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inFAMOUS: Second Son (PS4) Review
Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Genre: Open-World Action-Adventure / Superhero
Release: 2014
inFAMOUS: Second Son was one of the first major PS4 exclusives and remains one of the best showcases for the console's early-generation hardware. Moving the series from Cole MacGrath to the younger and more rebellious Delsin Rowe, the game introduces a new protagonist, a new city and several completely different supernatural powers.
Set in Seattle, the game combines open-world exploration, superhero combat, parkour-style movement and the series' familiar morality system. Its biggest strengths are the satisfying powers and the freedom to move around Seattle, while its relatively short campaign, repetitive activities and simplistic good-versus-evil choices prevent it from reaching the same narrative heights as inFAMOUS 2.
Gameplay & Mechanics
The foundation of Second Son is its supernatural combat and movement.
Delsin begins with Smoke, giving him projectile attacks, melee abilities and the ability to travel through vents and smoke. As the story progresses, he gains additional powers including Neon, Video and Concrete, each providing different methods of attacking enemies and navigating the city.
The powers are the game's greatest achievement.
Neon, for example, allows Delsin to move rapidly around Seattle and climb buildings, while also providing precision attacks. Video introduces aerial movement and stealth-oriented abilities, while Smoke focuses more heavily on explosive attacks.
Switching between powers gives combat encounters some variety, although each power ultimately follows a broadly similar structure of ranged attacks, melee abilities, mobility and a powerful finishing move.
The movement system is particularly enjoyable. Delsin can rapidly climb buildings, launch himself across gaps and move through the city at considerable speed. Traversing Seattle often feels more entertaining than simply driving around it.
Strengths
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Excellent superhero-style powers.
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Fast and responsive movement.
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Satisfying combat.
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Powers provide different combat and traversal options.
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Strong vertical exploration.
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Excellent destruction and visual effects.
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Karma system changes available abilities.
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Easy-to-learn controls.
Weaknesses
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Combat can become repetitive.
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Enemy encounters aren't particularly varied.
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Some powers feel mechanically similar.
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Switching powers requires finding an appropriate power source.
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Boss fights can become frustrating.
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Enemy gunfire can sometimes feel excessively accurate.
Exploration & World Design
Seattle is one of the game's strongest features.
The city is divided into districts controlled by the Department of Unified Protection (DUP). As Delsin progresses, players can gradually weaken DUP control and eventually liberate individual districts.
Seattle feels considerably more detailed than the environments in the previous inFAMOUS games. Streets are filled with pedestrians, shops, vehicles, graffiti, parks and other small environmental details.
The verticality of the city is particularly important because Delsin's powers allow him to move across rooftops rather than simply following the streets.
There are also numerous optional activities scattered around Seattle, including destroying DUP mobile command centres, finding Blast Shards, completing mobile DUP checkpoints and locating hidden cameras.
The downside is that these activities become repetitive relatively quickly.
Once you've completed several districts, you'll have seen most of what the open world has to offer.
Story & Themes
The story takes place several years after the events of inFAMOUS 2.
Following the events surrounding Cole MacGrath, people with supernatural abilitiesknown as Conduitsare feared and increasingly persecuted. The government establishes the DUP to control and contain them.
Delsin Rowe is a young graffiti artist from the Akomish tribe who acquires the ability to absorb powers from other Conduits.
After the DUP targets his community, Delsin sets out to find the person responsible and eventually becomes involved in a much larger conflict.
Delsin is considerably more playful and rebellious than Cole MacGrath. His relationship with his brother Reggie is arguably the strongest part of the story, providing much-needed emotional grounding for Delsin's otherwise sarcastic personality.
The game's morality system returns, allowing players to pursue a Hero or Infamous path.
Unfortunately, the choices are extremely black and white. Rather than presenting genuinely difficult moral dilemmas, the game usually makes it obvious which option represents good and which represents evil.
The two paths do provide different dialogue, abilities and some mission variations, but the overall story remains largely the same.
Final Verdict
inFAMOUS: Second Son remains an entertaining showcase of what made the series special. Delsin's collection of supernatural powers provides a satisfying combination of combat and traversal, while Seattle is an excellent playground for experimenting with those abilities.
The game also looks remarkably good for an early PS4 title. The colourful power effects, detailed city and impressive destruction helped demonstrate what Sony's new console could do, while the relationship between Delsin and Reggie provides the story with some genuinely memorable moments.
The biggest weaknesses are the simplistic morality system and repetitive open-world structure. Unlike the best moments of the earlier inFAMOUS games, the choices rarely force the player to seriously question their decisions. The side activities also become repetitive once you've liberated several districts.
Nevertheless, inFAMOUS: Second Son is a highly enjoyable open-world superhero game. Its powers, movement and combat remain its greatest strengths, and the ability to experience the story from both Hero and Infamous perspectives gives it worthwhile replay value.
Score: 8.5/10
