Heavy Rain

[theFRANCHISE]

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Downloaded and played the demo off of PSN earlier. This game has piqued my interest over the years, but I had serious doubts about whether such an ambitious game could succeed. It's the video game equivalent of the [i]Choose-Your-Own-Adventure[/i] books from back in the day, utilizing branching storylines based off of your individual interactions in the game. There's a cohesive overarching plot but gameplay can be dramatically or negligibly altered by the decisions you make. It's essentially an interactive movie in every sense of the phrase, as the entire game is comprised of elaborate cutscenes over which you have a level of control never fully realized before in a video game.

And I absolutely loved it. The game's been getting rave reviews and it lives up to the hype.

From everything I've read, the demo itself is only a tiny portion of the game but is large enough for you to get a feel for whether the game is for you. The final product itself starts off extremely slow, but is necessarily so as a means of building an emotional bond between the audience and the characters. The mundane is actually made [i]interesting[/i] because you strangely start to feel an emotional connection never before conveyed so effectively in this medium.

This is a game that you'll either love or hate. There is no in-between. If the only games you play are sports titles or shooters, you'll probably hate it. But if you're a fan of deeply engrossing stories and character development, this is a game for you.

I can't wait to get my hands on the final release!

[FlaccoFlicker]

im interested in this but have yet to dl the demo been away from the house this one along with alan wake on 360 should keep me busy after i beat final fantasy 13 and god of war 3

[darklight1216]

I liked the Choose Your Own Adventure series when I was a kid, but this sounds like the sort of game that you'd make your children leave the room... or the house for. The premise sounds interesting, but there's too much language in my normal games as it is. I think I'll have to pass on this one.

[FlaccoFlicker]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='14 February 2010 - 10:12 PM' timestamp='1266203556' post='359926']
[b]I liked the Choose Your Own Adventure series when I was a kid[/b], but this sounds like the sort of game that you'd make your children leave the room... or the house for. The premise sounds interesting, but there's too much language in my normal games as it is. I think I'll have to pass on this one.
[/quote]
I didn't I always wound up dead lol

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='14 February 2010 - 10:12 PM' timestamp='1266203556' post='359926']
I liked the Choose Your Own Adventure series when I was a kid, but this sounds like the sort of game that you'd make your children leave the room... or the house for. The premise sounds interesting, but there's too much language in my normal games as it is. I think I'll have to pass on this one.
[/quote]
The language was pretty mild from what little I've played/seen, but it's definitely not something that you'd want to play if psychological thrillers aren't your thing. It revolves around a serial killer, and the tagline is "How Far Would You Go to Save Someone You Love?"

And there's plenty of controversial elements in it that I'm surprised haven't drawn the ire of mainstream media yet. There's a decent amount of sexuality (but it's actually integral to the plot and not gratuitous), there's an instance of child abduction (also important to the plot), there's implied suicide, there's obviously homicide, and I believe one of the characters discusses and describes an instance of rape that is never shown. Granted, it's nothing different from anything you'd see on network television from a police procedural drama, but because it's interactive, the media would assume that you're actually doing the things that are so horrible in the game and they would assume that it's glorifying it.

Frankly, it's no different than if you were to see a film like [i]Mystic River[/i] or [i]Se7en[/i]. If you didn't like those movies (or similar ones), then you won't like this game.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='14 February 2010 - 10:19 PM' timestamp='1266203943' post='359930']
I didn't I always wound up dead lol
[/quote]
Aww; it's okay, you can always go back and make a different choice.

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='14 February 2010 - 10:31 PM' timestamp='1266204698' post='359937']
The language was pretty mild from what little I've played/seen, but it's definitely not something that you'd want to play if psychological thrillers aren't your thing. It revolves around a serial killer, and the tagline is "How Far Would You Go to Save Someone You Love?"

And there's plenty of controversial elements in it that I'm surprised haven't drawn the ire of mainstream media yet. There's a decent amount of sexuality (but it's actually integral to the plot and not gratuitous), there's an instance of child abduction (also important to the plot), there's implied suicide, there's obviously homicide, and I believe one of the characters discusses and describes an instance of rape that is never shown. Granted, it's nothing different from anything you'd see on network television from a police procedural drama, but because it's interactive, the media would assume that you're actually doing the things that are so horrible in the game and they would assume that it's glorifying it.

Frankly, it's no different than if you were to see a film like [i]Mystic River[/i] or [i]Se7en[/i]. If you didn't like those movies (or similar ones), then you won't like this game.
[/quote]
We may not have the same definition of "mild." I miss the good old days when language in a video game was like a single curse word. Uncharted is as far I'm willing to go as far as language. (And I'm not buying the sequel.)

