This is a great edition; it is well worth the extra $ if you are a fan of the game; the book, the posters, and the soundtracks are very cool collectibles and the overall packaging is far from cheap.
Based on single player only!!
As far as the game goes, I really enjoyed it; lots of insight and connections to part 1, and there are also so many upgrades and improvements to this sequel over the original; from the opening scene you know you are in for a unique gaming experience. You get good weapons early on, and from being able to walk under water w/floating corpses all around to fleece, to the hordes of new villains that come at a break neck speed at times, this game recreates itself w/in a familiar framework; it offers a lot of tweaks on what made the original game so great; and while I never found Rapture all that scary, i did find it 'dark and mysterious'...and much like a Silent Hill game, half the fun is walking around and looking. The shrines that litter the world are a nice touch. There are also a lot more items around this time, and money is a little more plentiful.
The graphics are amazing and more colorful that part one; the old school/retro ads are everywhere, and the water effects--whether falling from the ceiling or running down the stairwells--are just cool to look at, not to mention listen to. The detail to all the settings is amazing, and it seems so wrong just to rush through this game. The splintering light through the windows, the sight of a Big Daddy doing work underwater on the outer side of the structure though a window, to the various messages scrawled throughout the hallways...all so detailed and so matter of fact. Even more detailed than part one, Bioshock 2 shows another side of the city not seen before in part one; you are not retreading the same sets or fighting the same people. The splicers are back, but so are a host of tougher and in some cases even freakier splicers and creatures than those in part 1.
There some nice flashback scenes too where the city takes on almost a 'shining' type of feel, w/splicers standing around in masks, sharing drinks and small talk. One level is almost like a dream state harem. The butterflies are a nice touch, but especially of note were all the incredibly detailed pictures of people posted everywhere on the wall; almost real pics it seemed, very interesting just to check them out alone.
In addition to the beautiful, artistic graphics, there is also a good story w/ a nice twist. As in part 1, you can control you ending I think...I got one ending because I saved the little sisters; I imagine there is a different ending if you harvest them instead of helping, like in part 1. I found it different enough than part one, and equally surprising at times. Like coming out of a room to find the city flooded and a huge shark passing over me. Freaky.
The game controls like a dream, too. All buttons become 2nd nature w/in minutes of playing. The sound is just as creepy as part one, and creates a general sense of menace throughout...the distant voices, water effects, & creaking metal can certainly set you on edge.
While some complain this is more of the same, I would have to disagree; the action is certainly ramped up, and the game shows/gives you things early on you had to wait to see/get in part 1; it's like you are taking a faster path thru the unseen places of some place familiar; The colors of the locations are brighter than the previous game; some of the darker settings even reminded me of something you may see in a Silent Hill game.
Needless to say, I was very happy with this game and enjoyed my return to a city that still has a lot to offer, and is still one of the most unique game settings in recent years. I seem to spend much of my time here just looking around...the detail is meticulous, and not to be missed; And while Ms Lamb is not as menacing as Ryan was in pt 1, she serves the purpose.
This is a worthy and original approach in terms of sequels; Fans of part one should not be disappointed, and the game seems like a natural progression from the first. Enjoyable, thrilling at times, and truly a visual masterpiece.
I have read many reviews saying this is more of the same stuff, & that 2K didn't take enough chances; I suppose for people who make their living playing every game that comes out, the standards are probably a little higher to find a new experience. But even if you are and experienced gamer and know you like this kind of stuff, it is more than a so-so retread. After all, when you go back to Silent Hill, you know you are going to spend time in a hospital and a subway, with lots of fog and rabid dogs. But it's still fun to go back and see the old, and hope for the new. Bioshock 2 delivers the perfect balance.
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Returning to Rapture Doesn't Feel TOO Different.
