Infamous is a game about a man named Cole who has acquired super powers through apparent terrorist actions. A courier, Cole was on his way to deliver a package, that subsequently exploded, sending Empire City into chaos and darkness.
Cole has somehow been gifted the powers of electricity, and is being tasked with restoring Empire City in exchange for his freedom and innocence. Of course, how Cole goes about doing this is up to the player. As Cole, you can choose whether or not to walk the path of righteousness or corruption. Depending on your actions, new powers and missions will open up to you.
The game is very much fun, especially once Cole has been powered up a bit. Grinding across wires, bounding from rooftop to rooftop and zapping your enemies smoothly. The overall story of Infamous seems kind of "meh", but the way in which the city conveys it is very convincing. Random televisions around the city allow you to watch the government's cover up, taking credit for your actions, and a guy in live-action called The Voice of Survival (who can be annoying at times). All of it immerses you entirely, the desperation of the citizens is palpable in the air, though one wonder's where everyone is getting all this gas for their cars under the quarantine.
Powers offer a nice variety to the action. Standard electric bolts are the main weapon here, until others become upgraded for more lethality. Firing pulses and shock grenades off is a blast (literally). Sniping lightning is also a lot of fun. Auxiliary powers such as binding downed enemies for live capture, bio leech and the defribulator power to revive citizens is a riot.
Your enemies are practically interchangeable. The Reapers almost all look exactly alike, red hoodies, no face and AK-47s. Some carry other weapons too, like RPGs and grenades. The only real challenge they present is coming in numbers. Later the Dustmen prove more challenging if only because they can withstand more punishment. Conduits can also be fun to fight against, being that they can teleport and all. There are some others in there too, but they are better left as surprises.
Boss fights can be surprising too. Sometimes the game seems too easy, and you feel practically invincible, then a boss comes around and slaps you down like a gnat. But not in a frustrating way, the challenge just leaps up unexpectedly.
Unfortunately, even Infamous has it's downsides. The various missions are basically the same and are often repetitive. Though occasionally you find a few that are totally off the wall and make for an incredible experience. One example of this is the all out war between the Reapers and the Dustmen. That mission is a warzone of adrenaline, electricity and bullets.
The graphics in Infamous are nothing short of drop-dead gorgeous. I was unable to find any downside to them at all. The controls are fluid and easy to grasp. And Cole's parkour allows for seamless movement around the city, and his skills expand even more as more powers are unlocked by the player.
Infamous is rated T (Teen) for Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes and Violence. It is brought to you by Sucker Punch, Sony, Dolby and dts Digital Surround.
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