Review: Is inFAMOUS the next big franchise by Sucker Punch?
inFAMOUS is the latest creation by Sucker Punch Productions, responsible for the famed Sly Cooper series back on the PS2. The studio has taken a radical departure from its traditional fare to create a brand new IP with inFAMOUS, which unfolds like a comic book story.
Story
The story in inFAMOUS revolves around the main character Cole, who is a bike courier in Empire City. While in the midst of delivering a package an explosion occurs with Cole at the center of it. The whole story unfolds revealing twists and turns on exactly what caused the massive explosion and chaos throughout Empire City. After the explosion Cole finds himself with a strange growing electrical power inside him. The story is deceivingly more complex than it seems with a good dose of government conspiracy thrown in for good measure.
The story will actually leave you wanting more as you will immediately replay the game right after beating it just to see how things unfold with different choices made in the game. One of the mission objectives Cole will have to face is multiple gangs that have taken over parts of Empire City. You will have to influence and take over each of the territory in order to restore peace for the rest of the inhabitants of Empire City.
One of the biggest internal struggles you will face as Cole is whether to play him as a hero or a villain. There is a karma meter similar to the one in Mass Effect, which moves depending on your actions. If you decide to kill innocent bystanders and make selfish decisions at crucial points in the game your karma meter will plummet towards villain and vice versa.
Depending on how you play the game, not only will you have a different outcome, but your experience will be different as well. Some of the dramatic story plots are told through a stylish comic-esqe cut scene as well as via in-game animations.
Controls
The controls in inFAMOUS are probably among the best I have seen for a platformer. The game mixes platforming with a cover system seamlessly. You will be able to hang off any object such as a sign, side of a building or even a moving train and use it for cover. The game plays like a third person shooter with precise aiming, and there is no handicapping with auto (noob) aim.
Also, you will also be able to go into sniper mode where the screen pulls up close for needle precision aiming. With the leveling system you will not be given all of the abilities up-front but earn them with experience points (XPs).
The developers have done a great job of creating a world that can be scaled by Cole. If you see a building or structure, chances are you will be able to scale it to the top.
Visuals/Design
inFAMOUS is by far the best looking open world game I have seen to date. The textures are sharp and highly detailed with practically no pixelation visible throughout the game. The textures have bumps and looks grittier than what you might see in the clean and smooth looking textures within Grand Theft Auto IV. What is really impressive is the light work from Cole’s electrical powers when you blow up a row of cars along with a dozen enemies.
The game is designed for multiple playthroughs as the gameplay and experience will dramatically change depending on the choices you make throughout the game. There are tons of side missions throughout the game to occupy you while you take a break from the main missions. Some of the boss battles are insane and massive on an epic proportion. Each boss will have some super power that clashes with yours.
There is also an overarching back story mission aside from the main quests where you find out more about the background as to what actually started the madness within Empire City. Empire City in itself is massive, spanning three large islands. The islands will open up as you progress throughout the game similar to Grand Theft Auto.
As mentioned, Cole can obtain new abilities as you level up through the game. Each of the abilities can also be leveled up, adding new twists to the abilities. What really makes inFAMOUS unique from other games is the fact that the abilities will differ depending on whether you decide to be a hero or a villain, with the dynamic karma system. This is excellent for multiple playthroughs as it will make the game feel fresh the second time around.
Wrap-up
Sucker Punch Productions has done it again by delivering a new and compelling IP with inFAMOUS. I can definitely see a sequel already in the works for the game as I can already see several directions the story can go towards. One of the biggest characteristics that make inFAMOUS a must have title is its fun factor and engaging gameplay. Also, the fact that it delivers a unique experience by mixing – RPG/TPS/Cover-system/Platforming elements all into an enjoyable package should be reason enough to play the game. I highly recommend that all gamers to get their hands on this excellent title.
Score
5/5
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36 Responses to “Review: Is inFAMOUS the next big franchise by Sucker Punch?”
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June 13th, 2009
I dunno about this Mike, a sequel would have to be more colourful than this.
I don’t want to bring Killzone 2 comparisons, but Guerrilla and Sucker Punch are definitely using the same colour palette here.
