Genre: First-Person Shooter

Platform: PlayStation 3

Publisher: 2K Games

Classification: 18 (PEGI)

BOTTLES of Coca-Cola were first produced in 1899 and have since become widespread to the point that people can picture them as well as the backs of their hands.

It’s not hard to conjure up an image in your mind of an ice-cold bottle with a thin layer of condensation delicately wrapped around its every contour, broken up with the occasional collective drop running down its shapely body. The lid has just been popped creating a recognisable fizzing noise and resulting in an effervescent cloud of gasses slowly wafting away from its inviting neck.

Like with Coca-Cola Bioshock 2 is incredibly familiar and when you take that first swig from this particular bottle, it’s just as refreshing as when you had your first. The1930’s art Deco style mixed with the mythical and magical powers of technology and ones self is not only beautiful to experience the once, but a glory to re-visit.

Being submerged deep under the Atlantic Ocean in a poorly maintained city-sized environment is the perfect setting to create a place that’s deep, dark, damp and riddled with poor electrics and general health hazards. This coupled with the fact that your enemies’ insane shrills can be heard echoing violently through the halls and corridors, help to create a vibe that’s truly chilling to the bone.

For anybody unfamiliar with Bioshock, it’s not your normal first-person shooter, it’s more evolved, more developed and considerably more mature. You’re not running around at super-human speeds as earth’s last chance for survival, battling the aliens from planet Zog. It’s deeper and as a result is far more engaging.

So what’s different to the original?

Well the biggest difference is clear from the outset. No longer are you a mere civilian whose seemingly accidental fate has thrust him into the lunacy of Rapture – you’re something bigger. Something that in the first Bioshock you would need to lay to rest in a flurry of frenzied plasmid attacks and a shockwave of heavy-duty bullets. That’s right – you’re a Big Daddy.

Many believed before release that multiplayer could easily have been an afterthought bolted on roughly to please more hardcore gamers. It’s as plain as the nose on the face of anybody who experiences this mode that that it’s certainly not the case. The thought behind the variation of game and how the plasmids will work is immense.

With plenty more weapons, plasmids, enemies and moral dilemmas to tackle than ever before, its no shock that Bioshock 2’s dilapidated and decaying, underwater post-utopia is a great place to roam.

SCORE: 9 / 10