Support NeoGAF

[Solo]

It's funny how you knock BioShock 2 for having similarities to BioShock 1 in ways that you don't criticize the first game for having.

I could say that its funny how you dont knock Bioshock 2 for having a few too many similarities to Bioshock in in ways it has no reason to aside from a lack of creativity, but I won't.

We can play he said, he said all night, but Im not really interested in that. You can love the game, and I can be lukewarm on it, and all will be right in the world.

 

[DarkKyo]

Ive played it many times. There are defintely corridor-esque levels like Hephaestus, but its balanced out with stuff like Arcadia and Fort Frolic.

Welcome to Rapture. Feeling claustrophobic? That's the god damned point!

 

[The Librarian]

I could say that its funny how you dont knock Bioshock 2 for having a few too many similarities to Bioshock in in ways it has no reason to aside from a lack of creativity, but I won't.

Because I haven't finished the game yet, for one, and I have said that the graphics are quite lacking, though the art makes up for it mostly. I'll admit that there were a few instances where BioShock 1 clearly had an impression on the game. Though, I'm not the one going going on about how the level design of BioShock 2 is inferior to that of BioShock when BioShock 2 has, in some levels, the same corridor stuff as BioShock 1.

 

[Solo]

Like I said, dropping it. No need for another one of these debates. Never solves anything. Ill post again when Ive beat the game, and we'll see how it sits with me at that point.

 

[JordoftheDead]

To throw in my two-cents, after completing Siren's Alley I've gone from 'I loved the first game so much it's no suprise it hasn't met my expectations' to 'Holy shit, this game is great'.

I love how open the level design is getting the further into the game you get.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

So I keep losing ADAM and Trial XP due to the game supposedly getting kicked off of the PSN. Anyone else suffering from this? It wasn't happening on launch day grrrrrrrr

 

[Olivero]

Ah, just finished the game.

Spoiler

Good Lord the end battle is so chaotic. Way too much going on at once. Not enjoyable at all.

Over all, the game is a meh. It's not bad, but it's not entirely awe inspiring either. Wonderful art, lacking story imho. MP is also mediocre at best. I'd recommend rental vs purchase.

 

[Palmer_v1]

I'm wondering, from an achievement whore's point of view, if it's possible to get all Campaign achievements in a single playthrough? The first game, for example, was impossible if you went the "evil" route with the little sisters.

 

[Barakov]

Just got to

Spoiler

Siren's Alley

. Some thoughts:

From what I played, I preferred most of the weapons of BS to BS2. Then again that could be the combination of nostalgia and not having upgrades for certain weapons. The drill is far superior to the wrench in every way. I'm kinda torn on the camera. On one hand, I prefer how the first Bioshock did it where you snap a picture of a splicer and you got increased damage on it or whatnot and went back to shooting. Here you shoot the film and it keeps rolling until you kill the enemy. Although, what I like about BS2 is that you get new abilities from filming the gorilla splicers or whatever they're called.

As far as the graphics go it all looks pretty great. I suspect most of that is the art design more than anything else. The level design thus far kinda seems uneven to me. Some of it seems pretty good while something like

Spoiler

Ryan's Amusements

is just straight up corridors. I much preferred how the different parts of Rapture felt interconnected in the first game instead of how you're in a linear train ride in BS2.

I'm definitely in the camp of how the little sisters were handled in the first game. I pretty much hate anytime you have to escort/protect an AI character. Most of the time you don't have to worry about them, it's just the part of fighting waves of splicers until she is done sucking the adam out of the corpse is what irks me.

From what I played thus far I'm enjoying it. Still have to check out multiplayer, though.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

you could always just harvest or save her right off the bat, and skip the protecting bit, but yeah, less adam

 

[The Librarian]

you could always just harvest or save her right off the bat, and skip the harvesting bita, but yeah, less adam

Or you can be a superdick and have her gather Adam then harvest her.

 

[-PXG-]

Just beat it. Bioshock 3 confirmed...

 

[Dan]

I'm wondering, from an achievement whore's point of view, if it's possible to get all Campaign achievements in a single playthrough? The first game, for example, was impossible if you went the "evil" route with the little sisters.

Not really a spoiler, but just in case:

Spoiler

Yes, it's possible to get them all provided you play as a 'good' guy and don't kill anyone when given the choice.

 

[Truant]

Regarding Gil

Spoiler

The only interesting moral choice. I killed him, but felt that was the right thing to do. Anyway, I saw something in the tank, but couldn't make it out. Anyone have pics?

 

[Lkr]

pcgaf: what exactly are you doing with nvidia cards to force AA and AF? nvidia control panel or nhancer?

 

[Risette]

Bioshock 2 360, $40 (sorry if old):

http://gamedealdaily.com/store/product.php?product=1488

I've ordered here before and have gotten my stuff, it's also trusted on CAG.

