Bioshock 2 details released!

March 15, 12:43 PMBaltimore PC Game ExaminerJace DeVeillan

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Art from the cover of Game Informer

Turns out you can't believe everything you read on the internet.

After an outbreak of Bioshock 2 rumors, factual information released by developer 2k are being released, as well as correction on which rumors are and are not true, through interviews with various gaming news sources and a sneak peek in issue 192 of Game Informer magazine.

Most of the rumors that were dispelled by 2k, but the list that was conjured provided an interesting glimpse into what may never be.  They suggested that you would play Private Investigator Jack Abott in a daring rescue attempt of a friend's kidnapped daughter, stolen away to Rapture to serve as a little sister.  Some of the scenarios suggested a Soviet invasion of Rapture, as well as a spliced zoo with spliced animals, including (of all things) a rhinocerous.

I can't be the only person who thinks that would have been awesome.  Although I suppose if you plant the drill-arm on a Big Daddy's head, that's pretty much about how the entire scenario would pan out.

Still, game rumors are game rumors and lead to nothing but disappointment, so I suppose it's better to thrive on the newfound wealth of information which the developers have confirmed.  Shacknews had a very succinct article on the subject here, and Kotaku provided even more details in theirs.

Please be warned that information beyond this point could be construed as spoilers.  Read ahead at your own risk.

Shacknews provides a very complete story of known facts about the game thus far:

The sequel has players assuming control of "the first ever" Big Daddy, according to creative director Jordan Thomas. Players will be armed with a drill, and will also be able to upgrade their weapons and various plasmids.

As you liberate Little Sisters from other Big Daddies, you'll be able to either Harvest or Adopt them. Adoption apparently lets players escort a Little Sister around levels, fighting off splicers as the Little Sister harvests the all-powerful Adam from corpses.

Kotaku expands:

That Little Sister comes in handy. She'll harvest ADAM from corpses strewn about Rapture, acting as a warning sign for when the Big Sister—the lithe, lightning fast enemy who will hunt your character throughout the game—has you in her sights. Based on her description, it sounds like she'll one hell of a fight.

They also list other, "not-yet-verified" details that are sourced from forum posts regarding scans of the articles from Game Informer.  No promises on these, but they might give us an idea of what we can look forward to. 

• The game is set 10 years after the first BioShock.
• There will be a multiplayer mode, but no details were given.
• The Big Sister is a grown-up Little Sister, and she's hunting you.
• Some levels take place on the sea floor outside of Rapture.
• The Big Sister will periodically pop up after you kill enough Big Daddies. Her arrival is apparently signaled by a Little Sister singing a song.
• The Big Sister is described as fast and "the hardest thing in the game." She'll utilize telekinesis to throw objects at you or use them as shields.
• Your drill overheats, and cannot be used constantly.
• As a Big Daddy, you'll be able to do that nifty shoulder bash move.
• Upgrade trees are now more diverse.
• The Incinerate plasmid allows you to throw a fireball or shoot a stream of fire, depending on upgrades.
• Using Incinerate on a Cyclone Trap will result in a flaming trap.
• You can now heal damaged turrets and bots.
• The game will reveal how Adam is recovered from Little Sisters.

The most exciting news from that list, to me anyways, is the addition of Multiplayer to the game.  Here's hoping it's a return to form with co-operative play, ala System Shock 2, a 'spiritual predecessor' to the Bioshock series, which is well worth a play to anyone who enjoys Bioshock's gameplay, rpg elements, and rich storytelling.  If you can find a copy, that is.  It's a bit on the

Bioshock 2 is currently scheduled for release between August 1st and October 31st, and is 'destined' to be released on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.  No information yet on whether all three will be released simultaneously, or which one won't make the original date.

Fingers crossed for a simultaneous release, PC Gamers.  Until then, I'll be mourning the loss of the Internet's credibility.  If you can't trust random forum posts, who can you trust?