Highlights
- BioShock 4, the upcoming installment in the series, is still in development and details about its gameplay are scarce, but Plasmids are expected to be a core component.
- Rumors suggest that BioShock 4 will have a more open-world structure, which opens up possibilities for new gameplay mechanics and features with Plasmids.
- Many potential Plasmid abilities that could be introduced in BioShock 4, including X-Ray Vision, Slow/Stop Time, Age/De-Age, Invisibility, and Teleportation.
BioShock is known and respected for significantly advancing gaming in numerous ways. From BioShock‘s philosophical explorations of human nature and related moral dilemmas, to its meta story twists commenting upon the medium itself, the series has indelibly left its mark on the industry. The original title was a spiritual successor to System Shock, itself a landmark series, and which combined emerging immersive sim design and RPG elements in an innovative way that many modern games still aim to replicate. BioShock‘s gameplay channeled this in the form of its iconic Plasmids, endowing players with powers like shooting lighting and mind-controlling enemies. They were also integral in dealing with specific environmental obstacles.
The next official title, BioShock 4, is still quite a way out at this point according to current information. Though rumors and leaks have revealed little about its gameplay, it’s a safe bet that Plasmids will still be a core component. Another detail also suggests it will be moving to a more fully open-world structure, which creates many possibilities to shake things up in its formula with them. BS4, then, can take a few cues from other games with its Plasmids to keep them feeling fresh in the latest entry.
5 Plasmids and Vigors From Past Games That Should Return in BioShock 4
The BioShock series has always been defined by signature powers in the form of both Plasmids and Vigors, some of which should be in the next entry.
5 Perfect Plasmid Possibilities For BioShock 4
X-Ray Vision
A staple in many stealth games, perhaps the first franchise to make great use of X-Ray vision is the Batman Arkham series. Though BioShock has traditionally been more action-oriented, if it does move into a wider sandbox, the ability to see through walls, enemy locations, travel paths, as well as other objects and resources would be a great tool to introduce in BS4.
Slow/Stop Time
Also seen in many previous games, such as one of Cal Kestis’ Force powers in Star Wars Jedi Survivor, slowing or stopping time provides a variety of options in many situations. Even if BioShock 4 stays more on the intense side of combat, a slow or stop time power would allow players some breathing room in hectic situations, as well as intrinsically being a fun power to play with.
Age/De-Age
Singularity, a game that takes heavy inspiration from BioShock, included age manipulation as a core power. Aging and de-aging foes made for both an incredibly gruesome spectacle and an efficient way of dealing with them. That wasn’t its only use, however, as aging and de-aging played a big part in exploration and progression. Similarly, this ability would also lend itself well to level and puzzle design in BS4, as players could use it to manipulate the environment or find extra items.
Invisibility
While invisibility was technically already available, it wasn’t a standard Plasmid. Instead, it was an easily missed tonic, only acquired if players researched BioShock’s Houdini splicers enough. Additionally, it only worked when staying completely still, and was thus limited in usefulness. Giving players at least a small window of invisibility with movement creates space for more agency and creativity, especially if BioShock 4 provides more stealth-based scenarios like Infinite’s Burial at Sea DLC.
Teleport
Teleporting is an all-around useful power in almost any game that features it. A great example is Blink, one of the best powers in Dishonored. Its simplicity combined with its versatility create a range of options for both offensive and defensive strategies, and gives it an edge over many other choices. If BioShock 4 is leaning into open-world design, a teleport plasmid would be a must-have.
BioShock 1 was supposed to have a teleport plasmid, but it was cut from the final version.
Bioshock 4
- Franchise
- BioShock
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PC
- Developer(s)
- Cloud Chamber
- Publisher(s)
- 2K Games
- Genre(s)
- FPS
