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What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Marc Saltzman

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?

4

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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