Heavy Rain calls itself an “interactive drama” or so I believe it does according to it’s first obtainable trophy. It has a nice ring to it doesn’t it? The question that should be asked at this point would be “If it’s not really a game but more of an interactive movie of some sort…is it really worth a $60 price tag?” Before I answer, let me ask you this, “Does caviar grow on trees?” Most likely not, if you live in the non-dream world this article was written in. What I’m trying to say is…if you want good stuff there will be a price to pay and at this time, being only the first 2 weeks of the game’s release, it will be the $60.
I hesitated at first only because I wasn’t sure how much time I could fairly commit to another game as I do already have a list of unfinished games and we know how gamers do have, even if we deny it sometimes in our defense, some form of ADD.
Gameplay
The game’s usage of camera angles and cinematic taste is quite exhilarating. Very tasteful and film noir, old school detective feel and the multiple screens make the game more like a movie than an actual game. The transitions are seamless to the point where I would get my ass kicked without even knowing I was back in control of the characters. I had to keep reminding myself that I had to have my controller in my hands the whole time while playing.
What I didn’t enjoy about Heavy Rain was the control of the character when you’re walking around. Holding down R2 button to go forward and the left stick barely work at times, making it quite annoying, especially when the fucking music is making you feel like you’re gonna die any second now but fucking Ethan won’t run or walk any faster and makes you wanna bitch slap him! But then there’s a fight and you totally kicked ass making you forget that earlier you wanted to smack the shit outta him cuz he can’t seem to walk up the stairs without looking delirious.
Story
Heavy Rain’s style was new to me since I never played Indigo Prophecy, but those who did were already exposed to this stylized storytelling. I got my intiation after finishing a complete playthrough of Heavy Rain with all four characters alive. I was actually wondering which four they were talking about since I thought Shelby was the other… but apparently the fourth person you had to keep alive is Shaun to get the trophy.
There story had quite a few inconsistencies. They never really explained why Ethan keeps getting these blackouts at random. One of the obtainable trophies is labeled Agoraphobia which is “an anxiety disorder, traditionally thought to involve a fear of public places and open spaces. However, it is now believed that agoraphobia develops as a complication of panic attacks.” (Thank you, Wiki!) So from this we can deduce that Ethan’s blackouts are caused by panic attacks. That still doesn’t explain how he randomly ends up at the Carnaby Square where John Sheppard died and with the origami in his hand. Someone on a forum mentioned that he had a lot of article clippings in his rundown apt. I only remember reading one and it wasn’t a clipping, it was on the front page of the newspaper he had lying around that I guess he never got a chance to read. Before the game even really started, after spending time with Ethan and talking to his psychiatrist, I admit I was a little concerned that it was going to be another Assassin’s Creed explanation. Thank god it wasn’t, but then the whole confusion thing came into play.
Music
One of the best most haunting yet emotionally heart-wrenching soundtracks for a game so far this year.
Characters
Most characters aren’t too involving, especially Madison and Norman.
And Jayden… “Lt Blake is gonna leave our planet right now!…And return to the realm of shadows. Creature of darkness, I do beseech you to return to the Realm of Shadows and leave our Nathaniel in peace!”
Why is Madison always swaying them hips?? OK, I can see how guys would be attracted to women and their hips but… why on earth are you swaying those hips when someone just tried to kill you? Also, why is that during Madison’s scenes she is always seemingly about to get raped? Is it a British thing or do they view the States as quite possibly the place where every time a woman gets attacked she will most likely be a rape victim? Not saying she got raped, but she’s always using her “sex” to get her way… What happens if you’re a not so attractive girl with a not-so-better than average body, more like below average… does it mean you even you feel compelled to help save the missing boy that you can’t get the warranted evidence without some kind of sex appeal? Madison isn’t a hate-able character, just that the situations she put herself in seems very misplaced and are only there for “sex appeal” and some “scream” time. Hence when the crazy doctor (never trust a doctor who sells drugs btw) tried to kill her and all you can do was press X for scream… her scream wasn’t even that convincing… I would have cursed the shit outta him and his mother’s mother.
Everything about the game is just wonderful what kinda threw me off tho was the fact that none of the characters totally looked mortified. They all seem to have this very generic expression. At times, I just thought they needed to take a piss so I would walk my character to go pee. (And what is up with Ethan making the motion of zipping up his pants when all he have on are his boxer briefs?)
Conclusion
My parting words? Don’t base your decisions on what reviewers or forums tell you. Take everything with a grain of salt. People interact and deal with things differently. Depending on when you choose to play the game it greatly adds to the emotional angst you’ll feel while playing. You should make this a personal experience, enjoy it, love it or hate it on your own accord.
What am I really saying? Get the game already, why are you still reading this? Heavy Rain had inconsistencies but it was really a positive step into gaming’s future and if that future allows games like Heavy Rain to flourish then I welcome it.
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