This game runs in a morality system, basically meaning the game shapes around whether you have Good or Evil Karma. While Delsin's appearance (and the color of the LED on the back of your DualShock 4 controller) will reflect your current Karma level, this will also effect your upgrade path, as there are some powers that are linked to certain Karmic alignments. Therefore, to unlock everything, you must play the game at least twice.
Good Karma[edit]
Ranks: Protector, Guardian, Champion, Paragon, True Hero
A good Delsin's powers focus more on precision and non-lethal takedowns. His default jacket's emblem emphasizes the white eagle, and his hoodie becomes lighter, eventually turning white at True Hero rank.
You can gain good Karma by:
- Choosing "Good" (blue) choices within the story.
- Subduing surrendering enemies.
- Healing injured civilians.
- Performing drug busts (subduing the dealers and destroying the drugs).
- Subduing enemies with Neon (requires an upgrade, listed in the powers section).
- Freeing suspected conduits from suspicion pens.
- Rescuing suspected conduits being assaulted by mobs (second island only).
Evil Karma[edit]
Ranks: Thug, Criminal, Bio-terrorist, Most Wanted, Infamous
An evil Delsin's powers focus more on area-of-effect attacks and destruction. His default jacket's emblem emphasizes the red eagle, and his hoodie becomes darker, eventually turning red at Infamous rank.
You can gain evil Karma by:
- Choosing "Evil" (red) choices within the story.
- Executing surrendering enemies.
- Executing injured civilians.
- Killing police and civilians.
- Disrupting activist rallies.
- Killing street musicians.
- Killing DUP troopers.
- Destroying suspicion pens.
- Killing Akuran gang members (second island only).
- Executing suspected conduits being assaulted by mobs (second island only).
- Killing enemies with Neon (requires an upgrade, listed in the powers section).
Outcome[edit]
The missions you do and the ending you get will depend on your Karmic Choices. Such choices require you to choose one scenario out of two: a "good" (blue) scenario (to earn good karma) and an "evil" (red) scenario (to earn evil karma). Your ending depends purely on if you have good or evil karma.