June 13th, 2009
are they? could of fooled me, playin infamous i fort i lukd colourful. but i hav a ps3 tho
June 14th, 2009
Another win for Sony
June 14th, 2009
Hired it out this weekend. Solid game, deserves the 85 metacritic rating it received.
June 14th, 2009
When did you get a PS3 harry?
June 14th, 2009
My brother in law owns one. He stayed over on the weekend for a drinking and gaming session and brought it with him. We drank copious amounts of Southern Comfort.
June 14th, 2009
Damn he made a party night just for the PS3 sweet.
June 14th, 2009
Don’t really get the comments about the color pallete. It’s a city that is in chaos and had the shit blown out of it. You want it to be all rainbows and butterflies? For an open world game, the graphics are pretty solid. I don’t see a thing wrong with the color!
June 14th, 2009
good ole SO CO
June 14th, 2009
Ivan,
It was a combined 360/PS3 night. Guitar Hero got a little messy at around 3am. We couldn’t even finish ‘About A Girl’ on guitar and drums.
June 15th, 2009
It’s Empire City. and there are trees and the city is pretty colorful when you turn on the city’s electricity power
June 15th, 2009
I for one don’t like the look of the game. They is a lot of detail but just doesn’t do it for me. It does look harry potterish to me also.
@Harry. Southern Comfort? No offence but that’s a woman’s whisky. Even the name tells you it’s for chicks. My wife drinks it.
June 15th, 2009
Let’s see….
The future of Sega returns…. omg!
Whiskey.. the last time I drank whiskey, I came home from the bar and vomited all over the living room. When I woke up in the morning, I was getting yelled at. True story.
Infamous is set in a post apocalyptic setting. The city should be a little drab, it helps set the games tone. The city is smaller than Liberty City, but it has a lot more detail. There are some graphical hiccups, but nothing major. The platforming & powers are amazing. I think it’s probably the best game of 2009 so far. RE5 was also really good though.
June 15th, 2009
I was so disspointed by RE5 =*(
June 15th, 2009
I liked it. It wasn’t as tense or scary as Dead Space, but it was still good. RE is more like a summer action movie, but it’s still fun.
June 15th, 2009
RE5 promised so much but it didnt delieverd
June 15th, 2009
-RE4 was better
-RE5 control/gameplay is outdated
-Bosses were easy with no personality like Krauser and Salazar from RE4.
-The Sun was supposed to play a big part in the game..never did.
-The Ending was horroble.
-Gorobors ??? what kind of name is that.
-Graphics were not as good as Uncharted or MGS4
June 15th, 2009
agreed with both
if re5 was like dead space then it would of been killer
June 15th, 2009
I also enjoyed re5. The co-op really made that game. I liked dead space better however.
June 15th, 2009
Roca – I agree. RE4 was better. RE5 was pretty similar, but the story, bosses, and characters were not as good. Co-op did add a lot of replay value to the game.
I also forgot all about the whole:
“-The Sun was supposed to play a big part in the game..never did.” I wonder what happened with that?
@Future of Sega returns – glad to see you’re back.
June 15th, 2009
Bionic Commando only sold 27,000 copies dure the month of May. I hope Capcom learn a lesson from this one
June 15th, 2009
“-Graphics were not as good as Uncharted or MGS4″
*laughs* Are we going to start holding that against every game that comes out??
Not to mention that multiplats hardly ever look as good as exclusives.
-Arvis
June 15th, 2009
lol…hopefully the new one coming out for the PSP is going to be better
June 15th, 2009
Oblivion freaked me out, Future Sega Boy. When I accidentally stumbled upon the secret entrance to the Dark Brotherhood, I about peed my pants. I literally turned and ran the other way.
Demonic/spiritistic stuff freaks me out. I couldn’t get through Oblivion because of it.
-Arvis
June 15th, 2009
Awww, the Dark Brotherhood was the best part!
Assasinations were awesome, as were all the other guild stuffs
(thieves guild forever!!!).
