inFamous: Second Son is a truly stunning title and is a perfect showcase of what next generation graphics really are. The only negative is that there are annoyingly no ripples in puddles from footsteps, yet raindrops cause awesome looking ripples. This slightly detracts from what is a beautiful game world. The lighting is what separates Second Son from other games. Reflections on surfaces and the color contrasts between the warm of explosions and brightness of the neons to the dark of the shadows sets the game apart from other currently available next-gen titles. Something that can often ruin a beautiful game is a distracting HUD. Second Son keeps the screen clear whilst giving all the information you need, perfect for boosting players’ immersion into the title.
Seattle has been taken on as the setting for inFamous and has been recreated to generate an incredible game world. It isn’t exactly a surprising choice as Sucker Punch’s hometown is Seattle. The Needle towers over a large section of the map and the buildings are flawlessly built for traversing up and across. A number of hours of my second play through simply entailed me flying from building to building to collect shards, items which allow the player to upgrade Delsin’s abilities.
Sucker Punch has managed to use the PlayStation 4 controller’s motion sensor and the touchpad in quite possibly the best way to date. The motion sensor is used for the graffiti spraying. Upending the controller turns it into a paint can ready for Delsin to work his magic. Gamers won’t have to do this much so the novelty doesn’t have time to wear off; something that happens with most uses of the motion sensor. Unlike other titles that use the Touchpad, inFamous Second Son mostly uses it as an extra button to press. Thankfully, there’s no fiddly selections to be made or menu system to be navigated by it.
The rest of the controls are simple to learn for even those new to the franchise. Before long, gamers will be linking dashes and melee moves or subdues together. The combat system is well designed with only occasional melee combat issues. This often comes about when players attempt to link to much movement and attacks together. This leaves the otherwise fluid system feeling momentarily clunky before flowing once again.
The animations also help inFamous: Second Son’s fluidity and increase the power behind some of the superpowers. Delsin throws himself around and the slightly over exaggerated motions help portray the oomph behind every blow and dodge. Whether clambering across a building or in the midst of an epic fight, the animations flow seamlessly together to leave gamers in awe of what they are managing to pull off.
inFamous: Second Son is clearly Sony’s attempt at a AAA title to not only push the PlayStation 4, but show gamers what it is capable of. The game world is stunning in terms of visuals and design. Plenty of thought has gone into even the smallest details, including the inclusion of easter eggs such as Sly Cooper graffiti tags.
Nevertheless once the storyline is complete, the world doesn’t offer enough to keep players wanting to continue with that playthrough. Two playthroughs are probably the number most will do. The Good vs. Evil karma situation and storyline sees to that but afterwards the city is left as an almost fun to free run but otherwise empty map. The game isn’t all show and no content so don’t let this last remark put you off. The show itself makes the game worth playing, but the content makes the inFamous: Second Son easily the best in the series and one of the best next-gen titles available on the market.
[Editor’s Note: inFamous: Second Son was reviewed on the PS4 platform. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]
