BioShock 2

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 784 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 632 out of 784
  2. Mixed: 115 out of 784
  3. Negative: 37 out of 784
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  1. Edge363
    Aug 21, 2010
    9
    The 2 things wrong with this game is it's repetition and its re-playability. It was fun to shoot a splicer the first time but that seems to be all you do the entire story. The story is way to forward with one easily predictable twist,but i really don't care too much about the story. I might have a slightly biased review for this game since I'm good at the multi player but it does a goodThe 2 things wrong with this game is it's repetition and its re-playability. It was fun to shoot a splicer the first time but that seems to be all you do the entire story. The story is way to forward with one easily predictable twist,but i really don't care too much about the story. I might have a slightly biased review for this game since I'm good at the multi player but it does a good job of killing the camping element that dominates call of duty. the combination of plasmids and guns orchestrate a beautiful amount of variety while playing. Even the best of campers can't kill you more than once since they need a constant supply of eve.In short its story is a flunk and its multilayer did well.… Expand
  2. DanielH
    Feb 11, 2010
    8
    Bioshock 2 falls short for the simple fact that nothing completely new can be expected out of the game. The first one was awesome because the mechanics and A.I. were progressive and fresh. Bioshock 2 should have been a 30 dollar download to extend the first game. I wanted so bad to like this game and gave it every opportunity to wow me like the first one. Here is an idea. Put an inventory Bioshock 2 falls short for the simple fact that nothing completely new can be expected out of the game. The first one was awesome because the mechanics and A.I. were progressive and fresh. Bioshock 2 should have been a 30 dollar download to extend the first game. I wanted so bad to like this game and gave it every opportunity to wow me like the first one. Here is an idea. Put an inventory in the game along with the ability to combine items into weapons or ammo. Give me a reason to search bodies and containers other than to get money, ammo and food. Thanks for memories 2k, reinvent System Shock 2 and I'll be a hardcore fan once more.… Expand
  3. watithink123
    Sep 14, 2012
    8
    The first BioShock was amazing but the game broke on me :(. So I decided to play the second game. Improvements from the old game, decent story, improved gameplay but its too much the same as the first one. BioShock 2 8.1/10
  4. DanD
    Feb 9, 2010
    8
    Realistically, this is about as good a sequel as one could hope for BioShock. The first game had a certain special feeling to it, a mystery, that can't be attained in the second trip to Rapture. I hate to fault this game because of that, when compared to other, non-BioShock shooters it stands up remarkably well, but I'm so attached to the first game that I can't help but Realistically, this is about as good a sequel as one could hope for BioShock. The first game had a certain special feeling to it, a mystery, that can't be attained in the second trip to Rapture. I hate to fault this game because of that, when compared to other, non-BioShock shooters it stands up remarkably well, but I'm so attached to the first game that I can't help but think less of this one. If you haven't played BioShock, this is worth picking up on its own merits (but you'd be better off getting the Oblivion/BioShock package...I mean, duh), and if you have played it, expect a good game -- if not the most mind-blowing experience.… Expand
  5. TaylorM
    Feb 23, 2010
    10
    One of the best games ive ever played. It has a storyline just as good as the first one and even better game play with traps and plasmid weapon combos it just gets better and better. Only downfall is a few glitches online that can be fixed with a single patch. I recommend it to anyone.
