BioShock 2: A Lesson in Nuance | Full Video Essay

This is the full BioShock 2 video essay talking about the differing philosophies in the game and how the story weaves a web of nuance while painting with these ideologies.
Music from the BioShock 2 OST and additional BioShock 2 Music
• Bioshock 2 OST - Pairb...
• BioShock 2 - "Chasing ...
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#Bioshock2 #Bioshock #rapture

[@ChocolatierRob]

Quick point of order but Sofia does not flood all of Rapture at the end, she just drops the isolated _Persephone_ into the trench.The place was made as a prison so It specifically has a self destruct in case of emergency feature built in. Sofia turned it into her headquarters and it can be assumed that a lot of her 'family' were in it at the end but the rest of the city would be just fine... well ok, fine is definitely a big stretch as it is still _slowly_ falling apart but it should be unaffected by the end of Persephone.

[@garmdianmelonking5211]

Sinclair will always be one of my favorite character in gaming, he's a reminder about the hopelessness of a video game protagonist, that even if we left all of lambs allies alone to the best of our ability that she wouldn't hesitate to take away our one and true only friend. I'm not normally emotional over a video game character but damn if playing "chasing shadows" right after the death of Sinclair doesn't bring a tear to my eye, it truly feels like you've lost a friend.

[@dutchritz]

The emotional connections made in this game far surpassed the other two in my opinion! I think it has a lot to do with characterization outside of the protagonist but also in relation to him.

[@MyShalora]

Totally agree! Sinclair's arc just breaks my heart. He may or may not have been a perfect man, but he tried to help us, and in the end he begged to die rather than be used against us and turned into a puppet, and just... right in the feels.

[@splunkmastah4609]

Between Sinclair, C.M. Porter, Grace, Mark, Delta, and Eleanor, Bioshock 2 has my favorite characters in the series. Damn shame Sophia Lamb is so painfully boring

[@garmdianmelonking5211]

@@splunkmastah4609 ya know despite the fact she acts as a higher then thou sort of character with little to no regard for anything other than her "utopia" I do like he as a villain. She may be boring but she never stops being a threat.

[@splunkmastah4609]

@@garmdianmelonking5211 That's fair. I just wish she'd been a little less peachy, though I know that's the whole point

[@wangchung2157]

I still think Bioshock 2 has the best array of characters for a a Bioshock game great review I honestly believe Bioshock 2 is the series at its peak

[@dutchritz]

Yes indeed! Thanks for coming back to watch the full version!

[@saltycomet]

BioShock 2 is my favorite. The gameplay is much better than 1 with the dual wielding. Plus the drill abilites were awesome af, the DLC was so captivating etc. It's underrated af

[@dutchritz]

Agreed!

[@EtherBotGames]

There's something to be said about how this society, which was built on notions of self-determination, self-reliance, and lack of suppression, produced a framework for someone like Sophia to enact a plan premised entirely on antithetical ideals. It shows how self-defeating Andrew Ryan's philosophy was in, I feel, a more rhetorically engaging way than the first game did with its whole Fontaine storyline. Bioshock 1's social commentary was kind of missing its punchline, imo, and Bioshock 2 sort of provides that. I think this video shone a very clear light on the takeaway of Bioshock 2, being that neither "rational self interest" or "utilitarian altruism" are meaningful steps towards building a utopia, because such a thing should source, primarily, from pro-social behavior, love, consideration, etc. Subject Delta is granted personhood of a sense but his entire quest revolves around a biological necessity for his own survival. In that way he's almost the selfless being existing for others' sake that Sophia Lamb is trying to create. One could interpret that cynically, that Sophia Lamb's methods were ultimately sound in theory if they produced someone like the player, but I think her daughter put it best: "Love is just a chemical, we give it meaning by choice" is genuinely one of my favorite quotes of all time. It provides a moral background to understand Delta's actions, but it's also a skewering of Sophia Lamb's entire approach. Chemical is the only asset in Sophia's court. Choice is something she strives to strip away, and so strips away the foundation for love itself. How can a utopia be built in that environment?

