Anonymous edits have been disabled on the wiki. If you want to contribute please login or create an account.

BioShock 2

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games

This page is for the original version. For the remastered version, see BioShock 2 Remastered.

BioShock 2
BioShock 2 cover
Developers
2K Marin
2K China
2K Australia
DLC (PC porting) Iron Galaxy Studios
Multiplayer Digital Extremes
macOS (OS X) Feral Interactive
macOS (OS X) Open Planet Software[1]
Publishers
2K Games
OS X Feral Interactive
Engines
Unreal Engine 2.5
Release dates
Windows February 9, 2010
macOS (OS X) March 29, 2012
Reception
Metacritic 88
IGDB 87
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, DLC
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person
Controls Direct control
Genres Immersive sim, RPG, Shooter
Art styles Realistic, Stylized
Themes Sci-fi, Steampunk
Series BioShock
BioShock 2 on HowLongToBeat
BioShock 2 on IGDB
BioShock 2 guide on StrategyWiki
BioShock 2 on MobyGames
BioShock 2 on Wikipedia
BioShock
BioShock 2007
BioShock 2 2010
BioShock Infinite 2013
BioShock Remastered 2016
BioShock 2 Remastered 2016

Warnings

For Games for Windows - LIVE on Windows 8 or later, install the latest Games for Windows - LIVE software.

BioShock 2 is a singleplayer and multiplayer first-person immersive sim, RPG and shooter game in the BioShock series.

Steam version DRM switched from Games for Windows - LIVE and SecuROM to Steam.[2] The Steamworks patch introduced some audio level balance issues.[3]

Ragdoll physics and animations are locked at 30 FPS.

General information

2K Games Forum
GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Icon overlay.png
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
Requires online activation
SecuROM 7 and SecuROM PA DRM. Optional Steam unlock.[2] Russian retail has separate achievements.
Icon overlay.png
Windows
GamersGate
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Gamesplanet logo.svg
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
GOG.com
DRM-free
Bundled with BioShock 2 Remastered
Windows
Green Man Gaming
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Bundled with BioShock 2 Remastered
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Games for Windows Marketplace (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
[4]
Windows
All non-Steam/GOG Windows versions require Games for Windows - LIVE DRM.[Note 1]
All Windows retail and digital versions of BioShock 2 activate on Steam.[2] Activation unlocks all DLC, including Minerva's Den, and BioShock 2 Remastered.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
The Protector Trials Included in the Steam version.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Minerva's Den
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack Included in the Steam version.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Zigo & Blanche Included in the Steam version.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Rapture Metro Pack Included in the Steam version.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Kill 'em Kindly Released for free.
Windows
macOS (OS X)

Essential improvements

Patches

A Title Update is available for the Games for Windows - LIVE version. The game should automatically prompt for the update when using a LIVE profile; the updates can also be downloaded manually (update 1, update 2).

Fix audio balance issues

The latest patch (1.5.0.019) introduced some audio balance issues, most notably gun fire is much quieter as well as other sound effects. The sound effects can be restored by downloading a modified .ini file:

Restore correct audio settings[citation needed]
  1. Download SoundMixStates.ini from Fix Quiet Guns and Unbalanced Audio - Restoring the Retail Audio Mix.
  2. Go to <path-to-game>\SP\Content\System and place SoundMixStates.ini inside.

Skip intro videos

Use -nointro parameter[citation needed]

Use -nointro command line argument.

BioShock Tweaker

Allows you to change settings that are not normally adjustable from the options menu (i.e. custom resolution). Point the program at the game's configuration file location.

Game data

In-game general settings.
In-game general settings.

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\Bioshock2Steam
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/8850/pfx/[Note 2]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Bioshock2\SaveGames\
%APPDATA%\Bioshock2Steam\<user-id>.profile
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/8850/pfx/[Note 2]
Achievements and saves for the Steam and Games for Windows - LIVE versions are separate (a new game is required when switching versions).
SP saves: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Bioshock2\SaveGames
MP saves: %APPDATA%\Bioshock2Steam\<user-id>.profile

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
OneDrive
Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers.
Steam Cloud

Video

In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Use Flawless Widescreen or Widescreen Fixer with this plugin to fix HUD scaling.
Ultra-widescreen
Use Flawless Widescreen to fix the HUD.[5]
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
See Field of view (FOV).
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See Anisotropic filtering (AF).
Anti-aliasing (AA)
See Anti-aliasing (AA).
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
No frame rate or refresh rate cap.[6] Physics simulation and many animations are locked to 30 FPS.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.
Color blind mode
Base game had color blind support issues with the hacking ui, a fix was bundled with the DLC, requiring owning the Protector Trials or Minerva's Den.[7] Meaning the Steam and GOG versions come with them fixed.

