Heavy Rain Review (Titles I Missed)

Heavy Rain is one of those titles that comes out and truly turns the gaming industry on its ear.  With video games becoming more and more like movies in regard to the level of quality scripting and the high quality of today's consoles visual capabilities, the cinematic look and feel of Heavy Rain stands out as a major achievement in the gaming world.  Sure, several titles have taken the "cinematic" approach in the past, but none have been pulled off with the same level of polish and "awe" factor that Heavy Rain does while still providing a game play element that hooks players into the experience in a way that allows a credible immersion experience.  


Story/Presentation/Game Play


Not many games can claim to lump all of these elements into one category, but that is what Heavy Rain is all about.  There is no game without the story, and the story cannot progress without the choices of the player and so on and so forth.  The story itself is one that is better left without a synopsis due to the high focus on player input.  Any recap could lead to spoilers or a reveal that doesn't come up in another player's experience due to the game's branching story arc.  Suffice it to say that Heavy Rain is truly an interactive drama rather than a game and it has multiple endings.  Nearly every action that a player takes throughout the experience can change the way that the game's events unfold.  Some changes might be radical, and others benign.  Regardless, each player's experience might be just a little bit different depending on how well or poorly they input commands throughout.  


The presentation style takes its cues from the Noir films of old, but the multiple vantage points presented withing the game makes it feel more like a Stephen King novel.  Each character has a unique story to tell, but each of them also contributes to the unfolding of the story as a whole. Every detail of the game has been composed in a way that makes it as believable as any high end Hollywood production, but the best part is that this is a movie that doesn't end in a few hours.  The quality of rendering used to create the world of Heavy Rain doesn't falter throughout the entire game and transitions between exploration, and action sequences are pulled off smoothly.  The only stops to be found in the game are during character switches where a close up of the character's face is displayed while the next scene loads. 

Controls

Most of the complaints surrounding this title will likely talk about the control scheme used during navigation and action sequences.  For most of the game players will be exploring their surroundings, performing some menial tasks, and searching for clues.  The controls are basic enough, but are mostly far removed from what players may be used to.  Walking around, for example, requires holding down the R2 trigger and the left control stick rather than just the stick itself.  Some of these control choices are puzzling, but they become natural as more time is put into the game. 

Action sequences are a very different story.  Each action scene is choreographed to make the action more lifelike.  The control aspect for these scenes is laid out in a series of "Quick Time" responses that the player must input with the use of the action buttons or by following a swipe pattern with the control stick.  Failing to input the correct command could alter the outcome of any given action sequence. 

Closing Comments

Heavy Rain is a game tailored for gamers who enjoy visually thrilling and intellectually challenging experiences, and for this reason the title might be lost on the more fast paced action crowd.  It's true that Heavy Rain takes the more methodical and at times plodding approach to story telling, but gamers who dismiss this title too quickly would be missing out on an interesting experience.  With the game's multiple endings, players are motivated to relive and remake choices during the game to activate alternate outcomes.  Furthermore, once the story is completed, every chapter of Heavy Rain is replayable in whatever order players choose.  Games like Heavy Rain don't often come to consoles, but it is definitely a game worth renting if gamers have a passing interest in such endeavors.  Interactive dramas might not be for everyone, but Heavy Rain doesn't dissapoint. 


Overall Score: 9 out of 10 (Very Good)