[@dutchritz]

Very well put! Highlighting the personal nature of any value system I think is super important when talking about building a society. This game touches on that better than most any other video game I've ever seen.

[@splunkmastah4609]

One of my favorite things is how the characters from the first game are portrayed differently in 2. In the first game Ryan's audio logs portray him as this clean cut, idealized man. While in 2 he appears greasy and dull

[@dutchritz]

I love how multidimensional 2 is!

[@drowsy7921]

As horrible as Ryan is, I do genuinely think he's dealing with some mental issues. Like, dude is paranoid as hell. I've even had a few thoughts like his during some mental breaks. Everyone in Rapture is insane, in my view.

[@scottpeltier3977]

There’s a reason why Delta has been my pfp since I made this account. He’s just a mute fella but the story he had and the hell he went through always brings me back

[@dutchritz]

Such a good example of a silent protagonist!

[@WitnessTrueSorcery]

Excellent and very well made BioShock 2 essay! B2 in my humble opinion is perhaps the "best" game in the series, whatever "the best" means. It has so much to it that it's crazy how it's so underrated and overlooked by so many people and fans of the series. Not that B1 and Infinite are not incredibe games and pretty much bonafide masterpieces in their own way, but BioShock 2 did something, truly, truly amazing, memorable and touched me emotinally like no other game ever did. It's a very, very "sad" and melancholic game overall and perhaps that's what the devs from 2K Marin were looking for, and they really nailed that atmosphere. I am still playing it after more than 10 years now and it also has one of the most original and amazing DLCs in the face of Minerva's Den ever made for a video game (my himble opinion again). This is a must watch video essay for folks like myself and fans of the series who appreciate BioShock and it's world. Brilliant stuff man and thank you for creating this presentation. I strongly feel like a lot of people need to watch it and ponder about the topics discussed here. Keep it steady and all the best to you!

[@dutchritz]

Awe, this was a very sweet comment. I appreciate the love.

[@killerbass1933]

I really appreciate your deep analysis and concernment about all the details of the game and it's characters, but I think there should be spoken another point of view on Sophia Lamb as an antagonist and a person. The point of view which I had when replaying this game recently. It's only my opinion, but I hope people will find that relevant. It might be a surprise to hear for most of people, but closer to the end I started kinda sympathise Lamb. Just look at this like that: you'd like her and her goals, IF it didn't take such sacrifices and terrible events to happen to be completed. Her goals are somewhat heroic due to the situation she sees in the city and has seen on surface. Rapture is ruins, the topside world is gehenna (as you remember, she witnessed USA gov. nuking Japan "for the greater good", and it's not hard to imagine how she could project this act on all the mankind and it's tendencies) that will not greet the monsters and dark secrets of Rapture, and you have no way to unring the jingle bell that was rung on 1959 NY eve. Yes, in DLC we get to know that Tennenbaum found the cure for splicing, but Lamb doesn't know that and it would take alot more then effort of just one person to cure the whole city. And then, what can you do, if you're still willing to help people even in this horrible situation? You give them something to hope for, to believe in. You let these broken victims of civil war feel that they're not alone. You unite them as a family. The Family. And give their lifes purpose. To become somewhat immortal. Even in the only way that's left. Yes, there are alot of proofs of Lamb being a very controlling person, and her cult is heavily founded on the real life horror of Jonestown, but there are aswell many proofs of her humanity. She feels sorry fo her daughter, for her people, for the methods she's using, even for Delta, as she understands towards the end that his intentions might be not just selfish, but pure and good. And besides, what's the point of you being in charge for the sake of just being in charge, if you outright lead your flock to their death? No, I see her as a person, who's trying to help, but in her own twisted and not certainly morally right way. But in the end, is there something or someone left in Rapture to be right and not twisted? And finally now we come back to the "IF" I stated above, that divides me from fully sympathising Sophia. IF saving the Family didn't mean to ruin numbers of families from above by kidnapping their daughters to turn them into Sisters, IF it didn't take killing dissidents or people who try to escape to keep your mission safe from topside world's interruption, IF fulfilling her goal didn't inflict infinite amount of suffering on her own daughter, a little scared girl who just wanted to have a loving family, IF... IF... IF... IF there were other ways to do achieve this noble goal, the RIGHT way to do all these things, I think, we would all say that Lamb is not a villain. But that she is a hero. Many people like her character in her manipulative villain role, but I love her for her humane traits and motives. And I hope the ones who have read it all would consider this opinion as well.

