TheBioShockfranchise is known for its interconnected nature, which reached an all-time high inBioShock Infinite.WithBioShock 4in development at Cloud Chamber, and little news to indicate an impending reveal, many fans are wondering how the game will connect to the rest of the series.BioShockis known for doing some unexpected things while remaining familiar to longtime fans, and expectations are high for the long-awaited sequel. ForBioShock 4to bridge the gap between previous games, it may need to bring back one key character.
WhenBioShock Infinitereleased 10 years ago, it introduced players to a character who has stuck with many over a decade later. Elizabeth, the player’s companion throughout much ofInfinite, was an integral aspect of the story due to her reality-bending powers and connection to protagonist Booker DeWitt. In the years sinceInfinite’s release, Elizabeth has become one of the most memorable characters in theBioShockfranchise, if not video games in general, so Cloud Chamber could bring her back forBioShock 4to help it become a culmination of the franchise’s long history.
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What BioShock Infinite’s Elizabeth Can Bring to BioShock 4
BioShock 4still doesn’t have a release date, but it will be the firstBioShockgame in at least a decade. While remasters of the series have allowed players to discover or rediscoverBioShockwith little difficulty,the worlds of Rapture and Columbiahave been out of the public eye for a long time.BioShock 4will likely enjoy some success based on its name alone, but it could benefit from having a more immediate connection to the rest of the franchise. Elizabeth can serve as that link to the franchise in terms of both narrative and marketability.
Next-to nothing is known about the story ofBioShock 4, but including Elizabeth could open upexciting opportunities to leverageInfinite’s multiverse. One of the core elements ofInfinite’s gameplay and narrative was Elizabeth’s ability to open Tears, which are essentially portals to an alternate dimension.Infiniteended with multiple Elizabeths from alternate dimensions drowning Booker DeWitt, butBioShock 4could see players follow Elizabeth throughout space and time as she continues to develop her powers and contend with how she fits into the world.
BioShockhas cemented itself asone of the most formative and iconic franchises in video game history, butBioShock 4likely won’t be able to succeed on name alone. The video game industry has changed dramatically since the lastBioShockreleased, and other franchises have risen to prominence in its absence. If the next game includes Elizabeth, longtime fans would have something familiar to latch onto, and newcomers would have a reason to explore previous entries so that they can get an understanding of who Elizabeth is.
BioShockfans have been looking forward to news aboutBioShock 4for a long time, and hopes are high that 2023 will finally be the year Cloud Chamber reveals something substantial. Now thatE3 2023 is canceled, the stage forBioShock 4’s full reveal will likely be a smaller online showcase. Whatever the case may be, it could doBioShock 4a lot of good if its reveal trailer shows some connection withBioShock Infiniteby including Elizabeth. Fans will just have to remain patient until Cloud Chamber is ready to show what it has been working on.
BioShock 4is currently in development.
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