 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Infamous 2
- PlayStation 3
- Price: $59.99
- Genre: Action/Adventure
Common Sense Media says
Superhero sequel lets players choose to be good or evil.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Infamous 2 is a third-person action game with mature themes concerning morality, though its content remains tame enough to maintain a “Teen” rating. Blood, sexual innuendo, and profanity are present, but are of a quantity and quality fairly described as moderate. That said, players will contend with plenty of game scenarios in which they have the opportunity to hurt or kill civilians. The story doesn’t push players toward being good or evil, but instead leaves it up to each player to choose how he or she wants to act. Moral decisions impact the narrative and how non-player characters view the game’s hero. Players can customize missions that can be downloaded by other players, but there is no opportunity for online communication with strangers.
What's it about?
The follow-up to 2009’s popular PlayStation-exclusive superhero action game, INFAMOUS 2 puts players back in the shoes of the electric man, Cole MacGrath, a courier given energy-based super powers after a massive explosion. With his home, Empire City, destroyed by a creature known simply as “the beast,” Cole has made his way to the New Orleans-inspired town of New Marais, where he hopes to grow his abilities to be able to defeat the monster, which is tearing a path across the continental U.S. toward him. But first he must confront a town filled with “redneck” thugs who want him dead, as well as a civilian population that will either grow to adore him or fear and hate him based on his actions. As in the first game, players have the ability to do good or evil as they progress through the story, and their actions will affect both the narrative and the way people around Cole behave.
Is it any good?
It’s not as fresh or inventive as the original, but Infamous 2’s open-world super hero action should still prove compelling for older teens and adults. His superpowers, which include everything from acrobatic climbing and the ability to telekinetically move objects to wielding lightning bolts and healing civilians with the power of electricity, are as much fun to use as they’ve ever been. And there is no shortage of things to do in New Marais. Just run around for a few seconds and a new holdup, kidnapping, user-generated mission, or morality-based side quest will pop up.
But while the action is still here, the storytelling has slipped. It was interesting to see how Cole reacted to his newfound abilities in the original game, but now he seems one-dimensional and a little bit power hungry. He needs more internal conflict to keep us interested in him as a character -- something developer Sucker Punch will need to work on if they want to maintain our attention in future games.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about morality in video games. Unlike films, television, and books, games sometimes allow players to choose whether the protagonist is good or evil. Do you think a player’s choices in these situations reflect his or her personality? Can players learn anything valuable from fantasizing the role of a villain?
Families can also discuss violence in Teen-rated games. Where do you draw the line on violence in media consumed by your teens?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
SPOILER ALERT
*SPOILER ALERT*
Infamous 2 is an extremely fun game! My husband played all the way through the first infamous, and then also infamous 2 and I watched him play the entire time. I don't remember any significant language, however it is possible that I missed it, I wasn't trying to seriously filter for a kid. To be honest, its a really good game, and has strong messages about morality, and treating friends well. If you play through as good, you have to avoid doing damage to civilians while also completing difficult missions. Each time you do damage to civilians you become "more evil". However it does equate evil to infamous, so I suppose that could be a problem. Also if you choose the evil route, in the end you slowly zap your friend to death.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
(Spoilers) Outline of game content
This is a very deep gaming experience that is a must play game. I have played both the evil and good sides of the game all the way through (excluding side missions) and there is a lot parents need to know. Regardless of the path you take you still kill a lot of people and creatures. Although on one side it is for the good of others, and on the other side it is with selfish motives. (Spoiler alert) If you play the game good your character sacrifices himself for the good of man kind generally saving all of humanity, This good path has positive messages and influences, although violence is used for entertainment (all non graphic).on the other side of the games moral compass, there is a completely different tone and general theme. You are encouraged to kill civilians and cops, while not gory it does seem graphic and has a very emotional, aggressive effect on you that younger audiences should not experience. (More spoilers) In the end of the evil career your character makes the extremely selfish similar to that of magneto in xmen. That humans are an extinct race and that people with powers are the future. Although you don't play it your character sets out to destroy humanity and save those with powers, with the goal of killing billions of innocent people. At the end of the evil career your character does kill his best friend in an interactive way that you take part in. This game is amazingly deep and you do get very emotionally tied to the main characters which you can end up betraying. Depending how you play this can be a very positive experience or a very emotional dark experience however I do recommend that every one mature enough to experience this game does.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A great sequel that expands further on the original.
The only reason I took away a star is because of the troublesome camera and occasional repetition, but this is still a better game than the first. The story is even more compelling than the first game, the action is great, the graphics are much better than the first game, and the world of New Marais is more lively than Empire City. It also features two unforgettable endings that are worth two playthroughs. Don't let Common Sense Media's 3 star rating fool you into not getting this game. This is an excellent PS3 title that is also one of the best the system has to offer.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Better than first game
Infamous 2 is a vast improvement to the first game which was good but no great. Infamous 2 offers a more exciting story line and you care more about the characters in this game much more than you did in the first. Graphics are amazing, combat has improved, and it is well just........GREAT!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
fun but very violent
very violent! has awesome graphics and my kids enjoy it
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
June 22, 2011
AGE
Infamous 2
Not as good as first but still minted the language is nothing people won't have heard before.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Star Wars and Assassin's Creed
This game shouldn't be rated 16. That is a rating which doesn't exist in the minds of teens. Depending on the game 16 is either 12 or 18. I say 13 because as a 13 year old I and my friends play this game. The violence is very much like Star Wars: Using an electric arsenal of weapons. The only guns in the game are the ones used by the enemy and even then there is no violence. Sure you're able to be evil but you don't slaughter innocent people with a butchers knife, the way kill people is almost like putting them down!
Overall I think this game is a mixture of Star Wars and Assassin's Creed.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
ONLY 3 STARS COMMON SENSE
i just got this game today and as soon as i got home i put it and my ps3 and had a great time playing one of the best video games ever ( i have not won it yet that shows how good it is) and i am so mad at common sense for giving it 3 stars it is better then the first and don't listen to this review parents the game is not that bad so go and buy this game for your kids they will have a great time.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
July 26, 2011
AGE
s
Good game. has to much killing and in the redlight district. there is a sign saying Nude Girls even though there is no nudity in this game
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
July 16, 2011
AGE
Great game
I love this game it's full of awesome details and it's very fun to choose whether you want to be good or evil in the game.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Platforms: | PlayStation 3 |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Release date: | June 7, 2011 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Blood, Drug Reference, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence |
Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.
Review It
Screenshots
1 of 3
2 of 3
3 of 3
Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already played it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
