Destructoid: Is Heavy Rain doing videogames a disservice?

Destructoid writes: "Heavy Rain arrived this week, stuffed in a fancy box with all manner of promotional material. I can't talk about the game itself right now until the embargo, but what I can talk about is the pre-release hype, and the way in which is seems to undermine the accomplishments of videogames as a creative medium.

You've doubtless heard game director David Cage talking about his "interactive drama," likening it to movies and almost distancing it from videogames, trying to make out that it's something more than a mere game. I would like to direct you to the aforementioned promo material I received, and two statements that really stuck out for me."

[villevalorox]

I'm sorry but i disagree with this. How is making a video game that gives the feel and immersion that a HWP would a discredit to video games? If anything it extends the gaming genre.

[Dutch Boogie]

Also i don't get why people cannot accept the fact that it is an interactive game. Heavy Rain is a genre in itself and it's main goal is to tell a story with players on the end-side making choices to unravel the outcome.

Hmm...i wonder why i haven't heard anyone question Alan Wake for the same reasons. Don't you control the characters with a controller? Aren't they both Adventure/thriller games? don't they have stories?

So why the hate for Heavy Rain. God knows we need more innovative games instead of the usual space cowboy marine/alien hunter lol.

Just my two cents, but i'd rather play something fresh that requires me to think instead mindlessly killing a green turd.

[Bodyboarder_VGamer]

I just read the article and then I see bungie's comment and I'm like WTF? What is he talking about? It is obvious that he didn't even read the first sentence of this article. Because what the author is criticizing is not the game itself but the description of it provided by Sony and Quantic Dream. =\

The author say that Heavy Rain should stand for what it is, a game and not compare it to movies like if they were so much superior to video games. But what the destructoid author does not understand is that Heavy Rain's a kind of game that survive through its narrative more than its gameplay and when it comes to narratives video games can't even hold a candle to hollywood. Now that's the purpose of:

* "Film Quality Narrative -- Heavy Rain brings a high-quality story filled with tension, emotion, intrigue, and dramatic sequences."

* "Hollywood Production Values -- From the length of the script, to the musical core, to the number of hours of motion capture, Heavy Rain is a vast and ambitious project that delivered a true film noir feel as well as production values that rival a cinematic experience."

And that's why Sony and Quantic Dream used this description. Heavy Rain is literally an interactive movie. This is not like Metal Gear were you do a mission then long cut-scene then another mission and cut-scene... Heavy Rain has the plot and cut-scenes integrated to the gameplay. Just look at the video when the kid is lost in the mall... You're not watching a cut-scene with the guy looking for the kid around the mall, you're looking for the kid yourself with complete interaction with the environment. That's the kind of story telling and narrative that goes beyond Metal Gear or whatever other game you want to say that it is close to Hollywood movies. I mean, in "Heavy Rain" even when the guy's brushing his teeth you're the one brushing his teeth with the freaking sixaxis! You're in complete control of the character in every moment and when you aren't then that's when the QTE's comes into the scene.

If Heavy Rain's not something that could be compared to hollywood then I don't know what it is. What other description could have Sony/Quantic Dream used? Something between the lines of "Incredible narrative like you have never seen in video games!" or something like "Film Quality Narrative, Hollywood Production Values".

I believe that Jim dude didn't thought his article well enough...

[Ravage27]

As unbelievable as it sounds, there are some people who actually likes playing the same thing over and over again. They lack the ability to appreciate a good story and fail to understand that some people treat games as an experience.

That's why they will never have anything positive to say about HR.To them, anything that doesn't involve guns or hack&slash can't be called a game. It's ok to spend 60bucks on mw2 even though you did the exact same thing in cod4 years ago minus some perks&streaks. It's ok to spend 60bucks on a 4hr campaign with an 'innovative' firefight mode and the SAME old multiplayer. But it's NOT ok to spend it on an experience that offers something different.

Heavy Rain is as much a game as MGS4. That's because you can INTERACT with the environment and AFFECT the outcome of the story. Does movies allow you to do that? Does Avatar allow you to control Colonel Miles and wipe out the Na'vi?

Just because HR has non-traditional gameplay doesn't make it anything less 'gamey'. You can argue that HR requires little skill to play but i can name many all-time favourite games that only involves spamming the same move/combination/strategy to get through the game yet it certainly didn't stop them from being great games. And honestly, how many games truly require skills to complete today?

[peeps]

lol it's funny how fanboys keep brining up the gte's... i guess they missed out on indigo prophecy which was an amazing game, but that was multiplat so most likely didn't have fanboys complaining about 'it only having qte's...' when of course it's not just qte's anyway lol

[Guido]

No less of a disservice that you make when you write stupid articles that make no sense. Sorry, but Destructoid is the bane of all that is video games and it saddens me to see they have managed to survive this long. Perhaps with a shot of real journalism could they then be considered a viable source of information but until then, they are simply going to forever remain trash.

[peeps]

"but not all gamers like to sit back for a story driven game with QTEs and multi endings
and some gamers like to just play games for fun"

and not all gamers like to play games full of action and little story, and some gamers enjoy more than 1 genre of game...

theres nothing wrong with a bit of variety in gaming lol

[ZootHornRollo]

for a site to say the truth. this game is going to ruin every thing games have made.

[callahan09]

His entire argument is one big run-on fallacy.

"[Quantic Dream]'s in the videogame business, and it should be comparing itself to the best of its medium, not the best of other mediums."

Wrong. They're in the entertainment business. It doesn't have to be so black and white. Heavy Rain is an interactive cinematic experience. Call it a game, call it a movie, both descriptions are accurate. There's plenty of room in the entertainment industry for experimentation.

[peterdawa]

Dutch Boogie totally agree with you. Why are people trying to oppress ingenuity and innovation. Ive been playing games for over 25 years and ive been dying for such a game.Games that go an extra step to offer us new intelligent gameplay should be encouraged.Gameplay extends beyond shooting.

[Jamie Foxx]

i for one am sick of how yearly update shooters get high scores from sites like destructoid which bring nothing new to their respected genres.

even mass effect 2 which is supposed to be an 'rpg' has lost so many rpg elements its more of a third person shooter im enjoying it but im wondering how this is labelled as an 'rpg'....and thats all we get these days its tiresome.

sony are the only company trying to broaden our experiences from heavy rain to modnation racers..just trying to evolve a genre which has already had the foundations laid.

so for companies like destructoid if you wernt so dependant on the halos,modern warfares then maybe you would see where QD are coming from and what they are trying to achieve.

[peeps]

i guess ur a new fanboy here. haven't seen you before but seem to be all over the HR topics for some reason lol

"for a site to say the truth. this game is going to ruin every thing games have made. "

u mean like farenheit did... oh wait

the number of fanboys popping up recently is getting ridiculous. i can only assume ppl's bubbles are finally running out and in actual fact a large number of fanboys are probably just the same person who has nothing better to do than spam N4G rather than discuss gaming like a large number of people would like to

[thereapersson]

Completely agreed. Since when does it have to be so cut and dry?

Sounds like the only person who is doing the medium a disservice is this guy, with his self-imposed limitations and restrictions on what he thinks videogames should conform to.

He's the reason why games like Modern Warfare 2 are so widely accepted this generation, despite doing absolutely nothing REMOTELY fresh or revolutionary in ANY WAY. But because they conform to his pretentious standards, it's A-OK.

@ Peeps

For someone who hates this game and its genre so much, Zoot sure does find himself attracted to everything Heavy Rain related. I wonder why?

[Ravage27]

no one is asking you to like it, what's wrong with variety? Everyone has their preferences and there's nothing wrong with preferring games that are all about having fun or in this case, games that offers unique experiences.

Just keep in mind that some people are getting tired of playing the same thing and are eager to try something new

[frankymv]

Why do they post this garbage article?

