Bioshock was a game I got in college on the day of this release on the world. I was so excited and scared to play the game. Excited that I finally got this game, but scared that I got it without waiting to see how it would be reviewed or if friends would play it and say what they though of it. But in the end I was overjoyed that I picked it up. Now with Bioshock 2 I really wanted the Special Edition. My girlfriend picked it up for me this pasted march for my b-day. It was $50 on Amazon and most places if you can find it goes for the same price. So the box comes with many things, a vinyl record of the Bioshock soundtrack, a cd of the Bioshock 2 soundtrack, 3 mini posters, and the Bioshock 2 Art book. All of these items were just icing on the world that is inside the game.

The game is not long with a run time of 10-12 hours if you don't run around like I did and get killed plenty of times. Anyway, the opening is creepy and emotional. You get the main reason for your character in the opening. So the emotion you have at the beginning will evolve throughout the game. Which is one reason I enjoyed both games. I would go through small moments of anger to relief to hope to worry. The moral choice of the handling of the little sisters not only affects the game, but you may be affected by it depending on what you choice to do. The story overall is great and has some amazing moments that are sure to stay with you.

The music is just as eerie and in Bioshock. There are some songs that really get to you and others that you may not notice that much. Overall the soundtrack fits in great and helps the atmosphere of the world. Along with music is the sound. You make loud hits when you jump from an elevated position to a lower one. The weapons sound different and effective. The drill is one thing that sounds like it should when tearing through a person. Each plasmite sounds great and what you would expected from what they do. The ambianted sounds give the city a very creepy feel. The sound of a distant record player or radio will peck your intrust and then you'll not notice the people in the room. The city itself sounds amazing. Like it wants to collapse in on itself, but it just can't not without a push.

Now the lighting of the game changes with the different areas. Sometimes the only light is from outside lights in the sea, to the lights on your suit and plasmite hand. But the creepy factor is highest when you can see, because you will feel safe in the light and not see what is coming from the direction your not looking.

The look of the game is just up there. Some of the best images are outside in the ocean as you move to a new building when need be. There are some amazing things on the walls in the city, but the main thing is a Butterfly made from what I believe are the hand prints of the little sisters. And the art deco feel is just everywhere, which I like because I like the look of that period of art. The suit looks great from the hands that you can see when you pick up a little sister. The shadow your suit makes will change with the gun you choice at that time.

I would say that the game was better then the first game, but Bioshock has the feel of a great first film that is in a series that goes down a little with the second game, but not be much. Bioshock 2 is a great game and should be played and enjoyed by anyone that has played and has not played Bioshock. Just be ready to see somethings that may not make you feel so great about what happens.

If the next installment is anything like the first game it could pass Bioshock 2. But we will have to wait and see what the city in the clouds will hold for us.