  6. m2
    Feb 13, 2010
    10
    For single player lovers: Amazingly complex storyline, albiet short, that keeps you going through the whole 5 hours of gameplay. It is one of few shooters who can give you amazing graphics at more than playable rates with special gameplay mechanics yet tell a deep story that throws you for a wild ride from the continuation of MW. I prefer the better story over extended play time but thats For single player lovers: Amazingly complex storyline, albiet short, that keeps you going through the whole 5 hours of gameplay. It is one of few shooters who can give you amazing graphics at more than playable rates with special gameplay mechanics yet tell a deep story that throws you for a wild ride from the continuation of MW. I prefer the better story over extended play time but thats a quality I like to see in my games. >For multiplayer lovers: If you go this route then be prepared to be dissappointed... maybe. I could care less for dedicated servers right now as long as they delievered an intuitive and fast game style where your never doing nothing for a long time. The bad stuff is you can't bend around corners, no dedicated servers, at times bad lag, and a game picking style similar to consol games like Halo 2. Conclusion: Great singleplayer if your looking for quality over quantity, mediocer multiplayer if you enjoy playing with friends for kicks and giggles but definitely not a clan game. I gave it a 9 because singleplayer for me comes first since multiplayer is pretty vanilla for the FPS genre. Don't like MW2 multiplayer? Then go get something else.… Expand
  7. jamie
    Sep 25, 2010
    10
    I f you loved the first game you WILL love this game. There is really no way to hate this game with all the content that is given. It's a fantastic shooter.
  8. Sceptic
    Mar 11, 2011
    9
    The gameplay is as excellent ,if not better than the first.However the story as a whole isn't nearly as good
    I loved exploring new parts of Rapture and can thoroughly recommend this to anyone.
  9. wesker2012
    May 27, 2012
    8
    Great game.
  10. Rem
    Jul 10, 2013
    8
    Bioshock 2's biggest flaw isn't one of technical or story parts, but rather the feeling. If you played the first Bioshock, everything feels all too familiar. It is no longer as mysterious and as a result, the game loses some of its luster. However, I will say the game is a step up from the first in its design and gameplay. While not vastly improved, minor annoyances such as the hackingBioshock 2's biggest flaw isn't one of technical or story parts, but rather the feeling. If you played the first Bioshock, everything feels all too familiar. It is no longer as mysterious and as a result, the game loses some of its luster. However, I will say the game is a step up from the first in its design and gameplay. While not vastly improved, minor annoyances such as the hacking minigame has been simplified. I just wish I felt like a Big Daddy throughout the whole game. The story on the other hand, while not as shocking or engrossing, is more clearly told and is much tighter emotionally since there is a set goal from the beginning. The multiplayer of Bioshock 2 is good, but nothing we haven't seen before. In the end, Bioshock 2 does not surpass the original, but boy it sure is fun to play.… Expand
  11. SuperFloorMat
    Apr 28, 2013
    8
    Fun and entertaining, It will continue to go all out on trying to kill you with wall crawling enemies or giant brutes that will overwhelm you. The Story is amazing if you haven't played the first one. But for a person going blind for the first time, The old fashion futuristic city is almost a dream to play in and kill some rotting ass. Plasmids are fun to play with once you mastered themFun and entertaining, It will continue to go all out on trying to kill you with wall crawling enemies or giant brutes that will overwhelm you. The Story is amazing if you haven't played the first one. But for a person going blind for the first time, The old fashion futuristic city is almost a dream to play in and kill some rotting ass. Plasmids are fun to play with once you mastered them but at the beginning I felt like I had to save it for major battles instead of using it on little guys which really held me back and got me hit. You have some weapons that you could upgrade to make them stronger but at times I just felt like I wanted more weapons enough though they were at poverty, there could of been a lot more than the generic weapons that was given to you. Bioshock 2 is amazing until the end but trying to play it again was very boring for me because I knew what was going to happen and I couldn't really play in any other direction.… Expand
  12. lelefoxx00
    Sep 24, 2013
    10
    Perfection yet again! They took an already amazing game and turned it into an amazing sequel with new characters, new enemies, and a whole new situation. You now get to see what it is like to be a big daddy and see what Rapture has now become. Not to mention and the new improvements they added to hacking! I could not have asked for a better sequel! It even adds a new version of the BigPerfection yet again! They took an already amazing game and turned it into an amazing sequel with new characters, new enemies, and a whole new situation. You now get to see what it is like to be a big daddy and see what Rapture has now become. Not to mention and the new improvements they added to hacking! I could not have asked for a better sequel! It even adds a new version of the Big Daddy known as the Big Sister and be ready because she will give you a run for your money!… Expand
