Infamous 2
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The first Infamous
offered a unique superhero experience where players were able to choose
whether they wanted to play as a lauded hero or a feared villain based on
several key choices. Infamous 2 uses the same concept with a new cast of
characters and a new city to protect or conquer. The thrill of the first game
returns here, but not much has changed.
From the first time you’re set free in the city of New Marais, it’s clear that Infamous 2 isn’t setting out to differentiate itself from its predecessor with drastic changes to gameplay. You’re still jumping from billboards and rooftops, charging yourself with electricity from street lights and generators, and blasting your enemies with the electric powers that course through your veins. The platforming is fast and fluid, and a few tweaks have helped to eliminate downtime. For one, certain poles will propel you upward and shoot you into the sky so you can scale a building in a matter of seconds. The placement of wires that connect rooftops is extremely generous, allowing you to zip from building to building quickly. Late in the game, you’ll even acquire a grappling hook to pull yourself to the top of any building in a snap.
From the first time you’re set free in the city of New Marais, it’s clear that Infamous 2 isn’t setting out to differentiate itself from its predecessor with drastic changes to gameplay. You’re still jumping from billboards and rooftops, charging yourself with electricity from street lights and generators, and blasting your enemies with the electric powers that course through your veins. The platforming is fast and fluid, and a few tweaks have helped to eliminate downtime. For one, certain poles will propel you upward and shoot you into the sky so you can scale a building in a matter of seconds. The placement of wires that connect rooftops is extremely generous, allowing you to zip from building to building quickly. Late in the game, you’ll even acquire a grappling hook to pull yourself to the top of any building in a snap.
As in the first Infamous, Cole feels almost like a magnet, floating over to objects nearby as he falls through the air. It can be frustrating when you’re simply trying to drop to the ground or when you lose all your momentum because Cole sticks to a random pole or sculpture, but overall, it makes traversal much easier and allows you to be sure of every jump.
Fighting enemies is thrilling as you’ve got a ton of powers at your disposal. By the end of the game, you’ll be zapping them with bolts of electricity, throwing grenades that explode into more grenades, shooting missiles, dispatching them with the amp – Cole’s version of a melee weapon – and calling down gigantic twisters or thunderstorms from the sky. The combat is frantic and diverse and each type of enemy carries distinct threats and strategies, from the swamp creatures that rush, flailing their bladed arms, to the ice men who fly through the air or sit atop towers of ice to rain missiles down on you.
Infamous 2 is visually stunning. The city of New Marais bustles with activity and several distinct areas provide a healthy amount of variety. From the swamps to the ice tower, everything shines with color and detailed textures. Climbing to the tip of the tallest building and just beholding the city that stretches below is at definitely on the "most exhilarating moments in gaming" list. Jumping from you perch to fall hundreds of feet, slamming into the ground and sending out a fiery radius of destruction is probably number one on that list.
Fighting enemies is thrilling as you’ve got a ton of powers at your disposal. By the end of the game, you’ll be zapping them with bolts of electricity, throwing grenades that explode into more grenades, shooting missiles, dispatching them with the amp – Cole’s version of a melee weapon – and calling down gigantic twisters or thunderstorms from the sky. The combat is frantic and diverse and each type of enemy carries distinct threats and strategies, from the swamp creatures that rush, flailing their bladed arms, to the ice men who fly through the air or sit atop towers of ice to rain missiles down on you.
Infamous 2 is visually stunning. The city of New Marais bustles with activity and several distinct areas provide a healthy amount of variety. From the swamps to the ice tower, everything shines with color and detailed textures. Climbing to the tip of the tallest building and just beholding the city that stretches below is at definitely on the "most exhilarating moments in gaming" list. Jumping from you perch to fall hundreds of feet, slamming into the ground and sending out a fiery radius of destruction is probably number one on that list.
The storytelling in Infamous 2 is excellent. There are some cheesy one-liners and odd moments, but the main characters are done well and they each have their own strengths and weaknesses. There’s an increased emphasis on the supernatural this time around. Enemies are more like super heroes and there’s an undercurrent of voodoo that adds a chilling tone to the city. The fact that you get to see different sides of New Marais depending on who you choose to ally yourself with is icing on the cake.
Infamous 2 picks up where the first game left off and streamlines many aspects of the gameplay but leaves the core mechanics untouched. The graphical overhaul, new city and characters, and new additions to the combat are enough to make it stand on the same level as Infamous 1, but playing the first game is still important if you want to understand how these characters got themselves in their current situation. Whether you spend your time trying to save the citizens of New Marais or attack them for personal gain, Infamous 2 will show you what it’s like to have powers.
