Salivate over these guns!

BioShock 2

DEVELOPER: 2K Games and Digital Extremes
PUBLISHER: 2K Games
SYSTEM: Microsoft Xbox 360 (PS3, PC)
PRICE: $59.99
ESRB RATING: Mature
REVIEW RATING: 4.5 stars (out of 5)

Big Daddy, Big Sister, Splicer, Adam, Eve, Rapture; these words might create conflicting imagery in the minds of the uninitiated, but like Pavlov's dog, those in the know salivate at the mere thought of playing "BioShock 2." This engrossing sequel provides an exciting extension to the first game and also introduces several fun online multiplayer modes to round out the undersea package.

Ten years after the mayhem that ensued in the original "BioShock," Rapture is once again in turmoil. While the first game ended with players donning the suit of a lumbering Big Daddy, players begin "BioShock 2" as one of the steel-toed behemoths. Someone has been snatching young girls and turning them into Adam-leeching Little Sisters, and only a Plasmid-wielding Big Daddy can stop them!

That's right, this Big Daddy can use gene-splicing Plasmids in addition to lethal weaponry. Players can literally bore enemies to death with their gas-powered drill-arm while lighting them on fire or electrocuting them with plasmids. Not surreal enough for you? How about shooting an enemy with the new Trap Bolt ammo and watching them run up to their comrade, who inadvertently triggers it in close proximity and kills himself? Now that's quality entertainment!

One of the more interesting aspects of playing as a Big Daddy is temporarily adopting Little Sisters. Just like in the original game, the Big Daddy carries them around on his shoulders and protects them from nasty Splicers, while she harvests Adam from fallen enemies. If she is successful, the Little Sister gives the player some Adam to spend on new Plasmids. Players must fight other Big Daddies to obtain a Little Sister, but it seems easier to defeat them this time around.

"BioShock 2" offers seven addictive multiplayer modes that pit players against each other in the bowels of Rapture, which only makes it harder to return to reality.

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