Why don't I like Bioshock 2? Should I give up?

[PerkoApple]

(I play this game on PS3 in case that matters).

Ok so I started this game last week and have gotten to the point where I just can't will myself to care. Not sure exactly how to explain what point of the game i am in...This is some time after I meet Grace. I am in Dionysus Park. You meet Stanley Poole but he tells you to go back and get rid of the little sisters that are left....

And this is where I stopped caring. It's just taking too long! First off, I don't like having a limit on what I can carry. It's such a small limit! I can only carry 5 first aids, can only have $600, blah blah. It seems to really have no point other than to annoy you.

I'm sick of harvesting adam. It takes so long and I don't want to go back and do it 2 more times (I've done one sister so far after Stanley told me to go back). I want to change a level and be in a different environment.

Also, I think I suck. I go through 4 first aids to harvest one body.

Anyways, It just seems like nothing is happening. Like I keep playing but it's the same thing after multiple hours. No change or environment, no different tasks, just harvesting adam and more adam!! Do I really have to kill a little sister just to progress without taking FOREVER!?

So here are my questions:

1. Should I just quit? Is this really the whole game? Harvesting adam for all eternity? Is there any payoff coming soon or does the game pick up some pace soon?

2. This is my first shooter game...do I just not like shooters? Honestly, there was a while where I was having fun looking for things and shooting things, etc. But when Stanley told me to go back I just lost all interest.

3. Am I being stupid saving every sister? Do most people harvest some so as to keep the game moving.

4. Should I have played this game on easy? I have it on normal because usually games go by way to fast on easy. I'm not bad at games but maybe I'm bad at first shooters and just can't get the hang of them?

Any thoughts on this will be appreciated. This is a little bit of how I felt when I first started Demon Souls. The only difference is that I wanted to keep going to see the other worlds, bosses, etc. Plus I got the hang of it and it eventually it wasn't difficult. I feel like I'm not getting the hang of this game and when I do succeed at something I don't get a sense of accomplishment.

 

[Mallefunction]

The main problem with Bioshock 2 is that the character's story is not at all tied in with the main plot. Jack's story WAS the story of Bioshock. Delta's is just...there, not really all that important so it's just a shallow tack on.

There is little to no emotional investment, especially when the basic story is essentially the same but with a new person in charge and communism instead of a corrupt free market system.

If you haven't played the first Bioshock, go back and play that instead. You'll see the difference immediately.

 

[jamesworkshop]

The main problem with Bioshock 2 is that the character's story is not at all tied in with the main plot. Jack's story WAS the story of Bioshock. Delta's is just...there, not really all that important so it's just a shallow tack on.

There is little to no emotional investment, especially when the basic story is essentially the same but with a new person in charge and communism instead of a corrupt free market system.

what are you talking about the main plot of bioshock was rapture before you got there, you have it completly the wrong way around.

as for the poster why do you need us to tell you wether you should stick with a game you don't enjoy

 

[Jennacide]

1) Up to you. It's not the whole game, but it's a big part of it. There is a reason why most of the Bioshock fans generally dislike Bioshock 2, because it MISSED THE POINT. It fixed the gameplay mechanic issues, but then lost everything else that was nice, like a worthwhile story and good characters.

2) Depends, Bioshock is the furthest edge of shooters. You'd honestly be better off trying Bad Company 2, Team Fortress 2, Halo, whatever before you make that judgement.

3) No you aren't. Just like the first game, the endings are pretty stupid and depend very much on if you harvested or freed the sisters, and how you dealt with the guys like Stanley. This time with the barely a twist that instead of you turn into Super Hitler if you play 'evil', someone else does because you were a bad example.

4) That depends entirely on skill. Bioshock 2 is harder than Bioshock 1. It's normal was Bio1's hard. So as a first shooter, it may not of been a bad idea. The overall increase in difficulty was honestly another issue with the game, as why was Jack so resilliant while Delta takes a severe ass beating from the very same Big Daddies types?

 

[Mallefunction]

The main problem with Bioshock 2 is that the character's story is not at all tied in with the main plot. Jack's story WAS the story of Bioshock. Delta's is just...there, not really all that important so it's just a shallow tack on.

There is little to no emotional investment, especially when the basic story is essentially the same but with a new person in charge and communism instead of a corrupt free market system.

what are you talking about the main plot of bioshock was rapture before you got there, you have it completly the wrong way around.

as for the poster why do you need us to tell you wether you should stick with a game you don't enjoy

When I say "Jack's story" I mean his back-story which ties ENTIRELY into what happened to (SPOILERS) Rapture beforehand.

The OP probably wants to know if sticking it out is worth it in the end.