  13. GarrettC.
    Feb 28, 2010
    10
    The story might not have as many twists and turns and the characters might not be as memorable BUT Bioshock 2 beats out the original in game play in every way. Hacking is improved, duel wield weapons and plasmids, upgrades are more noticeable in plasmids and weapons and controls a lot smother. Sill has the creepy feel with new foes and a lot of decayed environments. Rapture is still The story might not have as many twists and turns and the characters might not be as memorable BUT Bioshock 2 beats out the original in game play in every way. Hacking is improved, duel wield weapons and plasmids, upgrades are more noticeable in plasmids and weapons and controls a lot smother. Sill has the creepy feel with new foes and a lot of decayed environments. Rapture is still awesome and the story of Bioshock 2 is the best you will find, well besides the original.… Expand
  14. SiR
    Feb 21, 2010
    7
    Bioshock 1 is in my top three games of all time. Bioshock 2 most definitely isn't. Ultimately this is a good game but very disappointing. I wasn't compelled to immediately play through this a second and then a third time through like I did for the first Bioshock. The combat plasmids are all the same as the first Bioshock (come on 2K - a little bit of imagination here). It's Bioshock 1 is in my top three games of all time. Bioshock 2 most definitely isn't. Ultimately this is a good game but very disappointing. I wasn't compelled to immediately play through this a second and then a third time through like I did for the first Bioshock. The combat plasmids are all the same as the first Bioshock (come on 2K - a little bit of imagination here). It's short.The end is just stupid (just shoot two pipes then thats it??WTF??!!). Also the new multiplayer def aint no Modern Warfare. I love Rapture and I love Bioshock 1- but this sequel left me cold.… Expand
  15. Kirase
    Jan 1, 2012
    6
    Bioshock 1 instantly impressed with its unique design and kept the player hooked with its uncommon gameplay and story through the game. Now with bioshock 2 it is somehow like hearing the same joke twice in a row. It fails to deliver enough new elements to be interesting. While i would really love to tell positive things about this game since i generally really like the combination of 3dBioshock 1 instantly impressed with its unique design and kept the player hooked with its uncommon gameplay and story through the game. Now with bioshock 2 it is somehow like hearing the same joke twice in a row. It fails to deliver enough new elements to be interesting. While i would really love to tell positive things about this game since i generally really like the combination of 3d shooter with slight rpg elements i just honestly can not do so. I did not even manage to finish the game, just got bored after a while and stopped playing it. Sure will give it a second chance some time and maybe even enjoy finishing it than, but at its release it just disappointed me. 6/10… Expand
  16. JacobP
    Feb 23, 2010
    0
    Just call it 'Bioshock DLC'. I'm glad I only rented this; it was over in one night. Short and on-dimensional; this is just a rehash of it's predecessor.
  17. CoDFather
    Aug 14, 2010
    5
    The first Bioshock was better. The storyline's too short, the splicers are more cartoony than Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, but at least that was good!! The horror isn't as scary as Bioshock 1. They totally copied off of Kill Bill when you shoot yourself in the head... and survive?! What a bunch of lazy developers! The first Bioshock- Nearly perfect. The second Bioshock- half as good
  18. AaronJones_TGD
    Aug 30, 2010
    6
    In short, the original BioShock was a lot better. I think the main problem this game faces is that it cannot capture the atmosphere and ambience that the original game had. And without this major feature, the game doesn't do much for me. The game isn't bad, but really the whole point of a sequel is to improve upon its predecessor. And sadly, this game does not do that.
