Deal | Classic from a new perspective: Gritty shooter on Steam now available with an 85% discount for $3
In BioShock 2, players return to the underwater city of Rapture ten years after the events of the first game – this time wearing the iconic Big Daddy suit. Equipped with a drill arm, firearms and genetic powers, you’re on a mission to find your own Little Sister. The story unfolds less through cutscenes and more through environmental storytelling, audio logs and subtle clues, exploring themes such as identity, free will and sacrifice. The familiar Art Deco style and the crumbling cityscape combine to create a dense, oppressive atmosphere.
In its review, the German gaming magazine GameStar praised BioShock 2 for its strategic shooter gameplay, which relies on creatively combining plasmids – such as fireballs, electric shocks or telekinesis – with traditional firearms. New enemy types, like the agile Big Sisters and powerful Brute Splicers, require much more tactical thinking than in the first game. The atmospheric soundtrack and strong voice acting also received high praise. On the downside, the game was criticized for offering few gameplay innovations over its predecessor and for its dated visuals. However, the included remastered version with 4K support and high-resolution textures provides a noticeable graphical upgrade.
Overall, BioShock 2 may not introduce many new ideas, but it delivers exactly what fans of the original expect: atmospheric gameplay, moral choices and tactical combat in a hauntingly dark world. GameStar awarded it a solid 85 out of 100. On Metacritic, it holds a Metascore of 88 and a User Score of 8.1. The Steam community is also supportive, with 88% of over 11,000 user reviews rated positive.
Note: While BioShock 2 can be enjoyed on its own, it's worth playing the first game beforehand to fully grasp the recurring themes, characters and the story of Rapture. BioShock Remastered is also on sale on Steam right now, available at a 75% discount for around $5.
85% discount on Steam
BioShock 2 was developed by 2K Marin and released in February 2010. The game usually sells for around $20 on Steam, but it’s currently 85% off until July 24, lowering the price to about $3. The bundle includes both the original version and the remastered edition with enhanced visuals. According to SteamDB, the game frequently goes on sale, and this deal matches its lowest recorded price. BioShock 2 is rated as “playable” on the Steam Deck – some minor tweaks may be needed, but it can generally be enjoyed on the go.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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