Having been able to go behind closed doors to see a presentation of BioShock Infinite, I must say I was very pleased with what I saw. Seeing the main character sore through the air in a colorful sky world was very surreal. Yet, at the same time, I couldn't help but wonder what this game had to do with the BioShock franchise. Outside from similar powers and abilities, there didn't seem to be too much tying this semi sequel to the 2007 smash hit. With that said, I break down what's different about this game.

1. Different world

Getting the most obvious difference out of the way is the fact that BioShock Infinite does not take place in Rapture underwater. Taking place in the floating sky world of Columbia, BioShock Infinite has players using zip-line devices to traverse across the seemingly more open map. From what I've seen of the game, it's much less corridor-filled when compared to the original.

Visually, the world looks a lot more bright and colorful, even a bit more cartoon-like in comparison. For those who weren't too big on Rapture's grim, dark universe, there's something for you here.

2. You get a female character companion

In the original BioShock, you lone-wolfed it through most of the game. This is not so in BioShock Infinite as you'll be joined by Elizabeth, which is similar to your Alyx Vance (Half-Life 2) of the game. However, unlike Alyx, it seems like she's more of someone who you're supposed to help as opposed to someone who is helping you. While Elizabeth seems to have powers (she is able to seemingly rip open parallel dimensions on), she isn't able to control them. Furthermore, she is being chased by a big giant mech bird known only as "Songbird." Songbird seemingly acts as her slaver, it is both very protective of her yet constrictive and snatches her back from you as you attempt to allow her to escape. In the demo presenation, as soon as Songbird captures her back, it is about to kill you, but Elizabeth pleads to the massive creature to spare your life.

3. No Big Daddies/no Little Sisters

It seems like the Big Daddy/Little Sister mechanic has been replaced by the dynamism of Elizabeth and the Songbird. Plus, it wouldn't make much sense for big hulking scuba diving dudes to be walking around on air ships...

4. Your character talks

Gone is the silent protagonist from the original BioShock. In this game you play as Booker DeWitt, a disgraced former private detective. From what I've seen of the game, expect a lot of banter between DeWitt and Elizabeth.

5. Enemies don't look mutilated

While the enemies are still pretty strange, crazy, and possess special powers, they don't appear to look nearly as deranged or as mutilated as their BioShock 1 splicer counterparts.

So there you have it, 5 different ways how BioShock Infinite is different from the original game. Whether or not this game has any ties with BioShock 1 remains to be seen. But even with these changes, the game still looks awesome and I can't wait to play it when it comes out in 2012.