[Baka-akaB]

I agree with Dutchboogie here ... it would have been distracting with motion controls .
And it wouldnt change the attacks anyway . It could have been worse even with the usual "gimmick" comments about motion controls

[sikbeta]

Destructoid: Is Heavy Rain doing videogames a disservice CUZ IZ NOT A SHOOTER?

lol

Here we GO again, something Different is taken as something BAD, one of the Lamest things EVER

This Game will be Amazing, nobody can't deny that just cuz the characters are not 100% Fully Controlable and they not have a weapon glued in the arms

[jmare]

The author has a point, to a point. While I can agree that games need to stop bullshit comparisons like the whole Citizen Kane thing, the medium has still not progressed to the point where references to games only will be understood by the mainstream. This is in part due to the relatively short history of videogames, but it is also due to the fact that up until recently story in games was simply the the explanation of why you were doing any given thing and it never really went much deeper than, "They're bad, kill them." Movies are used as a frame of reference because they are something that the mainstream understands.

[Baka-akaB]

And did you read most dtoid's article or some of the likeminded outlets ? They always outright dimiss games with lenghty cutscenes and heavy storytelling as "movie wannabe" .
At least it made me laugh and my day in a few occasions . Like again Xenosaga ... wich the press was eager to dismiss as a game without only cuscenes and no gameplay whatsoever . Yet i've often seen people shed tears about the game's difficulty , if you just follow the plot without xp and the various quests . Or getting surprised even so by the game's relative harsh nature , while usually claiming to be bad ass at qte infested action games .

It's not so much players and videogame writers setting up movies as the ultimate medium . They just bring it up because that's the only common reference some might understand .

And look at your post your actually guilty of what you accuse others of , when looking deeply at it :

"due to the fact that up until recently story in games was simply the the explanation of why you were doing any given thing and it never really went much deeper than, "They're bad, kill them."

I never understood such statements . I hardly understand why gamers , people working in the field , and the so called gaming press are so eager to view the medium as so inferior to books or even movies in storytelling .

I've been playing games for probably the last two decades, and as far as i am concerned , i've quite often seen plots in games easily as good or better than movies , and instead around the level of books .

That many people ignored those games and chose instead brainless action and then suddenly discover gta 4/mass effect in the HD era , is only their own fault and choice ...
The only thing that really changed was obviously the technology allowing for better direction and "photography" ... But one cannot seriously comes and tell me that GTA is better written than Beneath a steel sky , , or that Mass effect was really better written than anything in Bioware's past , among many other things .

Seriously why such an imprint on many fellow gamers mind ? Movies are the place where comics , manga , books and games adaptation goes to die ...
Where their plot is shredded into tiny pieces till the skin is left , and barely enough to adapt into a tiny 2-3h hour format , and with the limits of a budget (with usually roughly enough to feature half movie time with sfx) , and creativity .

I do not envy movies , and i'm sure that Quantic dreams and other cinematic and story driven devs dont either .
They most likely know that Heavy wouldnt fit properly and with all it's original qualities in a movie trilogy .
They just mention movies for marketing purpose , and to appeal to the gamers obsession with movies .

[SilentNegotiator]

It's a Jim Sterling article. Ignore and move on.

[TheDudeAbides]

by questioning Heavy Rain's awesomeness

[ChickeyCantor]

"Also i don't get why people cannot accept the fact that it is an interactive game. "

Same reason why "HARTKOREEEEEEE" gamers cannot accept that "casual"games are "games" too.

honestly im not interested in this "game". Story might be deep, but gameplay wise it just sucks for me.

[Andronix]

Quantic Dreams have made this game 'Heavy Rain' and are trying to deliver a new video game experience. Destructoid instead of praising QD for taking a new artistic direction complain about it - presumably they are upset that it is not another forumlaic FPS or platformer.

As gamers we have to wait until Heavy Rain launches to see whether it fulfils its promise, but risky games like Flower, Braid and Heavy Rain are to be celebrated for trying to take gaming in new directions. Not all new ventures will deliver, but you can be sure that I am willing and able to give them a chance.

[4Sh0w]

I completely disagree with Destructoid. It's absurd to suggest that by QD's offering a "different" experience will somehow hurt gaming because it aims to compete with movies. Listen of course gaming has made significant accomplishments on its own to be compared to othe highly regarded mediums but going outside the box, making a "hybrid" experience isnt going to hurt gaming. Variety never hurts any industry, the worst case scenario is that it might spark a new niche genre for gamers who like that type of experience, if its attractive enough to many gamers it just might be more than a niche genre, the mass gamers will decide and thats how it should be, I said the same with Natal, the gamers will decide its fate, and thats how it should be, because I have alot more faith in the mass public determining the direction of gaming vs an elitist gamer on n4g or an elitist opinion from Destructoid. Why are gamers so paranoid, no matter how good a "different" type game might turn out as long as shooters, rpg's, action games, etc stay fun & *revelant they aren't going anywhere.

Finally, I'm sick of people talking like our current games, suck everytime some supposedly "innovative" game comes out. Again I appreciate new experiences or games, features, peripherals, that expand upon what we have, whether I personaly like them or not doesn't mean I'm going to hate on what we have now to promote something different.

[GarandShooter]

'Movies are used as a frame of reference because they are something that the mainstream understands.'

So do you feel that a game like Heavy Rain is going to take gaming further away from the mainstream?

[badz149]

I really want to know what the writer thinks about movie-tide, movie-based games? he must think most of them are stupid as well!

he's so living under the rock for all these times because he's totally missing the point of the entertainment business at the moment! did he missed the article "MW2 set record for the biggest launch in the entertainment history" thing? video game industry is a niche market no more! it's perfectly normal for any game dev to try to tap the market in between VG and movies like QD is doing with HR because games are already proven to be a great medium of story telling! so, how the hell does it a disservice when it's trying to expand the genre of gaming by itself?? if you're fine with your 'standard' games? FINE, but there are others out there who are more than willing to try some new flavor like HR every once in a while!

stupid writers will try hard to downplay HR as it's a new, yet to be proven game! to the writer, you think you look cool hating on HR, aren't ya? guess what, you're NOT! and I think you're STUPID for not even trying to encourage any advancement in gaming! it's the same with people who are hating on MAG just because MAG offers the unprecedented 256 players! it's ok if you're feeling at home with your standard 5v5, 8v8, 16v16 game but at least give respect to those dev like Zipper which is pushing the envelop with MAG and guess what, MAG has seemless lag compared to much smaller MW2!

if you wanna talk about disservice, blame activision for example; giving rehashed games one after another like GH, CoD and then not beta testing their game thus charging $60 for 600p, 5H campaign and glitch fest online!

[nix]

why did my comment get deleted...

i had put in a nice comment there. educative.

[morganfell]

@1.17, They keep posting this type of garbage because it attacks Sony.

And like many others I am tired of it. No other manufacturer or publisher has anywhere near the dearth of articles as those we see attacking Sony. I wonder how much time certain people spend googling negative Sony articles. No other publisher's games are subject to so many negative connotations nor any hardware manufacturer the point of such inexcusable ridicule.

It would be funny to go back over the last 30 days here and look at Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft and tally the positive and negative articles. And anyone that remarks the number of certain articles on N4G correlates directly to a console's performance is just being naive or else, intentionally blind.

The flood of such articles anytime Sony produces anything clearly marks the state of worry among fanboys of other consoles. Plainly put they are scared and their petty articles prove it. They are jealous and the flood of "Sony is teh doomed" and moronic "disservice" trash write-ups is a clear indicator.

Jim at Destructoid is an idiot of the highest caliber. Ensconced among a small group of societal dregs that find him funny, he spews forth some of the most ill conceived, poorly researched and downright absurd articles in the industry. Most of all I feel bad for PR reps of various manufacturers and publishers that have to tolerate this jackass simply because he has internet access. The sooner Destructoid goes under the better gaming will be.

Remember, it's Destructoid, the National Inquirer of gaming journalism.

[raztad]

Is Destructoid doing videogames a disservice? FIXED.

I'm not bashing/attacking Destructoid just wondering.

[Fanb0y]

I still think this game is going to bomb.

Can anyone tell me what the latest pre-order numbers were for this game?

