It's been over five years since it was announced that BioShock 4 was being developed, but the anticipation for the next installment is still there. Reportedly set in the Antarctic worlds of Aurora and Borealis, BioShock 4 is expected to bring a new adventure that's different from the experiences in both Rapture and Columbia.
Information about BioShock 4 is still scarce, so details like when it takes place and whether there will be returning characters are still being speculated on. The BioShock franchise has many memorable NPCs that longtime fans might want to see again in the fourth game, but if developer Cloud Chamber wants to captivate fans with a different experience, it might be smart to steer clear of returning characters.
Bioshock 4 Waiting Room Playlist
BioShock 4 is still taking its time, but in the meanwhile, there's a solid selection of similar titles that fans can try or revisit until it emerges.
BioShock 4 Having Returning NPCs Could Defeat the Purpose of a New World
Across the BioShock franchise, it's pretty rare to see the same characters in all of its games, especially with its protagonists. BioShock and BioShock 2 are the only games that share a couple of NPCs because they're both set in Rapture. Other than that, players can find well-known NPCs in DLCs, like BioShock Infinite's Burial At Sea. So, there's a possibility that BioShock 4 might go in the same direction, given that Aurora and Borealis seem to be completely separate from Rapture and/or Columbia.
While it's still unknown how BioShock 4 fits into the overall BioShock multiverse, it's certainly possible to encounter some familiar faces in Aurora and Borealis through time travel and dimensional rifts. These concepts were introduced in BioShock Infinite and the Burial At Sea DLC as a way to establish a connection between Booker DeWitt and Elizabeth to the events of Rapture. It would be interesting to see returning NPCs, like, for example, Big Daddies, Little Sisters, and the Lutece twins, interact with BioShock 4's protagonist. There could also be an opportunity for former BioShock protagonists to show up as their original selves or alternate versions of themselves to assist BioShock 4's lead. However, this could negatively affect BioShock 4's experience as it might create an impression that it's depending solely on the older games.
Every BioShock game is known for standing well on its own, without having to depend too much on the events of previous titles in order to move forward. Each has its own unique worlds, experiences, and character stories that help build up the entire BioShock multiverse. Bringing back certain NPCs to BioShock 4 would not only defeat the purpose of introducing a brand-new world to players, especially one that doesn't have clear ties to either Rapture or Columbia yet, there would be a risk of not respecting the spirit of the franchise.
Any BioShock NPC Callbacks Should Be Minimal
Granted, there is merit to re-introducing old BioShock characters to build hype around BioShock 4, especially since it's been over a decade since the last game came out. It could briefly bring back the iconic Big Daddy for marketing purposes, or show hints of the NPC within the Antarctic world without making them a central figure in the story. At the same time, it would benefit developer Cloud Chamber, which took over from Irrational Games, to not hinge too much on the past glory of previous BioShock games. The developer has the opportunity to create more original characters and its take on BioShock's Plasmid/Vigor mechanic to provide another unique experience for fans, and ultimately, build a new universe beyond Rapture and Columbia.
BioShock 4 is in a perfect position to reignite interest in the franchise if its storytelling and world-building are done well. Both Rapture and Columbia have had their time in the sun, so it's time for the era of Aurora and Borealis to bring back longtime fans and reel in newer ones too.
BioShock Infinite
- Released
- March 26, 2013
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Mild Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- Irrational Games
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 3
- Franchise
- BioShock
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
