BioShock was launched to critical acclaim in 2007 and was praised for its (at times) unique gameplay, technical proficiency, and mortality mechanics. Though it was dubbed the spiritual successor of the EA owned System Shock franchise which came some 10 years beforehand, BioShock melded puzzle solving, corridor shooting, and RPG elements with an engaging storyline and cryptic setting.

The warm reception the game received obviously went down a treat with publisher 2K Games, and while the rumours suggest the story of Rapture's rise and demise has been written as a trilogy, less than two years after the release of the first in the series we're staring down the familiar barrel of a sequel to the original game.

We recently had a chance to check out some early gameplay of an Xbox 360 build of BioShock 2, and while it takes place 10 years after the events of BioShock, there are plenty of familiar faces and throwbacks right out of the gates. The most obvious of these is that you reprise the role of an unseen protagonist; and while we're as yet unsure if it's Jack, you're apparently the first prototype Big Daddy model which managed to survive. While you've traded fragile human form for the hulking armoured suit and instantly recognisable drill for a hand, being a prototype means you'll also have access to plasmid powers. You won't be limited to just drill power though, with a new upgradable rivet gun joining the BioShock 2 arsenal. Developer 2K Marin has so far remained unsurprisingly sketchy on the details, but while it's known you'll be able to swap between your drill and gun on the fly as the situation dictates, it's a mystery whether you'll be able to pick up other weapons or simply continuously upgrade your rivet gun.


As a prototype Big Daddy you'll have access to the new rivet gun as well as plasmids.

Since you're now taking on the role of a Big Daddy rather than just looking the part and wearing the gear you find scattered around as you did at the end of BioShock, you're a lot more powerful. Rather than simply up the damage mitigation of your enemies or give Splicers more hit points, you'll be able to mince your way through them with relative ease. The mix up is that since you're more powerful they'll now work in teams, attacking you in larger packs. That said, while they're happy to hunt in packs, they don't like to attack alone and will turn their heels and run if they're singled out or left the only one standing from a party.

Anyone who played BioShock will remember that stop and think moment when they were presented with the option to either rescue or harvest their first Little Sister. The mechanic returns in the sequel, though since you're a Big Daddy this time the save has been replaced with the option to adopt. It appears to be aimed at fostering a meaningful relationship between you and your little buddy, rather than using them as a tawdry genetic battery. Adopting a Little Sister will let you use her as a form of ADAM (the genetic material currency used for ability upgrades) divining rod. To harvest you'll lower your passenger to the ground and enter a new mode with its own progress bar. Grabbing ADAM puts you both in danger as the act of collecting attracts nearby Splicers like moths to an open flame.


Either harvest them now, or use Little Sisters to locate and farm ADAM from corpses.

The combination of at least one new weapon, multiple plasmid powers and the ADAM collection mechanic look like they'll make BioShock 2 a little more frantic than the first game. The other big change coming is the ability to leave the narrow hallways of Rapture and venture outside into the ocean. It's unclear how much freedom you'll actually have or whether you'll be able to wander the vast undersea sandbox style, but from our look there appeared to be at least some rewards for exploration of nooks and crannies.

BioShock 2 will also feature a multiplayer component for the first time, putting you in the shoes of what appears to be citizens of Rapture before ADAM corruption turned them into Splicers. We've been told more details will be revealed at E3 in the coming weeks and the project has been outsourced to Digital Extremes, the development studio behind the PlayStation 3 port of BioShock. The game still doesn't have a firm release date just yet, but from all accounts it'll be hitting the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC later on this year. As always stay tuned to GameSpot for updates.