Despite its best efforts, developer Mundfish’s attempts at replicating the unique visual and thematic stylings of the acclaimedBioShockseries with its recent alternate-history Soviet shooterAtomic Heartultimately fell flat with many gamers. This gives 2K Games the opportunity to reinvigorate its own franchise with the upcomingBioShock 4and show players that no other series handles mind-bending narratives and bizarre, beautiful worlds as adeptly as it can.BioShock 4developer Cloud Chamberis made up of industry veterans, many of whom worked on previousBioShockgames, and with that pedigree, the franchise’s fourth mainline outing could mark a glorious return to form.
In the over 15 years since its debut,BioShockhas managed to leave an indelible mark on the gaming landscape.BioShock’s acclaimed mix of a well-written, philosophical narrative and inventive gameplay continued on into its sequels. It also created a model for a new type of first-person experience, with numerous developers trying to recreate that winning formula over the years. By learning from these studios’ missteps and embracing some elements that made the franchise a hit in the first place,BioShock 4could help raise the bar for narrative shooters once again.
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Atomic Heart’s Mixed Reception Provides A Lesson for BioShock 4
From the alternate history setting toAtomic Heart’s mix of powerful abilities and gunplay, many gamers were hoping that the Mundfish-developed title would serve as a spiritual successor to theBioShockfranchise based on early trailers. But as players spent more time with the stylish but ultimately shallow shooter, it became more apparent that many ofAtomic Heart’s similarities toBioShockwere only surface-level.
Some of the biggest complaints centered aroundAtomic Heart’s often brutally oppressive outdoor areas, which lacked focus both gameplay-wise and narratively when compared to the indoor areas of Facility 3826’s open world. With rumors swirling thatBioShock 4could feature a similarly open-world setting, Cloud Chamber could learn from Mundfish’s missteps by making that world a place that better motivates players to explore. Creating a setting that felt truly lived-in instead of serving as mere set dressing could make an open-worldBioShock 4once again stand as an example for other titles in the same vein.
By designing a narrative forBioShock 4that makes the broader world part of the gameplay experience, rather than just a place to run and gun through on the way to the next story mission, Cloud Chamber could avoid one ofAtomic Heart’s biggest pitfalls. With news thata formerFar Cry 5writer will be the narrative lead onBioShock 4, the game already looks to have staff with the writing chops required to deliver this sort of experience.
BioShock 4 Will Face New Competition from the Franchise’s Founder
In addition to trying to bring back players feeling burned out on the franchise’s formula after years of playing underwhelming aspirants to the throne, another challenge for Cloud Chamber will be contending with the competition posed byBioShockcreator Ken Levine’s surreal sci-fi gameJudas. Though little is known aboutJudas’ gameplay, given Levine’s proven track record of delivering systems-heavy, narrative-focused games, it’s probably safe to assume that it will share far more ofBioShock’s DNA thanAtomic Heartultimately did.
If Cloud Chamber can learn some lessons fromAtomic Heart’s underwhelming performanceand deliver a game that capitalizes on the franchise’s strengths,BioShock 4could help reinvigorate the series. Even though gamers may be waiting a while to learn 4, a return to form for the iconic franchise could once again makeBioShockthe high-water mark against which all similar shooters are judged.
BioShock 4is currently in development.
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