Posted by Xyttik on 11 Jun 2009, 1:05pm.

As most of you know, inFamous is the latest PS3 exclusive Sandbox Action Adventure game, and is bought to us by Sucker Punch Productions, the team who previously bought us the wonderful Sly Raccoon series.

inFamous tells the story of Cole McGrath, a bike messenger who ends up couriering (unwittingly of course) a package that explodes and wipes out 6 blocks, and leaves the rest of the city in a state of disrepair. Cole somehow survives and develops electricity based super powers.



A quarantine is set up around the city, due to the plague that resulted from the blast, and crime rates have rocketed, as the city is now ruled by gangs.

When we first take control of Cole with his powers, he is still getting used to them, and discovering new things that he can do. He soon ends up taking it upon himself to clean up the city.

The game's monologue is told by Cole himself, and helps give depth to the story. Through his voice, we are able to see how Cole is feeling about the moral paths the player has chosen for him. As more characters and villains are introduced, the story develops into something incredible, and deep plot lines are intertwined throughout, carefully crafted to build up to a dramatic climax.

The gameplay feels very similar to Sly Raccoon, as Cole moves around very similarly, and can perform a lot of the same acrobatic moves that Sly can. Taking into account who made the game though, I think that can be forgiven.

As a playable character, Cole feels a lot lighter than most, probably due to how athletic he is. Cole's athletic prowess however, can become quite irritating at some points, due to the fact that he automatically clings to the closest grab-able object if the player jumps close enough. While it can be a life saver sometimes, at other times, it can get really irritating when you're trying to drop down and he keeps clinging to everything.

When you start the game, Cole only has his lightning shock and shockwave (like force push) abilities, both of which are fairly weak to begin with, but as the game progresses, the player will earn a variety of new powers, and you will gradually build up a badass arsenal of electric powers. Your powers will be different depending on which moral path you took. For example some are much more powerful if you chose to be evil.

It can be very easy to just faff around doing whatever you feel like doing, collecting things, or doing side missions, whatever tickles your fancy. The side missions could get a little repetitive, as you earn more side quest types by doing main missions, but they remain fun, and are a great way to earn EXP to power up your...well...powers.

Combat can also get rather repetitive, as the smaller enemies make you feel more like you're playing a brawler or shoot-em-up. Your electricity powers also don't seem to be as effective as they should be. (Although I was playing through as Good)If you hit an enemy with a lightning bolt, he brushes it off and comes after you until you zap him many more times. If you shockwave an enemy, unless its off of a roof, the impact doesn't seem to have the bone shattering effect it should.

The sound effects in the game can make for some very satisfying kills, and as only some missions are scored, you're not listening to the same track over and over while exploring the vast city.

Despite its dreary setting, inFamous is visually stunning, and as you restore power to each district, you'll see the whole town brighten up.
<br/>The story cutscenes are done in a gorgeous graphic novel style that compliments the narrative very well.

All of my nitpicks with this game are very minor, and they weren't enough to detract from my enjoyment of this game. As a Sly fan, I loved how familiar the game felt, but at the same time I feel it is new enough to attract a wider audience than Sly does.

The story is captivating, and contains a bunch of twists and some heart wrenching moments that will keep you playing. The gameplay is fast and fun and doesn't take itself too seriously. With a definitive lack of super powered action games this gen, inFamous brings something to the board that we perhaps have all been craving at one point. It's a great addition to Sony's growing library of exclusive titles, and a job well done by Sucker Punch.

If you've got a PS3 and are looking for something a bit more action packed, then I recommend you go pick this game up today!

Rating: M
Replayability: Fairly High
Overall score: 7/10. Its not perfect, and its not the "best game ever" but its pretty damn good!

~Xy~

 inFamous, PS3, Sony, Sucker Punch