BioShock is the Perfect Franchise for an Open-World Game

gamerant.com:

First announced in 2019, BioShock 4 is still in the works, but the community’s been busy looking into what the next installment might entail. There are many rumors floating around, such as potential PS5 exclusivity and internal development issues. However, the most popular rumor suggests that BioShock 4 may be an open-world game.

An open-world BioShock game is a huge departure from the franchise’s previous games. That said, there is some value to this transition, as the game’s overall setting and style of world-building would fit nicely within a larger game world. Granted, there haven’t been any recent announcements about BioShock 4, so the open-world rumor hasn’t yet been confirmed. Nonetheless, it’s interesting to argue what an open-world BioShock title could bring to the table.

BioShock 4 Should Get Really Experimental with Combat

Job listings for Cloud Chamber Studios, the company in charge of BioShock 4, suggest that the game will be set in a new location, separate from both Rapture and Columbia. The listings also hint at the title’s potentially open-world setting since the call for a Senior Writer requires someone who can, “weave impactful, character-driven stories in an open world setting.”

The BioShock series is known for its strong character-driven storytelling, and this is reinforced by the game’s linear progression. It allows the player to experience the narrative the way the developer intended, thus making for a tighter and more cohesive story. As such, many longtime fans have expressed their fear that an open-world BioShock game might take away from the game’s already stellar narrative style.

These fears are well-grounded. After all, the gaming community has seen plenty of games with great stories but