just a quick thought because I just started playing bioshock 2 
 
I did somewhat enjoy the original, though it wasn't quite the life-changer I had been hoping for 
and the sequel does justice to the established setting and gameplay mechanics 
(& just like the first game I die over & over & struggle with health & ammo on medium, switch to easy, and suddenly I'm tripping all over supplies and surviving possibly too many bullets, but I gotta finish the rental!  though from a peek at some FAQs it appears I'm already almost halfway through? talk about short!)

but isn't it strange that the original game kind of made a statement near the end about blindly following directions from "helpers" unseen and their golden arrows? 
and it very much would put you in an area and allow you to explore and find all the secrets & loot at your own pace 
whereas the sequel very much has Sinclair hounding you over & over "c'mon c'mon get back to the train" 
 
I appreciate the hint feature when holding select to access the map 
but does a voiceover (who constantly interrupts the diaries I'm trying to listen to by the way) have to constantly push you towards the objective? 
I guess going for that broad audience has its consequences 
 
ok ok back to it

just a quick thought because I just started playing bioshock 2 
 
I did somewhat enjoy the original, though it wasn't quite the life-changer I had been hoping for 
and the sequel does justice to the established setting and gameplay mechanics 
(& just like the first game I die over & over & struggle with health & ammo on medium, switch to easy, and suddenly I'm tripping all over supplies and surviving possibly too many bullets, but I gotta finish the rental!  though from a peek at some FAQs it appears I'm already almost halfway through? talk about short!)

but isn't it strange that the original game kind of made a statement near the end about blindly following directions from "helpers" unseen and their golden arrows? 
and it very much would put you in an area and allow you to explore and find all the secrets & loot at your own pace 
whereas the sequel very much has Sinclair hounding you over & over "c'mon c'mon get back to the train" 
 
I appreciate the hint feature when holding select to access the map 
but does a voiceover (who constantly interrupts the diaries I'm trying to listen to by the way) have to constantly push you towards the objective? 
I guess going for that broad audience has its consequences 
 
ok ok back to it

It was kinda eh for me, I had a lot of problems with the story and characters. And the gameplay was ok, but it was exactly the same as the original game. I never liked that even though you were playing as a Big Daddy you always felt so damn weak.

Haven't played the second game yet, but I will defend their decision to have a narrator with strong urging in the second game simply because it's a new protagonist, and therefore they're really going for a completely new story within the same setting. 
 
That said, I don't like the decision very much because railroading gamers is just not the right way to get what you want, but whatever.