 

[Sassafrass]

1. Stick with it. It picks up pace, although considering you appear to have not played the first one, you'll probably be wondering what the fish is going on half the time, who the hell Tenumbaum was, why you have to save little girls and why the hell you're fighting a guy in a diving suit with a drill on his right arm.

2. Probably, although I don't play it as a shooter, I use the drill to fuck shit up more.

3. Nope. Saving them as near as makes no difference fuck all impact on the ADAM you get, but it will make a difference on what ending you get.

4. YES. ...Simply put.

As for the limit carrying thingy-ma-flip, I thought 5 health-packs was enough, considering the game throws health-packs at you like they are giving them away if you hack the wall mounted health vendors and the $600 limit is also generous, as I had that amount after about 2 hours of playing and I never dipped under $200, as everything I needed could either be found by hacking stuff, punching dudes, looking around or finding it in bins.

As for nothing happening or changing, what do you expect? You're trapped in an underwater city, just after a civil war, where everyone is spliced of their tits on ADAM (Hence why the Splicers are named thusly. ...I think.) and trying to get more of it. Besides, methinks you've missed the whole point of the story if you think saving Little Sister's is the entire game.

 

[jamesworkshop]

The main problem with Bioshock 2 is that the character's story is not at all tied in with the main plot. Jack's story WAS the story of Bioshock. Delta's is just...there, not really all that important so it's just a shallow tack on.

There is little to no emotional investment, especially when the basic story is essentially the same but with a new person in charge and communism instead of a corrupt free market system.

what are you talking about the main plot of bioshock was rapture before you got there, you have it completly the wrong way around.

as for the poster why do you need us to tell you wether you should stick with a game you don't enjoy

When I say "Jack's story" I mean his back-story which ties ENTIRELY into what happened to (SPOILERS) Rapture beforehand.

The OP probably wants to know if sticking it out is worth it in the end.

I see I thought of it as the second by second gameplay story although I don't see how delta ties in anyless (i think they are fairly equal in that reguards)
the drive of the first game for me was exploration (enviroment/history) otherwise I never really felt any reason to continue, Bio2 had a more clearly defined goal and direction.

Have to take a ZP stance getting better later is not a point in somethings favour, however I found Bio2 much more solid as I progressed but in contrast I enjoyed all the game.

OP
Collecting ADAM and killing splicers is about all you do in both Bioshocks however if you don't want to, just harvest a little sister the second you bump off her Tin Daddy

 

[SIXVI06-M]

...And this is where I stopped caring. It's just taking too long! First off, I don't like having a limit on what I can carry. It's such a small limit! I can only carry 5 first aids, can only have $600, blah blah. It seems to really have no point other than to annoy you.
I'm sick of harvesting adam. It takes so long and I don't want to go back and do it 2 more times (I've done one sister so far after Stanley told me to go back). I want to change a level and be in a different environment...
...Also, I think I suck. I go through 4 first aids to harvest one body...
...So here are my questions:

1. Should I just quit? Is this really the whole game? Harvesting adam for all eternity? Is there any payoff coming soon or does the game pick up some pace soon?

2. This is my first shooter game...do I just not like shooters? Honestly, there was a while where I was having fun looking for things and shooting things, etc. But when Stanley told me to go back I just lost all interest.

3. Am I being stupid saving every sister? Do most people harvest some so as to keep the game moving.

4. Should I have played this game on easy? I have it on normal because usually games go by way to fast on easy. I'm not bad at games but maybe I'm bad at first shooters and just can't get the hang of them?

Any thoughts on this will be appreciated. This is a little bit of how I felt when I first started Demon Souls. The only difference is that I wanted to keep going to see the other worlds, bosses, etc. Plus I got the hang of it and it eventually it wasn't difficult. I feel like I'm not getting the hang of this game and when I do succeed at something I don't get a sense of accomplishment.

To OP: Aaaaaargh this is like the whiniest post I've ever heard lol. Go back and read it over as if it was someone else saying all that and you'll see. Not that your concerns totally lost on me, but wow - just make a list or something man. (sorry, thought it was entertaining to note )

But anyway- back on topic:

If this one game is causing you so much distress and making you ask so many seemingly melodramatic questions about this dilemma of your experience of a game and asking our opinion if you're playing the game right; go find a different game. If you must- seek out every FPS in every different flavor possible till you find the right one; like Mallefunction said- the original Bioshock might make you care about the story a bit more.