[@Dinoman-mo7mt]

The story of this game seems to get better with time and it had amazing gameplay

[@freshnewbie8419]

I always felt that Bioshock 2 had better replay-ability and I never got tired of the characters, aside from father wales, like I do in other games. They feel like real passion went into the writing and I never could explain why I enjoyed "2's" story more. Thank you for taking the time to put it clearly into words! I feel lucky I got to enjoy such a masterpiece so many times.

[@dutchritz]

It truly is an amazing game with an amazing story!

[@wearyatlas]

insane that this only has 3k views- this is one of the best video essays on Bioshock i’ve seen in a while, came back for a rewatch.

[@dutchritz]

I appreciate that.

[@snicker.doodlez]

Man, it's still astounding how well the writers of the second game elaborated and expanded on the first, every once in a while I find myself relistening to the audio diaries. What a great sequel.

[@dutchritz]

It's so much better than you would expect!

[@normoo2005]

Nice video deserves more views tbh, also absolutely beautiful ending

[@dutchritz]

It helps that the game has one 😉

[@josejoao1621]

The ending of your video was very good! Well done!

[@dutchritz]

Thanks man. The game has a lot of heart, and is easy to highlight.

[@GooberSmoobert]

Dude this video was actually great I watched the full thing I'm surprised that this video doesn't have very much views I really enjoyed it

[@dutchritz]

It's been a slowly growing video since I put it out... Strangely, it only has like 55,000 impressions. Compared to most of my other videos around the same view count, it's fairly low.

[@dr.papersalt4753]

Great video. Hope it hits the algorithm

[@IOSALive]

DutchRitz, This is fantastic! I subscribed right away!

[@dutchritz]

Thank you! It's been nice to see this video finally get some love

[@IOSALive]

DutchRitz, Subscribed because your videos always make me smile!

[@dutchritz]

Thank you! That means a lot 😁

[@davisgarcia66]

Bioshock 2 is the only game in the series I’ve personally played. As much as I enjoyed it back when I first played it in 2010, I feel far more connected to Delta now that I have 3 daughters of my own. Fatherhood definitely changes you for the better. Let us all be as brave and dedicated as Delta was. Awesome video @DutchRitz

[@simulateandtrade]

Fantastic video, man!

[@dutchritz]

Thank you!

[@gspgabesstudioproduction4265]

Subject: Delta is my favorite character in Bioshock, he's both imitating and awesome at the same time.

[@user-cm7rl4fl3z]

I've only played BioShock 2 through twice since it came out, but I thoroughly enjoyed it both times.

[@stevenaspin4569]

Bioshock 2 sad ending is one of the best endings in any video game ever

[@nathaniel6958]

WOAH didn’t realize you were a smaller creator!!! Says something about your quality !!! Keep it up brotha mayne I subscribed partner

[@dutchritz]

Lol mighty fine of you!

[@nathaniel6958]

@@dutchritz I’m now tapping my thumbs waiting for you to do a long essay looking wayyy to deep into a fallout subplot 🫡 or something other than video games actually … I trust your insight into more than just games! Branch out try new stuff and we’ll let you know what works n doesn’t!

[@Quakecon-s9r]

I was actually very interested in the bloody and weird world of Bioshock when I was a kid lol

[@dutchritz]

I was definitely intrigued but given the conservative level I was raised at it was definitely shocking.

