Bioshock 2

I'm a big fan of this game's predecessor, clocking in at least four play-throughs. Not a big number, nor impressive, but, considering I'm done with most games after one...anyway! The story isn't really new or special, yet it's an entertaining ride the whole way through, even when the twists and turns can be seen coming almost right at the beginning. I will try to refrain from spoilers, though I suppose that is not always possible.

You are Delta, the first successful Big Daddy in the Alpha series, and you have seemingly risen from the grave ten years after the downfall of Rapture. Guided by visions of your once-Little Sister, as well as a shady businessman named Sinclair, it's up to you to put things right. It's a one-versus-an-army sort of game, and you're always one step behind the villains. That is my only real gripe with this game. You see, how many more games can be made where a high-powered, intelligent hero can't get through a zone because an omnipotent villain has done something to hinder him or her with exactly what he or she doesn't have the means to handle yet, but can't surely find nearby? To be honest, the game only requires you to follow a glowing arrow and dispose of enemies and you will be done with the game in under eight hours. No thinking necessary! That being said, the entire package is gorgeous, well-designed, and most importantly: fun.

While I did say the story was cliche, it nonetheless grabs hold of you immediately and rarely lets go unless you decide to take a breather and explore the levels, which are all exquisite even in their desolate state. From ruined diners to a hidden undersea lab, complete with burst rivets slowly allowing the ocean to claim it. This is possible because 2K decided to break the game up into well-defined levels rather than an open-world. Sure, you can't backtrack, but that sort of encourages searching the zones to marvel at everything that they have crafted...which leads me to the next topic.

A big plus of this game is the detail they've put into the "fluff." Splicers (the enemies of the series and former wealthy entrepreneurs who have spliced their DNA in excess) argue, dance, and fight with one another when you are still undetected. Their design has been revamped, where what was once just ugly has been upped to hideous. The audio logs of the inhabitants of Rapture, usually un-Spliced, you find while exploring are considerably better this time around and manage to convey hurt, fear, joy, and so many other emotions; most are recorded and stashed by the principle characters you encounter with the time stamps ranging from before the New Year's War to just minutes before you find the audio log.

The biggest plus, in my opinion, is the upgraded Little Sister section. As a Big Daddy it's your job and driving purpose to protect them, so when you adopt the little girls they ride on your shoulder, talking to you and complimenting their beloved "father," while you and she search for ADAM-harvest-able corpses. Like in the first game, I felt the need to protect them, even when you're given the option to harvest the child itself for exponentially more ADAM than being good, but in Bioshock 2 they have more personality and seem so much more human; any thoughts of being cruel were wiped clean when you're greeted with a wide smile and a comment on her day.

I could go on, but I said enough. Good, good game. I liked it much more than the first despite a few flaws, and while I can't say "buy it," it's definitely a must-rent.