BioShock 2

 PlayStation 3
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 759 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 599 out of 759
  2. Mixed: 126 out of 759
  3. Negative: 34 out of 759
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  1. m_elders
    Dec 19, 2012
    6
    Bioshock 2 is clearly a game made to make money. The only significant gameplay change between Bioshock and Bioshock 2 is the new Little Sister mechanic (and the related Big Sister attacks). For those who don't know, this mechanic means that now, whenever you find a Little Sister and kill the Big Daddy, you can take the sister with you to collect Adam from corpses while you get hit byBioshock 2 is clearly a game made to make money. The only significant gameplay change between Bioshock and Bioshock 2 is the new Little Sister mechanic (and the related Big Sister attacks). For those who don't know, this mechanic means that now, whenever you find a Little Sister and kill the Big Daddy, you can take the sister with you to collect Adam from corpses while you get hit by waves of enemies (that smell you collecting Adam?). It's a very frustrating mechanic, and tends to ruin pacing. The rest of the gameplay is copy/paste from the original Bioshock. The story is simultaneously a sequel and a prequel. You are playing in a time after the events of Bioshock, but all the diaries you find are from a time before the events of Bioshock. These diaries feature Andrew Ryan, Frank Fontaine, and many of the other old characters. The new diaries establish a whole new issue that Ryan was apparently worried about around the time Fontaine was becoming a problem. It seems very much like it was tacked on just to be able to include Ryan in the story. In fact, the whole game just seems like it was tacked on to the old Bioshock to make money. Is it a good game? Well, Bioshock was a great game, and this copies that, so sure. Is it original? No. Is it as great as it was to visit Rapture for the first time? Of course not. But if you're having trouble finding other good games to play, this one won't disappoint you too much.… Expand
  2. JamesN
    Feb 12, 2010
    7
    I bought this game right after lunch and was able to return it right before dinner. About 5 hours is all thats in this game, I took my time I walked around and I listened to all the little tapes. I had my fun and marveled at the world I was being show. There was just so much LESS of it all. Not many people spoke about bioshock for its amazing shooter gamechanging and that fact remains. I bought this game right after lunch and was able to return it right before dinner. About 5 hours is all thats in this game, I took my time I walked around and I listened to all the little tapes. I had my fun and marveled at the world I was being show. There was just so much LESS of it all. Not many people spoke about bioshock for its amazing shooter gamechanging and that fact remains. Its all about the perfect story telling. This game is worth a rent to see it and play it I wouldnt dare call it a bad game in any respect. Multilayer is all shooter and frankly there are simply BETTER shooters out there. So thats all. Good game I wish there was more of it.… Expand
  3. jeremiaht.
    Feb 15, 2010
    5
    I was fairly disappointed in Bioshock 2. Sure it was a fun FPS but in an aged sort of way. Kind of like how I loved Power Rangers as a kid but when I watch the new ones I can't remember why I loved it. The story was a bit lacking for me, you're just a good guy in another city full of bad guys and although the new weapons and plasmids were fun they couldn't make up for the I was fairly disappointed in Bioshock 2. Sure it was a fun FPS but in an aged sort of way. Kind of like how I loved Power Rangers as a kid but when I watch the new ones I can't remember why I loved it. The story was a bit lacking for me, you're just a good guy in another city full of bad guys and although the new weapons and plasmids were fun they couldn't make up for the repetition of this game. I just hope that if there's a third installment the guys a 2k man-up and try something new. "crossing fingers".… Expand
  4. harryf308
    Aug 14, 2010
    5
    Fairly good game. However it just doesn't seem to have any appeal to me after a few missions. The impression that you are this massive "Big Daddy" seems unreal, because you can be easily taken out by a relatively weak splicer with ease. Haven't even bothered with multi-player. I'll eventually get round to playing it again, but I guarantee that'll be a long time waiting. Have no idea whyFairly good game. However it just doesn't seem to have any appeal to me after a few missions. The impression that you are this massive "Big Daddy" seems unreal, because you can be easily taken out by a relatively weak splicer with ease. Haven't even bothered with multi-player. I'll eventually get round to playing it again, but I guarantee that'll be a long time waiting. Have no idea why people are claiming this will be game of the year, no chance. However, I would recommend renting/ lending it before you buy. It's not a bad game by a long shot, but there are better games with more appeal out there.… Expand
  5. AllO
    Feb 9, 2011
    5
    The whole game is decent, but nothing more than that. Not as interesting to play as the first, offers nothing we are significantly better off with having. skip or rent (or pirate)
