Genre: Action-adventure
Year: 2009
Developed by: Sucker Punch Productions
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms: PS3
#171
Feeling Like: Free of Charge
Infamous is very 2009.
The visual palette is filled with greys and browns. This era of gaming seemed afraid of bright colors, lest you seem “uncool” I suppose. The protagonist has an unnecessarily gravely voice and every line of dialogue seems to try and emulate a neo-noire tortured hero, only with a Jason Statham action movie look.
Despite some misgivings, it worked on me. It’s very much a prototype (not THAT Prototype) in an emerging franchise; some neat ideas, but obvious growing pains evident. The premise, combat and powers on display are thrilling, but not every idea lands smoothly.
Infamous was the other free game in the Sony’s “We’re Sorry” package, the other I selected was Super Stardust HD. I wasn’t working at the time and didn’t have the luxury of purchasing any new games. Hence the obscene amount of time playing the free-to-play and heart-attack-inducing DOTA 2. I guess this means I was predisposed to enjoy my time with Infamous but I was also smack dab in the middle of a binge of Storage Wars and the Sopranos, so I was in a weird place mentally.
Infamous has a lot of good ideas. The concept of an open world superhero game where you could choose to be a venerable saint or a malicious bastard is appealing, particularly since a new set of powers is offered on both ends of the menu. A more bold player would choose either the dark side, or run two playthroughs to see the differences but I am a wimpy do-gooder when it comes to making choices in video games. Before you call me out, 92% of Mass Effect players chose the Paragon (ie goody two shoes) route, so I’m not alone.
Although, since the energy grenades were so powerful and my aim was less than true, I’d tick a few of the evil boxes when innocent bystanders would get singed by an errant blast. I’m not into victim blaming, but if I knew a radioactive man was running amok in the city trying to defend it against other spiced up humans looking to take the city over, I’m skipping the Saturday Farmer’s Market.
Easily the best part of the game, for me at least, was using my various electricity powers to explore the city and find goodies. Sprinting up buildings, floating from high perches and literally surfing on power lines or even train tracks is immensely satisfying. Not that the city itself is gargantuan, but it meant that any location was only a moment away and I could get there in any number of pleasurable ways…it was always power line surfing – that’s the only way to travel. Running like a normal human felt like a waste and a slap in the face of the developers.
The story was strange. It seemed every major plot point occurred in a comic-booky style format, with pseudo-static images and a voice over from the main character, Cole MacGrath and even his name is trying too hard. Look I get that you’re grizzly and you’ve been wronged, but every line of dialogue sounds like he’s trying to be in a Blade Runner voiceover contest while gargling ball bearings. It’s cool, but also tries to be.
You know, now that I think about it, I’m sorry I waited so long to play this and its sequel. I felt the PlayStation 3 couldn’t quite keep up with what Sucker Punch imagined, and I missed out entirely on Infamous: Second Son for the PlayStation 4. A shame, because when you’re launching yourself into the air crackling lightning everywhere while dodging incoming rocket launchers, you really do need a perfect framerate.
The playground was fantastic, I loved going for trophies; since I had all the time in the world (unemployment will do that) I relished in soaking it all in, instead of bull-rushing to the end credits. Since I was able to recharge my powers by drawing energy from pretty much anything electronic, no area was off-limits or uninteresting to seek out.
I think it was wise to set most of the game at night. All the flashes, cracks, bangs, use of light and dark tone feel more at home in the shadows, rather during brunch. Glowering at the top of a building didn’t make me feel like the Batman, but I did feel a surge of excitement with each enemy I head-shotted with a bolt or tracking down a rogue team of carjackers, or taking down a massively overpowered army with my insane, infinitely replenishable grenades. Infamous is a great game that could have been even greater.
The 500 