BioShock 2's plasmid-packed multiplayer trailer makes a splash
by Randy Nelson 
{ Sep 4th 2009 at 2:30AM } 
The first look at BioShock 2's multiplayer component in action surfaced this evening on GameTrailers TV. Our rough calculations reveal that the trailer -- which clocks in at just over two minutes in length -- is running at about .5 plasmid attacks per second (PAPS).
It might just be the edit, but the gameplay looks extremely frantic, with several human-controlled players employing the likes of Incinerate, Winter Blast, Telekinesis and a host of other plasmid powers in rapid succession. There are also glimpses at turret-building, what appears to be the first game's Research Camera being used for something and, of course, someone playing as the prototype Big Daddy.
Check out the trailer after the break and let us know that you thought of it in comments. Did it have you enraptured ... or leave you with a sinking feeling?
It might just be the edit, but the gameplay looks extremely frantic, with several human-controlled players employing the likes of Incinerate, Winter Blast, Telekinesis and a host of other plasmid powers in rapid succession. There are also glimpses at turret-building, what appears to be the first game's Research Camera being used for something and, of course, someone playing as the prototype Big Daddy.
Check out the trailer after the break and let us know that you thought of it in comments. Did it have you enraptured ... or leave you with a sinking feeling?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Green Machine @ Sep 4th 2009 2:38AM
will the multiplayer have bots or stuff like horde?... hope so
rumorofhope @ Sep 4th 2009 2:44AM
It could be fun..in the Team Fortress 2 kind of way. Besides, if it sucks there are a ton of excellent multiplayer games to play, at least we'll have a great single player mode with Bioshock 2.
Special Agent Steve @ Sep 4th 2009 8:13PM
Yeah, pretty much.
I mean, 2 separate developers are working on each component, so if you don't like one, chances are you'll like the other.
Savage @ Sep 4th 2009 2:44AM
To be honest it looks ridiculously awesome. Then again I don't really play much multiplayer in my games, but I might have to give this one a shot.
Derick @ Sep 4th 2009 2:48AM
Looks very interesting. Lots of varied gameplay, and more to react to than just 3 other guys with guns. You almost have to fall into a class type system depending on your play style. Do you want to be the guy that freezes people and then melee's them, or maybe a trap-setter?
This reminded me a lot of TF2.
solarshadows074 @ Sep 4th 2009 3:06AM
Big Daddy reminded me of the Tank from left 4 dead.
Bagels: Almost certainly not as stupid as you think. Also, Memes. @ Sep 4th 2009 9:02AM
Huh, Ya mama reminds me of Tank from Left 4 Dead
whylekat @ Sep 4th 2009 9:25AM
Big Daddy reminds me how I'd rather be playing Left 4 Dead.
hallowhero @ Sep 4th 2009 2:51AM
Very good idea to have the multiplayer mode be a product testing ground. Makes it feel less tacked on. I was skeptical at first but this is actually looking quite fun.
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Sep 4th 2009 3:12AM
100% Agree. I thought it would be trash until I saw the video, now I really want to try it out. Although I do see a lot of potential for griefing and / or exploits.
solarshadows074 @ Sep 4th 2009 3:05AM
sooooooooooooo glad they delayed this game. it was worth it.
multiplayer looks beautiful. story is hopefully as long (or even longer)
than the first one.
kentuckyfried @ Sep 4th 2009 3:20AM
It looks crazier than a COD4 round on Shipment.
The Baron @ Sep 4th 2009 8:52AM
I think that's because of the enclosed spaces. TF2 and CoD4 managed make the insanity work because you were (usually) in fairly open maps.
Slyphon Filter @ Sep 4th 2009 3:02PM
OH MAN, domination on shipment was so awesome. running around with a W1200 shotgun with double tap and rockets was so funny. you would rack up kills so fast, call in an airstrike that dominated the map, and then have a heli that rapes people who manage to survive for more than 15 seconds. shipment matches were a highlight of COD4 for me.
Deathwish Jones @ Sep 4th 2009 3:22AM
That.... huh. That totally exceeds my expectations. I wasn't really even considering buying this (I feel the story of Rapture was told completely in the first game) but that looks just incredibly fun. This game's on my radar.
Einhanderkiller @ Sep 4th 2009 3:31AM
I don't know... the footage in that video looked pretty terrible to me.
poop @ Sep 4th 2009 10:59AM
I wouldn't use the world terrible. I would use the word confusing. wtf is going on?
Alex @ Sep 4th 2009 3:36AM
In future could you please also post a link to the GameTrailers website as well as embedding them? My internet is almost too turd to handle SD forget HD, and for some reason GT Embedded vids _never_ work for me.
Alex @ Sep 4th 2009 3:37AM
Sorry didn't notice the big link titled 'GameTrailers TV'
But my point is still valid.
Courtney @ Sep 4th 2009 3:48AM
For future reference, the Source link in most articles (gray bar under Tags) like this will take you to the original home of the video.
MonkeyMan @ Sep 4th 2009 3:47AM
Lookin Tastey for sure... the shooting was kinda awkward in Bioshock 1 with certain guns.. im wondering if they have improved that in the 2nd one.. would make a huge difference in multiplayer
Ryan Hamilton @ Sep 4th 2009 4:09AM
It looks too chaotic for my taste, like Halo & COD. I like slower paced online shooters, like Gears of War.
dark_inchworm (stronger than never, ever before) @ Sep 4th 2009 10:08AM
If Halo and COD are too chaotic for you, stay the hell away from Unreal Tournament (especially its earliest iteration) and, well, virtually any FPS from before the Halo era...
XBL: xGeneral DEATHx PSN: Deeth82 @ Sep 4th 2009 10:21AM
Quake 3 will eat your brain.
