

In the first two games and the spin-offs, the player controls Cole MacGrath, later in the third game as Delsin Rowe and Abigail 'Fetch' Walker, as they freely roam around the city, fighting crime or creating havoc along the way.

Cole, Delsin, and Fetch can use their parkour skills to jump and climb buildings throughout the city, along with their powers to help them fight enemies.

Their powers come from a gauge which depletes whenever they uses various attacks, and refills when they absorb electricity or smoke, neon, video and concrete from nearby objects or bodies, such as street lights, nearby smoke sources,(such as vents or burning cars) or neon lights or video appliances or bodies of the DUP. Morality, or Karma, is a major factor in the gameplay and storyline. The player is able to control the course of the game by having Cole and Delsin use their powers for good or evil.
