Every once in a while, you get that game that peaks your curiosity and somehow becomes one you must simply play to see what the fuss is about. While some of those end up being ones that were all hype and could have been so much better, there are those that genuinely innovate and become more than games. They become experiences that cannot be missed. Heavy Rain, as a game, leans towards the latter.
This game was developed by Quantic Dream, who developed ‘Indigo Prophecy’ (or ‘Fahrenheit’ in other regions). It follows four characters, than seemingly unrelated, converge into one story. Without spoiling the story, the game centers on ‘The Origami Killer’, a psychopath who has a penchant for drowning 10 year old boys in rain water and leaving their bodies posed with an origami figure. Each character is seeking this deranged maniac for different reasons, but it is clear from the get go that it will take great personal sacrifice. Normally in a game like this, it would not bother me to take any path to see what the outcome will be, but Heavy adds a level of intensity by clearly stating that any of the main characters can make a decision that will affect the outcome, but there are no do-overs. If you die or make the wrong decision, that’s it but the game will continue.
This is probably of the focal points that makes this game a must for adventure fans. The story is completely streamlined, and very engrossing. It takes elements from mystery and horror films like Saw, Seven (these being the most obvious of inspirations), the Cell, and even Blade Runner. Then it blends them into a interactive hard boiled thriller with a hint of science fiction, introduced with the ARI glasses that one of the characters uses. This is definitely the strong point of the game, which is rare for a videogame. Each main character is determined to seek their answers, but also damaged; The father who isn’t sure of his mental health, the reporter with insomnia, the FBI agent with a drug addiction, or a private investigator desperately trying to patch it all together. Each story is engrossing in it’s own way and ultimately no two players will reach the same outcome or experience the same unless they do every thing identical to the other. That’s how much time and effort were put into the story.
Still, with the great story and character development aside, the game does have it faults. The controls are developed to try bind a physical connection to the visual, to draw the player in more. While sometimes controls are purposely awkward to convey the nature of the game, they are also very wonky when they are not supposed to be. Sometimes they are perfect though, so it’s very hit and miss. They game itself is mostly comprised of Quick Time Events, but definitely more involved than some other games on the market. Also, Heavy Rain can be a beautifully detailed game at times, then it can be downright ugly. The facial modeling and animating at times can be downright scarily realistic, but then the voice actors can be downright wooden and unconvincing. Still, with all these faults, it doesn’t detract too much from the overall experience.
That’s what this game is, an experience. It will draw emotions from you, some of them uncomfortable and tense. My own wife tried to play this game but, once the story took off, she found it unbearable to play. Well, that and the control scheme.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
