GDC: inFamous

By Ellie Gibson Published 25 March, 2009

Cole power.

Last year was all about the battle of the band games, as Rock Band went head-to-head with Guitar Hero. Things will be different in 2009 - unless Activision decides to release a Rolling Stones game, but that's another story. This year, it's time for a superhero showdown as Radical's Prototype takes on inFamous, a PS3 exclusive from Sucker Punch.

The context is different, as there's no history of franchise-swapping here. However, the content is remarkably similar. inFamous stars a white male hero in his twenties, who wakes up to find the big US city he lives in has descended into chaos. He also learns he's acquired some mysterious superpowers. In Prototype, set in a big US city that recently descended into chaos, the hero, who is white, male and about 25, awakens to learn he has acquired some superpowers, which are mysterious.

We got the chance to play Prototype last month, and now it's time for a hands-on session with inFamous at the Game Developers Conference. The first level available appears to be the first level of the game, as it's all tutorially. The on-screen text states that it's "Day 14 of the quarantine". Our hero, Cole, is hanging about on the roof of a tall building with a fat bloke in a tracksuit called Zeke.

There's a broken telly on the roof, along with a load of power generators. Zeke asks you to charge them up, and the on-screen instructions tell you how - press L1 to target, then R1 to release a blast of electricity. This is your default weapon and puzzle solver, and you're always able to use it even if you've emptied the meter showing how much electric energy you have stored.

'GDC: inFamous' Screenshot 1

Evil Cole shoots out red lightning, unlike Good Cole, who prefers blue.

You'll need to fill it up if you want to pull off Cole's more advanced moves. To help with this there's a "ping" manoeuvre you can use to identify any objects supplying electricity in the vicinity - then it's a matter of pressing L2 to get the juice from them. You can also suck power from your enemies. As you explore each level you'll come across hidden items called Blast Shards, and if you collect five of these your power meter will increase by one extra segment.

So what are the moves you're storing up all this energy for? That will depend on how you choose to play the game. There's the option to be kind and helpful by healing injured civilians, caring about who gets caught in your crossfire and so on. Or you might decide to go round smashing up everything in your path and stealing energy from everyone around you.

There are also specific moments where you get to make moral choices. In the first level, for example, food parcels are dropped into the city. You can either let the people scrambling for a share grab it all, or shoot the lot of them with your crazy electrofists and nick the food for yourself.

'GDC: inFamous' Screenshot 2

Here's how you'll choose which powers Cole acquires and how his character develops.

Citizens will react to Cole differently depending on how you behave, and you'll rack up good or bad karma as you go. This affects how the powers you earn play out. For example if you've taken the good path, your electromagic grenades will only stun whoever they hit. You can then hog-tie enemies if you don't want to kill them, and send civilians on their way. If you've been bad, however, the grenades will cause widespread and indiscriminate devastation.

It's hard to believe anyone would bother tying up dizzy people rather than just blowing them to bits with massive balls of lightning. But according to Sucker Punch, playtesters often choose the path of righteousness, as there are distinct benefits. For example, being evil gives you access to the Sadistic Shot move, which increases the radius of your electric explosions. If you behave yourself, however, you can acquire the Righteous Blow, which gives you a small energy boost each time you hit an enemy.

There are no weapons in the game as such. Although the nice man doing the demo refers to "grenades" and "rocket launchers", it's really just different formations of energy bursts. But while inFamous might not look like a shooter, it feels like one to play; square for grenades, triangle for rockets, circle to take cover, L1 to target and right stick to move the camera... Familiar stuff.

You'll need to master it all the same to succeed at inFamous's boss battles. The first of those on show at GDC is set in an underground lair. It's home to a nutty lady called Sasha who has similar powers to your own. You realise she's bonkers as soon as you arrive, as there's some cheesy banter where she acts like you're late home for dinner: "Darling, what took you so long? I told you not to take the bridge, traffic's terrible..."

The lair is full of weird red neon light and there's black goo on the floor which drains your energy on contact, so you'll need to leap between the rocks littered about while Sasha fires bolts of energy at you. Victory involves pulling out the strange plug-like objects attached to her torso. Grabbing her cues a close-up animation where you can see Sasha's glowing red eyes and a dozen sharp scarlet tongues waggling out of her mouth. It's more comic book in tone than say, Prototype, with all its gory realism. As a result the effect is unnerving rather than horrifying.

The final level we got to play begins in the grounds of a prison and is extremely hard. You face off with a giant monster made out of trash, along with hordes of his minions. There's a constantly charged electrical grid you can stand on to keep your power meter topped up. All the same, it seems impossible to defeat the endless waves of enemies with just the grenade and rocket launcher moves to choose from. The nice demo man assures us there's still work to be done with regards to the difficulty level, and said 80 per cent of the QA team are also unable to finish this particular boss off. But he's probably just being nice.

