Heavy Rain

Price: 59.99

Release date: February 23rd 2010

PSN Release Date:February 23rd, 2018 for download on the PSP3, and the PS4 (probably).

Aside: Though this is PSoneclassics.com, I write for fun, and I play games for fun. And considering I stayed up late last night finishing off this game, I thought I might as well share my experiences with those interested, because only using my PS3 for PSone classics would kind of be a shame right?

Just in-case this is going in the Miscellaneous section so as not to mix it in with the REAL reviews.

Story

The Story in Heavy Rain is certainly the draw here, you play as one of four characters running through the narrative, Ethan Mars, a father who’s son’s been kidnapped by “the origami killer” Madison Paige, an insomniac, Scott Shelby, a private eye investigating the murders and trying to solve the case, and Norman Jayden an FBI agent.

Image Via Ripten.com

To start off the stories are all very much separate but as the game continues they start to intertwine, and your performance in one character’s skin will change the story for everyone else. That’s the really interesting thing about the game actually, that characters can even die and the story will continue. Like many have said, Heavy Rain starts off slowly but the more the story progresses you start really caring for the characters, and I must admit that some scenes in this game are the MOST heart-pounding I’ve ever experienced, not just in games either, but in any medium. Never have I found myself screaming at the screen when a character is about to get hurt and I need to try my best to save them, it’s something if you have a PS3 you NEED to experience.

The characters will also change according to your performance, if you play them nice, they’ll be nice, and other characters will see them that way. There’s so much replay value here, because having just finished my first play through and getting what I think is the “best” ending, I want to play it through and get the worst, or perhaps something in between, kill off a few characters, see what happens. Because there is no right way to play this game it’s certainly new in the sense that it’s approaching a much more interactive story line. A lot of gamers hail “non-linear” gameplay, but with Heavy Rain it really feels like it in comparison to lets say… Grand Theft Auto. GTA has set missions that you either pass or fail, and the story missions depend on you completing each mission. Heavy Rain gives you more flexibility in this regard.

Gameplay

Image Via Destructoid.com

The gameplay in Heavy Rain is very different to what you’re used to I’m sure unless you’ve played the studio’s earlier attempt Indigo Prophecy (or Fahrenheit in Europe). At first glance it looks like a quick time event soup, but while playing through it I found myself more connected to the characters than I am playing a traditionally controlled game. Not only are their button prompts, but there are analog stick movements that have to be slow and precise (or you could drop something and alert a possible enemy for instance) there are also a great number of six axis prompts as well. Although this might seem a little simplistic they variety of the actions always keep you on your toes and guessing what will come next (especially if you play on the highest difficulty setting which I did, and I recommend you do the same).

The walking controls are a little wonky though, but considering I had played through the Resident Evil Trilogy just before starting this set the bar a little low for me. Just like those games, you’ll get used to it, and it’s not game breaking, it just makes for a bit of an adjustment. A few minutes in I was right at home, and felt like I was in great control.  After action sequences I found myself gasping for breath and needed to take a time out. No, not because I have some lung condition, just because the way my heart was pumping it almost felt like too much, that in itself is quite an achievement in gameplay.

Graphics

This is where the game really shines; there are some spectacular technicians at work at Quantic Dream’s studio. This game is beautiful and the character models are more detailed than any I’ve ever seen. The water effects are better than any other game I’ve played (including Uncharted 2 that I was blown away by and still am by the way). There are a few hiccups though, the frame rate at times can get a little choppy, and there’s a fair amount of screen tearing, but I was blown away even hours into the game at some of the environments and characters that are incredible.

All the animations are motion captured from actors, as well as their performances, and they are top notch as well but I think Uncharted 2 beats them out a bit in this regard. Also because most of the game is so incredibly polished it’s so odd when for instance Ethan kisses his wife in the first scene, it looks like they’re separated by a sheet of plexi-glass,  I don’t know what went on there, it’s a small gripe but because everything else in the game is so polished it just looks out of place. Weird.

The music in the game is top notch as well, the soundtrack would be right at home in the movie theater, top marks.

So How is it?

I have to hand it to Quantic Dream, and Sony for betting on this game, it’s truly something different and it works well as a thrilling mystery novel. Considering it’s sold 500k copies it’s first week hopefully that means that originality will stay alive and we can expect more attempts like this to show a new narrative style, getting closer to “true interactivity”. I bought my copy and am glad to have it (also glad to support original ideas in gaming) but for those of you who are on the fence this is the most thrilling game I’ve ever played, and I’ve been playing since Duck Hunt.

9.5/10

There are some technical problems and it’s not for everyone but it’s a great effort, and gains big point for originality. Don’t let this one get lost in the sea of big titles coming out.

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