- For the multiplayer level, see Arcadia (BioShock 2 Multiplayer).
- “Today Arcadia was closed off to all but paying customers. The man hires me to build a forest at the bottom of the ocean, and then turns a walk in the woods into a luxury.”
- ― Julie Langford
Arcadia is the fifth area Jack ventures to in BioShock. Here, the player will do battle with new and disturbing Houdini Splicers, and fight for survival within its simulated natural spaces.
History
Arcadia is the living, breathing heart of Rapture. Its lush forests and abundant plant life served to generate life-sustaining oxygen the city needed. It was a tranquil haven for those seeking a respite from the daily rigors of city life, to unwind and relax in solitude amongst the many trees and hills. Vacationers seeking something more relaxing than the flashing lights of Fort Frolic could find peace and serenity in the lovely Waterfall Grotto, Tea Garden, and other havens beneath the canopy of trees.
Arcadia was created by botanical scientists on Ryan's payroll, most notably Julie Langford. Langford helped create Arcadia and its agricultural research facility, and later used ADAM to grow plants and trees. For a time, Arcadia was a free park for the citizens of Rapture. Before Rapture collapsed, Andrew Ryan closed Arcadia to all but paying customers, as he believed the service it provided warranted payment.
BioShock
- Main article: BioShock
Tea Garden
The Tea Garden was one of the calmest places in Rapture. Nothing got the betties in the mood better than a night-time stroll in the Arcadia Tea garden. Rolling hills, admirable waterfalls, a calm stream, dim light, and a perfect atmosphere were all part of the Garden's allure. After the fall of Rapture, the Tea Garden's customers were kept away by the growing civil strife.
Tree Farm
The Tree Farm was a place where citizens could see trees and farm plants growing under the ocean. Situated next the entrance gates to Arcadia, it was nigh impossible to miss. By the end of the Civil War, the area was in disuse and became overgrown, making it nearly inaccessible with a growth of vines keeping the doors shut.
Arcadia Glens
Arcadia Glens was the main hub of Arcadia. From the Glens, visitors could reach the Waterfall Grotto, the Rolling Hills, the Tea Garden and the Tree Farm. It consists of a long concourse running through Arcadia, connecting with lower paths where water was circulated through the various areas.
Waterfall Grotto
The Waterfall Grotto is one of the more impressive areas in Arcadia. Like the rest of Arcadia, it has fallen into disorder. Its former glory is barely visible beneath the plant growth, rubble, flood-water, and shadows. The Rosa Gallica is one of the rare plants that bloomed there.
Rolling Hills
The Rolling Hills was another place citizens of Rapture could relax and enjoy the serenity of the verdant park. As the name suggests, the Rolling Hills' features a smooth hilly landscape. With its abundance of trees and foliage, it is one of the best places to have a walk in the "woods" of Rapture.
Research Laboratories
The Research Center, supervised by Julie Langford, was an important place for botanical research in Rapture. Despite lockdown of the bathyspheres and growing dangers in Rapture, Langford continued to conduct her research here under contract with Ryan Industries. She had high security systems installed to keep Splicers out, and to ward off the members of the Saturnine cult. The Central Misting Control for both Arcadia and the Farmer's Market was situated in Langford's Office, which overlooks the Rolling Hills.
Burial at Sea - Episode 1 and Episode 2
- Main article: Burial at Sea (DLC)
Arcadia is referenced in both of BioShock Infinite's story-driven downloadable contents, Burial at Sea - Episode 1 and Episode 2. It is mentioned in a reused public address announcement heard throughout the levels and can be seen on several consumables, showing products from cereals to vegetables were grown there. Booker DeWitt implies in Episode 1, that Arcadia had secluded cabins. Recreational lodgings such as these would further Arcadia's reputation as a scenic vacation destination.
Map
Station
Machine
Garden
Bank
Panel
Station
Diary
Tonic
Tonic
Tonic
New Discoveries
Single Use Events
- There is 1 Power to the People vending machine
New Weaponry
New Plasmids and Tonics (Found)
- Security Evasion - Waterfall Grotto.
- Hacking Expert - On a desk in the entrance of the Research Laboratories.
