Reviews// inFAMOUS: Second Son

Posted 20 Mar 2014 14:00 by
Environment traversal in inFAMOUS has typically involved a fair amount of free running and climbing, parkour-style. While these elements are still central to the game, Delsin’s powers make getting around somewhat easier and less time consuming in Second Son.

His smoke dash allows him to travel through air vents, and these are strategically placed around the environment, so getting from ground level to roof level is much less of a task than it was in previous games.

This is a good thing, because the climbing itself seems more floaty and flighty, and much less reliable than in previous games. The shapes of buildings more frequently prevent you ascending to roof level simply by climbing. You often have to air dash to another building and back. Air dashes are also more useful in this game - they can be chained more easily and interlinked with hovering.

The battle, though, is not just one of might fought on the streets, but also one of propaganda, fought in the hearts and minds of the citizens.

To sway opinion, Delsin uses his graffiti power to spread insurrection, Banksy style, throughout the city. These little acts of rebellion deplete DUP influence, but each sector's showdown is instigated by him defacing, literally, the DUP banner - which then brings about a full scale battle for control of the sector. Once this is won, it’s just mopping up from there on in.

One thing you’ll realise quickly about inFAMOUS: Second Son is that it’s no cake walk. The very easy early levels of the previous games are not present here. Instead, the DUP has heavy fire-power that it will use from the get-go. But you have mad-skills to fight back with. A smoke dash will move you quickly out of harm's way, and a cinder rocket - which you get very early on - gives massively destructive ranged power.

Overall, Second Son is, as I said at the beginning, strange and new. But under the skin it’s just another inFAMOUS and, in my book, that’s a very good thing indeed.

Pros
+ Massive game world
+ Strategy makes a difference
+ Huge range of weapons

Cons
- Under the skin, similar to previous games

SPOnG Score 4.5/5
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