"BioShock 2" Multiplayer Will Add to Story and Player Experience

Change is a scary thing for most involved when it comes to messing with a successful video game formula. When the accolades started rolling in for the original BioShock I recall a few swipes at the game that criticized it as being too easy, even on the hardest setting. This probably had a lot to do with the addition of Challenge Room DLC for the PS3 version, as well as the fact that the PS3 version needed an extra selling point since it was released significantly later than the other two. I don't recall any particular issues with the game not containing a multiplayer campaign though. The reason for that? BioShock had a nice and quirky look and feel, as well as a great storyline. Now, fast-forward to the present ramp-up to BioShock 2.

Pretty much any and all trepidations that gamers may have had over the initial and somewhat confusing news that the game would feature a multiplayer component have fallen to the wayside. One reason for this was that the initial multiplayer speculation was bundled with even more speculative claims that the game would not feature Big Daddies. Thankfully those claims were totally unfounded. See, there is that fear I was talking about. And now today there is even better multiplayer news related to the overall game. Kotaku has reported that not only will the game's multiplayer campaign "deliver a substantial experience that adds to the lore and fiction of the universe," but it will also feature content that will allow,

"…players will gain experience as they play through the multiplayer portions of the game, earning them access to new plasmids and tonics. With hundreds of different combinations available, players will be able to develop their own particular play style, which should lead to some very interesting battles."  

Hmmm. I don't know about you, but assuming the same quality of overall product most of us enjoyed the first time around, that is a formula change that I will take in every sequel going forward. BioShock 2 is currently scheduled for a late Fall '09 release simultaneously on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

–Hobson's Choice