Infamous 2 is an action-adventure game set in an open world environment and played from a third-person perspective. The player controls Cole in the world of New Marais. Cole's electricity-based powers are used in movement, offense and defense in combat, and either for better or worse in dealing with the citizens of New Marais.[1][2] Cole can climb buildings and other structures,[1] grind along power cables and powered train rails, and hover for a short time.[1] Cole can engage in melee combat with enemies using a weapon called the Amp.[3] The game features many different powers, ranging from simple electric bolts to large electric rockets.[4]
Cole defeats an enemy using the Amp. The Karma meter, energy meter, experience gain, and mini-map can be seen.
In order for Cole to use his powers, he must have stored electrical power, represented by an energy meter on the player's heads-up display (HUD).[4] The player can recharge Cole by draining electricity from powered sources, recharging also restores Cole's health,[4] though Cole's health can regenerate over time without recharging.[5] Many powers are acquired over the course of the game. The player can use experience points to increase powers' effectiveness or unlock new powers.[1] Experience points are awarded for actions including defeating enemies, healing citizens and completing missions.[4] The player can use such powers to destroy environmental scenery such as towers and stone columns.[6] Depending on the player's choices, the player can gain ice or fire powers from the game's female protagonists, Kuo and Nix.[1] Additionally, passive abilities based on Karma level called Karmic Boosts can be unlocked.[4]
Starting in a neutral position, Karma can reach up to Hero on the Good side or Infamous on the Evil side. Certain actions, such as stopping to help injured citizens or killing them to restore Cole's health, will affect the Karma level in either direction.[4] Normal story missions may also alter the Karma level. During the game the player will encounter Karma moments, the Karma moments are delivered with 3D cutscenes and character-driven dialogue,[7] the action pauses and the player has two actions that can be taken, always a Good and Evil option. There are also Good and Evil side missions in the game as well as random events which provide Karma decisions.[8] Completion of Karma awarding missions helps gain access to unique powers based on the Karma level.[4] The player is not locked into choosing either Karma path, and may opt to play towards one extreme and later switch to the other mid-game.[7] Karma also influences the way that citizens view Cole[4] in addition to altering Cole's appearance and certain aspects of the game's story.[9] Citizens may throw rocks at and turn on Cole if he has Evil Karma or take pictures of and compliment Cole if he has Good Karma.