Field of view (FOV)

Custom FOV settings will not work in multiplayer.
3rd party fixes[citation needed]
Bind FOV to key press[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open User.ini.
  3. Scroll down to the [Default] section and bind SetFOV # to any unused key (# being the desired FOV).
  4. During the game, press the key you defined in User.ini to set the custom FOV.

Notes

Any custom FOV settings will be reset automatically at various times during gameplay when control is taken away from the player; i.e. for cutscenes. Zooming down iron sights will also yield this effect.

Anisotropic filtering (AF)

Raise AF Above Default Value of 4X[citation needed]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\SP\Builds\Binaries\.
  2. Open Bioshock2SP.ini.
  3. Edit the line LevelOfAnisotropy=4 to LevelOfAnisotropy=# where # denotes the max level of AF supported by your graphics card(s). For example, change the line to read LevelOfAnisotropy=16.

Anti-aliasing (AA)

MSAA can be forced through your graphics driver's control panel.
SGSSAA can be forced in DX9 mode via Nvidia Profile Inspector with the compatibility flag 0x000010C1[8]

Ambient Occlusion (AO)

AO can be forced through your graphics driver's control panel.
HDAO+ (denominated High quality) can be forced in DX9 mode via Nvidia Profile Inspector with the compatibility flag 0x0002002D[9]

Input

In-game control settings.
In-game control settings.
In-game key map settings.
In-game key map settings.

Hold to duck/aim down sights

Hold to duck[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open User.ini.
  3. Replace Aliases[13]=(Command="Toggle bDuck|Axis aUp Speed=-1200.0",Alias=Duck) with Aliases[13]=(Command="Button bDuck",Alias=Duck).
Hold to aim down sights[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open User.ini.
  3. Find the keybind that has the word "ZoomCycle" attached to it (T by default)
  4. Replace T=ZoomCycle with T=ZoomCycle | onRelease ZoomCycle

Disable auto-aim

Set AutoAim in Bioshock2SP.ini[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Bioshock2SP.ini.
  3. Edit the line AutoAim=True to AutoAim=False.

Disable Xbox 360 Controller vibration

Set Vibration in Bioshock2SP.ini[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open Bioshock2SP.ini.
  3. Edit the line Vibration=True to Vibration=False.

Inject EVE Hypo

Inject EVE Hypo[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open User.ini.
  3. Scroll down to the [Default] section and bind InjectBioAmmo to any unused key.

Pick individual items from containers

Pick individual items from containers[citation needed]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open User.ini.
  3. Scroll down to the [ContainerUIActive] section and bind CollectContainerItemInSlot 0, CollectContainerItemInSlot 1 and CollectContainerItemInSlot 2 to any unused keys.

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Up to 7.1 output
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Hungarian
Fan translation, download.
Italian
Polish
Official localization by Cenega – retail only. Fan patch which corrects some issues of the original translation here.[10]
Brazilian Portuguese
Fan translation, download.
Russian
Retail only. Patch for digital release here.
Spanish

Network

Online features in non-Steam versions require a Microsoft account (optional for offline play).

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
10 Use Nucleus Co-op.
LAN play
Online play
10

VR support

3D modes State GG3D Notes
Nvidia 3D Vision
Use Helix Mod: Bioshock 2 (DirectX 9 only)
TriDef 3D
vorpX
G3D, DirectVR
Officially supported game, see official vorpx game list.
Devices
3RD Space Gaming Vest

Issues unresolved

Mouse sensitivity not correctly adjusting

On some computers, the game's mouse sensitivity will be extremely low, and raising the values makes mouse movements imprecise.
Possible mouse acceleration fix (doesn't work for everybody)[11]
  1. Set in-game sensitivity to "1"
  2. Disable mouse acceleration in-game.
  3. Quit the game.
  4. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  5. Open User.ini.
  6. Bulk replace every Speed=2000.0 with whatever your desired sensitivity value is (300 is a good starting point)

Issues fixed

Crash on startup

Delete damaged save files[citation needed]
  1. Go to %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Bioshock2\SaveGames\.
  2. Copy the save files somewhere as a backup.
  3. Sort the folder by "Date modified".
  4. Delete the damaged save file causing the game to crash on startup (this will probably be the newest save and/or quicksave).

Game crashes randomly

Set "Graphics Quality" to low[12]
  1. Go to Graphics settings in-game.
  2. Set Graphics Quality to Low preset.

Menu flickering

Disable or force vsync[citation needed]
Disable Vsync from the in-game settings menu.
Force Vsync through graphics adaptor.

Game brightness is extremely high in DirectX 9 mode

This behavior is triggered by notification popups from the Steam overlay
Disable Steam Overlay[citation needed]
  1. Right click on Bioshock 2 in your Steam library and select Properties
  2. Uncheck "Enable Steam Community In-Game"
Editing launch options[citation needed]

Use the -nogamma command line argument.

