Infamous (series)

Lore & Background

The series takes place in the present-day United States, featuring real and alternate versions of cities such as Empire City (resembling New York City), New Marais (resembling New Orleans), and Seattle. Government agencies like the FBI, NSA, and DARPA appear, along with the fabricated Department of Unified Protection (DUP), which aims to stop Conduits labeled 'bio-terrorists'.

Gameplay involves free-roaming city exploration, parkour, and combat using powers that deplete a gauge and refill by absorbing electricity, smoke, neon, video, or concrete. Morality, or 'Karma', is central, allowing players to choose good or evil actions that affect abilities and the storyline.

The first game introduces Cole MacGrath, a bike courier who gains electrical powers after an explosion caused by the Ray Sphere. The second game follows Cole to New Marais to prepare for a battle with 'The Beast'. Infamous Second Son introduces Delsin Rowe, a graffiti artist who absorbs powers from other Conduits. Expansion Infamous First Light focuses on Fetch's story before Second Son.

Reader's Guide

The Infamous series is notable for its open-world action-adventure gameplay and a morality system that directly influences the player's abilities and narrative outcomes. The first game, released in 2009, established the formula of a super-powered protagonist navigating a quarantined city. Infamous 2 expanded the setting and introduced the looming threat of 'The Beast'. Infamous Second Son shifted to a new protagonist and setting, while expansions like Festival of Blood and First Light offered side stories with unique mechanics. The series also includes browser games and a collection bundling the first two main games and Festival of Blood. Cole MacGrath appears as a playable character in Street Fighter X Tekken. The series' legacy includes its integration of player choice into both gameplay and story, and its use of real-world inspired cities and government agencies.

Did You Know?

• The series includes a six-issue comic book series published by DC Comics in 2011.
• Infamous: Festival of Blood replaces the Karma system with a blood meter.
• The Infamous Collection bundles Infamous, Infamous 2, and Festival of Blood for PlayStation 3.