody is talking about the mp? Just tried it for the first time and I was amazed at how much I enjoyed it. Very good.rockguy92

Its great when you started it,but it gets old pretty fast.

[QUOTE="R3FURBISHED"][QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

What did you like better about the first game's combat?

As for your first comment, I've seen splicers fighting with other Big Daddies.

I get the feeling that 2K Marin didn't want the player to be overpowered.

I get the feeling that 2K Marin didn't want the player to be overpowered.

GreySeal9

That's completely understandable, but do you really feel like a Big Daddy? It is almost like 2K Marin just heard about what the Daddies were like and made them off of that.

The image would be much better portrayed (is that the correct way to say it?) if you walked upon a Splicer, he looked at you and kind of raised his weapon then said "No" to himself and ran off out of fear that you would attack him. Then maybe he shows up 10 minutes down the road with a couple of his buddies and they ambush you.
After you wipe them out, you feel powerful because you have wiped them out and you know that they knew their only chance was to surprise you with numbers.

It was the small things that made the first BioShock so outstanding. Similarly to what you mentioned, the audio logs are a lot of fun to listen to this time around as well. My favorites are the ones with Lamb and Ryan in a debate -- or the logs with just Ryan or just Lamb.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

What did you like better about the first game's combat?

As for your first comment, I've seen splicers fighting with other Big Daddies.

R3FURBISHED

It was a great game but the story was a complete bore. The first story was brilliant and interesting.StealthMonkey4

[QUOTE="StealthMonkey4"]It was a great game but the story was a complete bore. The first story was brilliant and interesting.SAGE_OF_FIRE

I enjoyed the second more then the first.The first got boring midway through, it was way to long. The gunplay was very weak, the thing that drove me through the game was the story, if it didnt have an amazing atmosphere and good story it would have been a very bad game. The second improved on the gameplay in every single way. It kept the same amazing atmosphere and still has an interesting story. Some will be dissapointed because it doesnt have the same kind of twists or surprising moments like the first game, but it does enough to keep you interested.