Ever since that trailer known as "The Casting" I've been anticipating Heavy Rain. David Cage's promise to deliver an adult story with real relationships and a branching storyline with consequences for your actions had me intrigued from day one. Well the game was finally released, I just finished it, and I can only hope that the sequel doesn't take as long to come out.
In Heavy Rain you play as one of four main characters. Each segment with a character can be thought of as a scene. Upon the end of each scene you'll more than likely switch to another character and pick up the story from there. These characters can die. In fact, you can lose a few of them pretty early on in the story if you're not careful. Throughout the game you'll experience the story from the vantage point of each of these characters and certain decisions you'll make while playing each character will play a major part in the game's outcome.
Having said all that, it should be obvious by now that this is not like most games you've played thus far. In fact, it's really hard to classify Heavy Rain in any particular type of genre. The best label I can place on the game is that of an interactive movie. In this "interactive movie" certain characters will have to make decisions that run the gambit from self-mutilation to self-deprecation. Despite these decisions it is worth noting that there is no real wrong decision. The story will just continue based on what you choose.
Much has been made of the game's quick time events. If you're not a fan of QTEs you'll probably come into this a bit more skeptical than most. I think it's crucial to understand that some of the gestures/movements that you're character is pulling off would lose a lot of the dramatic effect without the QTEs. In fact, the QTEs are probably implemented solely to simulate the tension that would accompany many of the decisions in this game.
Traversing the environment is done by moving a character's head with the left analog and walking in that by pressing the R2 button. There are times when this can lead to you walking into a corner or not being able to go where you want. I was able to get around this by switching the camera angle, but overall this aspect of the controls didn't feel as natural and fluid as I would've liked.
The visuals in this game are some of the best you'll see on any home console. Take a moment to really examine some of the facial features on the characters and it'll almost feel like you're staring into a real person's face. This may be because many of the game's characters are in fact real people that volunteered to have their face scanned for use in the game. The environments are no slouch either. Whether navigating through a crowded mall or walking down steps in a motel, all the locations have a realistic look to them. The realism was, unfortunately, broken at times due to the voice acting. The actors are all talented, but Heavy Rain is set in the North East of the U.S.A yet most of the characters have a very European accent. This is not something that detracts from the game in any major way, but I did find myself occasionally grimacing at the pronunciation of some words.
The music is some of the best I've heard in a video game. From the music you can play on your home stereo to the thumping bass in a club, everything sounds authentic and top notch. I'm actually considering buying the soundtrack at some point.
In conclusion, I completed Heavy Rain's story and I felt satisfied. I hope that doesn't come across as a knock on the game as Cage and his team gave me exactly what I was hoping for. While this is by no means the perfect game, this is a major stepping stone in what I hope will be a trend of games that strive to get a Mature rating for more than just gratuitous acts of violence. Heavy Rain is without a doubt one of those games that makes me feel proud to be a gamer. I can't wait to play through it again.
"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.