RE5 was ok. Chris Redfield needs to cut his steroid use tho…
June 16th, 2009
^
Yes I am sure Bethesda is reading this just for you! lol
June 16th, 2009
Have you played Fallout 3 The Future of Sega returns? If you like Oblivion you should like that game, made by Bethesda too!
June 16th, 2009
I hated oblivion. im not saying its a bad game i just hated it. Im liking fallout though
June 16th, 2009
Yeah, Fallout had no demonic/spiritistic stuff, but it was full of sex, gore, and cursing! Why does a normal human being’s head FLY OFF just because I punched him? I just can’t win when it comes to Bethesda games…
-Arvis
June 16th, 2009
“Yeah, Fallout had no demonic/spiritistic stuff, but it was full of sex, gore, and cursing! Why does a normal human being’s head FLY OFF just because I punched him? I just can’t win when it comes to Bethesda games…”
Sounds like you can’t win when it comes to alot of games Arvis! Are you Japenese Arvis? Not that it matters, but your attitude towards some of the content in these games sounds like you may be! Japenese by far are not into the ultra gory titles like the west is. Anyways I totally respect that you have certain values and morals, just don’t get why it offends you to the point that you can’t enjoy the game! Afterall, it’s just a game!
June 16th, 2009
You could always try to complete Fallout without attacking anything… That would make you hardcore in a buddhist kind of way.
Ahh Fallout, the game of many a flying eyeball…
However, as usual, whenever talking about Fallout I feel compelled to shout that Oblivion was superior!one!one!1
June 17th, 2009
“But yeah, laugh all you want Knighthawk. The jokes’ on you pal”
Why, because you were just joking around and realize that no one including Bethesda is taking your Oblivion rant seriously? I fail to see how the joke is on me, care to explain? Sorry but it’s would be pretty lame for you to expect Bethesda to come to this little site to find feedback for the next Oblivion! Not bashing your views or opinions about the game, just thought it was funny if you expect Bethesda to see your post.
June 17th, 2009
Knighthawk,
No, I am not Japanese. Not even a little bit!
Most of my ancestry comes from Ireland and Wales.
And honestly, I just can’t deal with gore. Yes, I know it’s a game, but I just don’t have the constitution for it. It is a tad selective, though, I will admit. I used to be a huge Resident Evil enthusiast, and when blowing off zombies’ heads I didn’t flinch, but if Leon’s head was severed, I would feel nauseous and upset. I guess it’s because zombies aren’t “real,” but my mind makes the main characters “real” to me. And the more “real” the gore, the more it upsets me.
Just to hammer home the point: I did a Google Image search for bulldozers at work one day, and one of the matches was of a guy whose head had been crushed by a bulldozer. Even though I didn’t get a good look, I had to get up from my desk and leave the office for a few minutes, fighting back tears and a vomit reflex.
So… now you understand a little more about me.
-Arvis
June 17th, 2009
The following is a duplicate of what I just posted, only without the smileys so as not to cause moderation.
“Knighthawk,
No, I am not Japanese. Not even a little bit! *laughs*
Most of my ancestry comes from Ireland and Wales.
And honestly, I just can’t deal with gore. Yes, I know it’s a game, but I just don’t have the constitution for it. It is a tad selective, though, I will admit. I used to be a huge Resident Evil enthusiast, and when blowing off zombies’ heads I didn’t flinch, but if Leon’s head was severed, I would feel nauseous and upset. I guess it’s because zombies aren’t “real,” but my mind makes the main characters “real” to me. And the more “real” the gore, the more it upsets me.
Just to hammer home the point: I did a Google Image search for bulldozers at work one day, and one of the matches was of a guy whose head had been crushed by a bulldozer. Even though I didn’t get a good look, I had to get up from my desk and leave the office for a few minutes, fighting back tears and a vomit reflex.
So… now you understand a little more about me. *smiles*
-Arvis”
June 18th, 2009
Welcome back Future Of Sega. I’m going to miss your profanity laden rants though!
June 18th, 2009
Thanks, Future Sega Boy.
As one of the few internet denizens who was there to witness your very FIRST FoS-style profanity-laden rant, I am privileged to see that you are still in good health.
-Arvis