BioShock 2
We're ready to return to Rapture
The first BioShock was everything we hoped it would be and more; an accessible yet deep first-person action title, held together by a brilliant storyline, a captivating and involving environment and more personality and polish than you can shake a stick at. 2K Marin and 2K Australia have a tough act to follow, but follow they must, and controversially they'll attempt to bring something entirely new to the series through the introduction of a full multiplayer mode, being developed by veterans Digital Extremes.
Before we take an in-depth look at this adventurous multiplayer foray, producer Melissa Miller is here to tell us more about the main game. While Ken Levine's 2K Boston are off breaking new ground elsewhere, 2K Marin are adamant that this will not mean the death of the game's superb narrative. Still, evolution rather than revolution appears to be the mantra, the game taking us back to Rapture some ten years after the events of the first game.
The city's once grand hallways will portray an even greater feel of crumbling decadence this time around, time having taken its toll; the ocean starting to reclaim the city. During one segment we're shown, the glass in one of the game's atriums cracks and breaks - sending the player flying as water fills the room. The player will also find themselves outside for the first time, exploring the ocean bed in one of BioShock's iconic diving suits.
Beyond these changes, the player will also get a new look at Rapture this time around - through fresh eyes - not those of an outsider - but rather as a key figure from Rapture's past. You were the first Big Daddy, a prototype, who has gained free will and now returns to the city as it looks to be on the brink of final destruction. New gameplay will see you escorting Little Sisters (should you wish to), or you'll be able to garner precious Adam by harvesting the devilish children.
As an older Big Daddy, you'll be more agile than the later ones battled in the first BioShock, and so you'll have your trusty drill to hand but also be capable of using the ever-inventive Plasmids - of which there are now several new varieties. Of course, the Big Daddy was all but unbeatable in the last game, so now you'll be facing a beefed up foe in the shape of the Big Sister - an arch-rival hell-bent on rebuilding Rapture as it was before, complete with the Adam system.
It's fair to say that this new plot looks to deliver a classic BioShock experience, with just enough added twists to keep things fresh, while we're hoping the developers make the most of the Big Daddy role - and give us exciting new background information on Rapture's past.
With the singleplayer portion duly addressed, Matt Tremblay from Digital Extremes steps up to tell us more about the multiplayer mode - being given it's first airing at this year's E3. Built as a separate game by DE, this part of the experience will be known as BioShock 2: Fall of Rapture. Forgetting the premise of the singleplayer campaign, this mode will be taking us back in time, back before the events of the first BioShock - to the period of Civil War within the city.
Stepping into the shoes of an ordinary Rapture citizen (on this occasion we're playing as a welder called Jacob Norris), players will be able to personalise their own style and experience, taking the latest innovations from Sinclair Solutions in a bid to survive as the city falls to pieces.
The city will be built around a hub; a safe apartment rented out by Sinclair, where you'll be able to browse load-outs, and accept messages from the company that add a narrative touch to the proceedings, despite the multiplayer theme. As we enter a live match, we find ourselves in a rebuilt Kashmir Restaurant, touting the standard plasmid/gun combination. In order to make the multiplayer experience work, Digital Extremes tell us that they have changed the way plasmids work somewhat, the bio-weapon now boasting two modes: a quick fire mode, and a more gradual, build-up mode that makes for stronger but less frequent assaults. Plasmids will still work with oil and water, and the multiplayer maps have in fact been designed with these present to be used tactically.
In one battle players find themselves competing to secure a Big Daddy suit - which makes the wearer incredibly powerful. The suit spawns randomly and there's once again an element of the strategic as players opt to grab the suit themselves or use it as bait. Turrets spread around the game world will also add a further dimension to combat.
As you play through the multiplayer mode, there will additionally be an element of 'persistent' experience present, allowing players earn rewards for success, which can be translated into Adam - allowing for the acquisition of new items from war profiteers Sinclair Solutions. New plasmids are promised for this mode, and like Kashmir Restaurant we can expect to see familiar locales reborn for multiplayer conflict - which looks to be utterly frenetic, from what we've seen.
BioShock 2 is certainly shaping up to be more than a straight-laced continuation of what's gone before - whether the sum total of it's parts will still be enough to further the IP's lofty reputation remains to be seen.
BioShock 2 will reach the PS3 and Xbox 360 on October 30th, with a PC version also on the way.
Comments
is there going to b an online play video?