KnockBack, Episode 129: BioShock 2
Added 2020-07-31 15:59:14 +0000 UTCWhether in television, movies, books, or games, it's always hard to follow-up a smash-hit with a worthy sequel. But publisher 2K endeavored to do just that when it launched BioShock 2 in 2010, doing so -- mind you -- without the series' creative visionary Ken Levine, whose team was off working on what would become 2013's BioShock Infinite. The result was divisive at the time, though most people liked returning to Rapture and getting more of that wonderfully-realized world. But over time, it appears the game has become even more appreciated and adored, and for good reason: It's pretty damn good, even in the shadow of the vaunted BioShock. So let's take a trip back under the Atlantic Ocean, Subject Delta. There are more Little Sisters to protect, this time in a collectivist (instead of libertarian) nightmare.
Comments
I just played this again this past week as I moved from Guam to California and I must say....I STILL dislike this game so much.. I played through it about 7 months ago and it was the first time I completed it, I played it on launch through the PC version and it was so buggy with the game not supporting specific monitors and resolutions, so I ended up giving up on it after maybe 2 hours, I then got it again on the Xbox 360, played about halfway through before getting bored out of my mind.. I played it AGAIN 7 months ago, this time I finished it, and I didn't remember it being as bad as I thought, but much shorter than the first, much more linear, and way too easy. Since I packed up for my move, I decided to give it one more go, this time I got from start to finish fairly quick, and I still just do not like this game.. It feels like Bioshock only from a visual aesthetic point, but outside of that, it's got all of these other game styles dumped into it. Early on after you defeat the first Big Sister it becomes a defend this position game, you sit there, fight off loads of Splicers, and they're just so easy to defeat that it just makes it an absolute slog, it's still just as much of a horde mode single player game as I remembered from when I first played it. I remember when I played the first game I was absolutely glued, it was the first game I beat and got the 1000 achievement points for, then got the trophies ASAP on the remastered versions for the PS4. I don't think this game holds a candle to neither Bioshock nor Bioshock Infinite. It feels like a Bioshock game with absolutely no soul or passion behind it, just a "we wanted to make some more money while this hype is hot". I don't know, this is a game, I don't think it's good, I don't think it's awful, but I don't think it should be considered anything more than Bioshock with some steps backwards. The ease of this game and lack of horror just doesn't do it for me. When you're defending the Little Sisters, you just throw traps on the ground and it obliterates everything, you don't need to do much. The horror aspect of the first game is what I loved so much, it was a carry over from System Shock 2 which was terrifying to play.
Jessica Gutiérrez
2020-09-23 21:43:21 +0000 UTCThank you for listening. <3
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-15 02:10:42 +0000 UTCNice, it’s always good to future proof yourself.
O
2020-08-12 06:23:04 +0000 UTCJust finished listening, great episode and as always have me plenty of food for thought. Much kudos to you and Dagan. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts once the trilogy is complete . That infinite rapture dlc is a joy - can’t wait to hear Dagans opinion on that
An Unofficial Controller Podcast
2020-08-11 11:32:45 +0000 UTCSpeaking of artistic choices, Subject Delta looks like Bomberman. You can't unsee it.
2020-08-11 01:31:21 +0000 UTCSame, I'm glad I got it when it was available for free with PS+ just in case future me wanted to play them
Cash
2020-08-10 05:44:10 +0000 UTCSir yes sir!
O
2020-08-10 05:00:22 +0000 UTCDo it, no balls!
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-10 02:40:47 +0000 UTCThat's super cool. I don't think BioShock 2 is a must-play, but I'd recommend it, obviously. =)
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-10 02:40:42 +0000 UTCWho knows? Could be an artistic choice.
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-10 02:40:18 +0000 UTCWe will get to Infinite before the end of the year, no doubt.
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-10 02:40:03 +0000 UTCListening to this made me want to replay the entire trilogy again.
O
2020-08-07 06:11:41 +0000 UTCI just got my wife to play Bioshock and Infinite. She loved them. She doesn't get a lot of time to play games with life in the way. She is currently working through God of War, but I think she is interested in Bioshock 2. It is pretty solid.
Travis Blair
2020-08-06 23:56:23 +0000 UTCWhy do the Little Sisters look weird in Bioshock 1? They look more normal in Bioshock 2. Look at their eyes. Infinite has the same problem. Weird eye artist.
2020-08-06 19:54:01 +0000 UTCBioshock 1 has the best cold open and Rapture is arguably the the most compelling and original setting (politically, socially and structurally) in video games, but as a game and as an entire package, I like Infinite better. I know I'm in the minority so put the torches and pitchforks down. I'm not much of a fan of Bioshock 2. I've tried a couple times now to beat it, but it just doesn't engage me the way Bioshock and Bioshock Infinate do. Still, looking forward to the 'cast.
Michael Weir
2020-08-06 03:05:35 +0000 UTCI know but much like Dagan’s cameo, it would be cool to have a crossover episode of the 3 of you. Since I know Bioshock is one of your favorite games of all time, and Infinite is one of Chris’. I think it would be a really fitting series to do that with, since it’s such an important franchise. The Bioshock 2 Knockback is making me start the series from The beginning. So glad to do it. Only missing a few trophies in each so will clean those up, they should give you “Platinum Assist” credits...
John
2020-08-05 19:49:00 +0000 UTCLOL. =)
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-05 18:41:42 +0000 UTCI don't think so? KnockBack is Dagan and I.
