BioShock 2 Message Board older than one year ago

Considering the upcoming digital release of BioShock 2's soundtrack is, well, digital, you could probably just procure the track list from Amazon and grab the individual songs before its announced February 9 release date. Sure, you're not gonna get your ... uhh ... eyes on the fancy digital packaging, but you could snag all those classy tunes a full three days before the other kids on your block. Think about that!

Done thinking? Good, 'cause we've got more BioShock 2 music info for you -- there's also a way to enjoy the soundtrack this very second. How's that, you ask? Well, simple: just grab this iTunes music file or this WIndows music file and enjoy a taste of "Rapture Radio." To be clear, the tracks listed are no bearing on the game's official score which comes with the game's special edition. Head past the break for a breakdown of both the standard and deluxe editions (no prices are available yet).

[Via Destructoid]

(We apologize in advance for the acidic nature of this post. Keep in mind, it's only directed towards people who managed to miss out on the first BioShock, but plan to pick up the sequel when it launches next week.)

Hey there, you big, dumb animal. So, you're just going to skip right over BioShock and hop right into BioShock 2, huh? That's your master plan? Don't worry, we're sure you won't be at a loss when you're hurtled into Rapture without knowing jack about its rich history. We'll give you a quick refresher: Big Daddies are the guys in the diving suits, ADAM's the stuff that gives you super powers, and also, you're an idiot.

Direct2Drive is offering you one chance at redemption -- the digital retailer is offering 10 percent off pre-orders for BioShock 2, and tossing in a free copy of BioShock with the reservation. Pick it up, and maybe we'll talk about reconciliation. Maybe.

Duke it out for control of the Little Sisters of Rapture.

Take control of the Big Daddy and dominate the underwater realm of Rapture.

Bend the Big Daddies to your will combined with new special powers in Bioshock 2.

2K Marin makes its mark with a big, metal boot.

You've wanted one ever since seeing it in the very first trailer for BioShock 2. You even have one for your Xbox Avatar. Now you can buy a real, official replica of the cuddly "hand-made" Big Daddy plush doll that's featured in the game.

Toymaker NECA has announced that the collectible is now available for $20 from various retailers, along with a highly detailed, 8" replica of an EVE syringe* ($16) that lights up blue when you push in its plunger. We realize these items are but a small consolation for 2K deciding not to release the $15,000 "Über Edition" of the game, but you have to admit they're pretty darn cool.

[Via Toy News International]

*EVE not included.

Lamb to the slaughter or biggest daddy yet?

2K Marin makes its mark with a big, metal boot.

Taking shooters to new depths, or retreading water?

The upside of genetic tampering.

Playing as a Big Daddy has its benefits.

If you've been jonesing for your second hit of ADAM, you won't have to wait a moment past 12 a.m. on February 9th; 2K has announced that BioShock 2 will get a midnight launch at Best Buy and GameStop stores. It's great news for us, but bad news for the clerks who have to work until the Witching Hour, just so some dude can fall asleep playing it an hour later, his drool and Cheetoh dust congealing into a loneliness gravy on his Big Daddy PJs. Hoping to pile some extra coal into the hype train's engine, 2K took up the whole first commercial block of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon with a 3-minute-15-second launch trailer. It's a cool clip, but we get the uneasy feeling that the heavy reliance on non-gameplay, first-person action is just a touch misleading. That said, it's just a couple of inches above this sentence, so you can judge for yourself.

Return to the city of Rapture in Bioshock 2, the highly anticipated sequel to 2K Games 2007 hit video game, Bioshock.

The $99 special edition for Bioshock 2 is a stylish little bundle, replete with art deco flyers and a record containing the game's atmospheric soundtrack. The video after the jump features an all-inclusive unboxing of the package, courtesy of 2K -- however, it also includes the world-exclusive reveal of the game's "Uber Edition," which costs $14,999, and only includes a copy of the undersea action title, and a real life Big Daddy. We're still trying to make sense of this whole thing. Why would 2K expect anyone to pay 15 grand for a single game? Is it even legal to sell an actual sentient being in this manner? What are the ramifica ... what's that? It's a joke? Oh, yeah, that makes a lot more sense. Thank goodness.

