For fans of BioShock, Judas is a long time coming. With the release of DLC Burial at Sea, the Irrational Games IP went quiet, and series creator Ken Levine took charge of a small studio to work on a new project: Judas. BioShock 4 is in development at new studio Cloud Chamber, but this isn't the only cause for excitement among those who found enjoyment in the hellish, dilapidated walls of Rapture or the "heavenly" cobbled streets of Columbia. The new game from developer Ghost Story has plenty of resemblances to Levine's former franchise, with the announcement trailer dripping in dense atmosphere, abstract enemies, and a mysterious story.
The mystery is not likely to make sense until after the game releases, and possibly for some time after. In the months or years before, fans have sufficient time to theorize about how it will all unfold. There are plenty of ways Judas can keep players invested, but with so many small similarities between it and BioShock -- from the elemental attacks to the wrist tattoo -- it is perhaps safe to predict that Judas will stick close to the game that inspired it in more ways than were shown in the trailer. BioShock wears its political tale on its sleeve, never pushing it on the player too harshly, and Ghost Story's project could be best served adopting a similar approach.
Political Storytelling was BioShock's Secret Weapon
While BioShock, fundamentally, is a tense first-person shooter with unique combat encounters and engaging environmental storytelling, if players scratched beyond the surface there were more layers than anyone could have initially expected. It's a game that thoroughly satisfies casual audiences and provides a sufficient scare without feeling cheap, but piecing the audio diaries together makes it clear that the seemingly limitless ambition of objectivist leader Andrew Ryan contributed massively to the downfall of Rapture. The characters that litter the city are complex and diverse, but all fit seamlessly into the theme of liberty and personal freedom having catastrophic effects if left unchecked.
This only amplifies the impact of the story, as Jack often runs into characters like Dr. Suchong and Sander Cohen who wield their personal liberties with reckless abandon. BioShock's political influence is deeply ingrained in the narrative, and though Judas will take players to space instead of a damp, claustrophobic, underwater dystopia, it doesn't have to lack the tension of the games that inspired it. Judas looks a lot like BioShock, but looks aren't everything, and it has to live up to the lofty expectations that fans have of its gameplay, presentation, and storytelling.
Judas Has the Potential to Be Culturally Compelling
Judas has the freedom to explore a plethora of political directions, especially as culture has changed significantly since BioShock's 2007 release. Whereas the latter digs into the nuances of libertarianism and the potentially dangerous ideas of Ayn Rand, the former could provoke a story that feels more current and poignant as a result. Giving players a fictional tale that is rooted in reality often makes a game more interesting, as titles like Life is Strange 2, Celeste, and Tell Me Why have proven before. Judas has the mind of Ken Levine behind it, and with that comes expectations of something deeper than just a standard shooter.
Global politics have changed massively in the 15 years since BioShock and the 10 years since BioShock Infinite, and while Judas doesn't seem restricted to the planet, it would be an interesting and exciting decision to have it grounded in some kind of political topic that players can understand and relate to on Earth. Science fiction and space are a slippery slope that, if used poorly, can create a convoluted plot that doesn't leave a lasting impression. More needs to be known about Judas to truly theorize about what direction it will take, but forging a story that wields cultural relevance and political connotations would fit the mold of Ken Levine's previous works.
Judas is in development for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
