Infamous 2 is the sequel of the electrifying Infamous 1, developed exclusively for the PlayStation 3 by Sucker Punch. At the end of the original Cole was powerful and the beast was coming, in Infamous 2 we see how the fight pans out. Of course the way the story goes is in the player’s hands. Will Cole’s venture be a heroic one or will it not live up to expectation?
Let’s find out and kick off the HOTS and NOTS.
Hots
Story
One of Infamous 2’s strongest features is the storyline. Whether you are carrying on your Infamous 1’s storyline or starting without playing the original; the opening cut scene does an incredible job of setting the scene. Cole is starting a new journey in a new city butthis time with lots of powers from the get go.
One of the best bits about the story is the player’s involvement in it. Whether the player wants to be a hero or evil the story through-out gives small opportunities to do things differently. This ultimately resulting in a altered ending to the game, giving noone an excuse for only completing the game once.
Content
The story itself is 40 missions long and with the two different endings it definitely has replay value. One run through of the story along can give players approximately 8 hours and the story is just the start. With 60 side missions for players to do to secure the city of New Marais, as well as collectables such as dead drops and a whooping 305 blast shards, there is plenty to do even after the story is finished. If all this isn’t enough for you users can make their own content and play other player’s creations.
User Generated Content
While the creation tool isn’t the easiest thing to use, what’s possible with it are impressive and it really helps the game go above and beyond the main storyline. Be it puzzles, races or just small events, all can be created and uploaded for other players around the world to try to beat. More importantly you are able to play the levels that everyone else have created!
Gameplay
The gameplay has such a unique feel to it, while at same time drawing from many different experiences. Getting around the city, free running up buildings and across tower blocks feels like Assassins Creed on speed; with Cole seamlessly running, climbing and then flying across the city.
Then comes the combat the precision aiming from distance, throwing lightning grenades and rockets, calling in ionic vortexes or just using the Amp (Cole’s electrified hand-held weapon) the combat flows well. Each weapon in Cole’s armoury has its own limitations, this results in a very varied use of all of his powers. This helps the gameplay stay fresh and even through the many large fights Cole goes through none feel like a copy and paste of another.
Presentation
Graphics have certainly been improved since the original and present a visually pleasing title. The powers themselves look brilliant, which is certainly a good thing as they are the most important part of the game. The animations of Infamous 2 are truly one of its strong points. Be it falling from a great height hammering into the floor or diving out the way of an enemy attack the animations are slick and seamless and always make Cole look powerful.
Even More Powers!
Infamous 1 had plenty of powers for players to enjoy but Infamous 2’s selection of powers certainly is an improvement. With over 50 powers and upgrades players have plenty of choice. Not just in the case of Cole’s electric powers in Infamous 2 fire and ice also come into play. This brings a new range of ways of getting around, destroying the city and defeating enemies.
Be it simply upgrading one of Cole’s standard powers or giving him a completely new and unique they all add to the enjoyment of the gameplay. All the powers included help the player progression seem even more important. The best new power has to be Ice Launch; which can be extremely useful for quickly chasing down enemies or just getting around the city with ease. While Ice Launch is gained later on it’s incredibly missed on a second playthroughs until they are once again unlocked simply due to their usefulness.
A Real Challenge
Many games seem to be easily completed even on the hardest difficulty but not Infamous 2. Even a superhero with amazing electrical powers should find a problem with a grenade or RPG going off at their feet and for once it is an instant death. While this can mean towards the end of a large fire fight one grenade can send you back to the start, it does bring in a sense of you must be on your toes at all times as the game won’t go easy on you. For anyone that likes a form of challenge, getting through some of the missions with plenty of enemies against you, is certainly well designed.
Nots
Lulls In Pace
While overall the pace is so intense you can’t put the controller down occasionally between the big events the pace subsides. While the break in intensity is welcome, sometimes the lull in pace is just too big. With a long journey to the other side of the map for the next mission, players can just stop playing. Of course you can’t help picking the controller back up to find out what happens but the fact you can stop was disappointing.
Clipping
While the graphics and animations are both astounding the game has a real problem with character clipping. The issue isn’t game ruining it doesn’t draw from the appearance. When the game looks so good and then the player performs a melee finishing move and Cole goes through a lamp post or even a wall it truly draws from the immersion.
Verdict
Infamous 2 is a great sequel, not only does it carry on the storyline but also the uniqueness of Infamous. It’s improved in many areas from the original and while it does still have a few of the same issues they really don’t draw from the overall fun experience.
Whether you’re going to be a good hero and saving citizens or an evil character who forsakes the lives of innocent bystanders there is plenty of electrifying entertainment to be enjoyed.
