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inFAMOUS

(2009, Video Games - Action/Adventure, Rated T, Play it on: PlayStation 3)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    How you play superhuman adventure results in fame or infamy.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 15 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The game encourages violence against "bad guys" and penalizes the player for attacking innocent civilians. That said, players can decide to play hero or anti-hero by making key decisions throughout the game.
  • Violence:

    While not excessively brutal, this action-adventure hybrid features plenty of violence, with the player using primarily superhuman powers to zap enemies. Some blood can be seen while finishing off these baddies, but nothing too gory. A few of the comic book-like scenes might be upsetting to some such as seeing a machine gun taking down innocent civilians or a row of people hung by nooses.
  • Sex:

    Some women, including a chesty boss character, show plenty of cleavage and spurts out a few sexual references about enjoying "it" in bed.
  • Language:

    No F-bombs are dropped, but the game does contain words such as "sh-t," bitch," "damn" and "ass."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A few references to drug dealers can be heard via dialogue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of inFAMOUS was written by Marc Saltzman

Parents can think of inFAMOUS as 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.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • 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?

Did this review help you decide?
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More on inFAMOUS

What’s the Story?

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.

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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.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 5/26/2009, price $59.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence)

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Our Members Say

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See all 24 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    good for teens and tweens but not for kids

    I do not think that this game is that bad for kids 12 or older but it may be a little violent and/or disturbing to some little kids

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    Load down on Infamous

    This game totally blew me away when I first played it. Graphics are just jaw dropping and the story line is remarkable. I mean who doesn't want to play a game in which a whole entire city block is leveled by a sonic blast. This game contains violence but it's just like spiderman except with lightning bolts. Blood surrounds the screen when you get hurt and in order for you not to die you have to shock yourself with enough energy to be back to full health. I recommend this game to anyone that's looking for a cool third person/first person gmae. Hope this helped you make a decision about Infamous

  3. I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Just not a kids game

    Just not a kids game

  4. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    Great game not bad for kids

    I think this game is great without containing anything too bad. Their is blood but only in something like a small burst if the player is hit. The enemies do not draw blood though because the player zaps them, not cut off their arm or something.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    play the demo, it's awsome

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