Delsin Rowe can fly. That single power is enough to justify Infamous: Second Son entirely on its own. The game drops you into Seattle, gives you a set of abilities that let you glide, soar, and punch through walls, and then lets you use them however you want. The city is dense and vertical, and the developers clearly built it with motion in mind. Climbing a building feels natural, and the sense of freedom is rare in this genre.
Trailer, via PlayStation.
Delsin Rowe
Delsin is a new kind of hero for this series. He is a Native American man with powers tied to smoke and electricity, and he carries a quiet anger about his people’s history. The game leans into that background, letting his personal story shape the plot without ever turning him into a stereotype. His voice actor sells the calm exterior and the simmering rage underneath. When he speaks, you believe he means it.
His abilities are the real star. He can absorb oil, electricity, and neon light, each with its own unique way of attacking and moving through the environment. Absorbing oil lets him slide along surfaces and stick to walls. Electricity gives him a lightning strike attack and lets him ride power lines. Neon light turns him invisible to enemies for a few seconds. Switching between them mid-combat is fluid, and the game rarely asks you to hold a button to activate an ability. It just works.
The City of Seattle
Seattle is a sprawling setting, built across hills, water, and bridges. The game uses that geography to create distinct districts. The downtown core is full of skyscrapers and neon signs. The industrial north is covered in oil refineries and smokestacks. The game moves you between these areas with elevators, trains, and fast-travel points, and the transitions are seamless.
The visual design is strong. Buildings are detailed, streets are busy, and the lighting shifts from bright daylight to moody nighttime. The game runs at a steady frame rate on PS4, with occasional dips during large crowds of enemies. The audio is also excellent, with a score that mixes electronic beats with orchestral swells and sound effects that make the city feel alive.
Combat and Abilities
Combat in Infamous: Second Son is a mix of stealth and open confrontation, and the game gives you tools for both. You can take out enemies from range with a bow, sneak behind them, or charge in with a melee combo. The game rewards experimentation. Mixing abilities in combat is the best way to play.
The difficulty curve is gentle at first, then ramps up. Early fights are simple, but later encounters throw multiple enemy types at you, forcing you to switch between abilities to survive. The game also includes a dodge mechanic that lets you avoid attacks, which comes in handy when enemies start firing projectiles. The controls are tight, and the game rarely feels unfair when you fail.
Here is what stands out about the combat:
- Delsin can absorb oil, electricity, and neon light, each with its own attack style
- The bow adds ranged options to combat
- Enemies include soldiers, drones, and vehicles that force you to adapt
- The dodge mechanic gives you a second chance when you get caught
The Story
The plot follows Delsin’s search for his brother, who has been taken by a government agency. Along the way, he uncovers a conspiracy involving a powerful corporation and a mysterious virus. The story is solid, with moments of genuine tension and a few twists that land well. It is not a masterpiece, but it holds together better than most action games in this genre.
The game also explores themes of identity and power. Delsin is a man with extraordinary abilities living in a world that fears him, and the game spends time showing how that fear shapes his actions. There is a moral choice system, but it is less prominent than in earlier Infamous titles. The game focuses more on Delsin’s personal journey than on the consequences of your actions.
Performance and Technical Issues
On PS4, Infamous: Second Son runs smoothly most of the time. The frame rate stays steady during exploration, and the game handles large crowds of enemies without stuttering. The load times are short, and the game rarely crashes.
There are a few technical issues worth noting. Some textures pop in during movement, and there is occasional aliasing on distant objects. The game also has a few bugs, including enemies that get stuck or freeze during combat. These issues are minor, but they are noticeable if you look for them.
Multiplayer and Extras
Infamous: Second Son includes a multiplayer mode called Factions. The mode is a small addition, not a reason to buy the game on its own.
The game also includes extra content tied to pre-orders, including a bonus mission and a new weapon. These extras are nice to have, but they are not essential. The core game is complete on its own, and the extra content is a small bonus rather than a selling point.
What Stands Out
The best thing about Infamous: Second Son is how it uses its setting. The city of Seattle is a character in its own right, and the game treats it with care. The developers clearly spent time thinking about how a hero would move through these streets, and the result shows in every climb and glide. The combat systems are also a standout, giving players real choices about how to approach a fight.
The weakest parts of the game are the moral choices and the multiplayer mode. The moral choices feel thin, and the multiplayer mode lacks depth. These are minor complaints, but they keep the game from being great.
Infamous: Second Son is a strong entry in a series that has struggled to find its footing. The game takes risks with its lead character and its setting, and both pay off. Delsin is a memorable protagonist, and Seattle is a joy to explore. The combat is engaging, and the game’s focus on movement is a smart choice.
The game is not perfect. The story is predictable, and the moral choices feel thin. The technical issues, while minor, are visible. But the strengths outweigh the weaknesses. This is a game that knows what it wants to be and delivers on that promise.
Infamous: Second Son scores 7.9 out of 10.