Some personal FPS recommendations:
1. Deus Ex - sort of a RPS/FPRPS - role-playing shooter/first-person role-playing shooter; most people can't put this down like a good book till they get to the end of it.
2. S.T.A.L.K.E.R series - I love this series, mind you, half the time- you'll be asking yourself a lot of questions about the story, but it makes you curious enough to find out what's actually going on. The atmosphere in the game is perfect, combat is well designed and pretty difficult even on easy; and to some degree, this is a 'shit-your-pants' scary game - not just because there are monsters at every turn, but because of the infrequency of your encounters with something terrifying. The level design in some of the 'dungeons' can also be 'paralysingly' scary. Shame about the shrinking game-world as the series moves from sequel to sequel. To tell the truth, I like this the best out of everything mentioned.
3. Half Life series - the story isn't groundbreaking, but when you move from 1 to 2 - the immersiveness should take you.
4. Dark Forces series - a Star Wars franchise - I personally just like them a lot because of the characters, decent amount of action and also because of the kickass live-action cutscenes in 2.
5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series - I might get burnt at the stake for mentioning this, but I do find this game relatively involving at least, the story isn't bad- I can say the action is never tedious.

By and far - I highly recommend S.T.A.L.K.E.R, Deus Ex and Half-Life2 and HL2:EP1 and 2, and actually- the Call of Duty is probably worth it to see what some of the fanboys are banging on about .

I threw the Dark Forces one in there out of nostalgia .

 

[random_bars]

Forget everything you've ever seen about the game. Forget it exists. Bleach it from your memory, wipe it totally clean.

Then play the first Bioshock. Remember, you haven't played the sequel (what sequel?) so don't think of anything in terms of the sequel. You are seeing Rapture for the first time; you go into the game with no knowledge of anything.

Why? Because the second game basically completely butchers the themes and story of the first one, and the more you know about it the less of an impact the first game will have on you, and the less you'll understand it. Plus the first Bioshock is a thousand times better.

 

[Psycho Cat Industries]

Simply put,why are you asking us if you like it?Your decisions man

 

[Zechnophobe]

(I play this game on PS3 in case that matters).

Ok so I started this game last week and have gotten to the point where I just can't will myself to care. Not sure exactly how to explain what point of the game i am in...This is some time after I meet Grace. I am in Dionysus Park. You meet Stanley Poole but he tells you to go back and get rid of the little sisters that are left....

And this is where I stopped caring. It's just taking too long! First off, I don't like having a limit on what I can carry. It's such a small limit! I can only carry 5 first aids, can only have $600, blah blah. It seems to really have no point other than to annoy you.

I'm sick of harvesting adam. It takes so long and I don't want to go back and do it 2 more times (I've done one sister so far after Stanley told me to go back). I want to change a level and be in a different environment.

Also, I think I suck. I go through 4 first aids to harvest one body.

Anyways, It just seems like nothing is happening. Like I keep playing but it's the same thing after multiple hours. No change or environment, no different tasks, just harvesting adam and more adam!! Do I really have to kill a little sister just to progress without taking FOREVER!?

So here are my questions:

1. Should I just quit? Is this really the whole game? Harvesting adam for all eternity? Is there any payoff coming soon or does the game pick up some pace soon?

2. This is my first shooter game...do I just not like shooters? Honestly, there was a while where I was having fun looking for things and shooting things, etc. But when Stanley told me to go back I just lost all interest.

3. Am I being stupid saving every sister? Do most people harvest some so as to keep the game moving.

4. Should I have played this game on easy? I have it on normal because usually games go by way to fast on easy. I'm not bad at games but maybe I'm bad at first shooters and just can't get the hang of them?

Any thoughts on this will be appreciated. This is a little bit of how I felt when I first started Demon Souls. The only difference is that I wanted to keep going to see the other worlds, bosses, etc. Plus I got the hang of it and it eventually it wasn't difficult. I feel like I'm not getting the hang of this game and when I do succeed at something I don't get a sense of accomplishment.

First of all, if this is your first shooter, I'd strongly recommend playing on an easier setting, most games nowadays are going to assume you know how to aim and whatnot pretty well. I bet a lot of the tedium of fights will dissappear if the challenge is more appropriate for your current skills.

Second, Bioshock 2 is an oddly hollow game. It has some decent fighting mechanics, but that was about it. You might want to try Bioshock 1 instead. The gameplay will be similar, but the narrative is MUCH MORE engrossing, right from the start. I think you'll like it.

If you are more comfortable with RPG's, you may also try out Borderlands, which is a bit more Role Playing-ish. Lastly, and just to make sure... you are SPENDING your Adam on new abilities right? Just making sure there isn't some crazy fundamental disconnect there! If you are, getting new tonics and plasmids should be the payoff for harvesting Adam.