[morganfell]

^^^So a game bombs when it's sales are not high? For me, as a gamer, a title bombs when it is unimaginative, buggy, poorly executed, frustrating, etc.

Here's a hint: Gameplay > sales.

[Redempteur]

i'm tired ..
i'm sick of this articles ..

They pass judgement when the game isn't out yet ..AND you don't know that will be the public reaction to it nor how the industry will react ..

What was the point ?
Is it that fun to critic a projet , that isn't even out ?

ANother thing is that i don't understand WHY should heavy rain be inferior to movies ...??
Games already proved that they can be AMAZING narratives experiences when you let them bloom in peace ... but of course you have to explain this to ALL OF YOU that never bought , ICO , FLOWER , SHADOW OF COLOSSUS , OKAMI ...
Games are a medium ... and every medium Can shine ..is it bad that Heavy rain is marketed as a interactive movie when it borrow so much from the movie style ...isn't it interactive ?

WHY the hate ?

[baum]

From someone that defends the wee like you're link and it's zelda or hyrule because the Wii is unique (?), someone would expect you to not act as ignorantly as you just did. Your attitude only proves everyone that criticized the Wii that they are right; just like HR is nothing but cut-scenes and "no gameplay" as you put it, Wii games are nothing but glorified gamecube ports with waggle. Why make such an irrelevant comment? Just curious.

[ChickeyCantor]

@baum

"Your attitude only proves everyone that criticized the Wii that they are right; just like HR is nothing but cut-scenes and "no gameplay" as you put it"

Never said this, i said they have put much effort in graphics and story. But to me the gameplay itself just isnt for me.

"From someone that defends the wee like you're link and it's zelda or hyrule because the Wii is unique (?),"

Nowhere did i mention "unique", this kind of gameplay is NOT FOR ME.

"Why make such an irrelevant comment?"
Why draw such a rageful conclusion?
Angry much?

It wasn't irrelevant, people are being all worked up about this game, i was just stating why i dont like this game.

You are the one with ignorance, sorry to break it to you, but not everyone will love what you love.

Edit:
"nothing but cut-scenes and "no gameplay" "
This seems to be your description, Ironic isn't it?

[marinelife9]

Someone is actually complaining that a video game has been so refined that it's level of immersion can be compared to a film?

The game is shooting for reality just like most other video games.

They don't use made up gun names and weapon specs for COD.

They don't use made up car names and driving specs for GT or Forza.

They don't use made up player names and athletic specs for Madden or MLB 10.

What an idiot.

[ABizzel1]

I completely disagree. Let's be real here. Video games aren't known for having great stories, most games have stories on par with a Saturday morning cartoon rather than a good movie, and Heavy Rain just may be another one of the rare games that have film like quality. The article says it's a disservice to the writers and directors of the games, by comparing the game to movies rather than the best of their genre, but what other game is in Heavy Rain's genre. Not to mention SONY IS ALSO ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOVIE STUDIO IN THE WORLD so the writers for their games are more than likely movie writers as well which is why so many of their exclusives have such great stories.

[Dacapn]

This statement pretty much sums up the debate of this game. HR is a new genre, in which there hasn't been a game like this before. The game is simply not for everyone, like any genre could be. Basically some people freak out instead of being able to at least objectively look at a piece of work.

[N4Flamers]

I have to wake up and read this, and jim from destructoid has sand in his vagina. I'm sorry I only read about half of that rant before i decided to cut the cord.

The truth of the matter is that most video games in these times dont have an excellent story. I havent seen an article about dantes inferno comparing itself to the classic poem. I havent seen any comparison articles between the two, so why would anyone get offended when a game compares itself to the budget or story of a movie.

I think given the type of game this is it is acceptable and close to necessary to compare it to a movie. I believe the comparison gives the gamer a good feel for what kind of game they are about to play.

[wicko]

Another brilliant article by Destructoid Scribe Jim Sterling, the PS3 hater.

Seriously this guy's articles are always a joke, journalistic integrity be damned I guess.

[jmare]

It's possible. But the point I was making is that like it or not, film is considered by many in the mainstream to be the ultimate storytelling medium. They are unbelievably wrong, but that's a different argument. If marketed appropriately, Heavy Rain could reach new audiences. But I think it will be praised by fanboys and those with an open mind, but it will not be a huge seller.

[creatchee]

Bungie said: "and some gamers like to just play games for fun"

You know, I hate to agree with him, (actually, I REALLY hate to agree with almost ANY of the known fanboys on either side) but this is one of the best lines from him or anyone else on N4G.

The topics that most people talk about is graphics or stories or technical prowess or sales or number of people online or any number of things about games, but the most important thing about a game is its fun factor. If you're not having fun when you're playing a game, then why on Earth are you playing it in the first place?

Back on-topic - raising the bar or doing something different than the norm is NEVER a disservice to anything unless it is done through dubious methods. Heavy Rain looks like it will be good in the graphics and story department - I'm just hoping that it is fun. That's been my only question about this game from the get go. Reviewers typically don't address fun (except GamePro back in the day when "Fun Factor" rating were actually larger than all of the other components).

I guess I won't know until I pop it in...

[facepalm]

The title should've been:
Is the MARKETING of Heavy Rain doing video games a disservice??

[Rockox]

I agree with this article to the extent that it's wrong that people in the entertainment industry feel the need to somehow "legitimize" videogames by making them into movies, as if making something into a movie is the be all, end all.

I think what it ultimately comes down to in the movie business is brand recognition. It's easier to make a movie out of an existing game franchise with a healthy fanbase than to create a new story for a film. And this just shows how lazy the film industry has become, relying on adaptations, sequels and reboots to make money, rather than coming up with an original idea.

[jmd749]

let me guess, it's a jim article?! go figure...

[baum]

Sorry to break it to you, I never implied you should have the same taste as others. I was simply asking how do you pretend to not come out as a hypocrite with your criticism of a game that aims to be unique when all you do is defend a console that supposedly aims to be unique. At least that's the song all the Ninty fanboys keep trunpeting on this site (and some even go as far as claiming that the Wii has more core games than both PS3 and 360 combined, which is downright hilarious).

Anyway, are you dense? I never said that in my opinion HR is comprised solely by cut-scenes, I was simply making fun of what you probably think of this game. Not meant to be taken to heart. Have you even played Indigo Prophecy? That might lend you a bit of credibility.

[Kornholic]

The same Destructoid who reviewed MAG even before its servers were opened? Haha, oh please. Let's wait until the game is actually out. Such an unprofessional site doesn't probably even get a review copy of the game.

[Greywulf]

INDIGO PROPHECY.

Why are all of these morons acting as if this game wasn't made/tested/released before? Its not for everyone, clearly. The hate behind this game is ridiculous. Sure, if it was the first of its kind, feel free to question it, but seeing as how its not, why create the banter?

Destructoid has never touched Quantic Dreams work before, so how the hell do they know?

and just as a lol @ destructoid & Jim...

I didn't see anyone complaining when TIME called Mass Effect 2:

"THE AVATAR OF VIDEOGAMES!"

[pixelsword]

http://www.clayloomis.com/S...

Avoid the monsters, ladies and gentlemen, and they will eventually go away. People have to realize that poorly titled articles to get hits is a bad form of journalism.

@ greywulf:

you have a point there, and if you think about it, Mass Effect didn't do anything "innovative" from the last time, but this is the crap people do to get hits; and if I don't like it, they get no hits. If they do it a lot, they'll never get hits from me.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

"I didn't see anyone complaining when TIME called Mass Effect 2:

"THE AVATAR OF VIDEOGAMES!" "-greywulf

That is because, that is a compliment. Comparing yourself to a different medium and saying it is ALMOST as good is putting yourself down.

Imagine a movie claiming it is almost as good as the book! I don't think this is necessarily a hate towards Sony as many on this site believes. I think it just happens to be the title being released and you can't deny the similarity between a movie and this game.

Personally, from what I have seen of this game I would classify it as interactive movie.

