 Due to being vivified electricity , Cole is unable to use vehicles , take up weapons , or swim . Cole easily climbs buildings and other structures and can fall a great height without taking damage . Many powers are acquired over the course of the game ; once acquired the player can use experience points , awarded for specific actions , stunts and missions , to increase the power 's effectiveness . The growth of these powers is affected by Cole 's current Karma level . Starting in a neutral position , it ranges from Guardian to Champion to Hero on the Good side , and from Thug to Outlaw to Infamous on the Evil side . Certain actions , such as stopping to help injured citizens or draining their health to restore Cole 's , will affect the Karma level in either direction . Normal story missions may also alter the Karma level . During the game the player will encounter Karma Moments , when the action pauses and the player is told , through a monologue by Cole , of two actions that can be taken , always a good and bad option . For example , one scenario the player is presented with is to either pull a valve and get a spray of tar in his face ( Good ) , or force a civilian to do it for him ( Evil ) . There are also a number of paired Good / Evil side missions in the game ; completing one will lock out the other mission but will reward the player with a large amount of Karma towards their selected Karma goal . Completion of these missions helps gain access to unique super powers based on the Karma level . The player is not locked into choosing either Karma path , and may opt to play towards one extreme and later switch to the other mid @-@ game . Doing so will lock out any purchased power ( s ) in the original chosen Karma sector . In addition to altering Cole 's appearance and certain aspects of the game 's story , Karma also influences the behavior of the citizens of Empire City , they will come to help Cole in battle if his Karma is Good , but will turn on Cole and throw rocks at him if he has Bad Karma . 