 

[Del-Toro]

It's ok to not like Bioshock 2, hell, it was ok to not like the original Bioshock, despite what the Yahtzees of the world will tell you. If you don't like it, don't make yourself play it. That simple.

 

[ultratog1028]

Because Bioshock tied every last plot thread up. It finished. Nothing was left open. Bioshock 2 tried to reinvest in a closed story. Also, Bioshock 1 was interesting because of the mystery. Once you know the story of Rapture completely, it is kind of hard to go back.

 

[mireko]

1. Bioshock 1 is better, you may want to try that one first. If you enjoy it, you may enjoy 2 more.

2. You'd have to try different shooters to be certain of that. This game isn't a good test for your genre preference.

3. No. If you want the good ending, save them all.

4. If it's the first shooter you've ever played, then that might be a good idea. I didn't find the game especially difficult on the PC, for what it's worth. On the other hand, there's usually no satisfaction in playing easy mode..

 

[Ekit]

Play BioShock first. BioShock 2 is inferior in almost every way.

Also, you don't have to let the Little Sisters gather ADAM before you rescue them. You can just kill the Big Daddy and then carry the Little Sister to an exit vent and rescue her.

You will get less ADAM but you will still be able to buy basically any tonic you want and the ending will be the same.

 

[PerkoApple]

Play BioShock first. BioShock 2 is inferior in almost every way.

Also, you don't have to let the Little Sisters gather ADAM before you rescue them. You can just kill the Big Daddy and then carry the Little Sister to an exit vent and rescue her.

You will get less ADAM but you will still be able to buy basically any tonic you want and the ending will be the same.

Thank you for pointing this out to me. I read the replies a while ago and when I read this I couldn't believe it had never crossed my mind. I had so much adam because I had been doing thee whole harvesting thing with dead bodies with every little sister. By the end of the game I didn't need anything else upgraded but had 700 adam left! It was such a waste of time harvesting all that.

So by now I have beat the game. The only reason why I kept going was because I found out I could just save the sisters. I figured, what the hell...I'll just go a little further and see if it's less frustrating and will move quicker.

Also, now that I wasn't harvesting so much I wasn't putting all my resources into getting adam. Thus, the game became far easier and I was able to defeat it on the medium difficulty.

Also, the game was very short. When I wrote the initial post I didn't realize that I was already so far into it.

But yeah, in the end I'm going to sell it and I really wish that I never started it to begin with. It was as I feared...the levels or places really don't look any different. When it comes to games I really need a change of scenery at some point. But all the areas looked the same and it became very dull.

So the reason I got this game was because a friend told me to get it. At least I thought he did...he had actually said to get the original Bioshock and had never even played Bioshock 2. Guess I misheard him. So whatever, the reason for buying the game never existed.

I'm happy that so many here seem to have the same problems with the game as I do. I might try another first shooter at some point. I saw a demo for KillZone 3 and that looked so much better (as far as graphics).

Conclusion: It was entertaining for a couple hours but then became redundant. Good voice acting but I couldn't care about the story for some reason. The people in the game looked terrible. They were too gangly and their faces were terrible. It's ok if the graphics aren't the best out there but I can't stand it when computer animated humans have bad proportions and super stiff faces.

I think I got the "good" ending but that wasn't so great either. It was only a few minutes long but I still managed to space out on it due to lack of interest.


P.S. SixVI06-M, you really should try removing the stick from your ass and the cock from your mouth before you post on forums. It might help you be less of an ass...

 

[Erecting a Sentry]

I found the second alot better than the first

 

[Merkavar]

1. Should I just quit? Is this really the whole game? Harvesting adam for all eternity? Is there any payoff coming soon or does the game pick up some pace soon? if you dont like the game stop playing it. simple. you play games for enjoyment either through gameplay or story etc and if you arent enjoying it stop it.

From what i remember collecting adam didnt take that long compared to other parts of the game. if it seems that the whole game is adam collecting maybe your doing it wrong. most of the game for me was killing splicers and other enemies.

2. This is my first shooter game...do I just not like shooters? Honestly, there was a while where I was having fun looking for things and shooting things, etc. But when Stanley told me to go back I just lost all interest.

no idea, bioshock is different from a lot of shooters with the plamids you can get and combine together. so maybe try a didffereent shooter.

3. Am I being stupid saving every sister? Do most people harvest some so as to keep the game moving.

i saved them all. isnt it basically the same to save and harvest. im not sure why you think harvesting will amke the game move forward.

4. Should I have played this game on easy? I have it on normal because usually games go by way to fast on easy. I'm not bad at games but maybe I'm bad at first shooters and just can't get the hang of them?

Normally easy is for first time players. and you seem to fit into that category.