'GDC: inFamous' Screenshot 3

They don't come much meaner and moodier than this.

inFamous isn't out for a few months yet so there's time to fiddle with the difficulty, and with some of the other elements that might need tweaking. The physics system, for example, could do with a bit more work. For the most part, objects explode, shatter, burn and scatter as you'd expect them to, but there are some inconsistencies. Firing a blast of energy at Zeke's table on the rooftop scattered all the objects except a carton of Chinese food, and firing another blast just made it vanish suddenly. The table and chairs exploded satisfyingly into pieces when firing directly at them, but again, the pieces just vanished.

In addition, the visual style seems inconsistent at some points. It's partly down to the over-the-top lighting, as seen in Sasha's lair. It suggests the design team has gone for a comic book look, but the high level of detail in the environments and the elements of gritty realism don't look so good under brightly coloured lighting. The cut-scenes, however, are highly impressive, perhaps because they feature stylised images that could be straight from the pages of a graphic novel and simple colour palettes.

'GDC: inFamous' Screenshot 4

If you're a fan of Psi-Ops or Second Sight, some of this will feel familiar.

Sucker Punch has got until June to tweak and polish inFamous. Prototype is also out in June, funnily enough. It's clear they have a lot in common, but even having played both, it's too soon to pick a winner. The success or failure of each game will depend greatly on the mechanics of their open worlds. It will also be determined by the character development systems and how well they work. Sucker Punch's history of platform games has also yet to come out in demos, but we know Cole's itching to haul himself up the side of those skyscrapers, take to the rooftops and go a bit Crackdown - something that could be decisive.

Until we've had the chance to fully test out these elements, it's impossible to call. At least it's sure to be an interesting fight.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (53) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • JohnnyWashnGo #1 3 years ago

    Smells like meh.

  • Goodfella #2 3 years ago

    Aww, not a 360 game, is that the problem?

    Looks good to me.

  • Doctor_What #3 3 years ago

    I'm keeping a close eye on both of these... But I'll probably only buy one in the months after their release. It's going to be a close run thing to see which turns out the best. I loved Crackdown, so I suspect it'll be whichever emulates that the closest!

  • Tyranix #4 3 years ago

    Sounds rather generic. I hope the lightning moves don't get too repetative, since there are no other weapons to use.

    Ah well, I still look forward to it even though my hopes are beginning to drop.

  • menage #5 3 years ago

    @Tyranix

    Sadly, based on the gameplay videos on the US store it already gets boring after 5 minutes of zap zap zap zap zap zap. The guy really needs other powers to keep shit fresh.

  • DFawkes #6 3 years ago

    I agree it smells like meh. Nothing inherantly wrong, just a bit generic sounding. If I'm going to piss about being a hero, I'll play Crackdown or even Spider-man 3 (it's okay if you ignore the actual missions). If I want good or evil play, I'll play KOTOR or Fable.

    Though I'm still curious enough to check out gameplay vids closer to the time, so if those look good I could be persuaded to upgrade it to meh+1.

  • lambtron #7 3 years ago

    I watched the videos of this on EG and it looked soooooo bad. I couldn't actually detect any gameplay whatsoever.

  • oxymoron #8 3 years ago

    Joystiq hs some good new vids on the karma system, looks very interesting tbh.

  • mkreku #9 3 years ago

    [link url=http:// www.gametrailers.com/player/47100.html
    ]http://ww w.gametrailers.com/player/47100...[/link]

    I think it looks rather good.

  • Goodfella #10 3 years ago

    Prototype is the clear winner.

    Because you've obviously played and completed both (unfinished) games?

  • muscleblade #11 3 years ago

    "Prototype is the clear winner"

    Probably.

  • El-Dev #12 3 years ago

    Using my super powers I see a 7 for this.

  • rotmm #13 3 years ago

    @Goodfella, "Aww, not a 360 game, is that the problem?"

    If you took at look at his profile, you'd see that he has a PS2 and PS3, yet not a 360.

    Therefore, it's clear that your comment highlights your bias more than his.

    "Looks good to me."

    Aww, cos it's a PS3 game, is that the reason?

  • El-Dev #14 3 years ago

    @rotmm

    Speaking of bias did you read the posts from farticus and muscleblade. I do understand though that these two are not the best example of 360 owners...well not all of them at least.

  • M_of_the_sys #15 3 years ago

    I want to know what the puzzle elements are. Trailer looked ok but nothing special.

    "Prototype is the clear winner."

    How predictable of you.

  • Goodfella #16 3 years ago

    Aww bless. No, it's not because it's a PS3 game.