All the details on the all-new multiplayer mode in 2K Marin's sequel.

Suit up as a Big Daddy and dominate the grounds of Bioshock 2's Multiplayer.

The 2K Games team un-boxes their Special Edition and releases details on the uber-edition.

Launch trailer to debut tonight on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

The first official look at the BioShock 2 Special Edition.

You can blame us ... and we can blame Game Rave's Jason Dvorak.

With a full armory and powerful plasmids unlocked, see Rapture rumble like never before.

Jordan Thomas talks about high-fiving Little Sisters, multiple endings, and more.

We doubt you'll find a less forgiving job in video games than the team who has to take the reins from the driving force behind one of the most beloved titles of the last decade and try to make something of their own. As the creative director of 2K Marin, the studio behind BioShock 2, Jordan Thomas is all too familiar with the challenge. With development now behind him, Thomas took a few moments to tell us how the team kept from soiling themselves, and how they hope to make you do just that, except with excitement. Joystiq: When you first learned what you'd be tackling, what was the immediate reaction? Jordan Thomas: It wasn't a big spit-take or anything, I just felt humbled. On the original game, I was a level designer - and believe me, the guys at Irrational hold themselves to such a high creative standard that I can't do it honor in text without sounding like I want to kiss them on the mouth. Some of their games were formative for me, so I was overjoyed to have been involved with BioShock - even in a production role. 2K Marin barely existed at that point, but I told myself that if we were going to carry that legacy with BioShock 2, we'd treat their work with the proper respect. I still find myself thinking, "Gosh, I hope they all have fun" like some addled debutante.

Over on The Cult of Rapture, 2K Marin has posted a Q&A on BioShock 2 multiplayer. First of all, on all platforms, the game doesn't have distinct ranked and unranked multiplayer options. All public matches, including those played with friends, will be ranked and posted to leaderboards. Meanwhile, private, invite-only matches will not post to leaderboards. The game will also keep friends on the same teams and employs a matchmaking system to find opponents of similar skill levels. Also, the game does not include an option to kick troublesome players. 2K Marin suggests that players report any cheaters and griefers, quit and find a different match. And now for the big one: BioShock 2 does not support dedicated servers or LAN play on any platform. According to 2K Marin, the development schedule didn't allow enough time to create a solid multiplayer component and implement dedicated servers and LAN play. The site reads, "We chose to spend the time we had creating a solid game foundation and unfortunately that did not include LAN play or dedicated servers." So there you have it.

The BioShock 2 special edition includes the game's score not just on physical media, but on an impressive vinyl record. However, if you want to hear the BioShock 2 soundtrack but don't want to be saddled with any tiresome tangible items, there's an option for you too. GameTunes reports that the soundtrack, composed by Garry Schyman, will be released digitally through both the iTunes Music Store and Amazon's MP3 store. No price or release date have been mentioned yet. There are currently no plans for a CD version, so it's either a huge disc or no disc! [Via Big Download]

Here's what you'll need.

Valve has officially announced that 2K Games' BioShock 2 will be available for purchase on Steam -- you can pre-purchase the game right now, and it'll be unlocked for play on February 9, 2010, day and date with the rest of the world. The current price is $44.99, a slight discount from the boxed version, and that includes a Steam copy of the original BioShock as well, which you can "kindly" give to a friend if you happen to already have it. Or you can nab four licenses for you and three friends for $134.97, with each of you getting to play the original also. Sure, it's a good deal if you're not concerned with "discs" or "physical media," but does it come with a vinyl LP of the game's original soundtrack? Didn't think so, boy-o.

A 2K Marin representative has confirmed that BioShock 2 will have DLC -- we'd have been (bio)shocked otherwise. Speaking to AustralianGamer, Senior Systems Designer Ken Hudson revealed that the studio has "pretty aggressive plans for DLC" and that it's "something that is already under-way." No further details were provided. The original BioShock was lacking in the DLC department, only providing some extra plasmids and adding challenge rooms for the PS3 port. Hopefully, the numerous studios working on the sequel will have all their Splicers in a row for the game's February 9 release date. Gallery: BioShock 2 [Thanks, Matthew; Via Xbox Insider]

Is the undersea sequel a little wet behind the ears?