One Key Aspect BioShock 4 Should Borrow More from Infinite Than the Original

Highlights

BioShock 4 must establish its own identity while drawing inspiration from the franchise's past games and narrative elements.

BioShock 4 should strive to captivate fans by revitalizing the eerie and deteriorated atmosphere of Rapture, while simultaneously preserving the spirit of its main character, Booker DeWitt, as demonstrated in the successful narrative of BioShock Infinite. A compelling and expressive protagonist would effectively fill the void left by the absence of the intense ambiance typically associated with familiar settings.

BioShock 4 must establish its own identity despite being part of an established IP. However, it should still draw inspiration from the successful elements of the previous entries in the franchise. Fans have been eagerly anticipating a new installment for over a decade, and many hope that BioShock 4 will return to the unsettling and decayed atmosphere of Rapture that made the first two games so memorable. While this would be a strong foundation for the new game, it is essential for BioShock 4 to retain the impactful protagonist introduced in BioShock Infinite, distinguishing it from its predecessors.

BioShock 4: Emulating BioShock Infinite's Booker DeWitt

The first two BioShock games were set in the eerie and deteriorated underwater city of Rapture, creating a captivating atmosphere. This unique location, along with its disturbed inhabitants, provided an ideal backdrop for world-building and exploration, relieving the game's protagonists from the burden of carrying the storyline.

To enhance the immersive experience, the first BioShock game featured a protagonist who remained silent throughout, except for a brief monologue in the opening cut-scene. This approach allowed players to easily project themselves onto the character while fully immersing in the unsettling sights and sounds of Rapture. This narrative style was also employed in the 2010 sequel, BioShock 2, with the protagonist portrayed as a detached and dehumanized figure known simply as Subject Delta.

These silent protagonists serve to introduce players to Rapture in BioShock 1, and then allow them to experience the city through the perspective of a Big Daddy in BioShock 2. However, recognizing that this formula could not be replicated for a third installment, 2K Games made the decision to distance themselves from Rapture in BioShock Infinite, as well as the use of mute main characters.

BioShock Infinite daringly departed from its predecessors, swapping out the eerie, decaying corridors of Rapture for Columbia, an idyllic and highly advanced city in the skies. This dramatic shift was enhanced by the inclusion of a protagonist filled with vitality, dialogue, and unique traits. Booker DeWitt took the lead in BioShock Infinite's story, ultimately emerging as one of the most memorable and iconic characters in the entire franchise.

In BioShock 4, it is crucial to have a protagonist who possesses the same strong presence as DeWitt. Rumors suggest that the game may feature two new cities that are in conflict, one underground and the other in the sky, similar to Rapture and Colombia. Unlike previous games, the success of the story in BioShock Infinite with Booker as the protagonist demonstrates that the focus should shift more towards character development. In the past, the franchise relied heavily on the unique settings to create atmospheric tension, but now there is a need for a memorable and vocal protagonist in order to regain that lost element.

BioShock 4 is currently in development.

Bioshock 4

Franchise BioShockPlatform(s) PS5, PCDeveloper(s) Cloud ChamberPublisher(s) 2K GamesGenre(s) FPS