 

[Jintor]

Dear Irrational:

Rocket Spears Are Awesome.

Sincerely, Jintor.

 

[Y2Kev]

Regarding Gil

Spoiler

The only interesting moral choice. I killed him, but felt that was the right thing to do. Anyway, I saw something in the tank, but couldn't make it out. Anyone have pics?

I did the same, but it looks like that doesn't give you the best ending...

 

[sweetvar26]

Bioshock 2 360, $40 (sorry if old):

http://gamedealdaily.com/store/product.php?product=1488

I've ordered here before and have gotten my stuff, it's also trusted on CAG.

Yeah I made a thread, nobody seemed to care, not sure why, it is a good deal, thought lot of people are on the edge buying this.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387311

 

[Papercuts]

The more I play, the more annoyed I get at Delta being the biggest bitch ever. I cannot believe they made you play a Big Daddy but made him die so quickly...I wasn't expecting full on godmode ala multiplayer, but holy crap.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

totally in the 'this game is really damn fun' phase again. I'm playing the game at a different pace at the moment (still in Pauper's Drop), and it's really paying off. I have a wider range of plasmids (winter blast is great, as usual) and weapons (double barreled shotgun is awesome) now, so the gun-play is becoming much more free-form. Once I realised I could pick up unused traps, it really let me start going crazy with the game.

Contrary to how I usually play FPS, I'm not hording anything. Health packs, eve, special ammo, money: they're all being used. If I see some ammo and I can't pick it up because my inventory is full, then as far as I'm concerned I'm doing it wrong.

It's a mini-revelation for me, because usually I'm a horder (who always finishes the last boss with heaps of special ammo unused and healing items stored). The game is so much more fun when I put that mental-baggage to the side and just go nuts.

 

[Oreoleo]

pcgaf: what exactly are you doing with nvidia cards to force AA and AF? nvidia control panel or nhancer?

nHancer. It was actually really easy.

 

[gstaff]

I'm wondering, from an achievement whore's point of view, if it's possible to get all Campaign achievements in a single playthrough? The first game, for example, was impossible if you went the "evil" route with the little sisters.

Only about 3-4 hours in, so I'm not sure -- a lot of times I make a save right before a decision so I can see how it works both ways. If there's one for killing each little sister, I'm not getting it.

 

[The Librarian]

I'm about seven hours into the SP.

Spoiler

I'm still in Pauper's Drop. I encountered my first Brute Splicer today which was surprising more fun to fight than I thought he was going to be. I managed to kill him by luring him under the spotlight of my hacked security camera. I also had a lot more fun with the gathering sessions of the LS because I had more options available to me, and the research camera made it easier to fight regular splicers.

Feels good, man.

 

[Jintor]

Dionysus park has this ready set area just for fighting everything possible in it. Security cams everywhere, easy ambush locations, funnels... oh man.

Spoiler

Fighting the Big Sis in there was ridiculously easy, even without abusing Winter Blast

 

[KiKaL]

Just beat the game. I absolutely loved it. I was a huge fan of the original and this one kept what I liked about the first and fixed some of the issues I didn't. I felt like I took my time and had tons of extra Atom and Money in the end but beat the game in about 10hours. The length doesn't bother me to much because I know I will replay it.

 

[bodyofanamerican]

Regarding Gil

Spoiler

The only interesting moral choice. I killed him, but felt that was the right thing to do. Anyway, I saw something in the tank, but couldn't make it out. Anyone have pics?

Spoiler

There's a picture of him in the LE artbook. Looks like a mixture of an infant and a Xenomorph (Alien from Alien) larvae.

 

[Imperial Hot]

I just ordered a copy from that Game Deal Daily website. For $40 I have to give this game a fair shake.

 

[Grady Durden]

Just beat the game. I absolutely loved it. I was a huge fan of the original and this one kept what I liked about the first and fixed some of the issues I didn't. I felt like I took my time and had tons of extra Atom and Money in the end but beat the game in about 10hours. The length doesn't bother me to much because I know I will replay it.

I always hear and think "Atom" as well.

Possible official term change?

 

[Narcosis]

I was skeptical of multiplayer, but damn it's alot of fun. I wish there were more teamwork though, it seems every time I grabbed one of the Little Sisters I was swarmed and nobody from my team was anywhere to be found....

I seem to be enjoying the singleplayer more than some impressions here. I like the ramp up in challenge, seeing how I felt like Bio 1 on normal was too easy. I just spammed the camera and wrench and finished without much hassle. I don't think the atmosphere in the sequel is as good, but the shooting seems more fun this time around and the fact that I could potentially die in a large number of encounters draws me in more.

 

[rareside]

Just got the fire plasmid. Not really digging this game yet, although I did like the amusement ride setting, gave me a slightly watered down (har har) MAX PAYNE 2 vibe.