  • rotmm #17 3 years ago

    @El-Dev,

    Read them, but neither of them "called out" another user for stating an opinion and accsed them of bias.
    Edited by 1 at 25/03/09 @ 09:48

  • Goodfella #18 3 years ago

    Give it time.

  • miiiguel #19 3 years ago

    Best game ever. Clearly wins over Protosomething.

    There!

  • Moz #20 3 years ago

    From what i've seen so far this like it's going to be more like Crackdown then Prototype. But then again to me Crackdown was rather meh anyway!! Though was alot of as a chill out prat about kind of game.

    Can see inFamous being more "sit back and enjoy" then prototype, with Prototype giving you more depth. Which would be cool cos then they'd both be worth getting for different reasons

  • DrDamn #21 3 years ago

    I'm not fully convinced by either yet. I prefer the exploration element of this as it should have more of a "how do I get there?" element to it - Prototype just looks like you run anywhere you like without effort. That might be great for some but exploration is a big part of sandbox games for me and I want some challenge to it. If they don't exploit that element in inFamous though then the point is moot.

  • rotmm #22 3 years ago

    @Goodfella, "Give it time."

    Oh, don't worry, I'm sure they'll follow your lead. You're pretty much peas from the same pod, after all.

  • Goodfella #23 3 years ago

    I don't think so pal. I don't troll 360 related threads trying to bait 360 owners.

  • rotmm #24 3 years ago

    Ah, you just troll PS3 owners accusing them of 360 bias then.

    Much better.

  • Goodfella #25 3 years ago

    On this one occurance, yes.

    Now, back to the game. Looks good to me.

  • miiiguel #26 3 years ago

    [link url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/galaga-legions -review/comments
    ]http://ww w.eurogamer.net/articles/galaga...[/link]

    "Goodfella
    20-Aug-08 13:14:08 I definitely would have got this if Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty wasn't out tomorrow on the PSN, and yes, the "As good as" bollocks is about as funny as piles.
    Edited time(s), most recently by Goodfella at 14:14 on 20/08/2008
    ignore poster "

  • Goodfella #27 3 years ago

    Hardly trolling there, miiiguel. But well done on finding a pretty harmless comment from 7 months ago. You must be very satisfied.

  • miiiguel #28 3 years ago

    Goodbuddy, all in all we are all harmless. Hopefully.

    /runs... late for work...

  • wittynic #29 3 years ago

    Prototype does look more interesting in terms of powers etc. I dont have a PS3 though, so there isn't alot of choice for me anyway :)

  • NotSoSlim #30 3 years ago

    Looks great and the new vids detailing the Karma system enables at least a couple of play throughs. Until a more detailed preview is done on both games i will wait.

  • breedob #31 3 years ago

    if there is enough variety in the gameplay and a decent story i think this could be quite good.

  • Krelle #32 3 years ago

    Did no one play and like Sly Raccon? (Sucker-Punch's ps2 project)
    I played the second one and though it was pure class. Up there with Jak&Daxter/Ratchet&Clank if we talk ps2-plattformers.

    Couse of that, I have high hopes for inFamous.

  • septimus #33 3 years ago

    Why are most 360 owners on this site pathetic?

    Anyway, this game has a long way to go to impress me. Same for Prototype, I think they are both going be utterly average.

  • Goodfella #34 3 years ago

    Yeah I played all the Sly Raccoon games, they were really good platformers. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean inFamous will be worth a purchase.

  • Petulant_Radish #35 3 years ago

    I’m going to get a cheeseboard and stick a battery in a ripe piece of Brie instead, then I’m going to smear it on myself and run around Islington throwing lumps of various cheeses at people. Each cheese would have different dynamic impact effects, a particularly pungent blue being the strongest to start with. Someone should make a game about me.

  • BigE0n #36 3 years ago

    Does this or Prototype have multi player?

    I love the multi player in crackdown its a laugh, hope they think to do something like this for these games?

  • Vanmunt #37 3 years ago

    I’m going to get a cheeseboard and stick a battery in a ripe piece of Brie instead, then I’m going to smear it on myself and run around Islington throwing lumps of various cheeses at people. Each cheese would have different dynamic impact effects, a particularly pungent blue being the strongest to start with. Someone should make a game about me.

    ha ha, well then I am going to attach serrated bits of metal to myself and call myself 'Cheese Grater Man' and be your arch nemesis..

  • kinky_mong #38 3 years ago

    Getting a bit bored of "moral choices" in games now. It gets touted as a game defining feature but barely any games get the balance right.

    Bioshock springs to mind instantly, where the supposed lack of Adam from saving the Little Sisters compared to harvesting them goes out the window when after a while you get a huge Adam bonus after saving enough. Other games like Fable 2 supposedly penalise you for going on killing sprees, but you can return to the same areas a bit later and everyone acts as if you didn't commit genocide a few in game hours ago. In fact being Satan incarnate was the only thing that made Fable 2 bearable for me.

