BioShock 4 has a huge legacy to live up to. The first three games stretch across two cities in vastly different locations, and each presents a story that is steeped in cultural and political significance. It's a series that adopts its own approach and isn't afraid to blaze a trail rather than just follow one, and despite Irrational Games being no more, the fourth game will still fall under the 2K umbrella, this time with new developer Cloud Chamber at the helm. It has to be great, not only because of the legacy it's following but also because the competition is so tough.
Between other games in the genre like Atomic Heart and Prey and upcoming releases like Judas, there are plenty of franchises fighting for BioShock's crown. As such, BioShock 4 has to compete with a competitive market, and the developer has to find ways to make fans happy while appealing to new audiences. Jack is the protagonist of the 2007 original, and though he's not talkative, he is an intriguing character. The fourth game should bring him back, either as the main character or in an unfamiliar NPC role, as he clearly has more to give the series.
Jack is One of BioShock's Big Mysteries
Exploring every nook and cranny of the underwater city of Rapture is an absolute delight, as so much of its aesthetic value is far more that just skin-deep. The posters on the wall, the decaying corridors, and the wide open rooms littered with splicers are fascinating, and each play an integral part in the narrative. Jack fits this mold well, as he's introduced to players as the victim of a freak accident plane crash. As the story unfolds, his presence in the city is evidently more than just happenstance.
He's a fish out of water in Rapture, but when he learns the truth it opens up a world of possibilities. Jack's goal to leave the city in BioShock remains, but the signature 'Would You Kindly' scene shows that he's a major player in the wider story being told. This means that even though Jack is limited in his speech, bringing him back in some capacity with BioShock 4 could provide more exposition to the game that recently turned 15 years old, while simultaneously introducing new people to a man who still has a lot of mystery.
The Lure of Judas Means BioShock 4 Has to Appeal to Pre-existing Fans
With Ken Levine now working with Ghost Story on the recently announced Judas, fans of the BioShock license have a lot to be excited about. There are two games that promise to appeal to them, and though BioShock 4 has the name, there's no guarantee it will have the quality, especially given that Levine is the mind behind a substantial part of what has come before. As such, Cloud Chamber has to pull something special out of the bag, as it now has a huge competitor that it will surely be scrutinized against.
One of the best ways to achieve this is to lean into the past, and also offer something new. Jack is a protagonist that is known to fans, but even then is a cryptic character that comes with a lot of question marks. Judas doesn't have that luxury, and will likely rely on familiar gameplay and presentational flourishes, but has to use them in a story that's new and with a cast that nobody has any prior connection to. Jack is a character who still has a lot to give, and while his lack of dialogue may make him seem uninteresting, sometimes the absence of direct exposition can be critical in maintaining the mystery. BioShock 4 should take advantage of that.
BioShock 4 is in development.