BioShock 4, or whatever it will be officially called, has been confirmed to be in development by an entirely new studio, Cloud Chamber, which was set up by 2K Games. 2K’s President David Ismailer claims that thenewBioshockgamewill not radically break the formula of the previous three installments, but will focus on the series “powerful narrative and iconic, first-person shooter gameplay.”
BioShockhas been a hugely successful franchise, but while the settings and stories have been acclaimed, combat has been criticized as dull and repetitive across each game in the series. There is one logical step forward thatBioShock 4needs to take if the next game’s combat is going to overcome these common criticisms of the series.
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Weapon Upgrades in BioShock
There have been ways to upgrade the protagonist’s weapons in everyBioShockgame so far. TheoriginalBioShockhad Power to the People machines, which were vending machines manufactured by Frank Fontaine that could be used one time each to upgrade a weapon. These were usually statistical upgrades rather than mechanical changes.
For example, the machine gun’s damage could be increased by 25%, the pistol’s magazine could be quadrupled, or the bolts of the crossbow could gain a reduced chance of breaking on impact. EachBioShockweaponhad two different kinds of upgrades, usually one for damage and a secondary effect like increasing clip size, decreased kickback, or immunity from splash damage.
InBioShock Infinite,players could buy upgrades for all their weapons at the Minuteman’s Armory. These upgrades followed an extremely similar pattern to the ones in the original game, with each weapon getting two damage upgrades as well as two other available upgrades for things like fire rate and clip size.BioShock 4needs to take the next logical step when it comes the setting and the game’s weapons. The nextBioShockneeds to allow players to customize their weaponry, using some technology which has already been established in theBioShockuniverse.
The other main weapons in theBioShockgames are, essentially, sci-fi super powers gained through the use of Plasmids in the games and DLCs set in Rapture andVigors in Columbia. These allow the player to throw lightning bolts and shards of ice, knock back enemies, control hostile technology, and even summon animals like bees and crows to attack targets. As a result, the gunplay looks lackluster in comparison.
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Modifying Weapons in BioShock 4
BioShock 4should begin by implementing a more in-depth weapon modification system. This would be particularly immersive in settings likeRapturewhen the main character is defending themself using whatever they can find in the failed city. It would also help allow for far more diverse combat styles, which could help avoid the common criticism of combat inBioShockgames as too simple and repetitive.
Games thatCloud Chambercould look at for gun modification systems includeFallout 4,Escape from Tarkov, andGhost Recon Future Soldier, but the studio should also be careful to put an emphasis on playstyle over simple statistical upgrades like previous games. Such a change would go a long way in terms of fun factor and replayability. Once this system is in place, the developer should consider including ways to add some of the effects which integrate the science-fiction angle of the games, primarily seen so far in Plasmids and Vigors.
If players can change their guns with found parts and modify those weapons which special abilities and strange effects,BioShock’s actioncould become as iconic as its settings and stories.BioShock 4should look to the areas where the games have garnered acclaim as the basis for creating an extensive and original weapon modification system.
BioShock 4is in development.
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