"BioShock 2" has a lot to live up to. It's the eagerly anticipated sequel to one of the most critically acclaimed titles of the past two years and it's those very expectations of fans that run at odds with the title's chances of critical (though maybe not commercial) success. Earlier this month I spoke with Ken McClendon, the lead designer on "BioShock 2," about this very issue. Just how does one go about creating a sequel with fan expectations set to such a high bar -- especially when one considers that it was a well-crafted plot twist that cemented the first title's success in the first place?
McClendon responds:
"It's an incredibly humbling endeavor. We often go back to the first game to check things for reference, and every time I do I know I'm really struck by how well put together everything in that game is, and how it's all pointing in the same direction -- in terms of the creative direction of the whole project and that reveal.
Everyone's wondering if there is going to be some kind of gigantic twist that will blow their minds. From a story perspective, it's really the hardest thing to live up to because the first one did it so well. We are hoping overall to have the same sort of emotional impact on people, but it's hard to just come out and say 'there's going to be a crazy twist.' We don't want to fall into the M. Night Shyamalan trap. The audience can't just be waiting for it."
So will "BioShock 2" be the 'Unbreakable' to the original's "Sixth Sense?" As a player, are your expectations set on having your mind blown with some crazy reveal? And if you have those expectations, will it be fair to judge the game negatively for not including some kind of twist? Please, discuss.
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