Xbox Game Pass: 12 Massively Underrated Games You Must Play

The Bioshock franchise is a rare thing in gaming; equally successful as a commercial blockbuster as well as a ‘games are art’ showcase. Irrational Games spearheaded the first and third entries, with their groundbreaking concepts and gob-smacking world building.

Somewhere sandwiched in-between is Bioshock 2, developed instead by 2K Marin and often considered the runt of the litter. Certainly, it lacked the evolutionary aspects of the other two and its setting and story were overly familiar, but it's vastly superior to the other two in one aspect; the gameplay.

Despite letting gamers inhabit the shoes of a Big Daddy from the jump, for the majority of its runtime, Bioshock 2 feels like more of the same, yet a refined and impressively polished version of the same. The enemy A.I. is stronger, the weapons and abilities more satisfying, and dual wielding plasmids with guns was the necessary step forward over the originals arduous and constant switching.

Also, the third act of the game makes for a powerful and subversive spin on the franchise. Sure, it’s not as important as the other games but it undeniable plays the best and is well worth you giving it a second chance.