inFAMOUS

Game review by Marc Saltzman, Common Sense Media
inFAMOUS Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

How you play superhuman adventure results in fame or infamy.

PlayStation 3 2009
Rate game

Parents say

age 10+

Based on 30 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 86 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that inFAMOUS is a kind of open-ended Grand Theft Auto-style game -- peppered with more than 100 missions and containing fighting scenes against enemies -- but it's a lot tamer than the "infamous" GTA series (it's rated "teen" instead of "Mature"). Yes, the player can choose to be a bad guy by abusing his newfound superhuman powers, but will be rewarded for using it for good. Electricity-based powers are used against human enemies, and some blood can be seen during or following a battle. Some potentially disturbing comic book-like scenes exist, too, such as humans hanging from a noose. There are suggestive visuals (including a sexy female boss) and some foul language can be heard.

Community Reviews

karma90
karma90 Adult
May 26, 2022
age 18+

Don't bother

You're encouraged to be evil. All the better abilities are only unlocked if you're a bad guy, and all the NPC people just LOVE to get caught in your crossfire, causing you to earn more points towards evil, than you're earning as a good guy. Even with 30% damage reduction, I'm still getting snipped from across the map, by enemies who are too far away for the game to even load. And so, I'm stuck constantly getting shot at by invisible enemies. Oh and the best part is, very so often and only during missions, the game will break and you'll fall through the world causing you to die and having to start at the very beginning. Enjoy ;)
asmodeous_666
asmodeous_666 Adult
May 5, 2021
age 8+

really good game and shouldn't be rated 16+

it is a fun game and there is a way to skip all the nudity in the game because there is no nudity at all it is a really fun way better choice than GTA games fun good game the bio leech combo where you suck someone's soul which sounds very very violent but really is not and not that much for a 7 or 8-year-old and there might be some swearing but not that much just like crap dam and that is it

This title has:

Easy to play/use
See all 30 parent reviews

What’s It About?

What would you do if you suddenly developed superhuman strength in a corrupt world: protect the weak and innocent, use your newfound power for personal gain, or a little of both? You can find out for yourself in INFAMOUS, a PS3 exclusive that puts you in the shoes of Cole MacGrath, an everyday guy who not only survives a mysterious explosion while delivering a package in downtown Empire City, but is transformed by it. In the aftermath of the blast, the quarantined city collapses into chaos as it becomes overrun by powerful criminals.

Is It Any Good?

Sure, this open-ended adventure has a goal in mind for you -- track down whomever was responsible for the blast and prevent the city from self-destructing -- but you can also decide whether to use or abuse your evolving superpowers as you begin to experience fame and/or infamy. In fact, your electricity-based powers will evolve depending on which path you take. Play as a noble fighter and you'll access one type of upgrades while becoming evil unlocks more sinister and sadistic abilities. This is all tied to a six-level Karma System that monitors your good or evil deeds and leads to specific consequences of your actions in the lengthy single-player story, totaling 100 missions on three large islands.

The game is one of the best PS3 exclusives of 2009 thus far. Consider it a Grand Theft Auto-like open-ended adventure with so much to see and explore, plus it's a "blast" to use special powers and roam about the landscapes, even vertically. The tight game-play -- created by Sucker Punch of Sly Cooper fame -- is wrapped in a gorgeous world and with great-sounding audio, too. inFAMOUS is a great pick for teenage PS3 owners.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether kids should play titles that let you be good or evil -- such as Fable II, Black & White 2, Spore and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. When playing these decisions-have-consequences games, do you always choose to play as the side of good? How does it feel to be bad? Do you think playing games like this (that permit you to be bad) tempt you to be bad in real life or is this just an endeavor that never becomes anything but a game?

Game Details

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