*Spoilers for Bioshock and Bioshock Infinite ahead*
As Irrational Games’ numbered days grow shorter and shorter, it seems they’re still not giving up on their fanbase – in particular their incredibly successful franchise, Bioshock.
Last night this picture was shared on Facebook, teasing players with a devious hint at what characters might be featured in the upcoming DLC for Bioshock Infinite, Burial at Sea – Episode 2. Popularity for the second sequence in Infinite’s story-based DLC has been steadily rising over the last few weeks, with many players speculating as to where the plot could be headed. As is tradition in the Bioshock universe (or multiverse), it’ll be impossible to tell what’s going to happen, but theories and possible storylines continue to blossom with every new screenshot and trailer released.
This latest tease – a curiously dark figure standing in shadow – likely indicates the return of one of several highly regarded characters. But just whom might Elizabeth cross paths with in the underwater paradise? In trailer of the DLC we saw both Atlas, a character we’ve never actually seen in-game before, and Booker, who appeared to be some sort of apparition only Elizabeth could see. There are several other potentials as to who the shadowed silhouette is, but these two are certainly the most probable candidates. Ken Levine has stated that memorable characters from both Bioshock and Bioshock Infinite will be returning, so there are plenty of possibilities as to who it might be.
With this being the last of the Infinite story-arc, and with Irrational Games on the verge of dismemberment, Episode 2 is guaranteed to satisfy player’s curiosity. The future of Bioshock is – somewhat ironically – uncertain, so it’s worth a look back at who might appear in Episode 2 to see off the adventures of our favourite tear-opening, skyhook-wielding heroes.
Atlas – who we’re all excited to finally meet in the flesh – has been a fan favorite since the early days of Bioshock. After all, it’s he who says the memorable and plot-twisting line “would you kindly?” Personally, I think it’s a very wise choice to include this two-(or more)-faced character in the DLC, and it provides an enticing puzzle as to what might happen with the plot. We all know who he really is under that surgically reconstructed face, so it’ll be interesting to see how Levine plans to surprise us. Frank Fontaine might have had more masks than just Atlas, and the con-artist entrepreneur will no doubt see opportunity in the unfolding events.
On the other hand, Booker DeWitt – or, if you like, Comstock – is more than likely going to play a large part in the culmination of Infinite’s story. In Burial at Sea – Episode 1, it was Elizabeth who knew more than she was letting on, but now it appears to be the other way around. With Booker, in the trailer, giving Elizabeth the information she needs to get out a sticky situation, it’s an incredibly curious role-reversal to experience. Whatever Booker’s game is, this will be the third version we’ve seen of him, and whether or not he’ll continue to be some sort of vision only observable by Elizabeth is yet to be seen. The big question to ask here is; how can Booker/Comstock find resolution?
Levine has also put it on the record that the imposing, elitist personality of Andrew Ryan will also play a part in Burial at Sea – Episode 2, but to what degree remains uncertain. We know he’s aware of Elizabeth’s presence in Rapture, and it’s safe to say he won’t take too kindly to her intrusion, but whether he’ll appear in person is doubtful. Still, it’s another great choice of casting to bring Ryan into the fray, especially since we didn’t get to hear more from him in Bioshock 2 – barring audio tapes. As the icon of Rapture, it’s only fitting we have him hounding our every move.
Even wilder speculations as to who might feature in Burial at Sea point to Jack, the playable protagonist from the first game. While he might seem like an intriguing inclusion, it’s unlikely in my opinion that we’ll see him – at least playing a significant role anyway. Jack will only just be in the process of being ‘grown’ at the time the game is set, and Levine might consider it too much of a gimmick to include him as an important character. Then again, never say never with a Bioshock title, and it’s important to remember that this isn’t the Rapture we knew from the first game – events could play out very differently for all we know.
A personality we didn’t get to know as well as I’d hoped in Infinite was that of the industrialist, Jerimiah Fink. It’s mentioned in an audio tape made by Suchong found in Episode 1 that he’s operating in Rapture and has made a drinkable kind of plasmid; otherwise know to us as vigours. Having had only brief encounters with him in Columbia, I think it’d be exciting to see how he reacts to the ‘build as you please’ nature of Rapture, especially considering his odd sense of morality. We know Fink exploited his workers in Columbia without much regret, so what possible acts of depravity he might be committing in Rapture is anyone’s guess.