Cert: 16+
Platform: PS3
Genre: Sandbox
Cole McGrath is back for another adventure in the much-anticipated sequel to Sucker Punch's 2009 hit Infamous on PS3. This time the story focuses the impending battle between Cole and the mythical figure of The Beast, prophesized from the initial game, and it doesn't take long for you to go face-to-face with this nemesis, shooting lightning bolts from your finger tips and catapulting foes.
While the first game was praised for its highly effective and engaging interactive open-world, Infamous 2 feels like a much more claustrophobic affair and is stifled by poor 'camera work', especially in the battle scenes, which renders this to be little more than a button-basher which will disappoint the more restrained gamer.
Whereas Rockstar titles like Red Dead Redemption, the recent LA Noire and, of course, the Grand Theft Auto series benefit from an open-world and hyper-realistic style of gameplay. Wisely, Sucker Punch hasn't attempted to copy this and have opted for a more stylised identity to the game. Unfortunately, though, this is more of a curse than a blessing as it becomes progressively more difficult to get absorbed into the game because of the over-the-top action and manic camera movements.
Overall, Infamous 2 is a disappointing sequel, considering the praise and success which surrounded the original. It will undoubtedly entertain those with active thumsb who like their screens busy with action and their villains fast and dangerous. However, those brought up on the gritty realism of a Grand Theft Auto-type game might find Infamous 2 a little overwrought, a little unrealistic and very unrewarding.
Rent or Buy: Rent
Graphics: 4/5
Game Play: 2/5
Replay Value: 3/5
Overall: 2.5/5
Review By: John Balfe
