TheBioShockseries has always had a hardcore following, with many excited for the upcoming new game from Cloud Chamber. AlthoughBioShock 4is not expected to be finished any time soon, there are plenty of games that live in a similar vein and are more than capable of scratching the itch that fans ofBioShockfeel.
Of course, everyone should playBioShock,BioShock 2,andBioShock Infinitebeforehand, either as a replay or a first time, to get the general vibe.BioShock 4will likely be its own story that will involve the lore of previous titles, but eachBioShockinstallment is worthy of multiple visits. After playing through them, gamers have a long list of excitingly similar games to sink their teeth into.
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Prey
Preyhad fans ofBioShockraving when Arkane Studios released it in 2017, as it felt like it could be the next installment in the franchise.Topping UK game sales,Preyis usually described as “BioShockin space,” and it’s easy to see why.
The style, interface, and even puzzles required to unlock doors feel and look likeBioShock. However, it does stand alone as its own game and never really crosses the line in terms of feeling like it’s copyingBioShock.Prey’s immersive story and brilliant environments coupled with tremendous RPG elements culminate into an experience that can be considered one of thebest shooter games of 2017.
Dishonored
Dishonoredis an action-adventure game developed by Arkane Studios in 2012, and it follows the story of a bodyguard to the Empress of the Isles named Corvo Attano. Set in the plagued fictional city of Dunwall, Attano is framed for the Empress’ murder and forced to become an assassin to enact his revenge on the people who conspired against him. Players will experience a range of fun weapons and magical abilities, as well as satisfying confrontations with the iconic tallboys.Dishonored’s hidden details, Easter eggs, and explorable world make it an endlessly replayable title.
Dishonoredwas released shortly beforeBioShock Infinite,and both games have about an equal number of commonalities and differences. Both games have steampunk-influenced settings, stylized Unreal Engine art direction, environmental storytelling, supernatural elements mixed with gory violence, mechanical enemies, and similar battle mechanics. However, there are subtle nuanced differences the titles can proudly stand alone in any gamer’s collection. Plus,Dishonoredfeatures Carrie Fisherin a cameo that is cause enough to give this game a look.
Metro
In each of its three games (Metro 2033,Metro: Last Light,andMetro Exodus), the action is set in the fictional post-apocalyptic Moscow of Glukhovsky’s original novel. Players are taken through a wide variety of areas in each game, often meeting other survivors of the nuclear fallout forced to live in metro tunnels. Although this game franchise is only really likeBioShock,Metrois an exciting adventure that allows players to get mixed up in riots between Nazis and Communists, only to discover supernatural secrets that can potentially wreak havoc in an already war-torn country.
Afilm adaptation ofMetro 2033is currently in production.
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Half-Life 2
Half-Life 2is regularly hailed as one of the greatest games of all time by fans. Players have been dying for athird installment ofHalf-Life, and part of that is due to prior successes. Developed by Valve in 2004,Half-Life 2improves many familiar aspects from its predecessor including shooting, puzzles, and storytelling, and adds new features such as vehicles and physics-based gameplay. Players enter the mysterious setting of City 17 as Gordon Freeman with a mission to fight the alien Combine alongside a cast of allies, all while wielding the iconic object-manipulating gravity gun.
The beginning ofHalf-Life 2is very similar toBioShock, and fans will notice echoes ofHalf-Life’s influence on the genre throughout each installment ofBioShock. The world ofHalf-Life 2has descended into a brutal police state and, likeBioShock,begins by throwing players into extreme danger with an incredibly cinematic opening sequence. Hopefully, someday fans will at least get to see what could come from athird episode ofHalf-Life 2, whether in that form or in another.
Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4is one of the highest-rated installments of theResident Evilfranchise, and it regularly holds the number one spot in ranking lists. The franchise’s newest installmentResident Evil Villageis very similar toResident Evil 4, and it seems the franchise is reclaiming its spot in the horror genre.Resident Evil 4allowed players to run around the dark woods of Spain while searching for the president’s daughter in a gameplay experience that has hooked thousands of fans and served as an entry point for most players into the franchise.
One of the greatest reasonsBioShockfans might be interested inResident Evil 4is the fact that the creative director ofBioShock Infinite,Ken Levine, revealed thatResident Evil 4served as an influence on the battle mechanics of his game. The way thatResident Evil 4incorporates environment into the battle scenes by sending players through windows, climbing up ladders, knocking ladders over, climbing on top of roofs, and using traps gave theBioShock Infinitedevelopment team a wealth of ideas for new gameplay mechanics for which everyBioShockfan should be grateful.
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