inFamous is the first PS3 game from Sucker Punch, the developers of the Sly Cooper games back on the PS2. It places you as Cole MacGrath, an everyday delivery boy, in Empire City, until a huge explosion devastates the city and mysteriously gifts you with extraordinary powers, namely, the ability to manipulate electricity. This may sound like an odd choice by Sucker Punch but there are many new and inventive uses, ranging from the standard lightning bolt to throwing sticky electric grenades or using static thrusters to propel yourself through the air. Cole’s electric powers also play into many of the story missions. For example, charging generators or powering trains, however, unlike the Duracell bunny, you will eventually run out and will need to recharge your powers by draining energy from pretty much anything in the city that looks electrical. This also replenishes your health so it’s a good idea to look out for obvious points when you’re engaging enemies.
How you use these new abilities is up to you and will have dramatic affects whether you decide to be the city’s hero or use your powers selfishly. These moral choices range from subtle actions, such as choosing to restrain a fallen enemy or drain them for energy, to risking your life neutralising a bomb or simply leaving it to explode. Different powers and upgrades will become available for each path and add a lot of replay value once you finish the game. Along with completing side quests, finding hidden blast shards and listening to audio clues scattered throughout Empire City, all of which adds to make inFamous a deep, enjoyable experience.
As would be expected, given Sucker Punch’s history with platforming titles, Cole can effortlessly jump and climb his way through the city. If it looks like you can climb it, simply manoeuvre yourself in the right direction and Cole will automatically latch on to ledges, poles and other structural objects. This combined with some of the powers unlocked later in the game, such as grinding on electric wires and gliding through the air, and you will have no problem getting from point-to-point at speed.
inFamous is an open world game, so you can explore as much as you wish before deciding to take on the main story missions, or looking into some of the various side quests - protecting citizens from being rounded up by thugs or using your powers to show-off while a photographer takes a few pics of you in action. Completing these side quests will grant you with experience points which can be used to upgrade your abilities and will reduce criminal activity in that area as you progressively take back Empire City.The story revolves around unravelling the mystery of the explosion that set the game’s events in motion. The game takes on many twists and turns before the final revelation, and is much more engaging than you might expect. Cole may seem like another gruff generic character, but as you play he becomes more identifiable, and the hardships he endures add to the emotional experience. Most of the story unravels through stylish graphic novel-style cut-scenes or through phone calls between Cole and his various contacts. The voice acting is well delivered and the cut-scenes are unique and enjoyable to watch.
Graphically inFamous stands up well and is easily one of the best looking open world games this generation. Cole’s electric powers are visually spectacular and the platforming animations are top notch. Also, Empire City comes to life with great lighting and attention to detail - destroyed buildings, burnt-out cars, and pedestrians huddling round fires and looking through trash cans. You really get the feeling that the city is in despair, in desperate need of help. However, there are a few issues with pop-up and some rough enemy character models, but as a whole, inFamous looks and feels superb.inFamous is easily the best superhero game since the glory days of Spider-Man 2 on the PS2. There’s nowhere in Empire City you can’t explore, citizens will cheer you for heroic actions and run in fear if you choose to betray them, and the appearance of the city will change depending on your actions. It is this interaction with the world around you that defines inFamous and makes it an enjoyable, engaging experience. A definite must-have for any PS3 owner.
Format: PS3 Dev: Sucker Punch Pub: Sony Out: 29/05/09 Players: 1
Stuart Kent