  6. You
    May 12, 2011
    5
    I played this game with the friend on his xbox. It looked great and i bought it for ps3 but wasn't very interesting. It is very boring. When i played it at first it was exciting. But soon i understood that itis very line game. It is not bad. It is not good
    5.0
  7. videophantom120
    Oct 10, 2011
    7
    BioShock 2 is a great shooting game i only paid £5 so i didn't pay much i like the horror part of the game mix with the powers you get i give it 7/10
  8. jim109109
    Jun 4, 2012
    7
    It's equally good to the first Bioshock, minus the novelty aspect. Here are the changes: new hacking system (it's better), new story (it's worse). That's about it - it's really the same game with a different story. I enjoyed it almost as much as the first, though, because it remains that the gameplay is awesome.
  9. aspentitan
    Feb 10, 2010
    7
    Well, I have only played a few hours obviously but did want to give this game a rush review which is premature of course because I didn
  10. ArkonBlade
    Jan 29, 2011
    7
    i thought the first bio shock was a ok game so didnt have any hype or great expectations for the second and waited for it to come down in price and got it for $10 on amazon, much like the first it is just ok but the first one is alittle bit better. the story mode has you playin as a big daddy out to find his little sister who was taken from him . the story isnt as good as the firsti thought the first bio shock was a ok game so didnt have any hype or great expectations for the second and waited for it to come down in price and got it for $10 on amazon, much like the first it is just ok but the first one is alittle bit better. the story mode has you playin as a big daddy out to find his little sister who was taken from him . the story isnt as good as the first bioshocks with no real suprises in store and no real boss fights. you pretty much have all the same guns as you had in the first game plus the rivet gun and a drill arm . you also have 2 new enimys theese giant brute looking things and the big sisters. the game doesnt feel like any thing fresh and the story doesnt do much . the online is a mixed bag . the servers are complete crap after 9 months you would think they would be more stable you will get kicked out of games alot and i do mean alot . ive gone from level 1-40 in the online and you can go to 50 if you get the DLC that lets you for $4.99 . i passed on it . the game can be fun online provided you are playing with people that are around your level . lvl 40s and higher will just own you at lower levels as they have so many cheap and i do mean UBBER cheap tatctics they can use to just 1 hit kill you causing the game to be very frustrating if you are playing on a team of alot of high lvls and you are just a lower lvl . so the games balance online can be complete crap . the online is also headed on its last leg with people playing it as finding a match online can some times take you 5 min or more some times . all in all bioshock 2 is ok and worth owning if you liked the first one just dont expect a vast improvement to any thing.… Expand
  11. DylanC
    Nov 30, 2010
    7
    I wish I could say I enjoyed this game, but it felt too similar to the first Bioshock which really detracted from the experience. However, it's not a horrible game for it has redeeming qualities, such as the gameplay itself where you can wield both plasmids and a weapon at the same time. Also the multiplayer wasn't too shabby and I actually enjoyed it. Overall, its okay, but thoseI wish I could say I enjoyed this game, but it felt too similar to the first Bioshock which really detracted from the experience. However, it's not a horrible game for it has redeeming qualities, such as the gameplay itself where you can wield both plasmids and a weapon at the same time. Also the multiplayer wasn't too shabby and I actually enjoyed it. Overall, its okay, but those expecting to have their minds blown like the first will be a bit disappointed.… Expand
  12. Perubi
    Feb 1, 2011
    7
    A thrilling and entertaining game. Good graphics, a great amount of possibilities and... well, that's it. The storyline is too simple, it doesn't trap you at all (is the only bad point compared with it's predecessor). But, which is the principal objective of a game? To entertain the player. In my case, Bioshock 2 did it.
  13. Pepaneitor
    Mar 31, 2013
    7
    This game has a Good Story, has good gameplay mechanics, good ambientation but, in my opinion it is not as good as the Original, but is still a Good Game with a deep Story, and a lenght of about 6 hours, and the multiplayer is unnecessary
  14. mosessaur
    May 8, 2013
    7
    I'm rating this as 7 for one reason. nothing new in game-play experience from original BioShock. No surprised in the story as in original BioShock.
    Overall it's a nice game and I enjoyed it. But I was expecting more for rapture sequel. I would say play Original BioShock and if you got this one for free you can play it. But I won't recommend buying it alone. You can get with the ultimate    I'm rating this as 7 for one reason. nothing new in game-play experience from original BioShock. No surprised in the story as in original BioShock.
