It looks to be a long wait before 'BioShock 4,' so for now, discover these similar games to that franchise to help pass the time.
BioShock
2K GamesBioShock was ahead of its time when it was released in 2007. Set in the crumbling, underwater city of Rapture, the game boasts one of the most unique environments in all of gaming — not to mention a memorable story, tight gameplay, and surprisingly great graphics.
The chilling world of BioShock was given a sequel a few years later (BioShock 2), treating fans to more background about its frenzied Splicers, foreboding Big Daddies, and nightmare-inducing Little Sisters. There is also a fast-paced multiplayer mode that pits you against other genetically modified Splicers, giving fans a fun diversion from the demanding single-player campaign.
Instead of returning to Rapture yet again, the third installment, BioShock Infinite, takes the series to the floating world of Columbia. The same aspects that make the first two games so compelling are here in spades (that is, fast-paced gunplay, an eerie atmosphere, and a chilling narrative), and the jump to a new world helped it earn a stellar 96 Metascore.
BioShock 4 is confirmed to be in development, but few details have been announced since its reveal in 2019. There's also no official release date for the highly anticipated title. That means BioShock fans might have a long wait ahead of them before jumping back into its dystopian world. However, there are plenty of similar games that can help pass the time. Whether you're looking for another fun FPS or something with an unforgettable setting, there's a great game that'll fit the bill.
Here are 10 games like BioShock to play next, listed by Metascore.
System Shock 2
EAMetascore: 92
Best for: Fans of old-school FPS games
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System Shock 2 was released more than 20 years ago, yet its meticulous game design has held up remarkably well. The classic game merges FPS combat with RPG progression, offering a robust gameplay experience that even some modern games struggle to match. The futuristic storyline has you trying to discover what happened to the Von Braun starship. After awakening from your cryochamber, you're greeted with hordes of infected, hostile crew members. What follows is a disturbing yet memorable story that's only made better by its visceral gameplay and branching skill trees.
"Irrational Games and Looking Glass have produced one of the best games I've ever played. System Shock 2 is truly scary, smart, challenging, fascinating, and disturbing." — Just Adventure
Deathloop
Bethesda SoftworksMetascore: 88
Best for: Fans of roguelites and time-looping mayhem
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This strategic shooter sees you reliving the same day every time the sun sets. To break free from the loop, you'll need to eliminate eight high-value targets (called Visionaries) in a single day. You'll have access to a deep roster of supernatural abilities and high-powered weapons to help, and you can even carry some of these over from one loop to the next. Aside from its innovative premise, the game is a blast to play, thanks to tight FPS mechanics, striking visuals, and plenty of lore to discover as you explore Blackreef.
"Deathloop takes elements from games like BioShock and Dishonored, combining them with a Groundhog Day like timeloop to create the… best game of the year." — GameSkinny
Dishonored 2
Arkane StudiosMetascore: 88
Best for: Fans of immersive sims
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Dishonored 2 takes place more than a decade after the original (Dishonored), although you'll once again step into the shoes of Corvo. Emily Kaldwin, Empress of the Isles, is also playable this time around, offering a few unique skills that change up your playstyle. Regardless of which you opt for, you'll be treated to an immersive sim that's at the top of its class. You're given a task to accomplish on each level, although you're able to tackle it as you see fit. Whether you decide to tear through enemies at close range, pick them off from a distance, or sneak by undetected is up to you.
"That its mechanics slot so naturally into its environment, giving players the freedom and choice to explore, influence and infiltrate means that Dishonored 2 represents the very best gaming has to offer." — Telegraph
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Bethesda SoftworksMetascore: 87
Best for: Fans of fast, ultra-violent combat
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Set in a fictionalized version of 1961, you'll jump into the bloody boots of BJ Blazkowicz as he fights off a Nazi invasion of the United States. The universe it cultivates is twisted and unsettling, and meshes well with its gruesome, fast-paced FPS action. Beyond the usual assortment of firearms, the Wolfenstein universe is teeming with futuristic gadgets such as the Laserkraftwerk, a weapon that fires lasers and incinerates anything it touches. When you're not mowing down legions of enemies, you'll be treated to a nuanced story that carries the action forward with a deft hand.