I think I'm just sour on the gameplay, as I dig the story enough, but I hope they mix it up in the gameplay dept soon.

 

[black_vegeta]

Nice thread title change, the original was blah...

 

[G00SE]

Just bought me the PS3 Collector's edition and loving it. The set is gorgeous and really well put together- just wish the actual game was as good as the first one.

 

[SentientStone]

Does anyone think this Special Edition will be rare at all someday?
I just picked up a PS3 version, but won't be opening it for months since I won't have a PS3 until at least May. :lol

 

[G00SE]

If it's anything like the PC/360 Special Editions--holy shit yes. The Big Daddy figures were going for hundreds on ebay just prior to BS2's release.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

really, really loved the second half of Pauper's Drop. I'm currently up to Siren Alley.

the camera has added another really cool layer to the combat, it's a great improvement over the Bioshock camera.

between some awesome fights where I enraged a Brute, froze a Big Sister as a shit load of enraged enemies mauled her before a rocket turret in a nearby building finished off and the whole apartment complex section (loved the layout and steady progression through it), I couldn't bring myself to stop playing.

So glad I stuck with it. As per the original, it almost makes me feel like I'm being creative in a weird way. So good.

 

[Costanza]

OMG this amusement park is cool as hell. Just as inspired as any of the setpieces in the first game IMO.

 

[bodyofanamerican]

Big spoiler; character location question

Spoiler

Where do i fight/kill Meltzer?

 

[Hylian7]

Is it just me, or is the PC version really buggy for everyone else too? I've already run into a bug where I can't pick up items from containers like bodies anymore, only stuff scattered around. Also my framerate seems low for my system (which has a 9800GT in it). I can barely get to 60FPS when nothing's around (no Vsync) and sometimes it goes below 20. Tried lowering all settings to their lowest just for grins and got roughly the same results.

 

[Jonsoncao]

http://www.lensoftruth.com/?p=17989

PS3/360 comparison, texture, tearing, loading time, etc

 

[tenritsu]

Big spoiler; character location question

Spoiler

Where do i fight/kill Meltzer?

Spoiler

The holding cells in the Plasmid Lab

 

[bodyofanamerican]

Spoiler

The holding cells in the Plasmid Lab

thank you!

for clarification, you mean

Spoiler

the area AFTER I take Gil's genetic sample, right?

 

[DodgyGeezerFella]

PC MP Gameplay for those interested

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4bpKL93_ck

I sort of like the MP in this, but it seems a bit laggy and jumpy, and the frame rate lock doesnt seem to help. Heres hoping they give 2 shits and patch it up a bit. Default mouse sensitivity was bat shit crazy though, had to put it to its lowest to make it seem the same as SP. Do enjoy the aesthetics (reminds me of The Ship).

 

[Scarecrow]

Quick question: Are you able to visit past areas like the in first game? I've left the first real area and it gave me a warning that I should be sure to be done.

 

[Papercuts]

Quick question: Are you able to visit past areas like the in first game? I've left the first real area and it gave me a warning that I should be sure to be done.

Impossible to return to any of the areas after you leave.

 

[Dan]

I never got a warning before leaving an area, but I also dealt with all the Little Sisters and found all the Power to the People kiosks, so maybe if you get that warning it means you missed something from either or both of those things.

thank you!

for clarification, you mean

Spoiler

the area AFTER I take Gil's genetic sample, right?

No. If I recall,

Spoiler

I encountered him before that, in the rooms to the right of Gil's tank while looking for the ADAM-infused plants.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

put more time into it and not finding it as hard as I was at the start, I got stuck on one adam harvest section after the first big daddy and respawning to little/no ammo and health with none in the area prompted a level restart. I do like the planning aspects and the very real chance you may die whenever you take on a big daddy though. However, I've had a couple cheap deaths with

'walk out into the middle of a roof and a turret nails you while you try and plod to the edge'

partly my fault because I'm garbage at weapon/plasmid changing on the fly.

Impossible to return to any of the areas after you leave.

I've been getting the little sisters, but those power to the people things, anyway to know if there is one around?

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Just finished single player. Really pleased with it. Even though it didn't do anything that new, it's s still an interesting sequel to a game that seemed like it didn't need one.

No Fort Frolic moments, but no crappy ending either.

 

[speculawyer]

Impossible to return to any of the areas after you leave.

:-/

That's annoying. I know the first game was pretty linear as well, but at least it let you go back to levels and stomp around them a bit.

 

[Papercuts]

I've been getting the little sisters, but those power to the people things, anyway to know if there is one around?

Pretty sure there's no way to know, from what I've found so far:

Spoiler

Ryan Amusements has 1
Pauper's Drop has 3
I'm at Siren's Alley now and already found 1, but there's likely going to be 2-3 more here.

It is really annoying knowing it's easy to miss one and be unable to get it.