It usually takes a while before open-world games are introduced to a new generation of consoles, but the PS4 and Xbox One aren’t wasting any time. In March we were able to play inFamous: Second Son. First of all, what a gorgeous game. Secondly, I was quite disappointed by it outside of its presentation, and I know I’m not alone.
After watching Sunset Overdrive‘s gameplay debut trailer, and reading up on what it’s all about, it appears it won’t have the same shortcomings as inFamous. So why do I think Sunset Overdrive will be the better game? Check out the gallery below to find out.
Why I Think Sunset Overdrive Will Be Better Than inFamous: Second Son
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Laughing is the key to happiness
It was made clear in the Sunset Overdrive debut trailer that it's a game that's intended to make you laugh on a regular basis. When you die, you'll be resurrected in a variety of ways, including a UFO dropping you into the game world, you walking out of a sarcophagus like a mummy, and a few guys throwing you out of a van before driving off (see below). Big moments in the game will be highlighted with large, bold text floating in the game world. And the dialog... well, there's a constant barrage of witty humor.
inFamous: Second Son didn't necessarily try very hard to be a humorous game, and it didn't take itself seriously, either. The result was a game that didn't have a whole lot of personality. When it comes to delivering laughs, Sunset Overdrive should easily take the cake.
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A sense of scale
There was really only one sequence in inFamous: Second Son that gave the game a sense of scale. It was toward the end of the experience, and while awesome, would have been made a lot better if supported by similar moments throughout the game.
In the Sunset Overdrive first look, there were a couple of scenarios shown where the player is high above the city ground fighting large enemies. The game's diverse platforming mechanics come into play during these moments invoking adrenaline as you dodge a bosses' barrage of deadly attacks with your agility. It also helps that the bosses are immsensely large.
Take a look at this gif to get an idea of what I'm talking about.
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Insomniac excels at weapon design
Insomniac Games, Sunset Overdrive's developer, is known for its ability to create a long list of fun-to-use weapons. We've seen them routinely strike a home run in Ratchet & Clank, and now they're bringing that skill to the Xbox One with Sunset Overdrive.
In Sunset Overdrive you'll be able to carry a total of eight weapons. Summoning tornadoes with a baseball bat, and employing a roman candle gun to blow enemies into smithereens in 4th of July fashion are just a couple of ways you'll clear the waves of its disgusting monsters. It won't be easy deciding on which eight weapons to run around with.
inFamous: Second Son's powers were... well... rather one dimensional. You were forced to only use one set of powers at any given time, giving you an arthritis-inducing R2 main attack and a couple others once you leveled up. It really just doesn't hold a—roman—candle up to Sunset Overdrive.
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An organic world
inFamous: Second Son's greatest shortcoming is an easy one to point out: its world feels completely artificial. There are people walking around, but they're dumb as a doorknob. There are cars driving around, but they behave like robots. Really, the world feels dead.
Sunset Overdrive has tons of enemies in the street, similar to Dead Rising, but also NPC characters. There are civilians you can save from non-scripted attacks, and even factions to interact with. Most importantly, people are out in the game world and are worth interacting with for more than just earning karma points.
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Making traversal fun
It's unfortunate, but getting around the city of Seattle in inFamous: Second Son is a headache until endgame. Scaling the endless sea of buildings requires clunky platforming mechanics unless you're using the smoke power and jump through an air vent. Once you're up top, you need to carefully move to ensure you stay up top, or you'll have to spend another 20 or so seconds climbing up a wall.
On the other hand, Sunset Overdrive makes platforming fun. You'll be able to seamlessly jump from power lines to buildings and wall run. The city is packed with objects, meaning there's nowhere you can't get a running start to dart around and quickly scale the city's walls.
As with inFamous, the animations look smooth and flashy, so you're in for a good time getting around.
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Style points
Sunset Overdrive is stylish in every sense of the word. I mean, just look at this art to the left. How cool is that?
Its visuals are colorful, and its characters wacky. Fans of Pixar films might find some resemblances, as the game looks like a piece of 3D animation art in motion.
AMPS enhance the presentation by giving your character more than just an arsenal of weapons; he'll have hero powers as well. These powers are all flashy and something that makes enemies afraid of dealing with you. Combined with the flamboyant weapons, AMPS make for one heck of a flashy visual experience.