Audio Cutting Out in Combat Sequences

On some computers, user audio will cut out during combat sequences.
Issue can be lessened slightly by not using constant-fire weapons such as lasers / hacked sentry bots, or increasing max sound channels in BioShock2SP.ini and Default.ini
Edit the maximum number of channels[13]
  1. Go to the configuration file(s) location.
  2. Open bioshock2SP.ini.
  3. Find the following line, under [FMODAudio.FMODAudioSubsystem], and increase the number of channels.
MaxChannels=128

Left Plasmid hand disappears

This glitch is especially likely when using the Scout-Plasmid.[14] Therefore, it is advisable to quick save before using it.
Respawn[citation needed]
  1. Make sure Vita-Chambers are enabled.
  2. Being killed and respawning should fix the left hand.

Game cannot load or save

There are damaged save files bugging up the game's ability to load or save
Delete damaged save files[citation needed]
  1. Go to %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Bioshock2\SaveGames\.
  2. Copy the save files somewhere as a backup.
  3. Sort the folder by "Date modified".
  4. Delete the damaged save file causing the game to crash on startup (this will probably be the newest save and/or quicksave).

Game crashes in DirectX 10 mode

Increase Texture Streaming Memory Size[15]
This increases the size of the texture cache.
  1. Open Bioshock2SP.ini. Steam users will find this in %APPDATA%\Bioshock2Steam.
  2. Find "TextureStreamingMemoryLimit=512.000000" and increase the amount to something inline with the video card (e.g. 2048).
Force the game to run in DirectX 9 mode[citation needed]
This switches the game to DirectX 9 instead of the default DirectX 10.
  1. Create a shortcut to Bioshock2Launcher.exe somewhere convenient.
  2. Right click this shortcut, select Properties, in the Target box add -dx9 in the text field after inserting space after the quotation mark.
  3. Now launching the game from this shortcut will force the game to run in DirectX 9.

Notes

Running the game in DirectX 9 mode can mess with the brightness levels of the system, even after exiting the game. To fix this, simply remove the -dx9 switch, then run and exit the game again.
Uninstall update KB2670838[16][citation needed]
This will uninstall Internet Explorer!
Tested on Windows 7
  1. Open the start menu
  2. Go to control panel
  3. Under "Programs" click "Uninstall a program"
  4. On the top left "View installed updates"
  5. After all the updates are displayed, simply search for KB2670838.
  6. Uninstall it

No Little Sister voice acting

Bug causes Little Sisters to become mute.
Set sound quality of standard sound device[citation needed]
  1. Start > type "sound" > open the soundpanel.
  2. Right-click on your common sound device > go to the tab "advanced" > set sound quality to lowest (CD quality).
  3. After you made your changes, click OK.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 9.0c, 10
OpenGL 2.0 OS X only.
Shader Model support 3, 4
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
[citation needed]

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Physics Havok
Audio FMOD
Cutscenes Bink Video, Flash
Multiplayer Games for Windows - LIVE, Steamworks

Mods

A collection of mods are available at this thread.

Performance tweak (Havok)

Improving Havok physics engine performance[citation needed]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\SP\Builds\Binaries\.
  2. Open Default.ini.
  3. Edit the line HavokNumThreads=2 to represent the number of cores in your machine's CPU. For example, using a quad-core CPU, change the line to HavokNumThreads=4.
  4. Some systems may require doing the same with Bioshock2SP.ini, located in %APPDATA%\Bioshock2Steam\.
Using all cores may result in crashing to desktop on some systems. In this case, use only half of your core count.
Improving Engine Memory usage[citation needed]
  1. Go to %APPDATA%\Bioshock2Steam\.
  2. Open Bioshock2SP.ini.
  3. Search for [Engine.GameEngine] and increase the CacheSizeMegs value under it (maxes out at 512).
  4. Search for the line TextureStreamingMemoryLimit, change this to match your graphics card's VRAM e.g. 2048 for 2 GB
  5. Also change TextureStreamingDistanceLimit to 10000

Bypass Games for Windows - LIVE

A fake version of xlive.dll can allow you to play the single-player without having GFWL installed.
Pre-existing saved games are not compatible with this fix.
Use BioShock 2 fake xlive[17]
  1. Download BioShock 2 fake xlive.
  2. Extract xlive.dll to <path-to-game>\SP\Builds\Binaries\.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) XP SP2
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 4 530 3.0 GHz
AMD Athlon 64 3800+ 2.4 GHz
System memory (RAM) 2 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 11 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce 7800 GT
ATI Radeon X1900
256 MB of VRAM
DirectX 9.0c compatible
Sound (audio device) DirectX 9.0c compatible
macOS (OS X)
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 10.9.5 (Mavericks)
Processor (CPU) 2 GHz
System memory (RAM) 4 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 18 GB
Video card (GPU) 256 MB of VRAM


Notes

  1. Games for Windows - LIVE DRM features: Legacy activation, supports local profiles.
  2. 2.0 2.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/8850/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (8850) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References