If you are reading this review you probably have already either played quantic dreams most recent interactive drama or have seen countless amount of trailers for this beautiful piece of art they force me to call a game.If you are the latter and you still struggle to find a decent reason to purchase this epic, I assure you Heavy Rain is probably one of the best if not the best way to waste 60 dollars.
Heavy Rain as a game by todays standards atleast, is a huge fail.It doesn't have a monosyllabic space marine as its protagonist, nor does it have that sterotypical hot headed soldier leading his troops into battle against a distant alien race.What it does have is a architect dad, a private eye detective, a fbi agent, and a photographer, all trying to find a lead to save a new victim from the diabolical hands of the serial killer known as the oragami killer. Face value, you would normally look at this plot as another lifetime movie,which in some espects it is, but with that being said I would be lying to you if this wasn't the most emotional experience I ever had with a video game.
Its hard for me to explain what make this game so emotionally engaging without spoiling key plot points for you, but I can say that you will feel some sort of emotion for every character you play as. Each character you play as is lovable and relatable. Wether it be for the fact that you can see a bit of yourself in the characters or that you sympathize for them and there situation, you are undoubtfully going to feel attached to them, espically for the character Ethan Mars, the scenes in which he was in are probably the most thought provoking scenes I have ever experienced in gaming history.
Story aside, the core gameplay is "different" from what gamers are use to. They are no preset button to attack or defend, nor is there a preset button to jump or do activities that are usually seen in video games today.Heavy Rain replaces the traditional control sceme from "x" to jump and "square" to attack by conveying actions through context senstive buttons (also known as quick time events) that allow players to do actions that are most "covenient" for any particular given time in a game. Movement is simple enough, R2 to walk forward, left analog stick to move to the direction you want to, right analog stick to exmaine things. The control sheme as controversial as it is, works fairly well for the most part. There are times when the controls are alittle clunky, espically when you are in a tight corridor, but nothing game breaking. The gameplay mechcanic itself works seemlessly with the story. Since Heavy Rain is a game that has a branching story and every little decisions has a drastic change on the plot,the controls are easy to grasp and get use to, which is something I suggest you do before proceding very far in Heavy Rain.
So with all that said theres only two things left to touch on the graphics and sound. Heavy Rain is probably the most photorealistic game out there. The character models are top notch and the scenery are both tragic and poetic in there own little disturbing way.There is a little texture pop in here and there but nothing drastic. The musical score is excellent and the voice acting is good. There are times when voice acting seemed alittle sketchy, but for the most part its fantastic. There are times in Heavy Rain where the characters voice express pain and agony that will send chills down your body.
In closing, Heavy Rain is techincal marvel that should not be missed by any playstation 3 owner. Its story will suck you in and its believable tale of these 4 individual lives is probably one of the immursing experience ever created.
"Many video games catch not only great commercial attention but remarkable critical attention as well. We have seen games like Heavy Rain, The Last of Us Part II, and even entries in the Metal Gear series described as fantastic interactive experiences, even heralded in the same way as Hollywood's greatest films.
I would suggest that not only is this an unfair comparison but also a harmful one. Video games, by their very nature, are an intricately different medium and should be weighed against one another rather than another form of media," Phillip writes for GF365.
I think Hollywood films will becoming increasingly more like video games in the future, especially as the world embraces the "new normal" from the pandemic. It makes sense, as games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales showcase just how realistically we're reaching in graphical capabilities, as well as showcase extreme action sequences in spectacular ways. And as time goes by, it'll get easier and cheaper to produce such "art", as well as create new star "actors" that never age, never die, never complain, never gets involved in scandals, etc. Technology is amazing and we're only just getting a taste of what it'll eventually be.
No. For the money spent, a quality game provides far more entertainment value than a quality movie. Especially when looking at what is going on in the world, and how a studio can attempt to pilfer from consumers by charging 30 dollars for Mulan via streaming. Ridiculous. There is no comparison....games all day.
What exactly is the David Cage experience, and is it of value? We examine two classics, Fahrenheit and Heavy Rain, to find the answer.
Quantic Dream has announced a new video series to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Heavy Rain. Check out the first part here.
Have you played Detroit? While it’s my personal favorite, I fully understand many preferring Heavy Rain more. I’m glad you enjoyed Heavy Rain too.
Glad you enjoyed the game! Yes, Detroit is a masterpiece of a game, and their best work to date “in my opinion”
Wow, 10 years...and yet, still one of the best/most emotional/thrilling gaming experiences I’ve ever had.
So grateful to Sony for believing in Quantic Dream’s vision for this game, and giving them a chance. I’ll never forget David Cage saying “We want to challenge the player, but not with the controller, but mentally, with their decisions of “How far would you go to save someone you love” Well, they broke my emotional gamer heart lol.
My teenage son refuses to play this game, because I’ve told him in little detail the emotional impact it had on me all those years ago. Maybe one day he will.
Still have my origami crane they teach you how to make when you're installing for the first time.
it's been 10 years? wow, that was so fast, I feel like this console gen went fast as well although it hasn't. I really look forward to the PS5 this holiday season though.
Good write-up. You covered a lot of the same bases I would if I were to try and describe my feelings on HR. Good work!
-CadDad
Wow some of these user reviews are great but way generous.
This game is a 7 for me. Broken camera, bad controls and horrible voice acting..
You would LOOOOOVEEE Ninja Blade since you seem to think QTE's are all the rage with your 10 for fun factor.. and more fun than any game on the market?? Wow, QD should hire you. :)