The Future of BioShock Relies on the Mighty Return of Big Daddies

Highlights

The absence of Big Daddies in BioShock Infinite was noticeable and the next game in the series would benefit from their return, as they were a core part of the franchise.

Big Daddies can come back by exploring alternate realities or setting the game before Rapture's downfall, bringing tension, danger, and a sense of dread. Additionally, their return would offer unique gameplay challenges and strengthen the rich lore of the BioShock universe.

The BioShock franchise encompasses various significant components, such as the setting, political commentary, and FPS gameplay with supernatural abilities. Nonetheless, there is one essential aspect of BioShock that was absent in BioShock Infinite, and the forthcoming game in the series will feel incomplete without it.

Although it may appear improbable for Big Daddies to return in a future BioShock installment, they undeniably formed a crucial part of the formula in both BioShock and BioShock 2. These colossal, extensively modified humans played significant roles in the initial two games, functioning as formidable mini bosses and providing further evidence of the disturbing social norms in Rapture. In fact, the second game permitted players to assume the role of a Big Daddy, whose actions were instrumental in the progressive downfall of the underwater metropolis. BioShock Infinite transported players to the sky-bound city of Columbia, necessitating the removal of Big Daddies, rendering these experimental, super-powered bodyguards seemingly extinct. Nevertheless, there are still possibilities for their resurgence, and the franchise would greatly benefit from their reintroduction.

How the Big Daddy Could Return in Future BioShock Games

The setting of the upcoming BioShock game remains a mystery to fans, leaving them to speculate whether the game will revisit Columbia or Rapture or introduce a completely new setting. The return of Big Daddies will largely depend on the chosen setting, presenting opportunities for unique decision-based gameplay and world-building.

One possibility is for Big Daddies to return through Rapture itself. Despite its implied destruction in BioShock 2, the next game could take place before its downfall, offering a distinctive mechanical experience if BioShock 4 adopts an open-world format. However, the next game does not necessarily have to be set in the past to bring back Big Daddies. BioShock Infinite introduced alternate realities, with downloadable content even allowing players to visit Rapture. This concept opens the possibility of exploring Rapture in a different dimension or having Big Daddies make their way into the game's setting through dimensional tears.

Here are some possible improvements:

These are just a few ways in which Big Daddies could make a comeback, each bringing a unique interpretation and implementation of these iconic characters. The return of Big Daddies to BioShock would infuse the next game with a sense of tension and danger. In the first two entries of BioShock, Big Daddies represented the antagonistic forces, instilling a feeling of dread whenever they appeared. They presented an enjoyable gameplay challenge, acting as obstacles to obtain critical in-game rewards, and at the same time, adding depth to the lore of Rapture. Reintroducing them could go beyond mere fan service; Big Daddies could be reimagined or expanded within the BioShock universe, while retaining the elements that made them so captivating initially.

Alternatively, the franchise could benefit from starting anew. In that case, the spirit of the Big Daddy archetype could live on, manifested in some other disturbing, strange, and formidable enemy making its debut. BioShock Infinite, with its focus on being less horror-oriented, introduced enemies like the Motorized Patriots, who were somewhat reminiscent of Big Daddies. However, these enemies failed to evoke the same level of fear, pity, and disgust as the Big Daddies. They were colorful and almost comical in nature, lacking the human experiment aspect. Furthermore, there was no Little Sister equivalent. Therefore, if a future BioShock game were to feature a Big Daddy-inspired enemy type, it should retain the horrifying and abominable traits of the originals, be rich in lore, and offer a satisfying reward for defeating them.