Bioshock is the third (and likely final) entry in 2K/Irrational’s genre-bending FPS series. Infinite leaves the sunken dystopia of Rapture behind for the beautiful sky-island of Columbia. Players take control of former Pinkerton agent turned Private investigator Booker Dewitt as he infiltrates the island in search of a young woman with mysterious abilities. Of course the mission is anything but easy, as the island’s inhabitants and ruler Comstock exhibit the worst of early 20th century racism, sexism, and xenophobia. That’s not even mentioning the civil war taking place on the island and the nightmarish human/robotic amalgamations you’ll be doing battle with.
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Welcome, Poweteers, to a brand new original column where we explore the top (and bottom) 5 items we think are relevant to any of a variety of topics that span the imagination. Sit back, read, and respond!

David Beckham is being substituted for Wayne Rooney. What this has to do with video games, I have no idea.

Sometimes in video games, the best way to experience a story is through the eyes of someone else. It’s even better when it’s unexpected. This top five celebrates 5 of the best surprise substitutions in video game history. It goes without saying that there are major spoilers ahead. To qualify, the substitution must not be hinted at early on (a’la Big Boss in metal Gear Solid 3), and must be part of the game’s canon storyline. So games where you choose between two people from the start (Resident Evil 1) don’t count, neither do secret characters (such as Richter and Maria in Castlevania: Potrait of Ruin).
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If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s what 2k Interactive (standing in for Irrational) must have been thinking when making this follow up to one of 2007’s most beloved new IPs. Bioshock 2 is more of the same, but when the original was as good as it was, fans won’t mind.
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If you want the original game footage without our comments (if you missed it the first time), you can Watch 15 Minutes of Bioshock Infinite NOW. Enjoy.

Future Powetracks will include commentary on full legnth movies, the first planned is Masters of the Universe, the original 1987 live action film based on the popular He-Man action figures. Order up your DVD now, the commentary track will be available next month!

Be sure to leave a comment with your thoughts on Bioshock Infinite and Powetracks!

Irrational Games gave us a tiny slice of Bioshock Infinite, their follow up to the original, at E3 last month. Behind closed doors, they showed invited guests more than the 90 second teaser, but 15 minutes of gameplay. Showcasing not only the action (which is crazy!) but the characters of the game (who are interesting!). New powers are expected, but this scene truly shows how special Elizabeth is. Also, the ‘big daddy’ of this game is called the Song Bird and he’s pretty awesome looking.

If this early look is willing to spill this much of the game out in front of us, I think we can expect a lot of surprises in the final release, due in 2012.

Moving beyond the underwater world of Rapture, Bioshock Infinite rolls the clock back to 1912 in the flying city of Columbia. Irrational Games, devlopers of the original Bioshock, have been hard at work on the title for some time now, though they do not plan to release it until 2012.

What do you think? Are ready to leave Rapture for an even crazier setting? Will the next Bioshock go underground or in space?