  19. Human
    Sep 20, 2010
    6
    Frankly, this game does not need to exist. The first Bioshock was an incredibly good game and this adds nothing but plot holes. It was fun enough for one playthrough simply because the combat has been improved but the storyline to Bioshock 2 makes no sense, and this is especially important because of how important the storyline was to the first game. It just feels like the developers hadFrankly, this game does not need to exist. The first Bioshock was an incredibly good game and this adds nothing but plot holes. It was fun enough for one playthrough simply because the combat has been improved but the storyline to Bioshock 2 makes no sense, and this is especially important because of how important the storyline was to the first game. It just feels like the developers had to think of something, anything, for another Bioshock game so they just kind of tacked on these extra characters and settings that are incompatible with the events of the first game. Also, because you play as a big daddy, the game is no longer scary. Big Sisters are a bit scary, but they just seem tacked on as well and after a while you know when they show up so that loses it's thrills. Overall, maybe rent this game if you are dying to return to Rapture, but otherwise just play the first Bioshock again or something,… Expand
  20. Ravenous
    Nov 19, 2010
    9
    Wow, Bioshock 2 delivers all the freakishly addictive action and suspense of the first Bioshock, but with an even more engaging story. I couldn't believe how good it was. Aside from the half-baked multiplayer addition, this game is fantastic.
  21. CorsairReviews
    Oct 29, 2010
    7
    The singleplayer is by no means bad and the story itself will keep you going to the end with ease. The graphics are satisfying and the world of Rapture looks great onscreen and finally the atmosphere is overall very positive. The online doesn't present any major problems either...However, with all those positive features, we still found this game to overall not be anything that special.The singleplayer is by no means bad and the story itself will keep you going to the end with ease. The graphics are satisfying and the world of Rapture looks great onscreen and finally the atmosphere is overall very positive. The online doesn't present any major problems either...However, with all those positive features, we still found this game to overall not be anything that special. perhaps we could not fully fathom the Undersea place of Rapture within our puny minds....We will still see if the next Bioshock game will impress. The sky is the limit - literally in the next game!!!… Expand
  22. starmario123
    May 3, 2011
    8
    For what it's worth this is a good game, It doesn't give bioshock a bad name, but in my mind all it does is make me wonder why they would create a sequel that doesn't live anywhere close to the legacy of Bioshock! Not even in the same ball park! On the plus side the atmosphere is still great, and the gameplay did see some major improvements. The online has great shock value at first, butFor what it's worth this is a good game, It doesn't give bioshock a bad name, but in my mind all it does is make me wonder why they would create a sequel that doesn't live anywhere close to the legacy of Bioshock! Not even in the same ball park! On the plus side the atmosphere is still great, and the gameplay did see some major improvements. The online has great shock value at first, but got old extremely fast.… Expand
  23. misery1990
    Mar 18, 2011
    9
    BioShock 2 is one of the best games of all time,really this game is awesome and also better than the first game,is an enjoyable game with many elements of horror,this game will follow me all my life!!!!!!
  24. BoneyMSomewhere
    Apr 8, 2011
    5
    I started to play this game because I really like Bioshock, but 2 just couldn't hook me. There was nothing in it that I wanted to know except for when it'd do something interesting. But it didn't and I eventually gave it up.
  25. MechMarine
    Jun 8, 2011
    6
    While BioShock 2 makes many new ways to fight than Bioshock, it comes at the cost of losing the political and mental elements of the original. While Bioshock's characters will be remembered in gaming history, chances are no one is going to remember Generic Evil Woman #1, Sophia Lamb.
  26. EastonReviews
    Jul 9, 2011
    6
    Hey, Guys! Guess what? I found a game that won't tear off your nuts! Legitamite! This game has pretty nutty good graphics, OK gameplay, but the storline compared to the original... Do I hear funeral music? Yeah I do, buy if your a absaloute goner if you don't waste your money on it, if your new to the waste-your-money process, keep away.
