Summary
WithBioShock 4andJudasboth on the horizon, fans of the classicBioShockgames and action-oriented immersive sims ought to be excited. That being said, it’s only natural thatJudaswill be compared toBioShock 4, with the former being seen as a sort of spiritual successor toBioShock Infinite,thanks to the involvement of Ken Levine, former creative lead of the franchise. This unavoidable comparison, coupled with the prestigious history of theBioShockIP, means thatBioShock 4has its work cut out for it.
Similar to what Microsoft did with 343 Industries andHalo, 2K Games created Cloud Chamber with the express intention of carrying theBioShockseries forward. SinceBioShock 4will be the first game from this creative unit, it stands at a crossroads: it can either attempt to emulate one or more of the olderBioShockgames, or it cantry something radically new, establishing both the game and the team behind it as fresh and distinct. Living in the shadow of such an iconic and influential franchise, the latter path might be tougher to travel, but it would be well worth it.
BioShock 4 Can Be Unique By Taking a New Approach to World-building
BioShock 4 Could and Should Go Low-Tech
Science-fiction elements have always been present inBioShock, with both Rapture and Columbia adhering to many of the most common soft-sci-fi narrative conventions, such as loosely defined superhuman powers, extensive body modification and enhancement, and radical government and city planning. However,advanced technology isn’t inextricable from the series' themes and overarching narrative. Rather, the high-tech of Rapture and Columbia is used as a tool to explore different narrative ideas.
BioShockis all about examining morality,ethics, and human psychology through the lens of otherworldly and bizarre dystopias. For a long time, and especially since the 19th century, human progress has been measured bytechnological advancement; the steam engine, automobiles, and more efficient medical practices are all part of this advancement, and BioShock explores all of these things. Buttechnology isn’t the only way to measure human advancement, nor is it the only route that a delusional leader like Comstock or Ryan would take when devising a twisted utopia.
Spirituality and the rejection of modernity appeal to many, and for good reason.BioShock Infinitechallenges religious fundamentalismbut retains many of the science-fiction trappings of the first two games, albeit with a different, more steampunk-shaded coat of paint.BioShock 4could take things in a different direction, showing what can happen when someone uses broad concepts like simple living and Eastern philosophy for perverse or selfish ends. Basically, the game could swap out the art deco halls of Rapture and the Americana-laden streets of Columbia for the natural and isolated beauty of a commune.
BioShock 4can draw inspiration from extreme real-world ideologies and spiritualist cults like Rajneeshpuram.
Much like how Rapture is modeled after Randian Objectivism and Columbia follow ideals like American exceptionalism,BioShock 4can draw inspiration from extreme real-world ideologies and spiritualist cults like Rajneeshpuram.
BioShock 4: Carving a New Path
Taking a more low-tech approach could makeBioshock 4’s setting intriguingand refreshing, as this framework would be a significant departure from the previous games. Perhaps even more importantly, though, this different setting and thematic framework would set the game apart fromJudas, which seems to be going even higher with its tech, featuring tropes like space travel and androids. IfBioShock 4were to swap out guns for melee weapons and questionable scientific advancements with questionable spiritual ones, it would do a lot to support this differentiation.
Judascan explore the stars; meanwhile, maybeBioShock 4can come back down to Earth.
BioShock 4will already be under scrutinyas the next game in the series, developed by a different creative team—it doesn’t need additional comparison toJudas.Judascan explore the stars; meanwhile, maybeBioShock 4can come back down to Earth.