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-05 18:41:33 +0000 UTCFair enough, but Dagan spoils everything for himself anyway, so.
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-05 18:41:23 +0000 UTCCould be neat!
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-05 18:41:11 +0000 UTCI think it's underrated, for sure.
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-05 18:41:06 +0000 UTCHe's better at it than I am.
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-05 18:40:54 +0000 UTCConfession: Bioshock is my favorite franchise and I played each game multiple times...I never made the connection that Big Sisters were formally little sisters who had grown up. This blew my mind and makes me question my intelligence. Great episode!
Daniel Boyer
2020-08-04 19:53:11 +0000 UTCWill you include Chris on the Infinite episode? I think that would be really cool to have a full podcast of the 3 or you. Dagan’s Sesame Street cameo was amazing
John
2020-08-03 14:33:53 +0000 UTCEating booty and pulling one with each hand, what an episode 😄 Col, please stop hinting at what Infinite holds. It would be so much better if Dagan goes into it without knowing that it even ties into the original. I know you say these games are so old that spoilers don’t matter, but don’t even take the chance of ruining it for Dagan. Hopefully he forgets by then.
NeO JD
2020-08-02 16:01:43 +0000 UTCMan I wonder why rapture would look like 10-20 years into the future from BS2. If the next game was about reclaiming rapture. I would love a new area but it’s been so long since we’ve seen rapture.
Kenneth Oms
2020-08-01 22:45:53 +0000 UTCMy favourite bioshock really excited to hear your thoughts - it’s a great game maybe not as good story but the better game
An Unofficial Controller Podcast
2020-08-01 21:29:02 +0000 UTCWhen you & Dagan are in the same room again, you gotta stream Cuphead on PS4.
Brandon Soto
2020-08-01 16:09:44 +0000 UTC=)
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-01 14:26:05 +0000 UTCTopical discussion starts at 30m
Douglas Morreale
2020-08-01 01:56:12 +0000 UTCIt's a little controversial to say, yes. But I still love it.
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-01 01:10:44 +0000 UTCIt's a shame. I wanted to know more about her.
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-01 01:10:34 +0000 UTCThank you!
Colin Moriarty
2020-08-01 01:10:25 +0000 UTCIt may be controversial but this is absolutely my favorite bioshock. Weapons and plasmids were refined from the original without the weird limitations of infinite.
Gabe
2020-07-31 22:59:01 +0000 UTCThis podcast talking about the cult of personality around Sofia Lamb, really rekindled my disappointment of The Last of Us 2’s lack of development around the lady and the cult at the head of the Seraphites. So much potential was there.. I don’t think that’s a spoiler right?
Ryan Harvey
2020-07-31 21:15:23 +0000 UTCPossibly the most anticipated episode of KB for me; awesome episode, lads.
David Graham
2020-07-31 18:57:03 +0000 UTCAs you should.
Colin Moriarty
2020-07-31 18:38:48 +0000 UTCIndeed. We didn't know any better.
Colin Moriarty
2020-07-31 18:38:40 +0000 UTCMy pleasure to drop a Mass Effect rap for yall. I still stand by my statement about Miranda. 🤓
BigArty
2020-07-31 17:30:59 +0000 UTCSorry we were late. My fault!
Colin Moriarty
2020-07-31 17:00:52 +0000 UTCGoing back to hook up & play the PS3 is always a horrifying experience. Don’t know how we survived 7 years of it.
Brandon Soto
2020-07-31 17:00:40 +0000 UTCThank God this went up. The Moriarty boys relax me so much.
John Copas
2020-07-31 16:51:21 +0000 UTCWe will be doing Minerva's Den in a separate show.
Colin Moriarty
2020-07-31 16:48:37 +0000 UTCThe audio diaries in all three games are awesome!
Colin Moriarty
2020-07-31 16:48:27 +0000 UTCEh, anyone can read a Wiki. I want to have something interesting and valuable to say.
Colin Moriarty
2020-07-31 16:48:14 +0000 UTCNot in the game. =\
Colin Moriarty
2020-07-31 16:47:59 +0000 UTCIndeed.
Colin Moriarty
2020-07-31 16:47:52 +0000 UTCI played Bioshock 2 when it came out. And while I had a fun time with it I never went back. I'm excited to hear yours and Dagan's take on the game! It might even encourage me to go back and play Minerva's Den.
Anthony J Sanchez
2020-07-31 16:41:38 +0000 UTCI fondly recall the audio diaries in this game. I'm looking forward to playing through the trilogy again once the PS5 comes out. I still think they're going to shock everyone but me and ship the disc version out at a $450 price point, but I'm probably talking out of my ass and deserve to be washed out to sea in this hurricane along with the rest of Philadelphia. Dare I say that would be poetic and enrapturing?
Max Stahl
2020-07-31 16:41:32 +0000 UTCYay a non TV/Movie Knockback! The ones on games or general life reflections are much more relatable. 👍 A suggestion to work through the episodes where patrons vote for a game discussion ~ Just refresh yourself with a Wiki. No need to dedicate a dozen plus hours to playing through it again. Doing so leaves you behind on more current games and a backlog of Knockbacks piles up. Make it easier on yourself!
Douglas Morreale
2020-07-31 16:09:35 +0000 UTCWELCOME TO THE CIRCUS OF VALUES
Brandon Soto
2020-07-31 16:01:38 +0000 UTCProbably one if the big definitions of underated video games!
NotYurRealDad
2020-07-31 16:00:29 +0000 UTC
