During the debut of inFamous some time ago, Sucker Punch made it clear that they were focusing on the main character’s ability to use electricity, and would subsequently be exploiting that theme for the entire game. Somebody should’ve kept these guys in check, because they actually took that quip a little too seriously.
The game starts up lightning-fast. As soon as the Sucker Punch logo pops up, you have ten seconds to prep yourself before you’re in full control of Cole. Yes, the entire city is at your fingertips within ten seconds. No menu screen to fool around with, no game save to select (it does so automatically). BAM. You’re in the game. And from there, things become even faster and more tightly executed.
This title is the opposite of Metal Gear Solid 4 in that the majority of its story is told through gameplay. And the motion graphic cinemas that are used to transition between key sections of the story are bare-bones. Because the story is told from a first person perspective, Cole slims down these interactions by telling the player what went down, and what other characters said to him. It’s a fast paced story that, because it’s so well designed, still manages to keep the player up to speed. Story progression happens mainly on Cole’s cell phone, which is beautiful because you can be listening in on a major plot twist while riding an elevated train, shooting enemies off rooftops.
inFamous begins with a tranquil view of Empire City, with words on the screen saying “Press Start.” It’s a tempting instruction, one that sets off a huge electrical explosion that rips the city apart. At the epicenter of the carnage and destruction is Cole, a package delivery man who’s barely injured by the blast. Trish, Cole’s girlfriend, and Zeke, his coworker/best pal, are Cole’s closest contacts in the game, though a mysterious woman by the name of Moya keeps track of the fledgling superhero’s progress. She claims to be searching for her husband, John, and claims she’ll give Cole his freedom if he rescues John, which leads to one of the most interesting mini-games in recent memory.
