7/10
Infamous (PS3) – A Retrospective Review
inFamous and its sequel were among the games I most regretted missing during the PlayStation 3 era. So, when I finally got my hands on a PS3 years later, Infamous was one of the first titles I jumped into. Having previously played and thoroughly enjoyed Infamous: Second Son on the PS4, my expectations for its first game were understandably high.
Now that I’ve completed the game along with all its side missions, I can say that while Infamous gave me many enjoyable hours, I think it hasn’t aged particularly well. In terms of gameplay, level design, and graphics, it definitely shows its age. Would I have guessed it was from 2009 if I didn’t know? well.. probably not. Some parts of the game were ahead of their time, but a lot of it feels dated today.
One of the biggest flaw of the game is the mission designs. Many of the main story missions felt indistinguishable from side quests, which made the overall progression feel repetitive. That being said, the core gameplay loop remains fun. Unlocking new powers and watching Cole grow stronger is satisfying and adds a sense of momentum. However, the melee combat was probably the weakest part of the gameplay; it felt clunky and underdeveloped. On top of that, Cole’s ranged attacks often feel more like using firearms rather than actual superpowers, which takes away from the feeling of using unique abilities.
Where the game truly shines is in its storytelling. The narrative, especially toward the end of the game, surprised me in a good way. I particularly appreciated the stylized, comic book inspired cutscenes, which gave the game a unique style. The final plot twist must have been mind blowing back in 2009. In 2025, after seeing countless similar twists in games and movies, it didn’t hit quite as hard, but I can still respect the impact it likely had at the time.
Moreover, Infamous does a great job of making you feel like you’re truly have impact on Cole's path on being whether being a hero or villian. It’s not just about how civilians and cops react to Cole; even his superpowers evolve based on moral choices u make. The fact that all of this also shapes the flow of the story must have felt amazing back in 2009.
Overall, Infamous may not be as strong today as it once was, but it’s easy to see why it made such a good impact when it first released. For fans of the series or those interested in seeing the origin of Cole’s story, it’s still worth experiencing, just with lowered expectations.
"7.5/10"