System Shock: The Predecessor to Bioshock

In the year 2072, players take on the role of a hacker who has been arrested while stealing information about Citadel Station, a space station owned by TriOptimum Corporation. After being put into a coma for several months, they awaken to find that SHODAN, an AI that runs the station, has taken over and is no longer bound by its ethical limitations.

The player character is offered a neutral implant as a reward by one of TriOptimum's top executives, Edward Diego, who makes them an offer they can't refuse. The goal of the game is to hack into SHODAN, a sentient AI that controls the station, in order to regain control and free the hostages.

The similarities between System Shock and Bioshock are striking, from their atmospheric settings to elements of their plots and even the execution of those plots within the game. System Shock, considered a spiritual successor to Bioshock, shares many characteristics with its underwater counterpart, including its exploration of themes such as artificial intelligence and humanity's relationship with technology.

While BioShock 4 is reportedly in development at Cloud Chamber, the setting and story of the next game have yet to be revealed. However, fans who are excited about the idea of a Bioshock game set in space may find some solace in knowing that space could be a natural third option for the fourth game's setting. After all, BioShock has already explored underwater and floating city environments, so space would seem like a logical next step.

In fact, actor Shannon Woodward from The Last of Us 2 has expressed interest in the next Bioshock game being set in space, which could be an indication that the developers are considering this direction. Regardless, System Shock remains a classic game that is still worth playing 27 years after its release, and its similarities to Bioshock make it clear why it's considered a spiritual predecessor to the series.

System shock predecessor to bioshock