Sucker Punch is more commonly known for Ghost of Tsushima these days. However, for a long time, the studio's bread and butter was the Infamous series. With its spectacular powers and thought-provoking morality system, the games found a special place in gaming, though fans haven't enjoyed a new title since Infamous: First Light in 2014.
It does not appear that a new entry in the franchise is coming soon, as the studio is currently busy with Ghost of Tsushima's sequel. However, Second Son and First Light should not be where the series stops forever, as the PS5 could do wonders for Infamous, especially if developers focus on the DualSense controller and its capabilities. Through immersive features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, a new dimension could be added to the powers of the Conduits.
Infamous and its Powers
Created by Sucker Punch, Infamous is a series of open-world games which follow special individuals called Conduits who discover they have powers. The games have jumped between various American cities, and it has explored the lives of several protagonists. What players do with their powers is up to them, and the games feature a morality system that tracks the choices that players make. Hence, players can decide to take the good route, using their powers to aid others, or they can decide to be evil and abuse their powers.
In the first two Infamous games, players take control of Cole MacGrath, whose powers are electricity-based. These powers can be used to enhance his movement or to make combat truly shocking. To replenish his powers, Cole simply has to draw power from power sources around him, or living beings. In addition to being fun to play with, his powers are also visually impressive, making players feel extremely powerful whenever they are used.
In the third game, Infamous: Second Son, gamers meet Delsin Rowe, and he has the amazing ability to absorb the powers of other Conduits. During the events of the game, players have the chance to gain smoke powers, neon powers, the ability to manipulate concrete, and the ability to absorb and control digital projections. The particle effects when Delsin uses his powers are phenomenal, and players see more of it in Infamous: First Light, which focuses on Abigail Walker - the Conduit that Delsin gets his neon powers from.
Since First Light, the series has been on hiatus, with Sucker Punch setting its sights on Ghost of Tsushima instead. While this does not mean that Infamous' time is over, it does not leave much room for hope that gamers will see a new title in the franchise anytime soon. This is a pity, as developers could do wonders with a new entry on the PS5, especially if it takes full advantage of the DualSense controller.
Infamous and the DualSense Controller
The Infamous series has always been creative with the powers it introduces, and gamers could experience them in a new way with the PS5's DualSense controller. Not only would gamers be treated to the visual splendor that Sucker Punch has continually served up, but they would also be able to feel the power in their hands thanks to the controller's tactile features. The right protagonist with the right powers could be the feature showcase the controller could greatly benefit from.
With its precise haptic feedback, the controller can accurately portray a sense of speed or even the feeling of a strong impact, making it a good companion for any Conduit with powers related to speed or strength. The controller also features adaptive triggers that offer resistance depending on what is going on in-game. Plenty of titles have used this feature to mimic the resistance of a gun's trigger or a bow's strong, though a new Infamous game could also use it for any Conduit capable of firing projectiles. Used in conjunction with haptic feedback, it could make for an incredibly immersive experience.
The Infamous series will be remembered for the many ways it pushed gaming forward. Second Son is noted for its popularization of photo mode while the rest of the titles are praised for their morality system, which makes players think about the choices they make. Hopefully, gamers have not seen the last of the series, as it could shine once again on the PS5.
Infamous: First Light is available on PS4.