The fact that this game is not being marketed toward children might be a factor. Bully was a big issue because it was, theoretically, a kids game. Now that I think about it, M rated games are, supposedly, off limits to children, aren't they?

Mystic River was almost good. Seven was really good.

[FlaccoFlicker]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='14 February 2010 - 10:46 PM' timestamp='1266205566' post='359947']
[b]Aww; it's okay, you can always go back and make a different choice. [/b]
lol i did like Peter did on family guy and yell I didn't take my hand off the page so im safe actually did that as a kid


We may not have the same definition of "mild." I miss the good old days when language in a video game was like a single curse word. Uncharted is as far I'm willing to go as far as language. (And I'm not buying the sequel.)

The fact that this game is not being marketed toward children might be a factor. Bully was a big issue because it was, theoretically, a kids game.

Mystic River was almost good. Seven was really good.
[/quote]
agree Se7en was awesome
mystic river was decent

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='14 February 2010 - 10:46 PM' timestamp='1266205566' post='359947']
We may not have the same definition of "mild." I miss the good old days when language in a video game was like a single curse word. Uncharted is as far I'm willing to go as far as language. (And I'm not buying the sequel.)

The fact that this game is not being marketed toward children might be a factor. Bully was a big issue because it was, theoretically, a kids game. Now that I think about it, M rated games are, supposedly, off limits to children, aren't they?

Mystic River was almost good. Seven was really good.
[/quote]
So far, I've heard mostly S-bombs. Not nearly as many F-bombs as I would've expected, a few B-words, and that's about it.

In terms of the media attention, even if this game isn't be marketed towards kids, the media will harp on the game's content if it becomes a huge sales success. The media still has this assumption that games are for kids; case-in-point: the Associated Press' recent article on [i]Call of Duty Modern Warfare [/i]representing a "new" shift in the industry towards adult gamers...when this shift has been going on since at least 2001 with the release of[i] Grand Theft Auto III. [/i]

[darklight1216]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='14 February 2010 - 11:16 PM' timestamp='1266207407' post='359970']
So far, I've heard mostly S-bombs. Not nearly as many F-bombs as I would've expected, a few B-words, and that's about it.

In terms of the media attention, even if this game isn't be marketed towards kids, the media will harp on the game's content if it becomes a huge sales success. The media still has this assumption that games are for kids; case-in-point: the Associated Press' recent article on [i]Call of Duty Modern Warfare [/i]representing a "new" shift in the industry towards adult gamers...when this shift has been going on since at least 2001 with the release of[i] Grand Theft Auto III. [/i]
[/quote]
We clearly have very different dictionaries. My definition of mild cursing includes words beginning with H and D and pretty much nothing else.

I will continue to look forward to the release of The Last Guardian, which probably will have very little dialogue to speak of (pun intended).

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='14 February 2010 - 11:25 PM' timestamp='1266207900' post='359974']
We clearly have very different dictionaries. My definition of mild cursing includes words beginning with H and D and pretty much nothing else.

I will continue to look forward to the release of The Last Guardian, which probably will have very little dialogue to speak of (pun intended).
[/quote]
Like the Motion Picture Association of America, my definition of cursing changes almost every few years.

Plus, you're talking to the same guy who drops F-bombs in frustration all the time. I'm just lucky I can filter myself in front of the kiddies!

I'm looking forward to a lot of games coming up...I'll be broke by the time summer comes around. And then there's [i]a lot[/i] of great games coming out in Fall and Winter...I should be living in a cardboard box by the end of the year if I keep trying to support my crippling video game habit.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='14 February 2010 - 11:28 PM' timestamp='1266208137' post='359975']
Like the Motion Picture Association of America, my definition of cursing changes almost every few years.

Plus, you're talking to the same guy who drops F-bombs in frustration all the time. I'm just lucky I can filter myself in front of the kiddies!

I'm looking forward to a lot of games coming up...I'll be broke by the time summer comes around. And then there's [i]a lot[/i] of great games coming out in Fall and Winter...I should be living in a cardboard box by the end of the year if I keep trying to support my crippling video game habit.

[/quote]
Well you are talking to someone who has never uttered a curse word.

I like games, but I like my money (what little there is) alot more. I always start out wanting a bunch of upcoming games, but by the time they come out, the list is considerably shortened. Right now, I've got about three games that I'm seriously considering, but I hope my library gets them so I don't have to spend my money... except The Last Guardian, I'm buying that one regardless.

