4/5 ★ – peacebrendanp's review of BioShock 2 Remastered.

Booting up this game will recontextualize the first Bioshock game in many ways, both good and bad. This game makes a number of changes to the formula, creating something unique, and something that is a great companion piece to the first game. Most of the changes are small, but make massive improvements to the moment-to-moment gameplay that was established in the first game. Some changes, or choices, result in an experience that I felt was different from the first game, sometimes lacking, but ultimately these changes will be preferential from person to person. The end product is something that has better gameplay, but a less interesting story. Better pacing and run-time, but an art direction that is more vibrant as opposed to dark and dreary (I prefer the dark and despairing art style of the first game, and found that this game should have been even more dark given the context of the timeline of events). The combat feels almost miles better here with the ability to dual-wield between your weapons and plasmids. It's such a welcomed change. Weapons and plasmids feel better here too, with a welcomed variety of weapons that have a new, third, upgrade path that adds an special ability. Plasmids are given the same level of treatment here with more dynamic effects on enemies. Enemies are a bit more varied by type in this entry. And, the Little Sister mechanic in this game is also pretty interesting, given that you play as a Big Daddy. The story really tries to do something unique and impactful, and while it has traces of something that could pay-off, it ultimately feels underwhelming. Characters are less memorable, and twists feel less surprising. There's like several twists that just feel under-baked, and like they were trying to chase the twists of the first game. It's unfortunate, but despite that, the story is still serviceable to the gameplay, and interesting just enough to keep you going. Having a story centered around being a Big Daddy is ambitious in and of itself, but they make it work, for the most part. The game is paced out way better than the first game, and there are several reasons for that. One, the game has smaller levels, and while there is still exploration, there is a tad bit less when compared to the first game. I think there are also fewer levels. This was a welcomed change for me. All-in-all, it took me about 12-hours to complete the main campaign, which is a much more preferable run-time for a game like this. The environments are incredibly beautiful and detailed, similarly to the first. The game also attempts to replicate it's own "Rapture reveal" moment, and while it's definitely not as mesmerizing as the first game's, it still feels cool, and like a valid attempt in it's own right. Where the game differs from the first is in it's art direction. Now, it's not a wild departure, but there is a subtle change from muted tones over to vibrant color tones. This game takes place a good 6-to-8-years after the first game. Rapture is more dilapidated than before, more damp, and should be closer than ever to being the most expensive salt-water fish tank ever created. However, it's endured, and the artists leaned into the colorful fauna that could exist in this setting. It's pretty to look at, and it's a valid choice. However, it definitely feels like it's missing that "je ne sais quoi" from the first game's art direction. I feel like given the time-jump, there should be even more darkness and dampness than before. It's a choice, and others may feel differently about it than I. The ADAM gathering has an added layer of depth here. The Big Sister battles are a fun and welcomed addition. The audio experience felt better. The game's textures and clarity looked better than when compared to the first. The hacking mini-game is more engaging and takes up less time. The re-arrangement of controls feels more modern and fun to use. The soundtrack is as good as the first game (despite it feeling a bit under-utilized). The list of improvements are varied, small, but numerous, and a boon to the series and how this entry feels to play. Minerva's Den is almost the perfect DLC length; it's about 3.5-hours in length, depending on if you decide to search everything or gather as much possible ADAM. This is a DLC that essentially is three extra levels, all given as much polish and special treatment as the base game. It has a good story that is well written, and gameplay that slightly expands on the base-game. A new weapon and plasmid is added. It does feel like the story is still trying to replicate a huge twist similarly to the first game, but the twist here is actually somewhat cool. It's the type of story that I think would have made for a slightly more compelling story if it was worked into the base-game. Either way, it's a piece of DLC that I think is worth playing. At times I thought this was the better game when compared to it's predecessor, but then there were other moments where I wasn't so sure. These first two Bioshock games have definitely been difficult to rate, because their strengths lie in different areas. Ultimately, I feel similarly about both after finishing them, and while both are far from perfect, they are both great games that I think fall under a category of "must-plays" for folks interested in the action-thriller genre. I played this entry entirely on my Steam Deck, and I must say, that is the place to play. After a total of about 15-hours, I completed both the main-story and Minerva's Den. I hope Bioshock Infinite can at the very least keep the pace with these two games, and hopefully it is as good of an experience I remember it being. Console Played On: Steam Deck (SteamOS) Game Played: 02/2025 - 03/2025 Review Written and Published: 03/03/2025