The Argument for BioShock 4 Featuring Dual Protagonists

Highlights

BioShock 4, the highly anticipated installment in the franchise, has had a rocky development process and its release date remains uncertain.

The game is rumored to take place in Antarctica and include two distinct cities with opposing social groups engaged in conflict. Implementing two main characters and a fully immersive open-world concept could revitalize the series and reignite fan engagement.

BioShock, a game known for its mature storytelling and meta-commentary on the gaming industry, gained popularity with its two follow-ups, BioShock 2 and BioShock: Infinite. Although not as acclaimed as the original, the franchise has earned a revered status in the gaming community. Despite fans' anticipation for a fourth installment, the series appeared to be dormant after the release of BioShock: Infinite in 2013, with no news of another game for a while.

However, in 2019, 2K Games, the IP's new owner, officially announced the development of BioShock 4 under the newly formed studio, Cloud Chamber. While this seemed like a positive development, information about the game has been sporadic and often unfavorable. BioShock 4 has faced significant challenges from the start and continues to do so. Although some details have emerged, fans are still left wondering about the game's actual content. Nevertheless, Cloud Chamber has the opportunity to breathe new life into the franchise by introducing a fresh perspective for players to explore.

BioShock 4 Should Feature Two Protagonists

BioShock 4 is rumored to take place in Antarctica during the 1960s, aligning with the timeline of the previous games. While nothing has been officially confirmed, leaked information suggests that the game will feature two cities, either separate or interconnected, named Aurora and Borealis. These cities are said to be characterized by conflicts between different class factions.

This setting presents Cloud Chamber with a significant opportunity to enhance the series' themes and gameplay. The concept of dueling cities with opposing inhabitants immediately brings to mind the fractured societies of Rapture and Colombia, which ultimately led to their downfall. In BioShock 4, players may have the chance to play as two protagonists, each representing one of the opposing groups or locations. They would first experience the story from their unique perspectives before potentially uniting, setting aside their differences, and forming an alliance.

One potential title for BioShock 4 that has been discovered is Isolation. This has led to speculation that the game may be leaning more towards its horror origins, particularly similar to the original BioShock. If this is true, there is also a classic horror movie from the 1980s set in Antarctica that shares a similar premise, which could work well with the concept of switching between protagonists. In a different scenario, having two protagonists could provide contrasting perspectives, giving players insight into both characters while maintaining a hostile and untrusting dynamic between them.

Another anticipated change for BioShock 4 is the shift towards a fully open-world environment, in contrast to the previous linear design. The first two titles largely took place in cramped and claustrophobic corridors, while Infinite deviated from this with its bright and expansive floating city. However, even then, the size of the game's sandbox was relatively small compared to titles like Skyrim and Far Cry. By dividing the action and plot between two main characters, it would effectively prevent any potential fatigue that may arise from staying with a single character in one location for an extended period of time.

According to other reports, the development of BioShock 4 is currently facing challenges. Its release window, depending on the source, is projected to be anywhere between 2025 and 2028. However, should BioShock 4 eventually be released, introducing two protagonists could be crucial in revitalizing interest and advancing the series.

Bioshock Infinite

Franchise: BioShock

Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux

Release Date: March 26, 2013

Developers: Irrational Games, 2K, Aspyr

Publishers: 2K

Genre: Action

Game Engine: Unreal Engine 3

ESRB Rating: R

Estimated Gameplay Time: 12 hours