[@Janfon1]

To be perfectly honest this was more "video" than "essay", all I got was a summary of the plot. You have a great voice for this, but it's been playing the side role to the audio diaries for most of the essay. I know I'm 3 months late but for future vids focus on your own thoughts way more, they're what makes a video essay truly interesting

[@dutchritz]

Honestly with how long it took to compile the voice memos, it would have been much easier to write a script with my thoughts predominantly taking center stage. I think it was mostly the nature of the game that made me want to dissect all the different points. I do agree though that this could have been much more concise.

[@Benhamibe]

fantastic essay, it sucks it hasn't gotten more hype!

[@dutchritz]

It took longer than any video I've ever made too 😂

[@EvilHyperion876]

It might not be much, but I just wanna say I loved the video :)

[@dutchritz]

It means a lot to hear!

[@Peanutdenver]

Great vid my friend and one that does Bioshock 2 some real justice. Loved this game as a little human and loved the remastered version I just finished a few months ago. The voice acting is brilliant, I love how Elenor is compassionate and vulnerable when she speaks to Delta/Father, but when fighting by his side she's aggressive and a bit of a shite-talker to the Splicers and Brutes....just an incredible game and my fav among the 3.

[@dutchritz]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@Peanutdenver]

@@dutchritz No worries...it was a great series

[@SpookedStromboli]

Amazing video of one of my favorite games 🔥

[@xILLxChronic]

You can tell Kenny didn't work on the sequel at all, because it came out in a timely fashion.

[@dutchritz]

Lol

[@jonascarrillo8699]

Thanks a lot for your video.

[@dutchritz]

My pleasure man! This game deserves all the attention

[@keepergraveave7093]

This has been a very well done video essay. I hope that you keep it up and continue to push forward with what you make. I hope that you also are able to insert more of your own voice and well as bring in other opinions and papers that might relate to ideas given within your essays. Overall, I am eager to see how you go forward!

[@dutchritz]

Thank you!

[@syruscoy1244]

I think the point of these choices is to test just how "Good" you are. It's easy to decide to spare Grace, it's much harder to spare that Worm, and it's downright confusing to choose what to do with Alex. If you are a "good" person, you would forgive, empathize, and show mercy to all three characters. No exceptions.

[@dutchritz]

Don't know if I agree with the idea that sparring every one is the right choice, but I see where you're coming from.

[@syruscoy1244]

@@dutchritz What is "Right" and what is "Good" are different perspectives. As far as the choice for Alex goes, it was designed to have no right answer. But the lesson in what is the "Good Moral" choice? The game's philosophy and mechanic makes clear; you have to spare him. Consider this: The ghost you are hearing from the recording, does not exist. There is only "Alex the Great," and now that you have rendered him harmless, what do you choose to do? Show Mercy, or Murder? If you choose to Murder, that Blood in that Tank, is on your hands. Each of the three choices is meant to be harder to simply choose the "Good" route. To truly test just how "Good" are you.

[@willstrickland7110]

Really loved this video, thanks for posting!

[@dutchritz]

My pleasure

[@spouwnerring]

So in 1 of Daniel Wales audio diaries, it's stated that he and Simon are twins. It's was already bafling that the 2 were (I'm saying 'were' because they conanicly die at the hands of the player) brothers, but TWINS?! Really?! Simon looks and sounds way to old to be a brother. More like a dad or even a granddad. I haven't read the wiki in order to check how old all of the characters are, but if it turns out that Simon is the younger, then I'm gonna absolutly flip it.

[@dutchritz]

That whole dynamic played out in such a weird way. I feel like it would have been better if they made Daniel into an allied character juxtaposing his brother's insanity with his morality. That whole chapter of the game felt very shallow.

[@spouwnerring]

@@dutchritz sounds like a good idea. As it stands now, I do find it a bit distracting that such a minor character has so many audio diaries voiced by him as well as other diaries that aren't voiced by him, but still talk about him. Like, why in the hell should I care about Daniel becoming a pimp upon learning that his bro Simon became a recruiter for Sofia? I feel like the devs wrote Daniel in at the last moment upon realising that Simon on his own wasn't as complex and intresting as Grace and Gill, but didn't have enough time to figure out what to do with him, which I'm pretty is what ultimately resulted in the creation of a plot-hole. So Daniel completely aposes the cult of Sofia to the point that - when Simon tried to broker piece by giving him a bottle of wine and the code that is needed to unlock the door to his make-shift churce - Daniel records a diary about him wanting to piss on his own bro. So why would he than try to kill Delta? Sofia has access to the city's PA system and tv screens so Daniel should know who Delta is, what he looks like and what his motives are. So why in the hell would he not just give Delta the god damm code?!

