Infamous Second Son
While other entries in the series may have had karmic choices with more visible impacts on their worlds, Infamous: Second Son provides the most thematically satisfying karma system from the series to date.
In a world still reeling from the chaos caused by conduits during Cole McGrath’s tenure as the protagonist, newly-born conduit Delsin Rowe is forced to set out into a government-controlled Seattle to find a power that can save his tribe from death.
Depending on how players guide him through this journey, though, they can leave a lasting impression on the world around them for the better or the worse.
Playing as a hero and saving the city’s citizens with Delsin’s powers will lead to support being garnered for conduits. Players and their allies will be greeted more openly by the people of the city, and government agents will be easier to confront as a result.
On the other hand, playing as a villain who attacks people indiscriminately will lead to people fearing and oppressing conduits more openly.
Granted, players will have access to stronger powers to offset this more hostile environment, but it will do little to bring the world together and disprove the fears the government has spread about conduits.
It’s a very organic approach to the karma system presented in previous games, and with one’s actions governing two distinct outcomes for Delsin and the city, it makes sticking to one’s choices all the more gratifying.
