Side Quests and Activities in Rapture

While BioShock 2 follows a linear narrative, Subject Delta’s survival significantly depends on engaging with optional activities and side goals. Exploring the decaying halls of Rapture allows you to secure powerful upgrades, uncover the city's tragic history, and maximize your combat effectiveness.

Little Sister Gatherings and Protect Decisions

The most substantial side activity involves adopting Little Sisters after defeating their Big Daddy guardians. You can choose to guide them to corpses to harvest ADAM, triggering a "Protect" mini-game where you must fend off waves of Splicers. Completing these gatherings provides a massive increase in ADAM, which is essential for purchasing new Plasmids and Gene Tonics at Gatherer's Gardens.

Power to the People Stations

Scattered throughout the levels are limited-use "Power to the People" weapon upgrade stations. Finding these hidden kiosks is a vital side activity, as each unit allows for a permanent upgrade to one of your weapons—such as increasing the Drill's fuel capacity or adding incendiary rounds to the Shotgun. These are one-time use, making exploration highly rewarding.

Research Camera Objectives

Once you acquire the Research Camera, you can engage in specialized combat "quests" by filming enemies before and during a fight. Completing research tiers for specific enemy types (like Leadhead Splicers or Big Sisters) grants permanent damage bonuses, unique Gene Tonics, and new abilities tailored to defeating those specific threats.

Audio Diary Collection

For players interested in world-building, hunting for Audio Diaries serves as the primary lore-based side activity. There are over 100 diaries hidden across Rapture; collecting them provides deep insight into the civil war and the backstories of key characters, while occasionally providing codes for locked doors containing high-tier loot.

Diagnostic Hacking Mini-Games

Engaging with the automated security systems of Rapture—such as Turrets, Security Cameras, and Vending Machines—triggers a remote hacking mini-game. Successfully hacking these devices turns the environment against your enemies, reduces the cost of supplies, or unlocks hidden rooms filled with ammunition and First Aid Kits.