  • sneetch #39 3 years ago

    Only problem I can see with this is the weakness of his spark attack: (with the effect it has on people I think it'd be glorifying it by calling it "lightning" :) ) I'd prefer if it was a little less "pistol" and a bit more "shotgun" but I'm sure that's an option (charge up - boom, charge up - boom).

    As for the game, it could be great depending on how the story plays out, certainly no worse than [insert other sandbox game here].

    Edit: missing the end.
    Edited by 1 at 25/03/09 @ 12:08

  • sneetch #40 3 years ago

    @septimus
    Why are most 360 owners on this site pathetic?

    Most? Most don't even post on the forums. Oh I forgot, on the internet most means, what? Two? Three?

    Why are you unable to grasp the concept that the console you happen to own has no real bearing on the persons personality? Or do you actually believe the Sony marketing BS and think that you've bought a lifestyle rather than a console?

    "I'd like to complain, I've bought a Sony TV, a Sony VIAO laptop and a PS3 and my apartment hasn't turned into a luxury, airy penthouse where I sit rugged, unshaven and interesting looking while my beautiful girlfriend sits alongside me smiling and apparently fascinated by what I'm doing! I demand to speak to the manager!"

  • miiiguel #41 3 years ago

    My quest to end segregation fails once again.

    Tbh, not sure if I want it anymore

  • M_of_the_sys #42 3 years ago

    @sneetch

    Most? Most don't even post on the forums. Oh I forgot, on the internet most means, what? Two? Three?

    "Why are you unable to grasp the concept that the console you happen to own has no real bearing on the persons personality? Or do you actually believe the Sony marketing BS and think that you've bought a lifestyle rather than a console?"

    I think he's referring to the xbots that trawl the PS3 forums making silly comments to score popularity amongst their troll friends.

    Still, his one little comment seems to have got you really worked up. Careful you don't hurt yourself.

  • makeamazing #43 3 years ago

    These game remind me alot of Star Wars... not really hooked with either game at the moment. The car explosions look nice, but its going to take alot more than that to make me interested. So for the moment, this is just a keep an eye out for.

  • ronuds #44 3 years ago

    "Getting a bit bored of "moral choices" in games now. It gets touted as a game defining feature but barely any games get the balance right."

    +1

    The choices normally don't change the game one way or the other either. You can go about things being a bastard or an angel, but you're going to end up on the same path either way.

  • PrivateJoker #45 3 years ago

    This makes for an interesting read:

    The writer calls it effing awesome.

    [link url=http ://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/964/964644p1.html
    ]http://uk .ps3.ign.com/articles/964/96464...[/link]

    @Farti: banal as always. Predictable as piss and wind.

  • Petulant_Radish #46 3 years ago

    In a word of such absolute black and white, why is there never any grey? Why when being evil can I learn some moves, then mysteriously forget them if I decide to be good for a while? Personally I’d still just like to pelt someone with some sharpened parmesan.

  • des #47 3 years ago

    zap zap zap

  • DrDamn #48 3 years ago

    @Petulant_Radish
    Well you could explain it like Jedi forces - the good abilities are about channelling happy thoughts (Roquefort, Gorgonzola) - the evil abilities are about channelling bad thoughts (Mild Cheddar, Dairylea).

    Ah feck it, it's a game mechanic which gives you a different way to play a game again and thus enhance longevity should you so wish.

  • Pastici #49 3 years ago

    I've got to say its prototype for me as the Hulk game that studio made was hella fun, plus I have no PS3. PS3 are shit yadda yadda yadda. ;)

  • rarebit #50 3 years ago

    bord of this and know nothing about it.

  • Triggerhappytel #51 3 years ago

    I am really looking forward to this and I loved the Sly Cooper games, but I am still a bit concerned about the combat; it looks terribly repetitive and at times quite ineffectual. I also hope the set-pieces are varied and interesting - more so than, say, Assassin's Creed, to say the least.

    I prefer the style and content of this to Prototype though; I don't like the way that game is determined to go OTT with the violence & gore to prove how mature it is and generate sales. At least, that's an observation I've made from the videos and previews I've read of it so far.

  • Execta #52 3 years ago

    The karma system and how you can choose between good 'n evil... Open world mechanics and different electricity powers... They seem cool. But I hope they polish up those physics. It's annoying to see in a game how some chair pieces instantly disappear. I hope they'll fix stuff like that.

  • Syrette #53 3 years ago

    As said before, looks very, very 'meh'.

    Cue people whining at me, informing me that I am an Xbot because I'm not overly impressed with a PS3 game.