Have [i]you[/i] thought to check your library? It might help with that box thing.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='14 February 2010 - 11:37 PM' timestamp='1266208670' post='359977']
Have [i]you[/i] thought to check your library? It might help with that box thing.
[/quote]
My library doesn't have video games. DVDs and CDs, sure, but no video games.

[J-man]

I played the demo, and to tell you the truth, I didnt like it. It was like too reactive if that makes sense. You have to control the character's every action, and when I say every, I mean every.

[theFRANCHISE]

I think the biggest reason why I like it is because I enjoy the cinematic nuances of the game. Ever since I took a film class awhile back, I've noticed things about cinematography and [i]mise-en-scene[/i] that have given me a greater appreciation for the art of film. Though this game isn't the artsiest thing in the world, I appreciate what it does well and what it's trying to do. I've never had a game give me a greater sense of tension, perhaps because no game has ever given me such control. Sure, you can argue that it's [i]too much[/i] control over a character's every move, but it's part of the immersion.

Like I said, though, it's not for everyone. But if Amazon and Gamestop pre-order sales charts are any indication, this game could actually be a moderate financial success. On Amazon, the hourly charts have indicated that more people have pre-ordered this than [i]Final Fantasy XIII[/i]. Though [i]FFXIII[/i] will probably outsell it by a boatload as it nears release, that's impressive for an original game like this to beat out an established brand like [i]Final Fantasy[/i]. Alternately, Gamestop's website lists [i]FFXIII[/i] as the current best-selling online order while [i]Heavy Rain[/i] comes in at #2. [i]FFXIII[/i] is expected to do huge numbers domestically and globally, so if [i]Heavy Rain[/i] can even do half as well, it bodes well for more experimental games to come in the future.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='J-man' date='15 February 2010 - 12:58 PM' timestamp='1266256684' post='360148']
I played the demo, and to tell you the truth, I didnt like it. It was like too reactive if that makes sense. [b]You have to control the character's every action, and when I say every, I mean every.[/b]
[/quote]
[i]The Sims: The Movie[/i] The Game? If that makes any sense...

[wvravensfan]

I have been very excited for this game for years also....I pre-ordered it months ago lol and it shipped the 22nd the day of its release....I am very pleased with it so far, it is living up to what i thought....I have been waiting for a game like this on my shelf for a long time....I am going to take my time with it and enjoy it, even though you will find out the killer at the end the storyline will be different if replayed.....So in my opinion i give this game a 9 of 10....Graphics are very nice and smooth....Environments make the game but the only thing i get annoyed with is the walking at times when certain buttons or movements pop up.. I tend to walk in a circle once or twice to get back to the action lol

[theFRANCHISE]

This is one of the best games I've ever played, hands-down. I'm not just saying this as someone caught up in the moment, I'm saying this in terms of how this game has made me [u]feel[/u] playing it.

NO GAME has ever toyed with my emotions so much before. All of the mundane day-to-day things that are done in quiet moments, they're actually important and help immerse you into the story. The musical score is [i]extremely[/i] well-done, and though some of the voice-acting is really inconsistent (they're Europeans trying to do American accents), the overall presentation is better than a lot of Hollywood movies.

If you have a child or love children, this game will be [i]very[/i] affecting. And even if you hate children, you still can't help but feel something during some of the game's more emotional scenes.

In terms of the action, there's plenty of it and it's all very well-choreographed. The branching plotlines work out much better than expected, to where you [i]will[/i] end up with an entirely different experience than someone else just based on a few decisions you make (or don't make.) The basic story remains the same throughout the plotlines, from what I've read, but how you get there and the ending can be drastically different.

I don't regret purchasing this at all. And even though part of the overarching story was ruined for me by some idiot online, I'm still compelled to finish the game and replay it just to see the different scenes. [i]That's[/i] just how good it is.

[FlaccoFlicker]

so all you guys that have played this have you dealt with any glitches?There are alot of reports of crashing,not saving,freezing and audio not being in sync.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='26 February 2010 - 09:26 AM' timestamp='1267194394' post='365269']
so all you guys that have played this have you dealt with any glitches?There are alot of reports of crashing,not saving,freezing and audio not being in sync.
[/quote]
I've only dealt with audio occasionally dropping (not that often, though), but I turned on subtitles anyway so it wasn't a big deal. My biggest gripe was screen-tearing. It really bothered me that a game this good-looking had graphical problems.

A lot of those problems allegedly have to do with the first patch that was released. For a game this complex, it really doesn't surprise me that it has these problems out of the box. It's a good thing a second patch is almost ready for release to negate the problems of the first patch.

