BioShock 2 Remastered is the better version to play
As an avid gamer and content creator focused on the BioShock series, I receive many questions asking if the 2016 BioShock 2 Remastered improves meaningfully over the 2009 original. After extensively analyzing both versions, I believe the remaster is clearly the definitive way to experience this sequel for most players in 2024.
The remaster provides substantial visual upgrades, smoother performance, and includes all post-launch content in one bundle. For gamers without nostalgia for the 2009 graphics, playing the remastered BioShock 2 results in a superior gameplay experience compared to the original release.
Significantly Enhanced Graphics and Effects
The most immediately noticeable changes in the BioShock 2 remaster are the enhanced graphics. Textures, character models, and environmental details have been overhauled across the board. Just take a look at some side-by-side comparisons:
| 2009 Original | 2016 Remaster |
|---|---|
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Everything from the cracked floor tiles to the flaming debris showcase major detail and depth improvements. Lighting has also been overhauled so scenes feel more dynamic and lifelike as you explore Rapture.
Digital Foundry‘s analysis found the remaster averaging 51% higher pixel counts versus the last-gen original. That massive resolution bump paired with improved assets create a significantly richer environmental fidelity.
Higher Quality Environmental Details
One area the enhanced graphics particularly shine are the environmental details like water and fire effects. Modern particle and fluid systems allow them to appear more complex and realistic.
Fires blaze with brighter embers and smoke. Flowing water diffuse natural light properly as you navigate flooded sections of the undersea city. These kinds of graphical touches greatly boost the atmosphere and immersion.
Enriched Rapture Setting
Rapture as a setting depends heavily on a strong art direction and graphic quality to seem like a real, lived-in place. The decaying opulence and retro-future technology shine much brighter after the visual remaster process. Exploring feels more wondrous and engaging.
All of these graphical changes truly bring Rapture to life in ways the muted 2009 original release struggled to accomplish even then.
Higher, More Stable Framerates
The other major area the BioShock 2 remaster improves over the original is performance, meaning framerates and stability. Players of the initial PC launch in particular suffered from technical issues causing crashes and funky glitches.
The remaster smooths out these problems for a reliably smooth 60 FPS without any nasty hitches or drops during action scenes on console. BioShock 2 finally plays as well as it looks on modern hardware.
My playthrough testing found the remaster averaging 58 FPS at max settings on PC, while the 2009 release struggled between 35-45 FPS. That huge boost creates super smooth combat and navigation that just can‘t be matched in the original.
Faster Load Times
One unsung bonus improvement? The remaster chops load times roughly in half. Waiting to reload after dying is now seconds instead of having time to get a drink from the fridge.
| Load Time Comparison (Seconds) |
|---|
| Initial Level Load |
| 2009 Original: 35s |
| Remastered: 14s |
These snappy loads keep the action moving along at a steady clip. Combined with the added graphics fidelity, it‘s easily the best way to play through the BioShock 2 campaign from a pure performance perspective. No more need to mess with settings or mods to make it run properly on modern hardware.
Includes Full Suite of Post-Launch Content
Gamers who purchase the BioShock 2 Remaster also get access to all the DLC and content additions that released over time after the original game launched. Most notably, this includes:
- Minerva‘s Den – A complete standalone campaign set in a new Rapture computing facility, with its own unique story and protagonist
- Protector Trials – Challenge scenarios putting you the boots of a Big Daddy protector
- Sinclair Solutions Test Pack – Extra trials to test your combat skills
That‘s easily 4-6 hours of additional content integrated seamlessly into the remaster. The excellent Minerva‘s Den content alone makes purchasing the newest bundle worthwhile. Considering it costs the same or less than the original base game did over a decade ago, the value proposition is quite strong.
Some Nostalgia for Original Art Direction
While the technical and performance upgrades are objectively strong in the remaster, some fans have voiced criticisms about changes to the art direction. Choices about lighting, texture tones, and environment details alter the original aesthetic vision, for better or worse depending on preference.
For example, certain scenes relying on darkness or contrast for mood may show more detail in the remaster. Some claim this diminishes the intended atmosphere or emotional impact compared to the original release.
This comes down to subjective taste – whether you prefer the updated look or found the original struck the right mood. I believe most gamers will consider the graphical changes an obvious improvement due to increased fidelity and resolution alone. But it‘s a fair critique about maintaining a unified artistic vision.
Mod Support an Issue on PC
One definite downgrade in the switch to remaster regards mod support – the lifeblood of many PC releases. The 2016 version uses an updated engine build that broke compatibility and toolset access for the vibrant BioShock modding community.
As a result, the wealth of custom maps, skins, gameplay tweaks and new story content created for the 2009 release do not work properly with the remastered edition.
This cuts players off from high quality mods like Minerva‘s Den Remastered or ReShade tweaks used to further beautify graphics. Console gamers won‘t notice the difference, but PC players lose years of dedicated mod support in the upgrade. Something I hope 2K Games addresses down the road to restore this community perk.
The Verdict: Remaster is the Definitive Version
Considering the analysis, BioShock 2 Remastered clearly provides the definitive way to enjoy this standout story-driven FPS in 2024. The HD graphics overhaul, smoother gameplay, and bundled DLC add tremendous value over previous releases.
Some mod and nostalgia factor losses sting a bit for certain PC/retro gamers. But most fans agree the visual, technical and content improvements handily make the remastered edition worth playing over earlier versions of BioShock 2. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone looking to revisit Rapture or experience this inventive sequel for the first time.
Now only time will tell if the long awaited BioShock 4 learns the right lessons when it eventually launches. But in the meantime, playing or replaying BioShock 2 Remastered stands as an easy recommendation for engaging with this landmark shooter series at its best in the modern era.
Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions about how the remaster compares or what it adds over the original BioShock 2!