Either way, the title of the article is misleading and is intended to draw the ire of the PS3 community. Looks like he was successful!!!

[ChickeyCantor]

@Baum,

Its hilarious how you ask me if im "dense".
"I never said that in my opinion HR is comprised solely by cut-scenes,"
Neither did I, yet you assumed I did. I never said its just a batch of cut-scenes and never thought of that description. Therefor to me its just Ironic.

" was simply asking how do you pretend to not come out as a hypocrite with your criticism of a game that aims to be unique when all you do is defend a console that supposedly aims to be unique"

Another assumption of what I wasn't implying.
I don't care if the game is unique or not, I just find it a pity that so much production value went into this, and still I wont be able to enjoy this.

It sad you are this shortsighted, just because I do not share most views here on N4G, doesn't mean im wii-fanboy.
I also own a PS3 and plan on getting a 360.
Not sure why you had to twist my words, just so you could have your paranoid ways.

You know instead of trying to be a DB, at least try to understand people.

[jjohan35]

In my opinion, Destructoid has always been one of the worst gaming sites this generation. I'd go as far to say that it's worse than HHG, which is why I refuse to click on their links.

[Anon1974]

They used to actually report on game news and offer useful insight and now it's like they've made an editorial decision to just churn out poorly researched articles or flat out negative opinion articles just to generate hits. This article is pure crap. What a whiner.

The guy is pissed off because they're comparing videogames to movies and commenting about their script quality. I don't know what world you live in, but generally speaking, videogame scripts AREN'T of the same quality as movies. I love games as much as the next guy, but who are we kidding here? I think it's great the writing has improved over the years, but it's still nowhere near the level, on average that we see in movies. There are a few exceptions to this, but not many. If Heavy Rain's makers want to point out that "Hey. Our story doesn't suck," then more power to them! I played Indigo Prophecy. I can't wait for Heavy Rain because I expect it to have a great story. That's why I'm buying it. By all means, if Heavy Rain has a good story..yell it from the rooftops that Heavy Rain has a great story!

[Saaking]

lmao, and people wonder why Destructoid has zero credibility.

[Brixxer600]

The whole point of comparing this game to a movie is to let everyone know that it's a completely different type of experience , a movie with a good script and dialogue is aimed at making you feel attatched to the characters emotionally , you care about what happens to them , you feel for them , there are very few games that have tried this approach. The developers should praised in their attempts to "Break the Mould" , this is one game i can't wait to play.

[xxBiG_BoSSxx]

The author feels that heavy rain should be comparing itself to other games rather than movies but he forgets that other games often compare themselves to the reality of their genre. Madden compares itself to actual football. Most shooters compare themselves to actual war or gunplay. The author needs to accept that cinematic games are a genre. They Should be promoted as such. I don't know how you'd compare Heavy Rain to any other game anyway, without considering its cinematic style.

[jack_burt0n]

If anything its more of throwback to a classic "Adveture Game" when storytelling came first, when i played it the strongest familiarity to me was Bladerunner on the PC now that is a good thing indeed. But gamers already know that, the people they are trying to make interested with quotes of production value are film noir fans, true crime and murder mystery csi junkies. In an effort for it to be a commercial success they need to do that, without the need for "this game has tits" well not as much anyway.

But its quite obvious the article writer enjoys his Mcdonald's-style gaming.

For me the mistake they have made is not launching it with the motion controller.

[Dutch Boogie]

"For me the mistake they have made is not launching it with the motion controller."

For some reason i think that would completely ruin the game. The fact that they use the ps3's sixaxis is enough. Anything more and it would be interfering with players trying to concentrate on the story. I don't wanna come home from work and stand infront of a tv wobbling my hands like a crazy baboon.

[jack_burt0n]

Dutch there is ALOT of motion controls throughout the game, every1 who tried the demo at e3 was like this game needs the wand badly. I would rather mimic the 1:1 motion of brushing my teeth lol than shaking a sixaxis up and down. Same for opening a door etc would not need to be arms flailing :0)

[Karooo]

even mass effect 2 was shooterified.

yawn give me something new.

[Trebius]

This game is incredible ...

Ppl that hate on it really have no basis for the hate, it's just not on their console of choice so they belittle it.

If Heavy Rain were exclusive to the 360, of course the fangirls would be praising it saying how good it is and how M$ is trying something nw.

To hell with you fangirl pusies. You'll never play any of these great upcoming PS3 exclusives, and you've missed out on more than a dozen preview exclusives.

Cry some more.

[Shane Kim]

What's wrong with promoting a game that way? I red the article and I got his point but a game doesn't make 10 dollars to make, It costs 10 million dollars. This is just a more commercial way to reach your audince and pontial new buyers.

I mean we could start bashing MS for putting Halo on everything.

[awesomeperson]

I know right, all the games this gen, or even if they want to sell well, NEED to seem to have a shooter elemnt which is getting very repititive. I'm pretty sick of all the FPS's coming out, which is why this will hopefully be a fresher experience aside from racking up killstreaks...

[Kerrby]

Is Heavy Rain doing videogames a disservice?

More like "Is Destructoid doing a disservice to Video Game Journalism?"

Yes. Yes it is.

Can't wait for their biased review (like always).

[peeps]

hmm all they're really doing is promoting it as being very story driven where u can influence the events. I mean it's valid to compare the script to a movie imo cus well there is a ton lol.

and HR, like IP before it is a very different experience to the majority of games on the market.

[Baka-akaB]

Destructoid not likey ? Me mightily surprised!!!!

more seriously whenever try to "educate" you on what should or should not be considered games , just QTE their face ...

ONE game always comes along once everywhile , and is heavy on the narrative , against hundreds of shooters and action games , and yet they find a way to complain .
If you want the same boring everyday stuff , then guess what you just can !!!

It didnt stop when Xenosaga arrived with long cutscenes , nor when Metal Gear solid 4 came along , nor will it with Heavy Rain . Just accept that it's not your thing , stay away from it and move on .

They know very well why in their marketing snippets , Quantic dram try to moves away from the game label and more toward movie level experience ...
Why ? Because places like toid would rip it apart as usual for not having enough "gameplay" .

And the epithome of hypocrisy is this often coming from guys who wouldnt have issues about Action games featuring so much QTE (wich i do) .
I personally dont see why i should always do the hard fighting work , and instead of having the pleasure of severing a head myself in after a fighting game , it's all taking care of for me automatically in a finishing cutscenes , or they only tell me "press Square bubba!! we'll take it from there!"

They accept it for games that shouldnt feature it , and yep comes complaining for adventure games based on atmosphere , a story and a setting ...
Get your priority and facts straights ...

[Omega4]

The game is niche some will like it but most wont due to the fact its hard to see where the gameplay is. Games arent suppose to be movies they are suppose to be games.

[Baka-akaB]

of course , and when like minded game like Alan Wake will appear it will be a true game right ?

Wich imo it will be of course , just like HR ... i'm just pointing out your obvious preference and bias here .

[Doc Sony]

...games are supposed to entertain you nitwit.

Its the only form of entertainment that can break away from traditions and morph into so many different things.

Why are you so shortsighted ?

[bunfighterii]

true, I saw an article on N4G a few days back saying 'Alan Wake' will blur the line between games and TV- from the people who made Alan Wake. Yet is it doing a disservice to gaming? Hardly.

Games like Alan Wake and Heavy Rain (I haven't played them but from what I've read) I think will show those who dismiss gaming as child's play that it can be a serious art form, the way TV shows and Hollywood movies are perceived to be.

[Omega4]

How can you say Alan Wake is like a movie, yes it will have an great storyline and innovative story telling techniques but its still a GAME. Since you can run around an environment without restrictions, there are AI characters for which the player has to defeat/interact with and you can obviously win/lose the game. These are basic videogame conventions and if it doesnt have the majority of them then its not really a videogame.

[Doc Sony]

I grow tired of you nonsense Omega. So thats all you ever want a game to be, run around, point and shoot.

WTF man, there's hundreds of games like that out already.

I think you're just a fanboy and want to see this game fail.

