We reviewed inFamous Second Son

Driftwood
Thursday, March 20, 2014 | 3:00 PM
79 comments

GSY Review PS4

Hot on the heels of last week's release of TitanFall, inFamous: Second Son is arriving to tantalize us with an entirely next-gen look and feel. Contrary to Respawn's title, the focus is here entirely on single player, which is no suprise considering the series' legacy. To know what we thought of the game and watch our super HQ videos, join us inside. For the full review, head to the French side.
Note: Because the developers at Sucker Punch wanted to keep the remaining powers secret, we decided not to show them or talk about them, so we'd appreciate if you could do the same in the comments. Also, you should know that, apart from the extracts from the prolog (which we edited a lot to keep the spoilers away) most videos do not show any story related content. There are only three short videos taken from main missions (Space Needle, the Main Mission one and the Boss video). They don't even show the whole mission so you should be safe. As for the rest, it is mainly us having fun in Seattle (first island island only, mostly in the first district you'll visit).

Verdict

Second Son follows the adventures of Delsin Rowe, a rebellious young punk with a bit of Native American blood in his veins, as he comes to grips with the sudden acquisition of powers in a world where such people are labeled bio-terrorists. Thanks in part to a more likeable cast of characters the narrative feels more engaging than the previous entries in the series although the plot is not as solid as it should be. The flow of the game hasn't experienced such a revolution, however, with missions still being handed out in a very traditional open world fashion. The story driven missions offer some pretty enjoyable and sometimes fresh scenarios but the collection of side-missions, including collectables aplenty and Assassin's Creed style watch towers (here taking the form of DUP mobile command centers), could have brought some more novelty to the open world formula.
Thankfully, the simple act of navigation is more exciting than ever thanks to the inclusion of multiple powers. Both traversal and combat play very differently when utilizing these different powers, although there are some noticeable similarities. The presentation takes things further with visuals that even hardcore PC gamers can appreciate. The intricately detailed take on Seattle is bathed in phenomenally realistic lighting, intricate texture detail, and a smattering of explosive effects and particles. Unfortunately the game operates with an unlocked frame-rate resulting in performance wavering between 30-45 fps throughout the game, much like the initial release of Killzone ShadowFall. Sound design is backed by excellent voice acting thanks to Troy Baker and Travis Willingham though the soundtrack itself isn't particularly memorable.

Undeniably next-gen in appearance, Second Son ultimately falls back on the tropes of previous iterations, which works brilliantly provided you already enjoy this type of experience. The uncompromising fidelity to the original games may not necessarily convince newcomers to give it a shot, but the new powers, more engaging world, and amazing visuals will delight fans of the series. We can't help but hope to see an attempt at evolving the series in the future. The prologue, with its more natural setting, definitely left us with a desire to spent more time outside of the city environment. As it stands, inFamous: Second Son remains an impressive show piece for the PS4 and certainly belongs in your game library.

Gamersyde images

Commented on 2014-03-20 15:10:13

Unlocked Frame rate FTW :) I never actually mind that. It was the same with past Infamous games and things like AC. Like when you get to the edge of the map and there is less on screen, you notice the game runs smoother but it never ruins the experience.

In reply to

Sdarts

Commented on 2014-03-20 15:25:17

Thanks for the the great review, the 51 screenshots and the 12 videos you guys made, and the 6 official screenshots, so much content.
Gamersyde is on fire!!!

Also, you guys respecting the developer's wishes is something almost no gaming site does, again, you guys are great and the best source for games.

Thank you for all your hard work and ethics.

^___^

bleachedsmiles

Commented on 2014-03-20 15:40:37

Sure does look pretty. But I can nit-pic because this is the internet, and it is a bit of a bummer the world still looks pretty empty in everything I've seen so far. And the same car 'on rails' thing going on seen throughout the series..rather than them reacting to whats going on around them.

First reviews are looking a little sketchy but its certainly a showcase for the ps4s power. How much variety in throughout has always been a touchy subject with the infamous games, but I always found it fun...spurred on to explore more from my collecting obsession when it comes to these games. Do the 'shards' still litter the world, and radio messages etc?

I've heard nothing about a mission editor in this one...I take it its not there?

Driftwood

Commented on 2014-03-20 15:45:30 In reply to bleachedsmiles

There are still shards but hey are easier to get as you simply need to destroy the drones which contain them. Sometimes they move, sometimes they just don't. Also, they appear on your map as soon as you've destroyed the local mobile command center. I think it was more interesting in the previous games because you had to find a way to reach some of them, or climb high.

Commented on 2014-03-20 15:50:45 In reply to Driftwood

yeah, that kinda crackdown mentality of having to figure out how to get them was a big pull for me. I spent more time trying to collect stuff in these games than playing through the actual missions.

Commented on 2014-03-20 15:53:50 In reply to bleachedsmiles

That's what I say in the full review on the French side.

KORNdog

Commented on 2014-03-20 15:58:11

hoping i have this waiting for me at home tonight. looks fantastic. been itching for some more infamous. been far too long.

MrWhite

Commented on 2014-03-20 16:37:29

I don't think this is the big showcase of the system that everyone seems to think it is. It looks great, yes; acceptable even, but I don't think this is pushing the hardware at all. It looks like a fun game, but for me personally, there is something about it that I just can't get excited for. Maybe it's the main character design, or that it's all a little bit too much like the recent Saints Row game where it's like GTA with some sort of mod that allows you to fly around and shoot people with your fists. I've never played the Infamous games. Is there more to it than that?

