This review was originally written and published in Animavericks magazine. Check them out for all the latest anime and games content.

Developer - 2K Marin / Digital Extremes / Irrational Games
Publisher - 2K Games
Available On - XBOX 360 / Playstation 3 / PC
Reviewed On - XBOX 360

Bioshock received overwhelming attention when it was released in 2007 claiming the top of many Game Of The Year lists. Rightfully so, it was an immersive adventure that used a compelling story and unique environment to suck players in. So it’s no surprise to see a sequel to such a successful game, but can it possibly live up to the hype of the original?
Set in a fictional 1968, 8 years after the fall of the underwater city Rapture, this time a familiar world is viewed through new eyes as the player assumes the role of an iconic enemy known as the Big Daddy. This opens up a whole new variety of weapons and powers available for fighting through all new areas of Rapture as the player learns more of the characters, history, and future of the captivating Bioshock universe.

Graphics – 9.0

Bioshock 2 has a few technical enhancements that give it a bit more shine over the original but generally the graphics are as expected from a modern first person shooter. Where Bioshock 2 really stands out is in art design, attention to detail and ability to immerse players in a convincing environment. The late 50’s origin of Rapture is constantly enforced through era-appropriate artwork particularly in advertisements and posters that cover the city wall-to-wall.

Gameplay – 9.0

Genetic enhancements known as Plasmids make a return in Bioshock 2 as well as tonics that give players special bonuses and abilities. Aside from a useful variety of basic weapons that can be upgraded, players can now dual wield weapons with plasmids to burn, freeze or zap opponents on the fly. The combat rarely gets repetitive with many interesting situations that allow players to create traps and use the environment to take on multiple enemies while completing a goal.
When not fighting through waves of mutants or deadly security bots it’s nice to explore the scenic route of Rapture with many detours off the main path proving valuable. Bioshock 2 is a pretty linear experience despite the huge size of levels, but there are still a lot of important and unique items and plot elements to be found while exploring.

Sound – 9.0

Bioshock 2 uses sound in many ways to strengthen the feeling of immersion and suck players in. From the dripping of water to the distant clanking of pipes the sound effects keep players on their toes, with ominous background music creating suspense.
Great sound production doesn’t end with environmental effects; large parts of the story are also played out through sound via the numerous audio logs to be found around the city. Voice acting is done well and with most recaps to the past game told through these audio logs, it adds an extra something to listen to while roaming around.

Overall – 9.0

Bioshock 2 is a fitting return to Rapture, a captivating experience that offers as much atmosphere as before but doesn’t quite match the initial excitement of that very first visit. Familiarity may hinder the experience, but it doesn’t disturb what is still a very polished experience. The gameplay is diverse and evolves as the story expands offering a whole new insight into the ruins of Rapture, which is more than enough for any Bioshock fan.