    Overall it's a nice game and I enjoyed it. But I was expecting more for rapture sequel. I would say play Original BioShock and if you got this one for free you can play it. But I won't recommend buying it alone. You can get with the ultimate rapture edition as I did.    … Expand
  15. HoodNation
    Sep 17, 2012
    7
    The first Bioshock is better. Bioshock is good but falls short of a couple of things. I thought the story was great and I thought the multiplayer was god awful. Nevertheless its worth 20 dollars.
  16. G-Fan219
    Jul 12, 2013
    7
    I really love Bioshock. It has to be one of my favorite games I ever played for the PS3. I gained Bioshock 2 right after buying the first, as a used copy was at Cashland for $15. I don't know why, but I didn't like this one as much. It didn't capture me in the story as the first one did, I got bored around halfway through the game. Going into the world of Rapture for the second time isn'tI really love Bioshock. It has to be one of my favorite games I ever played for the PS3. I gained Bioshock 2 right after buying the first, as a used copy was at Cashland for $15. I don't know why, but I didn't like this one as much. It didn't capture me in the story as the first one did, I got bored around halfway through the game. Going into the world of Rapture for the second time isn't as exciting as the first. Also, the I said I had no frame-rate issues with the first, but this one was a different story. I also wanted better graphics than the first, but no such luck there. To me, this just feels like more of a shooter than the first. If you like shooters, then you might like this game.… Expand
  17. EKS666
    Oct 2, 2013
    6
    After playing all of the Bioshock games, this one seems like a much lower quality experience than the other two games. A lot of this game is spent doing mundane tasks over and over again, and because of this, it seems to go on and on for way too long. At certain points, it just seemed like a waste of time to play this game, and I would only go on since I already committed to beating thisAfter playing all of the Bioshock games, this one seems like a much lower quality experience than the other two games. A lot of this game is spent doing mundane tasks over and over again, and because of this, it seems to go on and on for way too long. At certain points, it just seemed like a waste of time to play this game, and I would only go on since I already committed to beating this game. To the game's credit, every mundane section would be followed by an fairly interesting section. In all, this game just left a mediocre impression, it wasn't bad, but I wouldn't recommend it.… Expand
  18. gavey02
    Aug 26, 2013
    5
    I got this game with the mindset that it was going to be really good and possibly better than the first which i gave it a 9.3. Bioshock 2 was no means a bad game but i was very diddapointed and im easily pleased with games but bioshock 2 felt like Bioshock V.05 Because the story wasnt as interesting, the idea of being A big daddy was cool but there was no real upgrades exept using 2I got this game with the mindset that it was going to be really good and possibly better than the first which i gave it a 9.3. Bioshock 2 was no means a bad game but i was very diddapointed and im easily pleased with games but bioshock 2 felt like Bioshock V.05 Because the story wasnt as interesting, the idea of being A big daddy was cool but there was no real upgrades exept using 2 things at once, While the shooting and combat was intacted there were no real improvements and there wasnt very many new enemys... Big sister, Really? The game is OK but could be better. 5.5… Expand
  19. dontrapemybrain
    Oct 19, 2013
    7
    Story isn't this games strong suit. Gameplay is improved quite some in this version but most of the game is a form of escort mission, so that's annoying. This game wants to be a sequel when Bioshock didn't need a sequel. I feel like this game would have been better as a prequel, think about it. You would have spent more time in a living rapture, growing a connection to your little sister.Story isn't this games strong suit. Gameplay is improved quite some in this version but most of the game is a form of escort mission, so that's annoying. This game wants to be a sequel when Bioshock didn't need a sequel. I feel like this game would have been better as a prequel, think about it. You would have spent more time in a living rapture, growing a connection to your little sister. The whole Lamb vs Ryan thing would have made more sense and would have more impact if Ryan was alive, fighting Lamb in political debate. We could see the deterioration of rapture as everything breaks apart. The splicers splice, the politics go mad, and rapture begins to die. That would also make the whole playing as a prototype big daddy make sense. At the end of all you can kill Lamb or help her get the f*** out of dodge. Did you know metacritic f***ing censors you? I have to add the asterisks or else they remove whole sections, and that's just weird.… Expand
  20. Hackattaque
    Oct 8, 2016
    6
    Having played through Bioshock 2 straight after completing the original (rather than waiting 2 years!), I have to say that I'm really disappointed. I think the Metacritic scores are just a bit too high and may reflect the fact the game just hasn't aged that well. Perhaps it scratched an itch to dive back into Rapture when it was released?

