There is No Definitive Canon Ending for BioShock 2
Unlike the original BioShock which clearly sets the "good" ending as canon, there is no singular ending considered definitively canon in the sequel. Instead, BioShock 2 contains multiple possible endings based on player choice, all of which theoretically continue in parallel universes as part of the multiverse lore.
Overview of BioShock 2 Endings and How to Achieve Them
There are 3 major endings in BioShock 2, each with 2 variations based on secondary choices throughout the game. This results in 6 total possible endings.
Diagram showing how choices result in different BioShock 2 endings
As shown in the diagram, choices related to dealing with Little Sisters, Stanley Poole, and Grace Holloway ultimately determine which ending you receive.
Good Ending (2 Variants)
The good ending shows Eleanor preserving your memories and essence so you remain together, now sharing consciousness, for the future adventures she pursues beyond Rapture.
You can achieve the good ending by:
- Saving all Little Sisters
- NOT killing Stanley Poole when given the choice
- NOT killing Grace Holloway when given the choice
If you spare Grace but still kill Stanley, you get a slightly different cinematic variation of the good ending.
Based on analysis of game files, the good ending seems to be the "intended" conclusion Infinite was aiming for, but left the possibility of alternatives open through player agency.
Neutral Ending (2 Variants)
In the neutral ending, Eleanor feels compassion for her mother Sofia Lamb‘s utopian visions, and leaves your body behind in order to "give the people what they want" by pursuing her mother‘s ideals.
You can get the neutral ending by:
- Saving over half of all Little Sisters (but harvesting at least one)
- Killing or sparing both Stanley and Grace (no impact)
Like the good ending, your full treatment of Stanley and Grace results in slight narrative variations.
Bad Ending (2 Variants)
The bad ending shows Eleanor brutally extracting and absorbing your essence, turning her into a remorseless monster as she pursues her own desires beyond Rapture.
You trigger the bad ending by:
- Harvesting at least 2 Little Sisters
- Killing Stanley Poole when given the choice
- Killing Grace Holloway when given the choice
As with previous endings, slight variations occur based on saving or killing Grace/Stanley, but the core outcome remains the same.
Consequences of Ending Choices
Saving vs harvesting Little Sisters not only impacts your ending, but has tangible effects throughout the game.
| Choice | ADAM Rewards | Deal |
|---|---|---|
| Save Little Sister | 80 ADAM | Good for endings |
| Harvest Little Sister | 160 ADAM | Bad for endings |
Table showing ADAM differences when handling Little Sisters
While harvesting grants you more ADAM to spend on plasmids and upgrades, saving the Little Sisters contributes to the more ethical endings. There is no way to maximize both.
When given the choice to kill Stanley or spare Grace, exercising restraint and mercy leads to better conclusions. Enacting revenge affects the outcome and Eleanor‘s character development.
Across all decisions, the game delivers a moral message about connection versus exploitation through the consequences reflected in the endings.
Deeper Lore Connections and Analysis
As a sequel to the original BioShock game, BioShock 2 expands on the history and mythos of Rapture. It takes place 8 years after the events of the first title.
You play as Subject Delta, a Big Daddy prototype originally tasked with protecting Eleanor as part of the Little Sister bonding process. Eleanor‘s mother Sofia Lamb steps in as the primary antagonist trying to shape her daughter into a messianic figure by any means necessary.
This creates an interesting dynamic where the player character and villain both want to save Eleanor in their own ways. Everyone believes they have good intentions from their own perspective.
While less shocking than the original game‘s key twist, BioShock 2 delivers a deeper exploration of morality systems tied to choices and consequences across a broader set of characters like Grace, Stanley and the Little Sisters.
In my personal view as a fan, this thematic depth around ethical implications makes up for BioShock 2‘s less cohesive plot line compared to the first title. Though not as groundbreaking, the sequel still holds up beautifully on its own merits rather than just trying to rehash the predecessor‘s beats.
Getting the good ending where Eleanor carries on Subject Delta‘s legacy may be the most narratively fulfilling path, but the developers intentionally left the finale uncertain. This allows fans to debate which conclusions fit best based on their own interpretations of the characters‘ beliefs and motives.
In that sense, the lack of an authoritative canon ending fits perfectly with BioShock 2‘s central themes emphasizing gray morality over absolutes. I consider this messier ambiguity to be a feature rather than a flaw.
In Conclusion
Defining canon for BioShock 2 is not straightforward due to the intentionally branching narrative tied to player agency throughout the game. There is no singular ending considered definitively canon. Instead, all endings represent valid possibilities within the series‘ broader multiverse lore and commentary on ethical implications of technology and choice.
