BioShock 4is one of the most anticipated upcoming video game releases. The title is in development with a new team called Cloud Chamber, and there is no release date confirmed for it yet.BioShock 4is said to be adopting RPG mechanics and using Unreal Engine 5, but few concrete details are known about the game right now. Still, while little is clear as to the overall directionBioShock 4is taking,Dead Spacecould be a worthwhile influence on the project.
The upcomingremake ofDead Spaceby EA Motivehas been in the spotlight as of late. Gamers have been shown a very early look at the game, as well as some new information regarding the remake’s enhancements and changes over the original. While theBioShockandDead Spacefranchises are quite different, the former could benefit by learning from EA’s survival horror series. The exact setting and tone ofBioShock 4is a big unknown at the moment, but regardless, Cloud Chamber should look toDead Spacefor inspiration in some key areas.
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BioShock Infinitewas a big departure for the series, which saw the horror influence of the first two games stripped away.Infinitereplaced the dark, dingy corridors of the original with brighter environments and blue skies. While this stylistic change proved to be divisive,BioShock Infiniteearned widespread critical acclaim. If Cloud Chamber is planning to returnBioShockto its horror-influenced roots, looking to theDead Spaceseries could be a great source of inspiration. The original games,Dead SpaceandDead Space 2in particular, excelled in creating a suspenseful sense of dread via their tighter environments.
TheColumbia setting ofBioShock Infinitewas visually impressive, but it lacked some of the atmosphere that made the original games often unsettling experiences. It would make sense for Cloud Chamber to move forward with a new setting inBioShock 4while also reintroducing the ambiance that made the first two games so well received. Looking toDead Spaceas an example could helpBioShock 4further enhance its unnerving atmosphere. Part ofDead Space’s memorable atmosphere can be attributed to its audio design. The games use silence well and startle the player with sudden sounds of clanking and movement to enhance the player’s anxiety. IfBioShock 4even partially makes use of dark, closed environments with monstrous enemies, a focus on sound design akin toDead Spacecould really amp up the tension.
A lot moreinformation about theDead Spaceremakehas come to light in recent days, and its updated combat could be a good fit for the newBioShockgame as well. TheDead Spaceremake will expand on the original’s limb-cutting focus, and a similar system inBioShock 4could work, especially for larger enemies. Battles with the likes of Big Daddies and Handymen could require players to destroy parts of the enemy, and strategically take them down. If implemented well, this could add a foreboding element to the enemies that must be whittled down rather than acting as bullet sponges.
Thesetting ofBioShock 4is currently unknown, but regardless of where and when it’s set, it could be beneficial to echo the original two games with some horror elements. While it could be regressive to emulate the style ofBioShockandBioShock 2completely, the new game could bring a new edge to its horror influence. Looking toDead Space, in particular, there could be some fantastic sound, visual, and combat design ideas that could be adapted for theBioShockmold. Though a full return to the style of the pre-BioShock Infinitegames might not be advisable for Cloud Chamber, drawing influence from those games through the lens ofDead Spacecould turn out well.
