Graphics

inFAMOUS is a nice looking game, it has a set time/day cycle as the game progresses and you can really see the detail in all the environments. The buildings and the people have a good layer of texturing to them and the main hero has a distinctive look, Cole’s personality shines through in his actual dress and clothing based on how good/evil you are in the game. The city also changes based on how you help or hinder, with neighbourhoods looking vibrant and full of life if you’re being heroic and the people have hope, or conversely they look like dives and ghettos if you hinder the population and become their enemy. The special effects for Cole’s various powers are extremely well done and the game has a high cool factor in that regard.

Animations

The animation in inFAMOUS is good quality, Cole is extremely well animated and he’s full of character. His idle animations and the way he plays with electricity help add a level of detail to his design and immerse you a little more in his personality. When he’s running, climbing and moving at full speed Cole is an extremely nimble character, the context sensitive parkour helps to keep you going and full tilt and watching him grind a power rail or flip off the side of a building into a sudden drop full of sparks is nice. Watch out for water though, Cole tends to send waves of electricity from his body in puddles and he can kill civilians who stand too close. The rest of the world is alive around him and it comes across in all the other animations, from the civilians to the gangs like the Reapers, it’s all well put together.

Physics

The explosive physics effects are nice; the physics in the game are decent. Cole’s powers have a direct effect on the environment and the enemies ragdoll through the air nicely if caught in a big blast. They also react well when struck by Cole’s combat moves and combined with the animation system, it works solidly.

AI

The enemy AI is pretty standard, it does a good job of providing a challenge and each gang has a different theme along with many different types of enemy combatants. The Reapers employ fire bombing gang members that rush you for instance. The Dust Men are more likely to take cover and engage from a distance or up on high. NPC AI is likewise good, it reacts nicely to everything that’s going on around it and people can really freak out if Cole is going down the Evil path.

Sound

The ambient sound effects of Empire City are excellent either day or night, the city feels alive with the hum of power cables or the swish of roof mounted AC fans. The sizzle and crackle of Cole’s electrical powers combined with the thud of his electrically charged fists on the enemy are solid and well done. The spot effects and sound work of the game are really polished, there’s nothing that we can gripe about here at all.

Music

The game has a nice musical score that builds at all the right places, levelling off when things are calmer and adds a good pacing and sense of urgency to certain missions.

Voice and Dialogue

The voice work in the game is solid, the script is a little hokey at times but that’s nothing too bothersome. Cole has a good voice and his character is well presented, Zeke is an annoying sidekick but helps provide some insight to Cole’s world. The NPC dialogue as you wander the streets is excellent and it helps to build on the atmosphere of the game and create a city on the brink of chaos, recovering from a great disaster.

Multiplayer

None, zero, zip, nada.

All in all

I really liked inFAMOUS and there’s a fair amount to do. The core story will last a while depending on how much you like to grind up that XP to upgrade Cole’s powers and there are some nice twists and turns. Collecting Blast Shards and Dead Drops are interesting little diversions that offer minor rewards. The game feels a little repetitious in the side missions from time to time and the enemy aren’t too challenging unless you make a big mistake or two. There are no animation glitches and there is certainly no problem with draw distance or tearing, this is a superbly made title.