  27. GPRatcliffe
    Jul 8, 2011
    9
    Whilst this game wasn't quite what was expected by me upon it's release it was actually a lot better than what was expected by me, the game includes the same fantastic scenery and newer characters from Bioshock, however this game will sadly never be able to compare with the original bioshock, still a great game however
  28. xXRenTyrellXx
    Sep 16, 2011
    10
    One hell of a sequel! "Bioshock 2" is packed with more action, more characters, more mystery, more story, more fun! Fans of the first installment should have quite a blast with this new, incredible sequel.
  29. Gamertag_gone
    Nov 10, 2011
    6
    a disappointment to say the least. this game did not live up to the hype for me at all. The entire premise of the game is being able to play as a big daddy, but you never actually FEEL like the terrifying monstrosities from the first Bioshock.

    I can understand why you're not supposed to be invincible, it doesn't make for a fun game if no one can kill you, but there just wasn't enough in    a disappointment to say the least. this game did not live up to the hype for me at all. The entire premise of the game is being able to play as a big daddy, but you never actually FEEL like the terrifying monstrosities from the first Bioshock.

    I can understand why you're not supposed to be invincible, it doesn't make for a fun game if no one can kill you, but there just wasn't enough in this game to set aside the growing fact that this game wasn't a worthy sequel to one of the best games of this console generation. The controls were a bit clunky for my tastes, and a lot of the plasmids felt very rushed and under developed.

    It wasn't a terrible game, by any means. I enjoyed it, it just didn't live up to the hype in my opinion. I think the main problem is that Ken Levine didn't have any hand in this game. He was the creative director for the 1st Bioshock, and is back for Bioshock Infinite. I believe IT will be the true sequel we all wanted this game to be. the game play was solid, but it didn't really capitalize on any new ground breaking experiences. The part of the game where you actually start to FEEL like a big daddy is so late that it feels like a missed opportunity, and the Big Sisters are too predictable to be a real threat. the tact on multi-player was poorly designed, and wasn't any fun at all. I'm giving this game a 6 out of 10. it had a hint of the glory that was Bioshock, but it failed to actually even compare to the original.    … Expand
  30. OnAnarchy
    Mar 20, 2012
    8
    BioShock is among the greatest games of my generation, and ranks in my top 10 all time games (classics not included). BioShock 2, for the most part, does not live up to the standard of the first. But that's not saying much. It is akin to trying to sequel a masterpiece of art, or a symphony. Sure, the artist will give you a good product, but overcoming the barrier they set forBioShock is among the greatest games of my generation, and ranks in my top 10 all time games (classics not included). BioShock 2, for the most part, does not live up to the standard of the first. But that's not saying much. It is akin to trying to sequel a masterpiece of art, or a symphony. Sure, the artist will give you a good product, but overcoming the barrier they set for themselves seems to be too much to handle most of the time. This game falls squarely into that category. It is a very good game, and one I enjoyed very much. But really, how do you follow up a artistic masterpiece?… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2010
15
#15 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2010
34
#34 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 93 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 92 out of 93
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 93
  3. Negative: 0 out of 93
  1. GamePro
    100
    Still, BioShock 2 not only re-captures the dystopian aesthetic, gripping narrative, and deep gameplay of Irrational's original, but it actually greatly improves on the BioShock experience as a whole, fine-tuning what made Jack's voyage to Rapture such a memorable experience two years ago.
    Read full review
  2. MS Xbox World
    85
    It's well over two year's since we first had the privilege to be submerged into the world of Rapture for the very first time. In contrast to the first outing, the sequel certainly delivers that same and unique feel with the combination of well thought out design and audio. It's not so much 'better' than the original, but provides enough twists and turns to keep us unadulterately submerged in this mesmerizing underwater (and demented) utopia.
    Read full review
  3. GameSpot
    85
    Rapture may not be as mysterious and intriguing this second time around, but it is nonetheless host to a powerful and moving tale that allows you to better realize--or pervert--Ryan's principles at your own discretion. Regardless of whether or not this is a return visit to paradise lost, there is plenty to be found here to make it a worthwhile, meaningful, and compelling one.
    Read full review
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