And Remedy themselves claimed it would 'blur the line' between games and movies.

[Baka-akaB]

Oh drop the act , Alan Wake isnt setting itself up to be the new quake or gears of war .
It will have basically assisted and limited action gameplay phase .. wich isnt at all better and more gameplay based that what most adventure games and heavy rain proposes . And basically the same conventions and drive . They mostly diverge in the methods .

Again i do think AW will be great , i'd only get mad at that in a full blown action or shooter game .
I bring it up because your bias truly shows , it does on a regular basis anyway , and you'd be trashing Alan Wake and praising HR , if their respective consoles were inversed .

Next thing you know you'll be telling us that Remedy dont know their own game and just PR crap , when they basically use the same arguments and logic than Quantic Dream .

done wasting bubbles anyway

@below

oh so the police chase scene and the others vids so far , requires the competing skills of a quake or halo and is an actual and proper action game because you can move around with a flashlight eh?

And still can't drop the QTE part eh ? I wonder if i wont find somewhere praises about Ninja Blade back in the day .

"just because I can see HR for what it really is doesnt make me bias"

Yep and it's only coincidence that you only see beauty on 360 and mehness on ps3 .
You know what you win , as always .

[Omega4]

@Doc Sony
What are you talking about "point and shoot"!? I didnt mention shooting at all. All those thing are in basically every GAME genre, whether it be shooter, racing, fighting, sports, rpg etc but not in HR. There isnt even any AI since all the paths are predetermined, and you cant win/lose because the game will just keep going.

@Baka-akaB
"It will have basically assisted and limited action gameplay phase"
Whats that supposing to mean, you trying to say the shooting elements of the game are assisted and like QTE? You need to watch some Alan Wake GAMEPLAY videos.
And just because I can see HR for what it really is doesnt make me bias.

[GarandShooter]

@ Omega4

Is Tetris a videogame? It doesn't have any of those things you mentioned except for win/lose, so by your definition, it's not a game.

You DON'T see Heavy Rain for what it is, and your bias is clear. In HR the definition of win/lose has changed. If you die, you lose because you cannot take that character to the completion of their chapter. In fact, I could say there is less of a win/lose in AW. You don't really lose, you just try over and over until you get it right, without permanent penalty.

[bjornbear]

"A game consists of a set of players, a set of moves (or strategies) available to those players, and a specification of payoffs for each combination of strategies."

that is a definition of a game according to Game Theory.

so, according to Game Theory, the "science" of games in general (physical and digital alike), Heavy Rain is as much a game as Halo or Super Mario Bro's.

Its just different. But we all know how the laymen reacts to change right? =P

[Ravage27]

Heavy Rain is as much a game as MGS4. That's because you can INTERACT with the environment and AFFECT the outcome of the story. Does movies allow you to do that? Does Avatar allow you to control Colonel Miles and wipe out the Na'vi?

And btw, who are you to define what a game should or shouldn't do?

[morganfell]

And add on mission packs are supposed to be add on mission packs. They shouldn't be given a multimillion dollar marketing campaign to convince the public it is a full game when it isn't.

And yes, MGS4 as the best title ever made is a great marker for which to aim.

[mastiffchild]

Christ Omega! Way to make yourself look even more of an MS dolly. If HR was 360 exclusive you'd be all over it as the best, bravest game EVAAAR! Even the most rabid, zealous fanboys have moments of clarity, honesty or fairness but you seem to have given up on it. Even if you had a fair point(and I agree that HR will prolly remain niche-but if it takes gaming in a more varied direction and opens the way for further investigation of areas without conventional gaming mores is that anything but a GREAT thing?)people just got so used to you trolling every single PS exclusive's threads that they just wouldn't notice.

Fact is I'm looking forward to AW AND HR almost equally. HR is certainly something a little fresher and I'm also sad that AW might not be quite what we were promised when it was one of the games that cajoled me into buying a launch 360(seriously, what were they doing telling us we'd see that game near launch?)but there's enough there to make pretty much anyone interested and the same should be true of HR which, if anything, is the mmore courageous game of the two and pushed gaming in more hitherto only glimpsed gaming directions.

If you want all your games to be the same thing year in and year out then fine but don't moan because some gamers aren't as closed minded as yourself about what they "play" on their consoles-unless, of course you'd actually quite like to play HR but can't ,for some reason, bring yourself to do it? Plus, if you detest it and Sony so much why even comment?

[KilZoneGeneralStrife]

Its like their articles get written and published just for 'the hell of it' ...In my mind I have a box of opinions labeled 'useless' ,its not for my opinions,oh no,its for others and the bs they believe is true.thats where Surfergirl (who is prolly a guy ),Skaterboy (whose prolly a big loser playing Tony Hawks:Ride about now) and HHG opinions get tossed in to.Destructoids is there to.

[HurstDarkStar]

its kinda dissatisfying when i see a game developer use movies as a higher standard of story when many other writers truly believe a video game story can be in the same league.not saying thats HR message but to use another entertainment medium to set your work on your games is almost like saying all other writters in the game industry haven't done anything -_-

[Baka-akaB]

i see it more as playing to their own marketing strength rather than calling other games crap .

Lately whenever a game try to be heavy on the story and/or adventure game of the pc kind , it just get ripped apart .
Just go back to the very first article on HR and you'll see the usual "meh it's just QTE" crap .
So why bother ? You just try to peg it as interactive movie .

The so called "gamers" already have made their minds , so why bother ?
They'd rather lap up holywood styled COd solo experience , because in it barrels and cars explodes!!

[Oztheboss]

Do we really have to justify the ill-informed ramblings of a fat twat? I believe that Heavy Rain will at least take a step towards good Hollywood writing, along with Alan Wake.

Jim, get the feck off the Internet.

[Ultraplayerxd]

this is a hit or miss game. some will like it and some wont but its not going to be a disservice to games. from what I've seen and read this game takes storytelling to another level while giving players a movie like presentation, how can that be a bad thing? at least its trying to do something different so don't bash it because of that.

[Madeline12]

Yes games should never break the mold, forever playing FPS/hack-slash/action oriented that's our future.God forbid someone try for a cinematic/emotion/story driven experience.
yay !!!

/endsarcasm

Sorry, sure FPS and other more "common" genres are valid but so are new innovative ones.

[mrmikew2018]

He made some good points. However, what is the big deal with developers thinking outside the box?

[Redempteur]

Not a problem at all ..thinking outside of the box lead to change , to innovation .. MOst revolutions in the history of mankind started because some people started thinking outside of the box ...

I really don't see the problem ..unless you want to play the same thing OVER AND OVER AGAIN

[mastiffchild]

Thing is, people already DO play the same things over and over. Witness games(some of which i even buy myself)that basically release annually yet proclaim themselves as "premium" titles(eh, Acti?)like MW2 which is basically the third time we've played that particular game with different skins and weapons(what was it's biggest difference from last time out? Oh yeah, taking online PC gaming backwards! Good job IW!), like the sports games we buy every year because of roster/squad changes and little else, the million FPS that come out and flood the market every year and then we have people wanting remakes of classic games ALL the time(FF7,Ico, SotC and so on)along with those already getting remade for DS/PSP(a million jrpgs)rereleased on PSN or XBLA or even HD versions on disc like GOW collection.

And this week which are the two games getting the most stick? Oh yes, two games trying to push the boundaries a little in MAG and HR. Nopw, I'm not happy to say it's a media/Sony thing but will say t's certainly a lazy media that doesn't welcome innovation in their world when they constantly hammer games for being "gfeneric" week in, week out.

HR markets itself in the "filmic" terms that it does because it needs to convey to people who know little about it what the parallels are withimn entertainment as there's no ,massive games to compare it to at all, no? How the hell else were they to market it? "Erm, it's like a game and a bit like a movie where you actually make the choices or your actions affect the way th story heads and stuff and it, erm, looks dead real and that, innit?" Honestly, I've read some luddite tosh within the gaming industry but Sterling and D'toid take some beating.