Commented on 2014-03-20 17:06:33 In reply to MrWhite

I haven't played the other inFamous games as well, but from what I got in GameTrailer's and EuroGamer's reviews, the inFamous games are like the Assassin's Creed games, only "significant" differences being super powers, modern setting and the morality system.

In summary, if you liked one, you most likely will like the other: parkour-style of movement, plenty of collectibles, lots of side activities, simple combat and etc.

Still, the inFamous games seem a whole lot of fun, just like the Assassin's Creed games, hopefully this helps you try inFamous: Second Son.

PS. You don't need to have played the first 2 inFamous games, as there are only little references to them. Overall it's a fresh start.

Adropacrich2

Commented on 2014-03-20 17:19:11

The trouble with Infamous I think is that it's just too fussy to be appealing for most people. And actually that's not a knock against the game as some people will enjoy it's differences. The real problem is that those differences prevent it from being a huge success

Commented on 2014-03-20 17:23:39 In reply to MrWhite

Posted by MrWhite

I've never played the Infamous games.

well, that's where you're going wrong.

and no, they're nothing alike (comparing to AC) traversal isn't automated. combat is COMPLETELY different. think third person shooter with a super hero skin more then counter fest melee. mission structure wise, they are similar though, in the sense a guy has a mission and you go do it. but then that's essentially all open world games.

but yeah, it's an open world third person shooter. almost every power of past games can be compared to a real world weapon in it's function. be it pistol, machine gun, grenades, rocket launchers, shockguns, sniper rifles and shiels.

traversal is the big thing about infamous for me. it's akin to crackdown or spiderman. it's very satisfying just getting around. no cars or vehicles needed. just the act of moving is silky smooth. and this new game seems to be improving that even further.

catfish

Commented on 2014-03-20 18:58:11

Game is stunning and has been fun so far. Would definitely recommend it.

Sci0n

Commented on 2014-03-20 19:05:50

From what I played it wasnt a massive jump from Infamous 2, Ill wait for The order.

Melmoth

Commented on 2014-03-20 19:10:34

Is there ever a dry day in that city? with few exceptions, most shots and videos i've seen of this game features wet tarmac. IMO that is much of the reason the game looks "next-gen". I have a feeling screen-space reflections will be the lens-flare of this generation.

like Ollie Williams said: It's gonna rain!

Ian_Nottingham

Commented on 2014-03-20 19:13:33

I expected this game to score in the7-9 realm.Pretty much like the first two did,so i only checked multiple review sites just to prove i was right.I loved the first two games it could've scored an 5-7 and i wouldn't have cared.

Commented on 2014-03-20 19:14:08 In reply to Melmoth

There's sun but the road is always wet. If Seattle is anything like Vancouver, then I'm not surprised. ^^

Commented on 2014-03-20 19:16:28 In reply to Melmoth

Posted by Melmoth

There is a reason seattle is the first result when you search for "the rainy city"

Commented on 2014-03-20 19:32:26 In reply to KORNdog

Posted by KORNdog

If Ubisoft had been smart and moved watchdogs to seattle, it would have spared them a lot of internet rage.

Commented on 2014-03-20 19:34:55 In reply to Melmoth

How so. Downgrade is evident in watchdogs whatever the weather. You seen the new trailer?

sebasrd24

Commented on 2014-03-20 19:43:26

I had no high hopes for this game when it was announced, but damm, actually looks and plays really good. Graphics are fantastic, with big and well done scenery, great lightning and facial movements are great in cutscenes.

GunsnSwords

Commented on 2014-03-20 20:14:31

Looks alright, pretty good lighting. character textures seem to be lacking though.
http://www.gamersyde.com/pop_images_infamous_secon...
http://www.gamersyde.com/pop_images_infamous_secon...

scoobs0688

Commented on 2014-03-20 20:16:26 In reply to Adropacrich2

Posted by Adropacrich2

I have no idea what you criticism is even supposed to be here. How can a game be "fussy"? The problem with Infamous as a series is that they dont put a bunch of dumb side quests all over the place to distract people from the main story like GTA and Assassins Creed do. There's inherently less content to consume and it makes the world feel less interesting IMO. Doesn't bother me one bit, because I love the gameplay (at least of the first two, and assuming this as well) and the graphics are just ridiculous which is always a plus.

Simplex

Commented on 2014-03-20 20:27:13 In reply to andrewsqual

Posted by andrewsqual

Unlocked Frame rate FTW :)

I hope you are kidding. What is so good about unlocked frame rate, except judder and sudden framerate fluctuations?

This message and account have been deleted at the user's request

Commented on 2014-03-20 20:40:16

Posted by droezelke

It's a pretty amazing looking game. I've been playing it for 4 hours now, and the best part is the prologue. Facial animations are very well done and for me for the first time very believable (if that is a word). But:

I'm 90% sure this game does not run in full 1080p. Maybe I'm wrong and It's because of the aa they use. But it's not sharp enough for me.

It's 1080p and uses the same but x2 AA solution as ryse. Hence the crazy crisp visuals. Maybe your TV is set up wrong or something? Cos there is no way you could say this wasn't sharp enough. Any sharper and it'd cut your eyeball.

http://i.imgur.com/MvOEC9V.jpg