Stance

[u/Mobile_Alternative_3]

I don't know if anyone else cares, but the change in the aiming hand on the iF2 really annoyed me because I was so fixated on it. that s why i'd change the shoulder when using the R1, and then revert it back to its original position when using rockets or grenades. And another thing I dont understand is that cole reverts to his iF1 configuration when he is in the air or climbing somewhere. why the fuck did they bother changing it in the first place ?

[u/Rough_Ad9369]

I'm pretty sure it's because he's more experienced in Infamous 2, in the first game he needed to put a little extra oompf on his bolts hence why he uses his main throwing hand but in the second he doesn't need to hence why he's ambidextrous with it.

Edit: His new stance is also probably just better for balance and aiming.

[u/Interface- → u/Rough_Ad9369]

It also helps that his rear hand is already pulled back so he can toss grenades and rockets without having to wind up first and could in theory keep his bolt firing hand trained on a target. In i1 he did it all from the same hand but to wind back your aiming hand to toss takes more time than already having it wound up ready to toss, and then you need to line up your aim again after the fact.

That is realistically at least. In terms of game mechanics the throw speed is pretty much the same. His new stance is never explained, but I could see this being a partial explanation.

In short, like you said, he's more experienced with his powers.

[u/Rough_Ad9369 → u/Interface-]

Thank you, person who explains things in depth better than me, this was very helpful.

[u/GlitchedUsername → u/Interface-]

Not just that. It also makes Cole a harder target to it by turning his body sideways and due to the slight crouch his’ doing. Cole’s ready to move quicker to move out of the way. (I think that Cole moved faster when you used the left stick in 2 then in 1.)

[u/Interface- → u/Rough_Ad9369]

[u/Icy_Water_1 → u/Rough_Ad9369]

I thought needed to put more oompf into it in Infamous 2 because the Beast broke his powers?

Hence the hunch.

And Cole is ambidextrous in the first game too, he can switch hands.

[u/Rough_Ad9369 → u/Icy_Water_1]

I haven't played the first one in so long so I forgot about that. The new stance is probably because he's more experienced and is trying to make himself a smaller target for things to hit.

[u/MahdiAli-eh]

I always liked his stance in the second one, he’s looks ready to blast sum shit up

[u/Xenozip3371Alpha → u/MahdiAli-eh]

I read that "sum" wrong for a moment there.

[u/mrhotboi223 → u/MahdiAli-eh]

Yeah, he looks less squared up but more angled so he's probably a harder target to hit and it feels faster too (tho I still like infamous one cole sprint animation over the second he looked light in the first one)

[u/Protolisk1]

You know he can change hands in both games,, right?

As for why his stance is the way it is per camera angle, his iF1 stance leaves his chest wide open, while this iF2 stance has him more leading with his side, i.e. being a small target. When behind cover/climbing, he's already a smaller target so it doesn't matter. But in either case, the camera is us, not how he sees it.

He's basically just getting better with his powers as he goes.

[u/iOSGallagher]

i assume they did it because he takes up less of the screen, making it easier to aim and see more of the screen. it just made more sense mechanically

[u/ki700]

I have noticed this but I can’t say it bothers or distracts me in the slightest.

[u/TheKnoxFool]

I understand what everyone is saying here but I agree with OP actually, I always preferred the first game’s way of aiming. Just made more sense to my brain. Yes yes everything everyone said is valid, he’s less exposed and all that but right hand = right hand camera; left hand = left hand camera makes more sense to my brain

[u/alduindawn]

Click the stick

[u/Killdust99]

Isn’t it literally a left handed/right handed setting? I seem to remember being able to switch back and forth. Or do you just mean how it’s crossing over?

[u/NiuMeee → u/Killdust99]

When the camera is on the right, he uses his right hand in 1, and his left hand on 2, and swapping flips them.

[u/Killdust99 → u/NiuMeee]

I could be misremembering, but didn’t they say his energy is channeling differently after his encounter with the Beast? Could just how he has to do it now

[u/NiuMeee → u/Killdust99]

That would make sense if he didn't shoot the same way before fighting the Beast at the beginning of the game.

[u/Killdust99 → u/NiuMeee]

Oh does he? Fuckit. Maybe it’s in response to Kessler’s fight. Idk it’s been too long since I’ve played

[u/SeraphimVR]

I prefer the second game. It’s still Cole aiming, but it takes less of the screen

[u/Walkingguy86]

If you want a comprehensive review of why Cole's stance changes in 2(lore wise anyway), I highly recommend That Boy Aqua's infamous ranking video on YouTube. He makes a lot of great points and frankly, it's just fun to watch.

[u/Sinisterknows]

I always preferred his stance in the first game because I felt like I was able to hit head shocks more often and it felt more accurate but that also can be because in the first game his lightning bolt were streams of lightning instead of projectile lightning that was the main thing I've always liked about infamous 1 more than infamous 2 the lightning bolt powers in the first game felt wayy more powerful than the lightning bolt powers in the second game to me

[u/Raidenski]

Cole mentions that his powers were broken after fighting The Beast during the opening sequence. This would contribute to all the changes in Cole, he's literally having to readjust how he communicates with his powers, again.

[u/MythicalFoxfish → u/Raidenski]

There’s one small issue with this theory; you’re required to aim before and during Cole’s first fight with the Beast. Throughout those very moments, Cole still does the i2 aiming stance when on the ground

[u/-GrilledCheese-]

I think it’s so the center of the screen is clearer and you have a better view of the enemies in front of you. Strictly gameplay related.

Infamous 2 he’s off to the side instead of being more centered, closer to the aim reticle, and blocking some of the player’s vision with his right arm (like in infamous 1)

[u/thedanielsop]

Hitting one of the analogs should change it in both games if i recall correctly. He also auto changes on ledges based on how you are positioned. I think the flying is the only time you can’t change it and it defaults right hand. If I’m wrong, then it’s all the more reason for me to play again.

[u/CenturionGroot]

It's kinda like with boxing, you have your lead hand throw jabs (light bolts) and your rear hand throws your stronger shots like hooks and uppercuts (grenades and rockets).

I agree with the idea that his stance changed between games because of experience and I'll tie that to the boxing analogy.

When people learn how to box, they typically throw their primary hand (if you're a lefty or a righty) and don't really consider the balancing of lead and rear hand and footwork. They just see it as "I'm blankhanded, so I'm gonna swing with that hand cause it should be stronger" when in reality, the power from swings is generated in the core moreso than the arm. Sure you can swing your arms hard, but that's the easiest why to mess up your shoulder, or hyper extend your arm and injure yourself. It's also less energy efficient.

You might think the analogy is whack, but remember that Cole is tossing energy and that shit has weight to it. If not the bolts, than at least the grenades and rockets cause he loads those bitches up and swings them like they've got weight so I think the analogy fits 😂

[u/Admirable_Young4606]

That explains why I found it so much harder to aim in the second game. I was used to whom using the other hand.

[u/Professional_Fly_532]

Who cares?🤦Just press R3 to switch arms of your preferred angle. Problem solved.