Summary
The PlayStation 4 began its life withKillzone: ShadowfallandKnackas launch titles, as thoughInFamous Second Sonwas planned to launch alongside the console, fans had to wait a little longer. The four-month delay was worth it, with the 2014Sucker Punchgame bringing players to a beautiful recreation of Seattle, having them grapple with smoke, neon, video, and concrete powers.
In many respects,InFamous Second Sonfeels ahead of its time. It was one of the PS4’s first big hits, and reacquainted players with the Sucker Punch-developed IP, but as the years have gone on, its impact is all the more apparent. Ten years have passed, and Delsin Rowe’s journey remains a truly worthwhile one.InFamous Second Son, which turned 10 years old today on March 21, is also a startling reminder of the untapped potential of one of PlayStation’s more overlooked franchises.
InFamous Has Endless Potential in a Growing Genre
InFamousand its sequel focused on Cole McGrath and are beloved PS3 classics, perhaps being more revered even than the third game. They deployed interesting open worlds and used gameplay mechanics that never got boring, even after extended play sessions. However, the lasting impact ofSecond Sonfeels more prominent, given how the decade after its release has panned out. It showed that theInFamousformula could be tweaked, but largely replicated to fit into a new, non-fictional city with a different character at the forefront, and a fresh story for them to embark on.
InFamous Second Sonwas followed up in August 2014 byInFamous First Light, a side story focused on Fetch, a supporting character seen in the main game.
Knowing this, it’s not a difficult leap to believe thatInFamoushas more that it can give, as it is an idea that has proved to be evergreen. There has been no shortage of superhero-centric AAA games over the last 10 years, from singleplayer offerings likeBatman: Arkham Knightand Insomniac’sSpider-Man, to multiplayer live-services likeMarvel’s AvengersandSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. LikeInvinciblein the realm of TV,InFamous Second Son, and indeed the series at large, is a fresh, non-DC or Marvel franchise that would fit into the landscape with ease. Delsin’s story shows that the series can evolve alongside the industry a decade ago, and the property is undoubtedly more fertile for something similar in 2024, as the game’s only misstep was that it was too early for its own good.
Delsin Rowe’s journey remains a truly worthwhile one. It is also a startling reminder of the untapped potential of one of PlayStation’s more overlooked franchises.
Sony’s First Party Has Proven to be Ripe for Superhero Stories
First party titles often feel like a balancing act, with safe bets regularly being favored over big swings. The often sky-high budget for such projects can put pressure on a game to succeed, because if it doesn’t (likeNaughty Dog’s multiplayerThe Last of Ustitle, for example), the consequences can be obvious. Sony has commandeered the third-person action/adventure space with games likeGod of War, Horizon, andGhost of Tsushima, andInFamous Second Sonfits that mold perfectly.
Sucker Punch is rumored to be working onGhost of Tsushima 2, though no official annoucement has been made.
It also fits the ever-growing superhero genre, which has been spearheaded in recent years by the excellentSpider-Mangames crafted by fellow first-party studio, Insomniac. The pair have a lot of parallels, butInFamoushas the bragging rights of being first. Now isthe perfect time for moreInFamous, and the steps thatSecond Sontookaway from Cole McGrath, Empire City, and New Marais shouldn’t be wasted. The 2014 game is an incredibly important touchstone for the developer as well as the PlayStation brand, and a decade on, it’s clearer than ever to see.