Bioshock 2 is a first person shooter set in an underwater dystopia called Rapture. The player must seek resolution to events that occurred over a decade ago, when times were much simpler, and of course before the downfall of Rapture. Things have changed since the first time you submerged in the original Bioshock. Things seem to of gotten worse, to balance this you will become one of the most feared enemies in the original, a Big Daddy.As a big daddy your arsenal has been altered, and why not when you're a metallic gargantuan wonder, in place of a tiny Thompson you'll now be equipped with a destructive .50 cal machine gun. A Big Daddy has a very special role in the series, as a protector of Little Sisters, things can get up and personal no worries your hand is drill. So while a few tweaks definitely make the gameplay more interesting, sadly a few water drops pelt this sequel.While a story of decaying sanity is still apparent, by finding audio logs of past residents within Rapture, the overall premise of the story at foot here just isn't as engrossing as the original. This could be due to the original having so many firsts, from plot twists to the marvel of realizing the scope and location of the game. Fortunately Bioshock 2 makes up for this by strengthening the gameplay. The graphics are richened, blues glow, reds violently explore dark depths, and colors swell and pop. Atmospherics reign supreme in this game, from every flickering shadow, leaking ceiling and warmly lit room, this game illustrates a world worth inspecting. Controls can be a bit confusing when compared to the standard fps floating amongst the market. Rest assures they become second nature, and are quite convenient for the game play at hand. You'll be shifting through weaponry and plasmids in no time. Good thing to with the vast unlocks available online and off, you'll want to be exploring all these techniques.In case you're wondering, plasmids are specially altered genetics capable of giving one the ability to launch fire, shoot lightning, or launch a swarm of bees toward enemies. Mulitplayer is a large and fun addition to the game. Plasmids and gene tonics (always active bonus skills) are the core build up for the mayhem. A tiny plot is mixed into the multiplayer serving as a brief prolog even before the events of Bioshock 1. Before you begin the onslaught, take some time and pick out your character, there aesthetics and there melee weapon. Players can duke it out online (no splitscreen to speak of sorry) in a free for all, a capture the flag variant (involving little sisters), or classic team death match. Other modes are available on top of it all. As you play online you'll earn experience, though in this case it's called ADAM, with enough you can unlock new weapons, weapon attachments, and all the genetics one could possibly want. Per loadout (customizable class) two weapons can be held, two plasmids, and three gene tonics. Play with them and find what works best for you, are you the stealthy type?My only true gripe with the game deals with the Big Daddy you play as. For such a powerful and terrifying foe in the original, you seem to be quite the runt in this one. I understand that there are different models to be dealt with here, but it's almost as if a reskin was trying to cut it (oh and louder footsteps). This isn't bad but can take one out of the experience. Making it feel like you are just playing a leangthy expansion to the original, as no real significant changes are present.--Edit-- My gripe may have been resolved, after a second play through of the game, I've come to realize most of the issues with not 'feeling' like the big man behind the suit may of been due to the difficulty setting. After paying a bit mroe attention I will say this, one will not feel so much the powers of the Daddy until later on. At that point you'll be thankful your reinforced in a metal suit.Returning to Rapture, there is a lot to discover. Tons of items and exploration can lead to hours of extended gameplay. Alternate endings, lengthy 10+ hour campaign (online multiplayer I've already logged on over seven hours and still am having a blast), weapon upgrades, it's all here. Rapture and its inhabitants probably wouldn't welcome you back, but the developers certainly made sure it feels that way.In case anybody was wondering, I purchased the Collectors Edition. The contents have been clearly analyzed by many, just to add to it all I to find it worth the 100$. The music from Gary Schyman really impressed me with his understanding and appreciation for music. The vinyl record included (featuring the original titles score) was intensely satisfying to listen to, the CD I have not checked out as it features music from this game and I've been playing with my ears open. The book is richly detailed, serving as a much better commentary then any disc in recent years for a game has. The three posters I have not checked out yet, but intend to sooner or later. Everything about this boxset is quality, and it really makes me happy to know I didn't purchase yet again another bottom of the barrel `special' edition. (I also decided to post some pictures, hope any of them help).
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Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2010
Platform For Display: Xbox 360Edition: SpecialVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2010
Platform For Display: Xbox 360Edition: SpecialVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2010
Platform For Display: Xbox 360Edition: SpecialVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
InfamousTaco
Great. Must have.
Reviewed in Canada on May 9, 2012Platform For Display: Xbox 360Edition: SpecialVerified Purchase
Denise McLeod
Bought for my son
Reviewed in Canada on July 4, 2013Platform For Display: Xbox 360Edition: SpecialVerified Purchase
