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BioShock™ 2 Remastered is an astounding game. Albeit, it does have some shortcomings compared to the first game, what the first game got wrong or needed improving on Bioshock 2 got right! I always wanted to play as a "BIG DADDY" and save or protect little sisters, or heck, even just for the feeling of being unstoppable against all the splicers, and that, that is exactly what I felt like playing Bioshock 2!
I have waited about 7 years to return to BioShock™ 2 Remastered because of 2Ks neglect. What do I mean by this? Well, below I will explain but first, a quick disclaimer!
This review is MY opinion, MY own personal experience and MY thoughts. I am brutally honest when it comes to reviewing games. If you do not like my opinion, my time or respect my personal experience, please move on.

Why It took me 7 years

So, to get straight to the point - 2K's neglect. On the 25th of November 2K has finally removed their, extremely bad, stupidly un-optimised and NOT NEEDED launcher from some games. BioShock™ 2 Remastered is one of these games. Here is a link to the thread for you to see: https://steamcommunity.com/app/409720/eventcomments/4626981087516649009?snr=2_9_100000_
Now, you may have noticed they locked the thread. Why? you might ask. Well, they were aware of issues that plagued their games for years. These issues were caused BY the 2K launcher, and nothing else but yet 2K didn't care. Many people posted on the steam discussions page for help about crash's and poor optimisation for years... 2K only posted "Troubleshooting help" posts, which had nothing to do with us, but all to do with the 2K launcher.
It took them 7 years to finally remove the 2K launcher. How can we ever trust 2K again? Well, the removal of the 2K launcher is the first step. A step in the right direction, but sadly it comes a little to late for many.
Well, that is why it took me so long to return to, probably my favourite video-game of all time. Now, to tell you why it's my favourite video-game of all time below!

Pros

⚫BioShock™ 2 Remastered, just like with BioShock™ Remastered, comes with High Resolution Textures, Models and Interface Art. Almost everything has been slightly improved on. From reflections to shadows. From lighting to detail. It was all sorely needed. Specially since it was really dated. (I mean, technically it's dated again)
⚫The Audio is done to perfection, again, just like BioShock™ Remastered. You can hear the pitter patter of splicers running around, climbing on the roof (spider splicers) and their creepy dialogue. If that's not enough for you, wait till you hear the Big Daddy's and the Little Sisters thumping around making themselves known to all.
⚫The Atmosphere of Bioshock 2 is astounding. I'd even say slightly better than Bioshock. The underwater segments are beautiful and unforgettable. The eerie dark depths of the ocean floor with all the bright neon lights, rusted yet still gorgeous, slowly leading you to your destination. Have a look at this: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3376456548
⚫BioShock™ 2 Remastered also comes with all DLC. Minervas Den and The Protector Trials. Both of which are fantastic additions to Bioshock 2!
⚫Minervas Den let's you play as a Big Sister and it also adds on to the base games understanding of a Big Sister - That is all I am going to say. Don't want to spoil anything!
⚫The Protector Trials are a series of, well... trials, which have you "stealing" as much ADAM as you can to stop Lambs plan. It offers frantic combat challenges designed to push your mastery of weapons and Plasmids to the limit. Your only goal - get your little sister to harvest as much ADAM as possible. Each Trial features three unique weapon and Plasmid load-outs, keeping the challenge fresh, as well as a fourth bonus load-out the player receives when all previous load-outs are completed.
⚫The combat has been greatly "revamped" for the modern player, again just like Bioshock Remastered BUT, I feel like the combat is MUCH MUCH better in Bioshock 2. For one, you can use a weapon and your plasmid at the exact same time which only makes the combat much more fluent, less janky. Have a little look: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3376457254
⚫The game also warns you about "PONR" (point of no return) areas. Which means you can go back and loot, explore e.t.c till you are ready to move on. Look: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3376456296
⚫Hacking in this game is so much better compared to Bioshock (1). You get a "hack tool" which lets you hack from a distance. Now, no more pesky out or reach cameras. This adds to the many different combat situations you can get into now. Not only that, hacking has a "blue" colour on machines which - vending machines (on blue) give random items. Health stations drop medical packs. Turrets deal more damage. This was definitely a great change/addition!
⚫Researching in this game got a MAJOR overhaul also. Compared to Bioshocks camera, its now like a Video-camera where you just activate it and then go about your business killing whatever it is your researching. The more "unique" you are with your kills the more research you are awarded.
⚫BioShock™ 2 Remastered offers multiple different endings. All of which are amazing to experience. I'm not going to spoil anything, sorry! Trust me, experience it yourself and see!!
⚫As of 25th November 2024 onward - there seems to be no more suttering, FPS drops, crashing e.t.c since they removed the 2K launcher. (for me anyway)

Cons

⚫AI are still predictable, just like Bioshock Remastered.
⚫Playing the game on the hardest difficulty with VITA chambers disabled was a bit easy for me, sadly.

My Verdict

BioShock™ 2 Remastered is one of the greatest video-games of all time. A sequel to an absolute masterpiece. I can only recommend the game so much and say what I liked from the game and share my personal experience, without spoilers of course.
It's down to you to "save" or "harvest" all the little sisters. It's down to you to show mercy on your enemies or kill them downright. Are you the "monster" Lamb makes you out to be, or, do you have a heart? The choices are yours to make!

10/10. An excellent sequel to an already masterpiece of a game!