    The consensus view seems to be that Bioshock 2    Having played through Bioshock 2 straight after completing the original (rather than waiting 2 years!), I have to say that I'm really disappointed. I think the Metacritic scores are just a bit too high and may reflect the fact the game just hasn't aged that well. Perhaps it scratched an itch to dive back into Rapture when it was released?

    The consensus view seems to be that Bioshock 2 delivers on gameplay and combat but falls short on story -- sort of in the same way that the movie "Aliens" served as a more action-packed yet less atmospheric sequel to "Alien". I'd argue it falls short on the lot. Despite the promise of playing as a Big Daddy, the changes are mostly cosmetic: You're still wielding plasmids and weapons, you're still fighting the same enemy types and you're still doing the same kind of search and fetch quests. It's not terrible by any means and there's definitely more action and combat involved than in the first game, but I felt like I'd seen everything by the third or fourth hour.

    Basically, so much of the experience feels like a bad re-tread of the original Bioshock. The level design is okay but basically like a less inspired versions of those you saw in the first game. The characters you meet are okay but again feel like weak stand-ins for the original's. Sofia Lamb is much less convincing a villain than Andrew Ryan, while Sinclair just never feels as helpful or important an ally as Atlas did. The supporting cast of weirdos has nobody as memorable as Steinman or Cohen. The only surprise I felt was when the game attempted some forced comedy, confronting me with a chatty egomaniacal flying robot and putting me in a mock game-show -- which came across as just plain dumb. It just all feels like a weak expansion pack, not a sequel.

    In addition to being shallow, it's quite a short game -- at least it is if you exclude the time-consuming chore that is rescuing the Little Sisters. I can't help but feel that Bioshock 2 overhauled the rescue system just as a padding measure to fill time. To rescue a Little Sister you now have to kill a Big Daddy, walk the girl over to a dead body, protect her from a horde of enemies, walk her to a second dead body, protect her from another horde of enemies -- and then, if you're really unlucky, a Big Sister will jump out and fight you. It's boring and not fun. The original's morality system may not have been perfect but at least there was some incentive to being 'good'. Here, I was able to either ignore the Little Sisters or kill them without feeling any twinge of guilt.

    And yes, I do have to admit that the Big Sisters are creepy and well-designed. You never quite know when they're going to pop out -- that first warning scream you hear is the closest thing you'll get to re-living that nervous moment when you had to take out a Big Daddy in the first game. But in the end, like a lot of this game, they are probably over-used and fighting them never seems quite as exciting as it should be.

    All in all, a pretty average game that for me slightly tarnishes the Bioshock legacy. Bioshock Infinite is a truer sequel, even if it has its flaws. I think this game served its purpose maybe in 2010 but just hasn't aged well.    … Expand
  21. nathanhere
    Jun 23, 2017
    7
    While not up to par with its predecessor, BioShock 2 still provides a fun and engaging experience for the general player. Although lacking in gameplay mechanics, the story is as, if not more, compelling than the its older sibling. This edition provides a deeper knowledge into the world of rapture, showcasing the attributes of what makes BioShock such a success.