DWells55 @ Sep 4th 2009 4:12AM
This is either going to turn out to be fast-paced and fun (like Unreal) or a total frantic mess that winds up being frustrating.
Akronon @ Sep 4th 2009 10:19AM
"or a total frantic mess that winds up being frustrating."
This is how Killzone 2's Search and Destroy missions became for me. All out spawn and kill fest, so frustrating. I hope it doesn't turn out like that.
I hope they understand the concept of weapons balance in MP. If the weapons maintain their original attributes of Bioshock 1, it will be hard to keep balance between all the different weapons and plasmids. Telekinesis already looks overpowered, just from the standpoint of hurling explosives.
Mr_Ahh @ Sep 5th 2009 7:05AM
have to defend my baby here. quick lesson. spawn away from the target get two guys let them cover you plant the bomb. really sick of people trying to turn Killzone into COD4, i see them running around all the time. it's called teamwork people.
TheMexxicution @ Sep 4th 2009 4:24AM
This is going to be a good Niche' Multiplayer, but I don't think it'll catch on. It'll be like F.E.A.R's 360 multiplayer or Battlefield Modern Combat. Good game with good multiplayer, but nothing earth-shattering or game-changing. Here's hoping the storyline's as good as the first one, though. Any time someone mentions they're looking for a good game to play, BioShock's the first one I suggest.
dhobbs07 @ Sep 4th 2009 4:39AM
Honestly it looks like it wont be suited for much more than deathmatch and everyone versus the big daddy. I really dont thin Bioshock needs multiplayer, and this kinda just makes me think of quake, but with plasmids. Nothing new here, play for the single, probably wont touch the multiplayer unless they announce something really cool.
Foetoid @ Sep 4th 2009 4:50AM
I cant wait to send hordes of Insect Swarm 3 at the enemy
DWells55 @ Sep 4th 2009 5:18AM
Oh yes, seeking place! You click now, get answer!
brytdavis @ Sep 4th 2009 5:30AM
Ho-lee crap ... I think I just wet my pants ...
Womble @ Sep 4th 2009 5:32AM
Wow, my brain hurts.
Could they make the edits any more annoying???
But! I'm soooo looking forward to this game. I can't see how they could come close to the innovation and novelty of Bioshock -- and to be honest I don't think they'll even try -- but any Bioshock is good Bioshock!
I'm hoping the plasmids become a bit more strategic. More plasmids like the cyclones, instead of just lightning bolts and the like.
The Mexxicution @ Sep 4th 2009 5:36AM
On it!
NeoHumpty @ Sep 4th 2009 7:31AM
Looks beautiful. I just finally played the first about a month ago, and can't wait for this now. I'm sure the single player will be great, this just makes me want it more.
Candlejack @ Sep 4th 2009 7:32AM
I GET IT! ENRAPTURED! BECAUSE THE CITY IS CALLED RAPTURE! I GET IT!
Oh Joystiq, Oh you.
bskyper @ Sep 4th 2009 7:58AM
Queue the Who.......... YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Space @ Sep 4th 2009 8:19AM
Would you kindly leave all of the back tracking/item collection out of the SP game just to bump up the play time...I might give this franchise a second chance.
Ipsum @ Sep 4th 2009 8:21AM
Still feels tacked on. I remain skeptical.
Teabag @ Sep 4th 2009 8:27AM
Hmm, i honestly cannot say i am impressed. I am sure the final game will be awesome. But 2K has lost its touch in making trailers. Neither of the two released trailers succeeded in evoking any kind of excitement in me.
Well...i don't know. I hope they haven't screwed up the game.
Ashitaka @ Sep 4th 2009 8:51AM
That voice... Is that Qwark?
Rhamsey @ Sep 4th 2009 8:52AM
Seemed almost team fortressish to me. And developers should know that even if their game doesnt have a multiplayer, I'll still buy it.
-Jad- @ Sep 4th 2009 8:57AM
Look fun and that's important :)
Obie @ Sep 4th 2009 8:59AM
Hmm, I dunno. I will certainly give it a shot tho!
jynxycat @ Sep 4th 2009 9:06AM
Well, looks average.
At least Modern Warfare 2 looks pretty high caliber, so far :|
Hydrophobicfish (PSN: HydrophobicFish) @ Sep 4th 2009 11:28AM
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time they were climing the ice (for MW2) back at E3.
whylekat @ Sep 4th 2009 9:07AM
I dunno about you, but I have zero interest in this.
Besides the fact I would never want to play Bioshock multiplayer... Halo ODST, CoD5:MW2, & L4D2 will already be out with a booming online community... Why the hell would anyone waste time with Bioshock? Gaurenteed those games are empty after 3 months post release. It's gonna be like Shadowrun all over again =P
someone re-release counter-strike please.
Hydrophobicfish (PSN: HydrophobicFish) @ Sep 4th 2009 1:05PM
Your post infuriates me.
Not because you're right, but because of WHY you're right.
We as a gaming community are so shallow and pedantic that we're willing to play the same with pretty new packaging over and over again, why? Why aren't we willing to try something new?
Sure L4D is the exception, that's something new... but, seriously Halo is a repackaging, and MW2 is more of the same too.
I'll take my downvotes for my angry rant now. :-\
maveric101 @ Sep 4th 2009 3:28PM
Halo is a repackaging? of what? are you saying halo 3 is a repackaging of Halo 2? well that would be true, but that would also be expected. and Halo 2 was the first big online shooter for consoles, so saying that it's a repackaging of something else if kind of pointless.
why is it so hip to hate on halo?
Einhanderkiller @ Sep 4th 2009 7:10PM
Counter-Strike doesn't need a third re-release (I consider Condition Zero and Source re-releases/remakes), it needs a sequel.