[FlaccoFlicker]

rented this game from store getting ready to pop it in will let you know how i like it

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='26 February 2010 - 07:00 PM' timestamp='1267228857' post='365577']
rented this game from store getting ready to pop it in will let you know how i like it
[/quote]
You may hate it for the first couple hours. It gets [i]much better[/i] once things pick up -- you'll know when. For such a great game, it really [i]does[/i] test your patience if you're more used to action games like Uncharted or Call of Duty. But if you appreciate a complex story with lots of small nuances, you'll like this one.

[RavensClaw52]

Now I have to get a PS3, I like these type of games. Ive been watching some videos on youtube and watching someone play the beginning when you wake up and I must say, it will proabably dessimate all once you put about 2-3 hours into it.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='RavensClaw52' date='26 February 2010 - 08:08 PM' timestamp='1267232897' post='365600']
Now I have to get a PS3, I like these type of games. Ive been watching some videos on youtube and watching someone play the beginning when you wake up and I must say, it will proabably dessimate all once you put about 2-3 hours into it.
[/quote]
The fight scenes, even though they're quick-time events (like almost everything in the game), are some of the most intense sequences I've ever played. Though some mistakes are forgiven more than others, there's times where, when you make a mistake, you [i]really[/i] make a mistake that alters the game.

For instance, in one of the sequences, one of the characters is battling a drug addiction and he starts to relapse. However, he's holding a suspect at gunpoint. The suspect starts to see me fading and taunts me. The button sequence requires holding down certain buttons simultaneously in order, but I messed up on the last button and failed the QTE, causing my character to drop the vial and drop his guard. The suspect gets the upper hand, knocks my character out and I wake up handcuffed in my own car, about to be dropped into a grinder to certain death. I messed up two QTEs in trying to escape, and I was literally a button-press away from failing the sequence completely and dying right then and there. What made it more difficult was that it wasn't readily apparent what I had to do to escape, so it artificially replicates the sense of dread and fear that you'd experience in the same situation where you'd literally look around and scramble to find a solution.

And like I said before, when a character dies, the game merely acknowledges it and picks up from there, with the rest of the story affected.

[FlaccoFlicker]

WOW no let me rephrase that [size="5"]WOW[/size] I have played this game for 2 hours and feel like I am watching an action drama on T.V.It is awesome,once you get past learning the controller scheme a little.Being a dad tho man these child scenes are rough,I was even smiling a bit when you interact with the child at the park.
Try not to give away to much sorry there lol but yes this was a rental and it will be a owner sometime down the line,I have til Wednesday night to play before it has to go back and I believe my nights will be filled with Heavy Rain.!

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='FlaccoFlicker' date='26 February 2010 - 09:32 PM' timestamp='1267237961' post='365618']
WOW no let me rephrase that [size="5"]WOW[/size] I have played this game for 2 hours and feel like I am watching an action drama on T.V.It is awesome,once you get past learning the controller scheme a little.Being a dad tho man these child scenes are rough,I was even smiling a bit when you interact with the child at the park.
Try not to give away to much sorry there lol but yes this was a rental and it will be a owner sometime down the line,I have til Wednesday night to play before it has to go back and I believe my nights will be filled with Heavy Rain.!
[/quote]
Like I said, if you have children in your life or love kids in general, it really pulls at your heartstrings early on. You don't have to be a father to understand a father's love for their child and how much they'd do for their child.

A lot of people I've talked to have said that they haven't been this moved by a videogame before -- not even when Aeris/Aerith died in Final Fantasy VII.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Heavy Rain was a fantastic game. In my opinion, it successfully blurred the line between a game and a movie. They did a great job writing an interesting, enthralling story that really does pull you in and play with your emotions. Not to mention the top-notch graphics, some of the facial details and scenery were almost perfect. Most games that go for the "movie feel" usually sacrifice alot of gameplay for the sake of the cinematic feel, and even though Heavy Rain isn't a hard hitter in gameplay, it's manner of trying to use gameplay to make you feel involved did work (mostly). Although I will say I wasn't thrilled with having to hold R2 to walk.

However, during some of the trials, I'd sit there for minutes trying to decide which option I'd go through with. Not because I was trying to decide which would make the story more interesting, but because of the weight of the decision and whether or not "I" could bring myself to actually do that. Add to the mix some great suspense and characters I did care about, and it was a very worthwhile [s]game[/s] experience. Heads above the studio's last effort of the kind (Indigo Prophecy)