The James Logan Courier

By Billy O'Keefe
McClatchy-Tribune (MCT)

Yes, this looks like new territory for Sucker Punch Productions, which previously dabbled in the considerably cuddlier worlds of cartoon raccoons and unicycling robots.

But while "inFamous" takes place in a considerably darker arena _ a recently-terrorized Empire City, starring you as Cole, a messenger who inadvertently delivers the bomb that kills thousands but gives him electromagnetic superpowers _ the philosophy behind the game's design has the same old fingerprints all over it. Every facet of "inFamous" _ the powers, what you can do with them, the city and the playground it lays at your feet _ is designed with an overt willingness to treat players first and challenge them second. And at this, it succeeds rather magnificently.