Book Review: Deco Devolution The Art of Bioshock 2

[Seth Steiner]

Some of you may have seen this artbook already on the blog but not as a review, so I thought I could began with it.

Deco Devolution The Art of Bioshock 2 is part of the Bioshock 2 Collectors Edition. My opinion is, this is one of the best CEs in the history of gaming, it does not only feature this artbook but also an vinyl LP with the soundtrack of the first game, a CD with the soundtrack of the second game in a vinyl appearance, three posters (rolled not folded) and a really nice box.

Now to the important part - the artbook. It`s an hardcover and features over 163 pages full of designs, notes and sketches. As you can see in the pics, it was important for the guys at 2k to not only fill a book with pictures but also tell the people about the intentions. To nearly everything in the book there is a little text or information.
The whole book is devided into different sections. 1/3 is for the creature design, for the citizens, enemies and friends in the game. The two other parts show weapons, the environment, the user interface in the game and of course the awesome ads you can see in the underwater city. And to round it off, the book ends with a few storyboards.

Conclusion:
I highly recommend this artbook to everyone who loves Bioshock as well as to everyone who is interested in ugly mutants, art deco or the design of games.

Facts:
Name: Deco Devolution The Art of Bioshock 2
Pages: 168
Category: Game Artbook, Hardcover
Relation T|P: Lots of pictures and many little notes and quotes
Language: English
Released: February 2010
Publisher: 2k Games
ISBN: None
Price: Depends on price of Collectors Edition (30$-100$)

Special Information: There is also a cheaper "Rapture Edition" which also contains this artbook but I don`t know if this is a smaller and thinner version or the same.

Where to buy: In the Bioshock 2 Collectors Edition of all platforms
PC: Amazon.com, CA, UK, FR, DE, JP
360: Amazon.com, CA, UK, FR, DE
PS3: Amazon.com, CA, UK, FR, DE, JP

[Melody Kitn]

Gorgeous. Love those little sisters, will have to try and get this artbook some time~

[Dharos]

Love these game to bits, I can't find the CE at an affordable price anywhere sadly.

[parka]

(03-02-2011 06:19 PM)Dharos Wrote:  Love these game to bits, I can't find the CE at an affordable price anywhere sadly.

Actually the Special Edition of the game can still be easily found. The price has almost come down to half since the release date.

[Dharos]

Yes but not in Japan, where I live.