New Plasmids and Tonics (Available at a Gatherer's Garden)
- Combat Tonic Slot - Price: 80 ADAM
- Cyclone Trap - Price: 60 ADAM
- Electro Bolt 2 - Price: 120 ADAM
- EVE Saver - Price: 1 ADAM
- Engineering Tonic Slot - Price: 80 ADAM
- Human Inferno - Price: 20 ADAM
- Physical Tonic Slot - Price: 80 ADAM
- Vending Expert - Price: 1 ADAM
New Enemies
Coded Doors/Safes
- Langford's Office, 9457
Audio Diaries
- Bill McDonagh - Seeing Ghosts
- Dieter Sonnekalb - Big Night Out
- Brigid Tenenbaum - Mass Producing ADAM
- Julie Langford - Arcadia Closed
- Julie Langford - The Saturnine
- Mariska Lutz - Shouldn't Have Come
- Andrew Ryan - The Market is Patient
- Julie Langford - Early Tests Promising
- Andrew Ryan - Offer a Better Product
- Diane McClintock - Heroes and Criminals
- Julie Langford - What Won't They Steal
- Julie Langford - Teaching an Old Hound
- Julie Langford - Lazarus Vector Formula
- Julie Langford - The Lazarus Vector
- Julie Langford - Arcadia and Oxygen
- Brigid Tenenbaum - Maternal Instinct
- Andrew Ryan - The Great Chain
Walkthrough
Extended Walkthrough |
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Entry Passage
Tea Garden
Arcadia Glens
Rapture Metro Connector
Lower Concourse
Waterfall Grotto
Rolling Hills
Research Laboratories
Waterfall Grotto, 2nd Visit
Research Labs
Tree Farm
Research Laboratories
Additional detailed advice: It is a good idea to set up Proximity Mines around the entrances before starting the battle as Atlas will send 6 down the pneumo tube, but make sure not to put any in the Big Daddy's path. On harder difficulty settings using cyclone traps is also a good idea. Put cyclone traps in front of the two locked doors; one near the Vita-Chamber and the other next to the Turret in the other room to take out the first attackers. There are also numerous gas tanks and oil barrels around the labs that can be placed in strategic positions to the player's advantage. Placing a Proximity Mine in the corner between the Vita-Chamber and the door in the raised room by the Bot Shutdown Panel will take out the first Houdini Splicer as soon as it appears. |
Gallery
Signs and Advertisements
In-Game Images
Behind the Scenes
- The level name "Arcadia" was inspired by the Latin phrase "Et in Arcadia ego", which translates to "Even in Arcadia I exist" spoken by Death personified.[1] The Utopian vision, Arcadia, is associated with bountiful natural splendor and harmony,[2] so the phrase is a reminder that even in paradise things die, which ironically could be a reference to Rapture itself. Early in development for the level Andrew Ryan was intended to say this phrase just before releasing the poison into the level. The line was later cut, but the name of the level remained.[3]
- When the level Arcadia was made, the artists developing it utilized code from a previously removed feature of the game. This feature was originally intended to change lighting, fog, etc. in relation to the pressure of the area the player was in. The artists used the remaining code for the events such as the dying and revival of the trees.[4]
- Some may speculate that the Rapture Metro station situated within the grounds of Arcadia served as the main entrance to the area before the entry fee was implemented. The reason for this is that there is no ticket booth found near the Metro doorway. After the entrance fee was introduced it would seem that the main entry point to Arcadia was through Farmer's Market, seeing as a ticket booth was constructed just outside.
- One may also notice that no bathysphere station is evident throughout the layout of Farmer's Market in BioShock. However, an entrance to one is present in the retooled Multiplayer version of the map.
- The suspended water wheels in the Waterfall Grotto can be interacted with, by using Telekinesis to throw an object for example.
References
- ↑ "Et in Arcadia ego" on Wikipedia
- ↑ Arcadia on Wikipedia
- ↑ "Arcadia Demade", designer commentary by BioShock developer Jean-Paul LeBreton on his blog, vectorpoem.com
- ↑ "Five Cut Features" article on IrrationalGames.com