Summary
BioShock 4is in development by Cloud Chamber, a studio formed under publisher 2K to work on the fourth installment in the series in 2019 after it acquired the IP. However, there has been little said by 2K or the developer about its current progress and status. This is something it shares in common with Ubisoft’sFar Cryseries. Hardly any official information or updates have been provided onBioShock 4or the nextFar Cryin quite some time, leading to fans relying mainly on leaks, rumors, and other unofficial channels for any news about them.
While players patiently await further details on what might be in store for both franchises, some of the above have picked up steam and, without comment otherwise from the creators, have persisted to lend them perhaps more credence. Among these, some claim thatBioShock 4will take place in Antarctica, and might be open-world in addition. Whether this turns out to be true for the nextBioShock, it sparks an interesting train of thought between it andFar Cry, and provides a potential avenue for the latter to explore that seems like a natural fit.
A New Far Cry Title Could Work Wonders With BioShock 4’s Possible Antarctica Setting
BioShock 4’s Potential Antarctic Setting Is Already a Compelling One
BioShockhas seen players go from the first two games' cramped and darkened hallways of Rapture to the sunlit sky-city ofColombia inBioShock: Infinite.Though they were literally as different as night and day in this regard, the gameplay was similar in all, and both locales sharply reflected the themes of the titles in their design and presentation. While the Antarctic angle again isn’t confirmed, the isolated nature and captivating landscape of the frozen continent could be used to great effect inBioShock 4’s narrative, gameplay, and environmental aspects, and the idea of Antarctica itself as a game world is an appealing prospect.
Far Cry Could Take BioShock 4’s Rumored Antarctica Setting and Run With It
ThoughFar Cryhas covered a lot of groundin its 20-year history, each title was usually set in tropical island jungles likeFC1andFC3, or the plains and savannahs ofFC2andFC5. The closestFar Cryhas come to a colder region like Antarctica is the Himalayan Mountains seen inFar Cry 4, which offered a bit more verticality to the world and helped it stand out at a time when its other designs were beginning to show their age. The series has been in need of a shakeup since, and while the next couple of titles attempted to do so, they didn’t quite manage to get there, withFar Cry 5and6feeling less memorable and relevant.
In another similar case toBioShock 4,rumors aboutFar Cry 7’s settinghave made the rounds,pointing to it being set on a fictional island off the coast of Korea. While interesting, this would again be invoking an oft-seen environment in the series if it pans out, and may make it seem like the franchise is relying too heavily on its earlier incarnations for inspiration.
Another major rumor has focused on apotential time limit mechanic forFar Cry 7.
Given Antarctica’s inhospitable nature and intimidating geography, the spirit ofFar Crycould easily be applied to its harsh conditions, especially as one that it has yet to explore. This would likely also open up paths for it to experiment in other ways, perhaps via a new villain linked to it, or by changing time periods. The grappling and climbing mechanics could prove more versatile too. In any case, a futureFar Cryconsidering an Antarctica outing is a stimulating thought and possibility.
