Every year there are many run-of-the-mill games released. While some of these may be good, if not great it's very rare that a game like Bioshock comes around, where you're thrown into an entirely unique yet believable world, full of interesting new gameplay devices that really help it stand out from the pack.

Now that modern-classic has received a sequel, and while it can be debated whether Bioshock 2 should have ever been created for years to come, there is no arguing that it's a worthy follow-up, and a great game.

Bioshock 2 puts players in the role of Delta, the original Big Daddy, which portrayed well through both the game's sound and visuals. Your footsteps aren't light and swift, they sound very heavy and plodding. Your view will also occasionally be skewed due to the corners going dark, reminding you you're in that hulking helmet. These elements help keep you in the moment, and remind you that while you're playing as a blank slate character, you're Delta. The Big Daddy.

The story in Bioshock 2 is much simpler in scope than its predecessor. Your little sister is taken away from you, and you're determined to get her back. The story, when broken down like this, is very straight forward, but it allows for a more personal experience. Bioshock was a great introduction to the broken, underworld, attempted utopia of Rapture. Hearing the story of Andrew Ryan and discovering how the world fell apart was fascinating, however Bioshock 2 builds on that basic premise and tells a different story in the same world. Your connection with your little sister, Elena is explained very well through flashbacks, audio diaries and in-game cut-scenes, and it gives you great motivation to get her back.

Wrapped around this basic story, is the greater world of Rapture. With its founder, Andrew Ryan out of the picture, Sophia Lamb has taken the leadership role, and turned Rapture into quite the opposite of what Ryan had in mind. Now promoting semi-communist ideals, Lamb has gathered the people together to unite for the greater good. Lamb tries to get in your way at many points throughout the game, and is a great new character to interact with as the game progresses. She's a person who is clearly very set in her ideals, and is unrelenting in her desire to see her vision of Rapture come to fruition.

Rapture is still an amazing place to explore. It's decrepit hallways falling apart at the seems give players the sense of destroyed beauty (to steal a phrase from Gears of War). There are a good amount of environments to explore, and you'll be rewarded for finding all the nooks and crannies that are placed throughout the world. You'll especially want to take the time to look around at the underwater vistas either through windows or as you're walking around on the ocean floor. You'll see some wonderful and surprising things. And you'll know you're in trouble when you just happen to see a Big Sister swim by.

The biggest problem with the world of Rapture however, is still a holdover from Bioshock. You're told that this is (or once was) a bustling world, teeming with life and expansion. But when you're there, nearly the only people you see are the deformed Splicers, all of whom want to kill you on first sight, and the whole world is in a constant state of disrepair. Bioshock was set immediately following the fall of Rapture so this broken world made sense in the context of the story. Bioshock 2 on the other hand, is set ten years later, so having a world that's in the exact same state doesn't seem to make sense. So while Rapture may be a great place to admire and explore, you can't help but get the feeling you're not in a cohesive world. You're in a level. It's something that can really bring you out of what's otherwise a wonderful experience.

One thing that has had plenty of fixing in Bioshock 2 is its gameplay. The upgrades made here are ultimately quite simple, but very welcome. The mere fact that you've now got a weapon in your right hand, and an active plasmid in the other at all times gives you some great combat options. When you've got eight weapons, each with three ammo types, and plenty more plasmids at your fingertips at all times, you've got a lot of variety.

This is best exemplified during the sequences where you're required to protect little sisters while they're gathering Adam (genetic material found on bodies that is used to genetically enhance the people of Rapture). Here you can set up a variety of traps and turrets to help fend off the waves of enemies that are drawn to the helpless little girls. With so many enemies at once you can't be expected to do it all with your basic rivet gun, therefore you're required to experiment with the various offensive tools you've got at your disposal. Throw an ice blast at one enemy to stop his approach while you're shooting a rocket at another, or throw a bolt of electricity into a puddle zapping a group of enemies while shooting the Spider Splicers on the roof. These protective sequences can create some of the best combat moments in the game.

Bioshock 2 also introduces some new enemies, but none better than the Big Sister. These monstrosities have usurped the Big Daddies as the protector's of Rapture, and are much more menacing than their male brethren. They're quick, agile and have powerful weapons and plasmids. They're a formidable foe, especially at the beginning, but if by the end of the game, when you've powered-up you weapons and plasmids enough, they shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Bioshock 2 makes some great refinements to the Bioshock formula. Playing as a Big Daddy has its perks (particularly the use of the drill as a weapon) and the more focused story over the original is appreciated. Rapture is still a great place to explore, and the games soundtrack and voice-work do nothing but authenticate the whole experience. The story is a good length plus the new multiplayer mode is surprisingly fun and deep. There are some holdover problems, but ultimately if you are wanting to explore more of the amazing world of Rapture, Bioshock 2 has that in spades.