    7/10
  22. Jyadaus
    May 17, 2020
    7
    I just played this game after finished Bioshock. Bioshock was fascinating. Story, gameplay, combat system was really good. There is small thing i didn't like but this game still one of the greatest FPS game in 7th gen.

    I dont know what i am feeling to this game. I like the story, but they are also removed all of plot twists. Also, endings was great. Weapons are changed, but feeling    I just played this game after finished Bioshock. Bioshock was fascinating. Story, gameplay, combat system was really good. There is small thing i didn't like but this game still one of the greatest FPS game in 7th gen.

    I dont know what i am feeling to this game. I like the story, but they are also removed all of plot twists. Also, endings was great.

    Weapons are changed, but feeling is still same. Plasmids are completely same. They just added new plasmids. They added big sisters completely different from first game. And plus, they removed boss fights! No, big sisters aren't boss.

    I have fun while playing this game. But its should be an expansion pack.    … Expand
  23. ToshLichev
    Jun 21, 2020
    7
    Bioshock 2 manages to improve on many of 1's problems, but fails to give us a compelling enough reason to return to Rapture. A mediocre story lessens an otherwise great gaming experience.
  24. Hellgates666
    Jun 25, 2020
    7
    Bioshock 2 delves back into Rapture, and does it well. Playing as a big daddy gives you a sense of power and invincibility, trading some of the horror aspects from the first game for a more action oriented game style. The story was good, but didn't have the quality you would necessarily expect after having played the first bioshock. Still, an enjoyable experience and a good second look at Rapture.
  25. SimoneGhetto94
    May 10, 2021
    7
    Overall a good game that suffers slightly from too much similarity with the first chapter. The setting of Rapture is certainly suggestive but it is an almost perfect replica of what we saw in the first chapter.
    Gameplay almost identical to the previous one but slightly dull on some mechanics (automatic eve reload, weapon and plasmid selection).
    Overall a good FPS with a story, albeit    Overall a good game that suffers slightly from too much similarity with the first chapter. The setting of Rapture is certainly suggestive but it is an almost perfect replica of what we saw in the first chapter.
    Gameplay almost identical to the previous one but slightly dull on some mechanics (automatic eve reload, weapon and plasmid selection).
    Overall a good FPS with a story, albeit interesting and fascinating, which has too many similarities with the first chapter (also on how to get the different good, bad and undecided endings).
    The slightly lower rating than in the previous chapter is because it does not present great innovations.
    Gameplay: 7/10
    History: 7/10
    Setting: 9/10
    Graphics: 7/10 (no substantial difference compared to the previous chapter)
    Overall: 7/10    … Expand
  26. Jattaman
    Aug 28, 2022
    7
    Senza dubbio un bel gioco, buona grafica, giocabile e nel complesso ben fatto.

    Il problema è che è sin troppo simile al primo episodio.

    Stesse meccaniche, ambientazioni identiche.

    Sembra quasi di rigiocare il primo capitolo. Produzione piuttosto pigra.

    Non l'ho terminato.

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best PS3 Game of 2010
17
#17 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2010
33
#33 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 62 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 62
  3. Negative: 0 out of 62
  1. PSM3 Magazine UK
    93
    Unless the familiarity really gets to you, you're going to love BioShock 2. It's a lovingly crafted, carefully constructed masterpiece of narrative richness and smart game mechanics. It can even be enjoyed as a straight-up shooter thanks to its innovative, tactile combat system. [Feb 2010, p.72]
  2. IGN
    91
    It's a game in which story, setting, and gameplay are expertly blended to create an experience that's as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.
    Read full review
  3. IGN UK
    90
    This second tour of duty with far superior toys is everything it needs to be, though. Familiarity breeds a little contempt, but as, simply, a game in which you shoot monsters in city under the sea, it's better in every respect.
    Read full review
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