Highlights
- BioShock 4, developed by Cloud Chamber and published by 2K, has to make big choices about its story direction and continuity.
- Bringing back Jack, the original protagonist from BioShock 1, could be a compelling way to tie the stories together while exploring new ideas.
- With the introduction of multiverses and alternate realities in BioShock Infinite, Jack's return is a possibility that could be handled creatively by Cloud Chamber.
BioShock is unquestionably a milestone in gaming. Through BioShock's deep philosophical issues and immersive sim/RPG design, the first entry set a new high bar for merging engaging gameplay with mature storytelling. Since cementing its legacy with two more titles, though, the franchise has not had much presence in the wider gaming world. The final piece of BioShock content was the Burial At Sea DLC for BioShock Infinite in 2014. Following that, it went through a period of radio silence, with many of the original creators moving onto other projects and studios.
The silence continued until the announcement of BioShock 4 in 2019. A new studio under 2K's umbrella, Cloud Chamber, revealed it had been tasked with helming the fourth official installment of the revered franchise. With the weight of the BioShock world on its shoulders, leaks and rumors about how the developer would advance it have been circulating since inception. Though few firm details have yet emerged, given some existing elements, one direction it could take is to bring back BioShock's original protagonist, Jack, in some form.
BioShock 4 Has an Important Choice to Make With Its Story
As the next official entry in the series, BioShock 4 has a meaningful decision to make regarding its story direction and continuity.
The Case For BioShock 4 to Bring Back Jack
Jack's Story in BioShock
Jack was the player character and silent protagonist in BioShock 1. Although not immediately apparent, his name was hidden in plain sight from the opening scene, with keen-eyed players being able to spot it. Eventually, his origins and nature were exposed in BioShock's famous twist. In one of the most well-known scenes in gaming history, the devastating truth about Jack is revealed:
- He is the genetically engineered "son" of the main antagonist, Andrew Ryan.
- Ryan's competitor, Frank Fontaine (aka Atlas) procured a genetic sample of Ryan to accomplish the above.
- Atlas also had Jack implanted with a mind-control trigger phrase, the infamous, "Would You Kindly" instruction.
- It was Atlas who orchestrated Jack's (and thus the player's) actions throughout the course of the plot.
Following this, Ryan forces Jack to kill him via the trigger phrase, choosing to end on his own terms. Jack subsequently breaks Fontaine's hold over him, and eliminates him as well, before escaping the crumbling remains of Rapture with a group of BioShock's Little Sisters to the safety of the surface.
Though players can either save or harvest the sisters, canon depicts Jack as rescuing them.
BioShock Infinite Provides a Path For Jack's Return
While the first two games were largely self-contained stories, BioShock Infinite's plot opened up a can of worms. By introducing multiverses and alternate realities/timelines, Infinite created the possibility of almost anything being fair game. The concept is always a bit of a double-edged sword, as it can sometimes be viewed as a lazy way of justifying inclusions that would otherwise be nonsensical. But when handled correctly, the device can provide an excellent avenue for Jack's return while moving forward in the greater story.
How Jack Could Appear in BioShock 4
BioShock 4 faces a number of challenges in how it will advance the series, particularly regarding the above aspects. In a series known for having some of the best narratives, Cloud Chamber has a hefty job in front of it. Given the doors that Infinite's multiverse opens, though, having Jack return could be the crucial component in tying the stories together while exploring new ideas.
Since nothing is necessarily outside the realm of possibility, BioShock 4 could take elements from the first game and remix them in a way that coheres into a fresh and satisfying story, without losing its identity. Perhaps in BS4's world, Jack acts as the new Andrew Ryan--his "father," and the very villain he defeated in another reality. Whatever direction Cloud Chamber chooses to go, having the first character fans were introduced to (and played as) in the series would be an incredibly intriguing prospect if incorporated thoughtfully.
