It's not often that I pre-order a game, pay the full retail price, and go to a midnight release for a console game but Bioshock 2 is one of those rare exceptions for me. I am certainly not disappointed with the purchase. My one worry was that they'd ruin the fun of hacking or throw the balance of the game mechanics by introducing multiplayer. I'm glad to know that I was wrong in my worries.

Bioshock 2 maintains the same rich, story-driven gameplay that we got to enjoy in the first installment. So far, the single-player campaign does a much better job of making you curious to find out what exactly is going on. As Bioshockers may have experiencd in the original game, there is a feeling of paranoia and helplessness. Though you get to play the part of a behemoth Big Daddy, you're made to feel like a mere pawn once again in the grand scheme of things.

I believe Andrew Ryan was the one that said something to the effect of "a real man can make choices [for himself]". Choices can be a bit limited at times but that only makes things more interesting... While you still have the freedom of a pseudo open world (the game is still pretty linear, though that is certainly not to discredit the fantastic encore here), you also still have to contend with the fact that you're pretty much brainwashed and outnumbered. Good, I like those odds!

Many of the old characters return in the sequel and you really get the feeling that this storyline actually meshes with the first. I get the distinct feeling that I am a part of legacy and that's what a good story should do, in my humble opinion. Bioshock 2 is a breath of fresh air in a landscape that, I believe, has succumb to cheesy clones and spin-offs. We're not merely looking at a "more is better" production. They've retooled the game, added extra bells and whistles, and still maintained all that we know and loved in the first.

I have to thank my friend Erika because, if it were not for her, I'd never know the pleasure of Bioshock. When I first played the demo, I was impressed by the environment. The musical score, deep sounds, and amazing environments alone made me curious to move forward. Alas, I've always had a thing about games with a lack of replay and multiplayer so they lose my interest quite quickly. It was only when Erika shared certain plot elements and ambiguities that I decided "I have to play this thing through!"

Thanks to a buddy of mine (you rock Kenny!), I was able to borrow the game and really get a feel for it. There's plenty of replay value in spite of the lack of multiplayer options. The fact that your decisions and approach to the constant obstacles actually effect your end-game makes it all worthwhile. Essentially, you can breeze through the game or indulge in every little moment that is offered. I dig that.

I'm thinking I'm going to milk the crap out of this game until the new Final Fantasy comes out and I can return to my roots. I was a huge Final Fantasy fan in the NES/Famicom Era but the series kind of lost me once we entred the age of visual snobbery. I'm actually excited about new releases these days which is great because, for a while, I felt everything that was coming out was the same old junk. It's good to have my faith in console gaming restored but I'll always be a PC gamer at heart.

So let's see... I have Bioshock 2, which might as well be called "Environmental Crack". I'm tempted to buy the limited edition of the game just because the soundtrack is THAT amazing. I'm also playing Fallout 3: GOTYE in between to switch things up. Modern Warfare 2 maintains the same addictive multiplayer formula of COD4. Borderlands will always be a good go-to game. God, I'm actually at a point in which it's hard to figure out what to play next but, surely, the gripping story in Bioshock 2 will bring me back plenty of times.

I've also had the pleasure of downloading some solid XBLA games. Shadow Complex, Magic: The Gathering, Splosion Man, Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, and TMNT: Turtles In Time Re-Shelled all are great for a good break from the norm. I just can't get enough of throwback games. Something about older games just rekindles that passion for gaming, both developing and playing them. I have a secret addiction to TCGs and fighting games too. All I can say is "good times, good times".

On a more random note, I'm happy to see Sony losing it's exclusive games and actually competing. For a while, the suits over at Sony were being so stubborn and stupid, if you ask me. Now they realize they got to actually bring something to the table to compete and having a free online multiplayer platform is not enough. Final Fantasy coming to the XBox in full effect is something everyone should be excited about. The rules have changed... w3rd.

Anywho, I'm definitely on the Bioshock and Final Fantasy bandwagon now. I can't wait for what's to come!!

(BTW, I'm around L8 right now in Bioshock 2 multiplayer. I kinda suck but I had a ten-kill streak finally as a Big Daddy. It helps when your team supports you. Add me and let's jam sometime, folks!)