Summary
Very little is known aboutBioShock 4, including its official title. Though rumors, leaks, and analyses have proved fertile ground for speculation, it’s difficult to say whether the game will continuethe story of Rapture or Columbia, or if it will be something of a refresh for the series, taking it in a bold new direction that is only tangentially or spiritually linked to the original trilogy.
Leaks and rumors have pointed to the setting ofBioShock 4being an isolated Antarctic city called Borealis. This detail alone, if true, would indicate that the game is taking a significant step away from the previous entries in the series, as it wouldn’t be revisiting either ofBioShock’s most iconic locations. Additionally, a job listing from developer Cloud Chamber suggests thatBioShock 4will be open-world, which would also mark a stark change in series tradition. At the same time, the complex lore established by the original trilogy may be hard to ignore, soBioShock 4could very well be a more direct sequel toBioShockorBioShock Infinite. Whether this would be good or bad is up for debate.
BioShock 4 Being a Soft Reboot: Pros and Cons
BioShock 4 Could Serve As a Bold New Step for the Series
As a revival of a beloved franchise created by a different studio, there’s a risk ofBioShock 4living in the shadowof the original three games. Whether it’s fair or not,BioShock 4will inevitably be compared to the titles that preceded it, and playing things too safe could ultimately work to its detriment. Thus, when it comes to both narrative and the fundamentals of its game design, it may be best forBioShock 4to tap the reset button.
An open-world and dramatically different setting may be a good place forBioShock 4to start, and the game could differentiate itself even further by making key changes to gameplay pillars like exploration, combat, and RPG elements. This would go beyondBioShock 4simply adding more optionsto the existing gameplay skeleton of the franchise; the game could be an inventive and revolutionary entry for the series, viewed the same way that 2018’sGod of Warsoft reboot is.
A Continuation of the BioShock Narrative Might Be Hard to Avoid
The lore ofBioShock, while not universally beloved, is a core part of the franchise.BioShockInfinitefound success without relying on Rapture, Big Daddies, or Little Sisters (although these narrative elements make a return in the DLC), but it adds a new layer of complexity. Specifically,the ending ofBioShock Infiniteintroduces the concept of multiple realities that can be accessed through various means, yet always have a few key constants.Infinitedirectly ties back to the first twoBioShockgames through this parallel reality premise, suggesting that allBioShockstories are linked in some metaphysical way. This twist ending has a transformative, overarching effect on the greaterBioShockcanon, and whileBioShock 4could just ignore this, it might come across as somewhat jarring for anyone who has playedInfinite. Thus, the next game may have to continue the broad-strokes storyline thatInfiniteleft behind.
IfBioShock 4is supposed to be part of the same fictional universe asInfinite, even if they are only loosely linked, then a lot of questions about parallel realities, such as which reality the game takes place in, will need to be addressed. Whether it’s a soft reboot or a direct continuation,BioShock 4is going to need to carve its own path, especially if Cloud Chamber wants to avoidunfavorable comparisons toJudas, which many view as a spiritual successor to theBioShockfranchise.
