InFamous: Second Son protagonist can control smoke, absorb powers

Delsin Rowe is the new hero of InFamous: Second Son, and his powers are quite different from the electricity-fuelled abilities of Cole McGrath.

New details regarding the PlayStation 4 title have surfaced from the June issue of GameInformer, which is already available through digital channels, and were harvested by GamingEverything.

Protagonist Delsin is 24 years old and Native American, described as artistic and anti-authoritarian with a penchant for graffiti.

In the future setting of Second Son, conduits have been labelled terrorists, and are under the authority of the Department of Unified Protection. Delsin discovers he is a conduit himself when he encounters a bus filled with identified conduits being transported to be held without trial. Dragging an injured pasenger from the wreck, his natural ability to absorb other conduits' powers is triggered.

Previously an average joe, Delsin is then able to control smoke. Unlike Cole, he's excited by his newfound skills. His moves include a smoke projectile, a fireball, a drop attack, a stunning smoke cloud, and a dash. He can also enter air ducts to get around, and refreshes his power at chimneys, burning cars and even from tear gas. Later he'll have non-smoke related powers and will be able to switch between sets of complementary skills at will. If all else fails, he can attack with a chain.

The game plays out in Seattle - the map is not accurate - which is put in lockdown following the escape of the busload of conduits. Delsin can rampage through DUP bases - taking out security systems first is more effective - around the city, but can't leave thanks to thick forests at the edge of the map. As the PlayStation 4 reveal hinted, the DUP is reminiscent of America's TSA, with the city coming to resemble an airport with its emphasis on security. Unlike the TSA, though, DUP guards behave similarly to SWAT teams. Some of them seem to have supernatural abilities, but Sucker Punch is apparently being coy about that,

Second Son is expected sometime around the PS4 launch, in the 2013 holiday period.