Let’s cut to the chase: inFAMOUS: Second Son was a flashy PS4 launch title back in 2014, and it still hits harder than most superhero games today. Playing as Delsin Rowe, a new-age Conduit who can “steal” and wield other people’s powers, you’re handed the keys to a neon-soaked Seattle sandbox built for mayhem––or mercy, if you’re the goody-two-shoes type. Now that it’s available on PlayStation Plus, there’s never been a better excuse to revisit—or discover—why this title left its mark on the console’s early days.
Sucker Punch Productions had a solid track record thanks to Sly Cooper and Infamous 1 and 2, but Second Son represented their first real push into next-gen territory. They went big on particle effects, dynamic lighting, and an evolving morality system that aimed to make each decision feel weighty. Fast forward almost a decade, and you’ll still find yourself dazzled by neon streaks cutting through rainy streets and the satisfying thump of concrete fists on asphalt.
At its core, Second Son is an open-world action-adventure with a few interesting twists: four distinct power sets to juggle, an XP-driven upgrade tree, and branching story paths that give you subtle—but often meaningful—options. The campaign clocks in at roughly 10–12 hours for a mainline run, with another handful of hours available in side missions and collectibles. Short? Sure. But those hours are so charged with spectacle that you’ll forgive the brevity once you’re zipping around in neon or hurling smoke bombs at hapless security drones.
Delsin’s signature gift is absorbing the special abilities of other Conduits—starting with Smoke, then Neon, Video, and finally Concrete. Each power feels markedly different:
Switching between these on the fly adds layers of strategy. Is that group of enemies better stalled with Video’s trap wires, or blown apart by Neon’s high-voltage laser bursts? The answer changes by the second, and the game’s fluid combat engine makes it fun to experiment.
Open-world boredom is a death sentence for any sandbox game, but Sucker Punch sidestepped that with inventive movement options. Smoke form zips you through vents and alleyways, Neon lets you surf on light rails, and Concrete powers boost your jumps forty feet into the air. Whether you’re popping across rooftops or sliding down neon tracks, the city feels like one giant playground designed around Delsin’s skillset.
Fast travel exists, but with such satisfying traversal, you’ll more often choose to sprint, glide, or boost your way from mission to mission. The city’s verticality rewards curious ascent—there’s usually a rooftop vantage point or hidden trove of Surge Cells (the game’s XP currency) just waiting to be discovered.
Back in 2014, inFAMOUS: Second Son was the PS4 flex we couldn’t look away from. Today, its tech remains impressive: dynamic reflections dance in puddles, particle storms swirl around your hands, and environmental destruction gleefully crumbles under Concrete’s stomps. Seattle itself is compact but richly detailed—graffiti-tagged alleyways, neon signs humming, and monolithic skyscrapers that host neon rail networks.
Audio also plays a big role in selling the power fantasy. Each ability has its own sonic signature—Neon crackles like a live wire, Concrete roars like a bulldozer, and Video warps the soundtrack in a glitchy R&B beat when you hack signage. The voice work, led by Troy Baker as Delsin, nails that cocky-but-curious vibe that keeps you rooting for your conduit crusade, whether you’re poisoning the city with toxic karmic red or sanctifying it in bright blue benevolence.
The story kicks off with Delsin accidentally absorbing smoke powers from a captured Conduit named Reggie, then fleeing into the city to rescue his family from the clutches of a heavy-handed Department of Unified Protection (D.U.P.). You’ll meet allies and adversaries—Fetch, Reggie, Augustine, and a host of undercover agents—each bringing their own moral compass to the chaos.
Yes, the core plot is a familiar “fight the oppressive government agency” trope, but the interaction between characters often elevates simple beats into memorable moments. Augustine, the D.U.P. commander with a tragic backstory, provides more depth than a one-note villain. Side quests highlight other conduits in ways that flip the script on “power corrupts,” showing that gifts and curses often share the same origin story.
Where the narrative stumbles is in pacing. Some missions loop on familiar “find and destroy X” markers, and you’ll occasionally lament the lack of mid-mission cutscenes that might have punctuated a quieter moment. Still, the core arc—Delsin’s coming-of-age as both hero and potential villain—lands enough emotional beats to keep you invested.
Seattle’s armature is tight but versatile. Neighborhoods blend industrial zones, urban sprawls, and neon-drenched financial districts. Each district has its own feel and introduces new environmental hazards or traversal toys—rain-slicked highways in Downtown, winding steam tunnels in the Industrial Quarter, and giant video billboards in the Digital District.
The game peppers the map with collectible packs (spray paint stencils, phone recordings, and media towers) that flesh out back stories and boost your Karma meter. Hacking media towers rains XP orbs from the sky, incentivizing you to scale massive billboards while under D.U.P. fire. Throw in a handful of zog populations (Conduit enclaves) and you’ll find more reasons to roam than typical “kill X bandits” fetch quests.
With its Karma system, inFAMOUS: Second Son effectively offers two distinct playthroughs: heroic blue and villainous red. Your choice reshapes power unlocks, dialogue lines, and even visual flairs on your abilities. Want to deliver mercy in one run, then sow chaos on your next? The game encourages you to reclaim the city in both flavors.
That said, once you’ve maxed out all powers and seen all endings, the incentive to keep playing dwindles. Some may find the 10–12 hour campaign too brisk, while others will feel that side content blends together. But if you factor in PlayStation Plus’s price, the ride becomes a no-brainer—few subscription perks offer this level of spectacle for zero additional cost.
And remember: even if you’re not chasing every secret collectable, the pure joy of swapping powers on the fly, wreaking havoc on highways, and watching neon trails carve the skyline will keep you logging back in, if only for a quick adrenaline fix.
inFAMOUS: Second Son may not rewrite open-world conventions, but it turbocharges them with undeniable swagger. Its strengths—varied superpowers, slick traversal, and a city that feels alive—outshine its relatively short campaign and occasional mission drift. Whether you play the high road or go full anarchist, Sucker Punch’s love letter to next-gen tech still sings across Seattle’s rooftops.
For PlayStation Plus subscribers hunting a fresh thrill or nostalgic returns, Delsin Rowe’s hero/villain journey remains one of the more satisfying power fantasies you can download. It’s not perfect, but when each confrontation crackles with personality and every dash through neon tunnels still makes you grin, you’ll forgive the few rough edges. Here’s to Seattle, here’s to superpowers, and here’s to a decade-old game that refuses to feel old.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Sony Interactive Entertainment |
| Release Date | March 21, 2014 |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, Open World, Superhero |
| Platform | PlayStation 4 (now on PlayStation Plus) |
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