[Typical-Guy]

I didn't hear them complaining about Fahrenheit, oh yeah right that game was Multiplat. IDIOTS.

[Got2bemad2behere]

Why does anyone take this guy seriously. He's an attention whore. The AC2 review, talking smack about Final Fantasy and now this. The Final Fantasy article never hitted n4g for some reason.

[Tompkins]

Anal and one dimensional article. There's nothing wrong with comparing video game quality to movies, and there's certainly nothing wrong with developers using the movie medium as a benchmark when it comes to cinematic direction.

Heavy Rain, aims to bridge the gap between movies and video games, or at least provide the player an entertaining cinematic experience that is similar to a movie. Why is this a disservice? perhaps if they touted the game as a shooter, when in fact the game is nothing like one, it would then be a disservice, or false advertising.

Movies are held in high esteem in the public eye, so why is it wrong or bad for game developers to strive to be like them, to capture the public perception.

The article is a disservice to the people who sent Destructoid the game in good faith, and the hard work the team have invested to make a game that isn't the same old stuff we've seen in countless other titles.

[ChickeyCantor]

My biggest problem with this game is that...Well while they try to put so much effort in story and gfx. The gameplay doesn't seem to be exciting at all.

Now now calm down fanboys, their production value is great, its just not a game for me.

[Baka-akaB]

And why would it be less of a game than the usual point and click procedural pc adventure games like Monkey island , Gabriel Knight , or the longest journey ?

Now obviously it's fine if you dont like that kind of games too . And it's not even the same gameplay , but the spirit is most likely there

[GarandShooter]

Gameplay needs to be enjoyable and fun, not necessarily exciting. Flower for instance, is an example of relaxed enjoyable game play. I do however understand if your enjoyment comes from adrenaline style gameplay.

Having said that, if this is anything like Indigo Prophecy, it certainly had exciting moments. The train escape sequence comes to mind, and it very well may be that the actual story is what generates excitement for gamers playing the game.

[ChickeyCantor]

"And why would it be less of a game than the usual point and click procedural pc adventure games like Monkey island , Gabriel Knight , or the longest journey ?"

Thats my whole problem with this production...xD

"Gameplay needs to be enjoyable and fun, not necessarily exciting. "
Ok let me rephrase that, the gameplay looks DULL.
If you enjoy it, good for you...its just a not a game for me.

[Redempteur]

Well it's not a game for you ... you realise that .. you probably won't play it ..

OK let's end this here then .. so i'll play this game because it suit my tastes and you won't ..

What game of the same genre doesn't look dull ? just asking ...

[ChickeyCantor]

You like a certain gameplay, therefore more of the same would be something to be more excited about.
This game however doesn't really do anything for me.

I love how people get so ticked off by this xD.

[rulkezx]

Look how many of you moronic fanboys set-up straw men instead of replying to the points the writer of the article made.

He is in no way bashing Heavy Rain as a game, he is instead bashing the idiot Cage and his PR team that are doing their best to call his anything but a game.

Cage and QD , in striving to have this compared to movies rather than games, is implying that gaming , as a medium , is neither mature or evolved enough for his product to be categorised thus. He in inferring that gamers want to play movies , not games, and that devolpers should be striving to be more like Hollywood film studios than software development houses.

By all accounts Heavy Rain is a day 1 purchase , and a remarkable piece of gaming , which goes against everything Cage wants this to be.

This site would be so much better if some of you idiots spent more time educating yourselves instead of taking part in some retarded format war.

[Baka-akaB]

And you dont get some points here and as usual expressed by Cage or many others .

dtoid and many outlet are actually the ones starting "the movies are better" trend .
How ? With pompous "gaming writing and storytelling isnt movie level yet" and other column crap . Just like with that Pratchett article .

They arbitrary decides that videogames writing isnt good enough , and then procedes to complain about using marketing oriented toward the same misconception ?

QD already went the it's just a game way with farenheit , it didnt go far , despite it's obvious qualities . Of course they should play the movie angle . "Hardcore gamers" are already calling it crap based on the type of gameplay alone , or the usual console war hostage situation

[silvacrest]

heavy rain is a genre in its self and the evolution of gaming

people should accept it for what it is, dont try and compare it to anything, just immerse your self in the experience

[Captain Tuttle]

Why are PS3 fans so BITTER? Jeez people, lighten up.

Unless you're all viral marketers paid by Sony to push product. That's OK then, you're just trying to make a living. I have a feeling though that most of you are doing this for free.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

People have been saying over the past two years that Heavy Rain is "stupid" because it's just a bunch of QTE's. To those of us who know better, it's getting kind of ridiculous.

[bjornbear]

you see a lot of bitter people there that right now are playing "the pragmatic neutral" type =/

[rob6021]

I agree with you 100% - try saying you didn't like ME2 or Bayonetta. It's funny enough to me when someone's delusional enough to not realize their own console's fans do the same thing.

Console's X's fans are worse than Console Y's fans...yea we've heard that one before it's the stupidest argument you can make here.

[rkimoto]

... and applies to most of the comments throughout N4G:

"Why are 360/PS3/Wii fans so BITTER? Jeez people, lighten up.

Unless you're all viral marketers paid by Microsoft/Nintendo/Sony to push their products. That's OK then, you're just trying to make a living. I have a feeling though that most of you are doing this for free."

There, now you can copy/paste it to all forums in this site.

Now back on topic, the main problem with this "article" is because the site tends to give sensationalist titles to their reports to get more hits. Regardless of what the article says, the choices that they make to title their articles IS what's giving a disservice to gaming.

I guess it's the maturity of the industry in general what's giving it a bad rap. Whenever reputable information sources start giving unbiased and impartial reviews/comments/articles, that's when the industry is going to be taken seriously and given the place it deserves, along other entertainment industries.

I really hope it happens soon, so that idiots like Jack Thompson go away.

[ballsofsteel]

i see his point about heavy rain being marketed as a movie in game form rather than just a game but i just see that as marketing. hardcore gamers like us are interested in this game but the mainstream gamer has no idea what heavy rain is about so when the read the back cover and see "film quality narrative" that automatically makes their mind go to a high standard of story telling. the average gamers isn't really all that smart hell most of the people you talk to still think video games are just for kids. in order for this game to sell heavy rain is going to have to appeal to the casuals and the best way to do that is give them something to compare the quality of heavy rain to.

[Ninjamonkey82]

Destructoid can go suck my TOE i mean the ingrown toe nail one the one with the infection and the ooze of puss. Yeah that toe suck it you idiots.

[Hidden Star]

I respectfully disagree with Destructoid. Heavy Rain and Quantic Dream are trying some different. It's not doing disservice to the industry, it's actually making it better.

Take some risks or do you wish to keep playing FPS COD Re-hash number 12 for the rest of your life?

[Rowsdower]

its more a call to arms than it is a condemnation of heavy rain or its dev. He is basically saying that you dont compare a dali painting to a Hitchcock film. Video Games are their own distinct genre and this desire to be as "good" as film is very reminiscent of the desire during the early years of film to be as "good" as the theater. It is an uncessary desire because all it does is force one medium to adhere to the rules and cliches of another more well established medium. Just like movies can do things that plays cant, and photographs can do things that paintings cant, video games can do things that all those mediums cant, yet we insist on forcing it into their conventions. I agree with the authors sentiment too bad people who would rather play with each others wieners come in and ruin what might be an interesting and thought provoking discussion. The article is not about the Heavy Rain itself which looks amazing, it about breaking away from the past, which ironically is exactly what Heavy Rain is all about.

This is exactly the kinds of articles and conversations that N4G should be having.

[Ravage27]

The statements in the promo material are in no way degrading the videogame medium - their sole purpose is (obviously) to PROMOTE the game's story-telling abilities which QD have every right to be proud of.

Those descriptions are evidently chosen to differentiate Heavy Rain from other games (like maybe KZ2 or Gears?) by stressing the fact that it has a more mature setting(emotional deaths,sacrifices,etc) and more thought-provoking dialogues. Clearly, there is a larger focus on the plot development compared to other games and QD are just trying to draw people's attention to that fact.

