Remastered rehash

Seven years later, the remaster doesn't really change my final thoughts on BioShock 2. The early game - relying as it does on "Big Daddy" mechanics to pull you in - is perhaps weaker than before, since video games have moved on somewhat. But ultimately, BioShock's sequel both thrives and suffers for its narrative attachment to the original.

The theme and plot of BioShock 2 succeed in drawing from the well that Andrew Ryan and "Would You Kindly" had already established; but fail to make an impression that really feels unique.

What BioShock really needed wasn't an additional story about Rapture in the 1960s, but something more ambitious. I guess Ken Levine knew that all along.

All that said, BioShock 2 is certainly a fun and entertaining game; and while it sure would have been nice for the remaster to fix the game's console-first UI (and its reluctance to autosave), the modern visual treatment holds up just fine.

Better than: the un-remastered BioShock 2
Not as good as: BioShock Remastered, BioShock Infinite
Next up: hey cool, they even remastered Minerva's Den