Few games in development over the last few years have been as elusive as BioShock 4. The next installment in the landmark first-person shooter series has been the source of many rumors, but little information from developer Cloud Chamber or publisher 2K. Nevertheless, many of the rumors around BioShock 4 have maintained the game's relevance in its fan community, and the games industry at large. Now with gaming's awards season fast approaching, it seems the rumor mill for BioShock 4 is cranking up again.
As The Game Awards 2021 comes closer, there have been substantial leaks and rumors about BioShock 4 and what fans could expect from it. Some of those rumors point to a big reveal coming from The Game Awards, but there are others that go into more detail about what the game itself might look like. It's always wise to take rumors with a grain of salt, but it's hard to deny how some of them make BioShock 4 look like a promising entry in the acclaimed series.
Establishing BioShock 4's Setting
One of the details many fans are interested to know about BioSock 4 is its setting. Many have speculated that the series could return to the underwater city of Rapture, the place that kickstarted BioShock's popularity. However, recent rumors have suggested that BioShock 4 will take place in an Antarctic city in the 1960s. While this may not be the nostalgic setting that some fans hoped for, it still has a lot of potential to make BioShock 4 into a breathtaking visual experience.
From Rapture to Columbia, BioShock's worlds are characters in and of themselves. The franchise often relies on environmental storytelling alongside its strong narratives examining philosophical ideals, so an Antarctic setting for BioShock 4 could have a lot of potential. The snowy landscapes of the continent make for some impressive vistas, and considering Cloud Chamber consists of many BioShock series vets, the game will likely take an inspired artistic approach similar to what was done in previous entries. With the potential of newer graphical technology since the last BioShock released, BioShock 4 could be the most visually impressive installment yet.
Setting Up BioShock 4's Tone
Along with the setting details around BioShock 4, there have been rumors regarding the game's title that could point toward its tone. Instead of just being called BioShock 4, speculation indicates that the game will be titled BioShock: Isolation. While this would convey the game's possible horror-inspired tone without any setting details, the rumored Antarctic setting fits that title perfectly. Antarctica isn't a populated place, so depending on the game's direction it could go for an atmospheric psychological horror built on the feeling of being alone, which would certainly fit with BioShock's origins.
These BioShock 4 rumors seem rather promising, but it's important to recognize that they are still rumors until any confirmation is made by Cloud Chamber or 2K. The BioShock series has been a landmark franchise in the gaming industry for over a decade, so its return is certainly worthy of all of the hype that it has received. With The Game Awards 2021 on the horizon, it will be interesting to see whether or not BioShock 4 actually makes an appearance and confirms all the rumors that fans have been pouring over.
BioShock 4 is currently in development.