Jim is imo,just overreacting. QD did not 'betray' their gaming roots, you are essentially still controlling the fate of the videogame characters and your choice of action will CHANGE the outcome. There's still a degree of interactivity, and therefore still a game. No one is going to think of HR as a film when it's over. In fact it may convince movie enthusiast that with the right budget and amount of care,the gaming medium is just as capable of inciting emotional responses from them as movies.

[Rowsdower]

i see what your getting at and thank you for disagreeing with me in adult way.

[MartyMcFly88]

I disagree completely with this article! It actually prompted me to write my own contrasting article on my site (AMO), so if anyone fancies a read, here it is:

http://alternativemagazineo...

[truegame]

Good Read. We should read both yours a Destructoid fully.

[LiquifiedArt]

The biggest problems with "videogames" is the lack of compelling story that has or (can) be told through it as a medium. That is why you have someone like David Cage, trying something new, because he HAS a story and WANTS to tell it, but he also wants you to feel a part of it, not just an observer.

So i do disagree completely with this article. There will always be your shooting, driving, racing games. I think anyone who doesn't see it, needs to open their eyes a little and "Grow up".

(i'm speaking to the 21+ crowd)

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

It's marketing, people.

That's all.

The marketing team knows that people want a Hollywood-quality video game.

[Wolf873]

He is not bashing the innovation of the game, rather he is saying the developers of the game are trying to compare an experience of a game to a movie which shouldn't be the case, especially for a case like Heavy Rain which, seeing as how good it is, should stand on its own merits, which I believe it will since it is a different kind of game. I somewhat agree with what he is saying, but then again, there's nothing else to compare it to than a cinematic experience offered by movies. Maybe the author meant, that in trying to achieve movie like experience, they might be inadvertently limiting themselves in scope of their mission. As it is in our society, movies are regarded as more of grand experience in terms of entertainment, probably more than games, as almost everyone watches movies.

In that case, it is only natural for some developers to compare their games to movies, and see whether or not their creation is offering the same cinematic experience but with touch of interactivity.

[Baka-akaB]

Sure but yet again they arent coherent within their own thoughts .
They publish articles whos main premise and basis are that videogames storytelling isnt good enough and up yet to books or movies ...
and when folks like Cage comes along and say they wanna get close to movie experience , they complaint that it's treating the videogame medium as a poor subproduct , wich they (destructoid and the press) already do ...

Take a stance but not both at the same time , it doesnt work .
Hence some of us seeing it as the usual let's nitpick and contradict everything , with a hint of let's poke funs at gamers , kind of stuff , some would even say crap .

Some guys should lay off the "read the article" argument , or they also should read at past destructoid articles , to see that it doesnt make any sense , other than stirring up controversity .

[Wolf873]

I don't read many articles from Destructoid but if that's the case, then I'd say that their grounds for reasoning are ill-founded.

[s45gr32]

I totally agree with your statement and to me Heavy Rain may prove that adult mature games do exist like Metal Gear which has a brilliant storyline is just unfortunate that you see this great storyline unfold via cutscenes as opposed to via gameplay. Now its possible that Heavy Rain may not only deliver a mature adult storyline but could it be the first citizen of kane game. If so that would be great again Heavy Rain should stand on its own merits, but at the same time it could rival many movies of today.

[Strikepackage Bravo]

this game should even be full price. I mean does it cost as much to make a giant cutt scene as it does a real game? There are lots of things wrong with this games from a gaming standpoint, but if you look at it as just another genre or way to play, then its a great idea.

I think the problem is most PS3 fanboys and biased reviewers will make this game out to be the second coming.

[Redempteur]

"I mean does it cost as much to make a giant cutt scene as it does a real game?"

heavy rain is NOT a giant cutscene game ..you have to consider the production values as a whole ..that is graphics , game design , interractivity and the multiples endings ...

Just go play "nomad soul" or "indigo prophecy" and you'll understand.

being a story based game doesn't mean you can't enjoy the game for what it is

[DigitalAnalog]

I think the problem is in your opening statement. Did you play the game?

-End statement

[AliTheBrit19]

Heavy Rain will be like marmite

I don't think its going to be bad in any aspect, but some players will just not appreciate what it is and what its trying to do.

Its going to be an amazing experience no doubt, its like when MGS4 came out, and many people called it a movie, but the people who had played through the game like me knew that although there was loads of long cutscenes, they where amazing and they added to the experience.

Just got to go in to this game with an open mind, not EVERY title has to be a frantic button masher or FPS type game.

[Aceluffy]

You know, most of the time I disagree with you, but this time I completely agree with everything you say.
Yes people, play games with open mind and you will enjoy it to the fullest, give Heavy Rain a chance.
Bubs up, Ali :)

[NeoBasch]

Jesus, maybe some people want video games to change. A matter of fact, I'm sure most due. I'm sick and tired of the rut we're in. I'm glad QD cares enough to try and change the industry. I'll be supporting their efforts come February 23rd. Whoever wrote this article has done a disservice to gamers at large. What about our voice? Is yours so important that Heavy Rain must now be slammed just because others wish the industry to change. It's a change we NEED if video games are to ever branch out as a medium.

[rob6021]

Funny this guy can't get over the fact that yes, the best of Hollywood does tell better stories than Videogames, Get over it man. Most of us like movies too, we're not stupid enough to know that most videogame storylines are told in something that would be absolutely laughed off the silver screen. Hollywood is something to aspire to (not all of it though.) what a pathetic reason to bash a game, cause it's probably not on his console of choice.

[The_Nameless_One]

I think the Jim Sterling is a disservice to the video game industry. I still don't know why he plays them in the first place. He always just come off as someone who does not enjoy them at all.

[Adolph Fitler]

What a wanker...Why can't we have both? Why does every game have to be the next Mario, or the next Halo, or Zelda? We get enough of those....in fact there are already over 4 Mario's out for the Wii in Galaxy, Kart, Paper, SSB and New Super Mario.

Indigo Prophecy was awesome, and it's looking like Quantic may have produced another great piece of entertainment software.

Why is this tool carrying on as if there are more Heavy Rain-esque games on shelves and in production, than Halo-esque games.

[Gish]

This writer doesn't understand markets very well. Sony would be doing a disservice to HR if they marketed it soley as a video game. If it delivers what is being touted, Sony has the chance to bring in the non-gamers out there who may look at it as a chance to dabble in the gaming market. That is pretty huge. Gamers know about HR, most of them are already sold on it and wouldnt be pushed away because they hear it has Hollywood production values etc.

[DigitalAnalog]

He's done video games journalism...........

a disservice.

-End statement

[devilhunterx]

Is Destructoid doing videogames a disservice?

Yes it is.

[Raoh]

as you can see from the companies description their roots and core is also based around the movie industry... stop hating..

dont like it dont play it.

many games have added quicktime and done it well.. marvel ultimate alliance, indigo prophecy, god of war and some have done it wrong and made it boring like ninja blade..

[themafia]

it is a service to gamers

[Meryl]

destructoid is the one here doing the gamers disservice lol, HR already has reviews with over 90+ out, get over it already, HR is AAA

[Moebius69]

Indeed it does but just watch destructoid,edge,gametrailers all give no higher than a 7.

[Meryl]

Yup I am aware of the biased and payed off site/s that MS has waiting for this game.

[taylork37]

Come on...seriously? It truly does amaze me to know that some of you really think that MS pays off review sites directly to give bad reviews to PS3 games that you have already mentally given 10/10 before it has even been released. Let me let you in on a little secret...not all PS3 exclusives are AAA 10/10.

I have had a PS3 since the first week of release, and again, it completely boggles my mind to see some of you guys make up the most outlandish reasons why a game for your console might not be as good as you over-embellished it to be.

Does MAG ring any bells?

What also funny, is the fact that you think MS is some devil worshiping cult, while at the same time thinking Sony is a group of saints that can do no wrong.

Give me a break.

