User Review : inFamous: Second Son

Power Never Looked So Good

I never thought I would be writing a review for another inFAMOUS game after the events of inFAMOUS 2 but somehow Sucker Punch managed to carry on with their new entry being released on the PS4. inFAMOUS: Second Son leaves Cole, Zeke and New Marais/Empire City behind and instead follows a new protagonist named Delsin Rowe (voiced by Troy Baker) and his brother called Reggie (voiced by Travis Willingham) seven years after inFAMOUS 2. Delsin is a conduit who has the ability to absorb other conduit’s powers. This ability leads him to Seattle where he must take on a conduit by the name of Brooke Augustine (voice by Christine Dunford) who has locked down the city and is rounding up other conduits with her Department of Unified Protection (DUP).

A new setting with new characters definitely has its perks. It allows the developers to expand the story beyond what Cole’s cannon could ever have done. The problem is Sucker Punch never really expanded or improved upon mistakes within Cole’s story. Instead the story feels extremely familiar. You have your side kick (your brother), you meet different conduits (like we saw in inFAMOUS 2) and there is a big boss with a lot off power (again like we saw in inFAMOUS 2). The story is also very formulaic. You have the starter/first act (the reason for going to Seattle which kind of gets ignored later on in the game); then the second act is split up into two parts (meeting two different conduits) but each encounter follows the same formula; then we have the final, big bass battle, act. It is too simplistic which is a shame since inFAMOUS 2 had a wonderful story with two equally powerful endings. inFAMOUS: Second Son’s story just felt like a step back.

Saying that, Sucker Punch has improved certain aspects of the series with inFAMOUS: Second Son. Giving Delsin the ability to absorb powers means you instantly feel more powerful. The problem with previous inFAMOUS (and other superhero) games, having one set of ability makes you feel weaker than you should be. inFAMOUS: Second Son gives you are large range of abilities to play with which keeps the game interesting. It also makes the game more personal. I tended to favour one power over the others which meant I upgraded those abilities more often. I tailored Delsin to my own play style. Also the abilities are far more fluid and interesting than they were in the previous games. I am not going to give anything away (as I feel part of the fun is finding out the abilities for yourself) but they are well thought out and unusual.

One aspect of the game that hasn’t changed, and really should, is how Sucker Punch fills the world. There is the usual side missions/side activities to do which is always welcome but the world still feels empty. There aren’t enough civilians walking around nor DUP patrols (although there are far more of the latter). A city, even in lock down, still has people walking around doing their every day jobs. inFAMOUS: Second Son is severally lacking in this department. Despite them lacking in numbers, the AI is extremely smart. The civilians react to your presence and the DUP are tough to beat in large numbers. This is partially down to Sucker Punch giving the DUP super human abilities but it also down to how the fight you. They don’t just stand waiting to be killed. They use cover and they try to surround you. They also act realistic. Too many games have the AI programmed to know where you are at all times. In inFAMOUS: Second Son, if the AI loses sight of you they will try and attack your last known position. This plays extremely well with some of the abilities and it allows you to sneak up behind the DUP while they attack your last known position.

Karma is back but its role is different. It is really used to give the game some replayability and, in part, is used to change how you play the game. The difference between playing as Evil and Good is remarkable. I feel like I have played two different games as the abilities on offer reflect your karma level. I personally enjoyed the more destructive, evil, path but the good path offers a more mindful and precise type of gameplay for those who are careful.

This game is a beauty to look at. For an open world game, inFAMOUS: Second Son puts a lot of linear games to shame. The draw distance is phenomenal and the character models are extremely detailed. The Neon lights/lighting effects really bring the streets to life and the texture detail is just astonishing. inFAMOUS: Second Son has really raised the graphical bar. Graphics are next to useless if the sound doesn’t complement it. Luckily, Sucker Punch really went all out with its sound department. Despite the world lacking in people, the music really brings Seattle alive. The music blends well with the tone of the world/situation and is a soundtrack I would recommend downloading. Each power feels noticeably different through its sound effects and visuals even if the end product is the same. The voice acting is done very well. Troy is his usual excellent quality and the supporting cast are up to that quality as well.

Overall, Sucker Punch has taken two steps forward but one step back with this game. Its environment and story is lacking (with the latter feeling like an even bigger step back considering what they managed to do with inFAMOUS 2). These are mistakes Sucker Punch should not be making. Though, Sucker Punch has made some incredible improvements to the series. Graphically the game is astounding and its general design is second to none. They have made replayability in a liner story worthwhile without the use of convoluted branching paths. They have also made the AI realistic and intelligent. I highly recommend this game even with some of its short comings.