The original Bioshock changed gaming when it was released in 2007. It represented a big step forward for the medium, as its distinct art-deco visual style, its melding of lite-RPG mechanics and first-person shooting, and its captivating and at times deeply meta story became the blueprint for a maturing gaming industry in the high-definition era of the late 2000s.
In just six years, the franchise it spawned became regarded as one of the most beloved and important game series ever. But while the first game is remembered for its impact and the divisive Bioshock Infinite is remembered for its mind-bending premise, the middle child of the series often feels left out of the conversation. The lack of buzz and discussion around Bioshock 2 doesn’t reflect its quality. In many ways, Bioshock 2 is actually the best game in the series. And right now, for Amazon Prime subscribers, the 2016 remaster of this excellent yet often overlooked game is available for free.
