Those who haven't been following the progress of "BioShock 2" may be surprised to learn that the above image, created by Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell, depicts the protagonist of the game. Yes, you are a Big Daddy, and your nemesis is one Sophia Lamb, who has taken control of Rapture after the fall of Andrew Ryan. Andrew Ryan's motivations were so crucial to understanding the underwater world of Rapture, but Sophia Lamb's philosophies take center stage in "BioShock 2," so I want to make sure you guys understand where she's coming from. Thankfully, Hogarth De La Plante, who worked on the original "BioShock" and is now the lead environmental artist for "BioShock 2," was more than happy to discuss just what makes Lamb tick. In his words:
"Lamb is…on the other end of the scale [from Andrew Ryan]. She's sort of Marxist. People always ask, 'If Andrew Ryan is modeled after Ayn Rand, who is Lamb modeled after?' I think Jordan Thomas, our creative director, has a few people that inspired Lamb, but I wouldn't say it's as specific as Andrew Ryan is.
"She believes the opposite of Ryan. Everybody needs to work together, and the community is more important than any one person, so you can sacrifice people like ants for the good of the community."
But, despite being philosophical opposites, De La Plante is quick to impress that neither Andrew Ryan or Sophia Lamb is "right" about how they rule Rapture.
"I think the interesting thing about 'BioShock''s underlying thematic message, the first one and the second one, is that 'BioShock' is really about extremism. It's not like 'Capitalism is wrong.' You take Ayn Rand or Andrew Ryan's ideas and they sound pretty good for a little while. 'Yeah, everyone for themselves! If you're smart, you're successful!' But then you carry that to its logical extreme and it becomes a monstrosity. The same can be said about Sophia Lamb."
It's certainly an interesting twist, battling a new force who, being the antithesis of your previous enemy, you would think you'd side with. That sorta thinking ends once she sends a few dozen splicers or a Big Sister to chop your head off.