"Brutal, absurd, clever, insightful and touching, The New Colossus is a rollicking adventure that has reset the bar for what first person shooters can, and should, be." — PSX Extreme
Amnesia: The Dark Descent
Frictional GamesMetascore: 85
Best for: Fans of survival horror games
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Amnesia: The Dark Descent is the most terrifying game on this list. Its atmosphere is even more unsettling than that of BioShock, and as a true horror game, it's not afraid to constantly run you through nightmare-inducing scenarios. There's very little combat in the game, as you'll instead be trying to figure out where you are, how you got there, and what you can do to make it out alive. You'll need to get creative to avoid being detected, but fans of incredible world-building will find much to love about this haunting experience.
"It was without a doubt one of the most difficult, draining, and stressful gaming experiences I have ever had, but it's also an absolute masterpiece." — GameCritics
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Square EnixMetascore: 84
Best for: Fans of dystopian storylines
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Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is set in the dystopian year of 2029. Humans with mechanical augments have become outcasts, including its main character, Adam Jensen. You'll navigate this world as Adam, as he slowly unravels a sweeping conspiracy that could put the future of the world at risk. How the game plays out is largely left up to you, as you can either sneak around enemies or charge in with overpowered guns. There's also a useful melee takedown system that can help you quickly take down enemies if you can get close enough.
"A wonderful, powerful game and a great addition to the Deus Ex mythos with rich, fully built characters and an amazingly immersive world." — GameGrin
Fallout: New Vegas
Bethesda SoftworksMetascore: 84
Best for: Fans of open-world adventures
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Fallout: New Vegas isn't the most recent Fallout game (that title belongs to Fallout 4), but its top-notch writing and world building are all but guaranteed to click with BioShock fans. You'll set out on a simple courier mission — only to be ambushed, shot, and left for dead in the desert. What follows is more than a straightforward revenge tale, as you're free to explore the world as you see fit. Rob storefronts, gamble at casinos, or dive into one of dozens of side quests. The main story will take around 20 hours to complete, but there's enough content in New Vegas to keep you coming back for years.
"Fallout: New Vegas marries the best of Bethesda's open world tradition with Obsidian's excellent storytelling, writing, and quest design." — Gamer.no
Metro Exodus
Deep Silver/Koch MediaMetascore: 82
Best for: Fans of terrifying, atmospheric shooters
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS4, Stadia, XB1
This post-apocalyptic tale takes place in the metro tunnels below Moscow, where a small band of humans are riding out the end of the world. Each mission you undertake gives you access to a non-linear map, although each one is more daunting than the last. Metro Exodus is technically an FPS, although you won't be running around unloading hundreds of bullets into your enemies. Instead, it blends horror and survival tropes into the mix —meaning you'll be scrounging for ammo and fending off deadly creatures that are trying to bring an end to humanity.
"A fantastic single-player story-driven shooter. An experience that lives up to its ambition and promise, offering challenge and surprise in equal measure." — AusGamers
Prey
Bethesda SoftworksMetascore: 79
Best for: Fans of mysterious narratives and innovative combat
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After Deathloop and Dishonored, Prey is Arkane's third entry on this list, and for good reason: The developer excels at crafting living, breathing worlds, and ones that any BioShock fan can appreciate. Prey takes place on a space station orbiting the moon, although an invasion of hostile aliens has turned the peaceful base into a nightmarish wasteland. You'll slowly unlock a variety of powerful abilities that can help you thwart the alien attack. The narrative is compelling on its own, although if you're willing to venture off the beaten path you'll find plenty of extra bits of lore scattered throughout the dark corners of the Talos I space station.
"Prey's systems collide delightfully as the player moves through its magnificently designed interiors, and the stories within are also something extraordinary. Hunt it down with haste." — Gameplanet
We Happy Few
GearboxMetascore: 62
Best for: Exploring an unsettling world with memorable characters
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS4, XB1
We Happy Few throws you into an alternate version 1960 England, with its citizens wholly consumed by a slew of intoxicating drugs. Your goal is to escape this world and its rulers — either by fighting back or blending in with all the other "happy" citizens. The story jumps between three different characters, giving you multiple viewpoints of its trippy world and offering a variety of ways to play. The map of Wellington Wells is also procedurally generated, meaning there's nearly limitless replayability for those who enjoy what it has to offer. Reviews for We Happy Few are mixed, but anyone who loved BioShock for its unique setting will undoubtedly enjoy what this twisted game has to offer.
"If you can muster the strength to get past its janky gameplay, there's a whole lot to love here in the world and characters. But the fact remains that this adventure is one that could have used a bit more refinement." — GameSpace