Why Returning NPCs in BioShock 4 Might Not Be the Best Choice

Sure, here you go:

So, it’s wild, right? Been over five years since we first heard they’re making BioShock 4. Five years! And yeah, the excitement hasn’t faded. At all. They’re supposedly taking us to these icy landscapes called Aurora and Borealis. Sounds pretty cool – pun totally intended. Different vibe from Rapture and Columbia, you know?

Now, here’s the thing – details are scarce. Like, really sparse. We don’t even know when it’s set. Or who’s coming back, if anyone. Remember those unforgettable NPCs from the previous games? Yeah, folks are crossing fingers they’ll make a return. But on the flip side, if Cloud Chamber – that’s the team behind this one – wants to keep things fresh, maybe it’s best not to bring back old faces. Keeps the suspense alive or whatever.

Side note: There’s a pic making the rounds that’s got me nostalgic. The doors to Rapture. Like, I could almost hear the whoosh of them opening. Weird how an image can do that. Anyway…

The BioShock universe rarely repeats its cast. I mean, BioShock and BioShock 2 had a bit of overlap, since they both took place in good ol’ Rapture. Other than that? Not so much. Then again, DLCs like Burial At Sea did surprise us with some familiar faces. So, will BioShock 4 follow suit? Who’s to say? Aurora and Borealis are like a whole parallel universe.

There’s this whole thing about how BioShock’s stories weave through time and space, thanks to Infinite’s wisdom. We could see iconic NPCs like Big Daddies or Little Sisters popping up. And what about those mind-bending Lutece twins? Imagine the conversations! But, there’s a catch: you risk turning it into a nostalgic crutch. Like leaning too heavily on what worked before.

Each game’s a standalone marvel, isn’t it? They don’t need their predecessors to shine. Every new world, character – it all stands on its own. So, bringing back old NPCs in BioShock 4 might water down the magic. Unless done super tactfully, of course.

Quick interjection here: I get the appeal of teasing past characters to build hype. Maybe flash the Big Daddy in marketing – who doesn’t love that hulking silhouette? But, at some point, you’ve gotta let Cloud Chamber take the reins and craft something novel. They’ve got this chance to reinvent the wheel – or plasmid, rather.

Hey, if BioShock 4 nails the storytelling, it could reignite the whole shebang. Rapture and Columbia? They’ve had their time. Now it’s Aurora and Borealis’ turn to win over old fans and lure in the newbies.

And there we go—our chaotic, human take on BioShock 4.