[dkgshiz]

I'm tired of shooters. The last shooter I bought is MAG and thats the last one I'm buying this gen. I cant wait of Heavy Rain. I want it so badly!

[ian72]

NO. Heavy Rain is doing gaming a service, not disservice.
Looks a very good game, different in a good way. I will be getting it day 1. Different types of games can only be good for us gamers. I hope it does well and shows other developers that a different approach to games can be good.

[spektical]

while videogames should be compared to video games; its not a crime to compare them to actual movies on the big screen. I'm all up for that, but lets keep our attention on making the game better. if that means using a movie as an inspiration so be it, and besides Heavy Rain is sort of like a movie.

[Bodyboarder_VGamer]

People, you should read the article, it has nothing to do with the quality of the game itself...

[cmrbe]

For as long as i can rememeber game devs tout hollywood like productions of their games to sell them. MGS4 , U2 for example has done that. Why now the hate with HR?.

Lets be honest. Even though movie as a medium has gone stale for a while their production values still is far superior to games. Writing, acting in movies is still far superior to games.

[Aceluffy]

I read the whole article, I'll summarize:
Game developers should be proud of their line of work, which is gaming industry, not movie. They should also be proud of their games as what it is, GAMES, not movies. They don't need to tout the quality of their games as Hollywood Production Quality to be recognized as good games, just compare it with other games, not movies.

That's about it, right ? I may miss a little point somewhere, but I guess that's mainly what the author is trying to say.
First of all, how can he compare his game with other games if there are none out there that he thinks can match his game's quality (Story wise) ? So what's the easiest explanation that most people can comprehend regarding what kind of quality they can expect from Heavy Rain ? By saying it has HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTION QUALITY, plain and simple, everyone understands that instantly, further proves that everyone's mindset always believe that movies are always the best medium to deliver stories.
What if he said "My games tells a really good story like MGS4, Bioshock or Silent Hill", how many people will actually know that ?
Not even gamers have played all those titles, what about the casual people ? They will be oblivious that there is a game like Heavy Rain.
The author made some good points but his conclusion is blatantly false, if any, Heavy Rain is upping the ante of gaming genre in story telling if it really has Hollywood production quality value.

[s45gr32]

I agree with the article maybe that's why there isn't a lot of innovation in games today because game developers are trying so hard to emulate films. I'm sorry but Heavy Rain marks something that has not been done in gaming and that is to bring a true mature title without the mindless blood and gore and cokie ass cutter story. If anything Heavy Rain will make people and those nay sayers believe that videogames are also for adults just as much for kids.

[Mamajuana]

So HR is doing a disservice to video games because it's trying to accomplish something unique. Imagine if every single game was exactly like Super Mario Bros. and games never branched off to different genres, how would you feel about video games.

I mean this game has the potential to do something special, to grasp the attention of people who don't even play video games, and to give gamers a unique experience; and we have articles like this saying it's a disservice to video games?

Whatever, everyone is entitled to their opinion. You at least have to respect Sony and Quantic Dream for breaking the mold of your typical video game. Seriously Destructoid, let's just create and play FPS for the rest of our lives let's see how far that will take the gaming industry.

[gunnar2906]

Sorry for my bad english first.
should a game be like a movie or not? Should we consider that removing the gap between them is complete bullshit? It is all the matter of choice.
If you are young and fancy of jumping or crazy about blood rivers - ok, it is your choice. For us, 40+ old duchebags those kinds of things are pretty borring. It doesn't mean we dislike it, absolutely no. But not ask us to spend hours online shooting young freaks or ganking noobs. Most of us has already proven ourselves what we are in real life.
It is the point. We'd better spend a couple of hours watching a good drama in front of our widescreened hd blu-ray enabled tvsets. It is the way I prefer to entertain myself the best. And please believe me, not only me at my age.
Watching a comedy or a drama we feel with partiсipants of a show. We try to fell what they feel, we laugh when it's funny, we cry when a story becomes sad. Do I need to explain this? A good movie is not only good computer effects, it is first of all a deep immersion into.
How many times we were sorry when a patogonist died in a good movie? How many times we were sad when an end of a movie was not what we'd expected from it?
I dislike hype. I dislike unfullfiled promises. But here is what I wanted all my 25 years long gaming expirience - I want a movie with controlled doings. It is like alternative ending of "I'm Legend" but much more innovative - you are able to influence to a storyline all "movie" long. And this is fantastic feature!!!
Is this try to cross between a movie and a game a bullshit? I don\'t think so. I think it is a try to make a step forward in gaming. First real try for now and hardware and proper enviroment may let it do. Is this try successfull? We'll see soon.

[Guitardr85]

this guy's just upset this this isn't another Halo, lol! I get his point, it's just that he's wrong!

[KwietStorm_BLM]

God forbid that we have one game that is different from the rest. So what Quantic Dream is not in the movie business. Is the sky going to fall because Heavy Rain, one game, is a very unique, movie-like experience? I never understood from day one what all the complaints where for about this game. Is it going to kill you to TRY something different? Is playing ONE game that is different than the flow of 'me-too' games going to soil your whole experience as a gamer?

[SeraphimBlade]

While it is cool to have a game that can look like a movie, it's important that the game industry should be independent and do its own thing. It's like a kid trying to be like his older sibling. However, anyone who's played Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy knows that this kind of game has a very different feel from watching a movie.

EDIT: Also, the rest of you HR fanboys need to quit being so defensive (believe me, I want this game just as badly as anyone here) You're feeding the trolls. This isn't so much attacking Heavy Rain as any game that has promised to be like a movie. The person who posted this just wants hits. Same could be said for a lot of games.

[Blow Out Your Brains]

Destructoid's opinion=the afterbirth of a giraffe. What pecker head approved this garbage article. Insert Halo 3 and this article and anybody that says anything bad is banned. This site is so fvcking gay

[Aceluffy]

It will be a success in gaming genre, not movie.
It's definitely doing a service to gaming industry overall, so common and casual people will not label game as childish or immature form of entertainment. The developer used the word "Hollywood production value" is a clear proof of that. Nobody knows what kind of great stories games can deliver, the whole world perspective always relates good stories with movies, so for the developer to say that it has Hollywood production value means that he is very confident that his game can compete equaly with the best in movie industry, and that's saying a lot about the quality.
Games need to be as diverse as possible, that doesn't mean everyone will like it, but the author also needs to realize that not everyone likes only shooting and hacking and slashing in games. Diversity is ALWAYS good for gaming industry.
A very flawed article with very few fact.
We should welcome more diversity in games and let people choose, don't condemn anything before the majority of people experience it firsthand.
PS3 FTW

[Run_bare]

Sometimes it took a title like heavy rain to make gamers realise that there is something more out there than just shooter. It's a fresh pace and change. It's not like there is more games out there like it.

[maniacmayhem]

This is journalism biased towards Sony. Every Sony exclusive that comes out is bashed by the media.

This is the perfect game for the PS3 yet the media can't handle it. This is why the PS3 has such a diverse user base and the best exclusives. Not to mention Sony cares about its users.

I hate Dtoid they are always posting negative articles about PS3..along with Kotaku, IGN and any other website that might of posted one or two articles bashing the PS3.

[maniacmayhem]

(aaaah, now to sit back and rake in the bubbles and agrees)

*cracks open a 211 steal reserve*

[bjornbear]

=/

[mc-fine]

They are always a stupid question or a top ten listing of something, then drop the name of some exclusive to bring out the fanboys = instant hits to the site.

You will get no hits from me.

[cheetah]

What a crap article. I have read some garbage on this site but this seriously takes the cake. These so called gaming journalists must be really bored and desperate.

[Platinum_k]

especially if those "haters" are idiots...
and they dont count...

"the more u change the world, the more it remains the same"

change is good buddy.. deal with it... everything is falling into place.

and nobody cares about all your stupid opinion.

[shinobi333]

i bet if this was an xbox game this game would have gotten high praise from all over the place...but noooooo its ps3 exclusive the game is questionable and a borderland flop.

i really love journalist these days sooooo unbiased.