out this week : Bioshock 2

[obie]

Bioshock 2 wins by default this week with there being no other new releases.

Keeping with it's worldwide release, Bioshock is launched Tomorrow (Tuesday 9th February)
And while many have shown little more than pessimism about the Sequel, Early reviews are showing good signs for the long awaited return to Rapture.

You'll see above the list of all reviews in at 11am (8/2/10)
With a nice Overall score (and the majority of reviews) those who have already ordered the game will be pleased that there hopes hav ebeen answered, and Bioshock 2 looks like a sequel you'd hope it to be.

More of the same, with refinements and improvements left right and centre,
The Jury is still out on the Multiplayer Aspect, But Reading through a few reviews at MetaCritic Point towards the Rainbow Six P.E.C (or for the short-minded 12 year old Yanks *The Modern Warfare") rank-as-you-play multiplayer being a welcome addition.

I'll leave you with a Snippet from IGN's 9.1/10 Review...

BioShock 2. 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

[Grandfarseer]

Fuck. i thought it was a friday release for Europe, gonna probs get it on wednesday now, ordered it of play on Friday.

[BlackKnight616]

Won't be bothering with this one myself, I got me some Mass Effect to complete!

[obie]

Mine is on it's way, So I should have it Today or Tomorrow.

In a way I hope it's here tomorrow, Because if I get it today You know I'll be playing that tonight, and I might not get Mass Effect 2 finished before AVP (and possible ME2 trade).

[Stupendous82]

one more sleep and this will be mine mmmwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaahhhhhhh

[Reykaster]

Will be leaving it atm, funds are v v low atm. Will wait and see what feedback it receives particularly about the multiplayer as that has really put me off buying it.

[obie]

Well mine arrived this morning, in a sexy little jiffy bag with a midget (Little) Sister.

Not decided if I'm gonna have the afternoon of yet, But I'l be on it most of th evening, (might do some late Fifa about 10)

All being well I'll post up my first impressions tomorrow (And yes, I'll give Multiplayer a good play-over too)

[warrier22]

already have my copy in my 360 and enjoying it at the moment anyone want to play online then add me my gamertag is warrier22

[obie]

After a quick few plays Tuesday, (and Wednesday hauled up in bed)

Here's some Very quick first impressions.

Firslty, Rapture is RAPTURE.. If looks familiar, it feels familiar..
This time though, you are a big daddy, and Plasmids/Weapons can be duel wielded, making combat somewhat better than the original.

The game is still very atmospheric, Enemy AI is equally as impressive as the original, and Story (from what I've played) feels just as intriguing and interesting.

The promise of protecting little sisters, (And then Harvesting the little bitches just when they think they're safe) is strangely satisfying.

I can see why many people where scared of a Sequel, But I dare say, Bioshock 2 is equally as impressive as the first, and deserves plenty of kudos for replicating the world of the first game without making a turn for the worst.

Maybe the rumours of a whole new dev team worried people too much (when in fact is was only the lead designer who wasn't present, the rest of the team where part of the sequel.

And if that wasn't enough of a suprise...
Multiplayer...
Part-TImesplitters, with an element of Bioshock that you'd expect.
In all Multiplayer is (Shock, horror) a Welcome Addition.

2k Marlin, have done a great job of seperating it from the main story.
you're not a big daddy, You're not chasing down some warped bitch.
In the Multiplayer you are, nothign more than a Splicer. Back in the era of the first game, Helping Andrew Ryan test some weaponary, the better you do, the better stuff you can test (Roll on the PEC/ Rank-as-you-play, Unlock System)

While Multiplayer wont have the attention, or longivity of games like Rainbow Six, Call of Duty, or the upcoming Battlefield, It's still a nice alternative to your average "war game" and many will still find themselves revisiting it in months to come, if only for the odd session.

So, in the true essence of a mini-review, a score.

9/10
So much more than anyone expecting from a return to Rapture, A sequel to the amazing Bioshock.
and any fan of the first should add this to there collection a.s.a.p if they havn't already.