[@dutchritz]

@@spouwnerring All these things are why I left their relationship out of the analysis. It took away, more than it added.

[@spouwnerring]

@@dutchritz I get what the devs were trying to do. They are trying to warn players not to join cults as that can alienate relationship with their real family members. Unfortunately the message completely faulse apart because of that plot-hole as well as Daniel's overall insignificance.

[@justindaparma]

Great video

[@dutchritz]

I appreciate that!

[@azariah_kyras]

Im so happy we are past the "bioshock 2 was different from bioshock therefore its bad" era

[@dutchritz]

I just didn't play it for forever, so I had no opinion for a long time

[@Валентин-101]

I'm more then a year late but I'm still glad i found this. This is very impresive both from the analisys side of things as well as the execution itself. I've heard multiple times that one of the reasons that this game is not as good as its predecessor is because it did not have a big plot twist in the end. But does it to have to be there for the story to be good? It is hard to top what happend in Bioshock 1 but this game is not worse because of it. You did an awesome job on disscusing the political stucture and the moral principles of the game. Also you made me realize that I knew almost nothing and that I had a lot more to learn before I would hit the bottom of the sea. This is the first video of yours I'm watching and I wannt to say that you have done a great work.

[@dutchritz]

I very much appreciate the kind words! There was just so many things that I saw as I played through it again that I needed to talk about.

[@sovt5167]

My favorite game

[@dutchritz]

It's so underrated!

[@Bioshockambiences]

My only gripe with 2 is that it feels far less creepy than bioshock 1, splicers feel a little goofier like what the developers described with making bioshock 1 and ultimately made them more human. That and I feel like bioshock 2 overdid the amount of assets in some locations feeling a little less isolated than 1. Although at the end of the day you are a big daddy and splicers arent supposed to be as much as a threat so I guess from a design standpoint it makes sense

[@spoopydeuce]

I have tried to love bioshock 2 as much as the first, (I have bioshock 2 collectors edition) but idk why I just CANT capture that creepy horror vibe that the first bioshock had, I think being a big daddy has a lot to do with it

[@dutchritz]

Definitely a different dynamic, but that's what gives the game its unique identity.

[@brandonblaze2300]

I know im gonna get alot of hate for this but i hated Infinite, it felt like the opposite of this. No matter what you did in that game it always resulted in the same ending, but in this game you can literally kill every main character (except for tenenbaum) with multiple endings and sub endings, i feel like Eleanor dies if you follow the bad ending because theres no trace of humanity left in her and you take control of her body. Its hard finding a game like this nowadays thats not super woke with some stupid morale message they are trying to force on you. The choice between choosing great good or becoming unspeakably evil is what made this game and its original truly shine and ive yet to see any game like it

[@dutchritz]

Infinite is infinitely mid compared to the first two...

[@brandonblaze2300]

@@dutchritz Agreed, the 2nd is my favorite but i can speak for every BioShock fan when i say the 1st is hands down the best

[@dutchritz]

@@brandonblaze2300 I think I share the sentiment! I think the storytelling in the first game is superior, but I like the characters better in the second.

[@awesomesmileyguy]

Infinite is so weird. The incredibly stupid multiple timeline story has never sat well with me.

[@brandonblaze2300]

@@awesomesmileyguy Imagine if the devs were clever enough to make it like Metro Last Light where doing small things like choosing her necklace, throwing the ball at the interracial couple on the stage, helping npc's etc decided whether or not you would kill yourself and Comstock explains it was a test to see what kind of person you were and what you would risk/sacrifice to get her back, but nah they said f**k it lets give it a very linear confusing ending that makes no damn sense with a low replay value.