Touted as one of the best franchises on the seventh generation of consoles, BioShock, a spiritual successor to the System Shock series, garnered acclaim from critics and players alike for its impressive setting, haunting premise, and profound stories. In 2017, the games got a remaster, adding a coat of paint to Rapture and Columbia. I decided my first run through the second game in the series should be through this souped-up version.

Visually, Rapture is a spectacle. The underwater city is nothing short of breathtaking and the game does a good job of showing it in its early proceedings as you navigate the dreary, detailed environments. Walking under falling water displays droplets onto the HUD, as the audio distorts. Vita Chambers emit condensed bolts of electricity. Splicers are grotesque and abhorrent. The attention-to-detail is on full display in this outing.

BioShock 2‘s identity is familiar, but enough of a departure from the original game to make for a strong concept. Now playing as a Big Daddy, the player gets access to a devastating drill, as well as a modicum of new weapons and plasmids to dispatch foes. There are quite a few plasmids and gene tonics to make use of but I found myself sticking with the tried-and-true shock and incinerate ones as they worked best in conjunction with my firepower. I had a blast stunning enemies, then headshotting them for an easy kill.

The level format in BioShock 2 is pretty consistent through the middle of the game. Find one of the antagonist’s lackeys in a new division of Rapture, tear through splicers and Big Sisters, and make the choice to save/spare or harvest/kill Little Sisters and bosses. These moral choices are taken into account for the game’s climax and your ending will be decided based on which route you take. Opting to take the moral high ground, I did the right thing every time at the cost of better upgrades and got the best ending.

As a narrative experience, BioShock 2 is mesmerizing. Driven by as powerful a cause as any, rescuing your daughter is at the forefront of the silent protagonist’s mind. The obstacles never feel too overwhelming, but you’ll be strapped for resources, as health packs and money are a must to stand a chance at the intimidating enemy encounters. Hacking is essential, as well, and could be the difference between life or death in future fights. This isn’t a game where you can rush from point A to B and I love that.

BioShock 2 took some getting used to and a few tries for me to stay hooked throughout the years. However, the Remastered iteration finally sunk me in and I had a great time from start to finish. I’m definitely looking forward to playing the Minerva’s Den DLC, which has been noted as one of the best expansions of all time by some. With news that a fourth BioShock is in development, now is the perfect time to power through the series. You will be sure to enjoy all three games, with 2 being a highlight.

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BioShock 2 Remastered

$19.99

9

Score

9.0/10

Pros

• Memorable Story
• Swell Level Design
• RPG Variety
• Amazing Combat

Cons

• Abrupt Ending
• Some Messy Character Models