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4.3.2010

Having just spent the better part of a week playing Heavy Rain(And replaying many parts to see the alternate outcomes of situations), I can honestly say that it is one of the most genuinely emotive and gripping gaming experiences currently on shelves, and to be frank, anyone making criticisms like it "has no gameplay" or "is just an interactive movie" is quite simply an idiot. Heavy Rain is an adventure game through and through, it's just put together somewhat differently from the usual adventure game... but given that every other adventure title we've seen this generation has mostly either been old classics with updated visuals(Monkey Island Special Edition, Sam and Max to a lesser degree)or downright awful garbage(Sherlock Holmes vs Jack the Ripper), who is to say what can call 'usual' for this much neglected genre anymore?Taking a similar approach to storytelling and gameplay to it's 'predecessor' Farenheit, Heavy Rain tells the tale of 'the Origami Killer' from the perspective of four loosely connected characters as they are drawn into this serial killer's web through the kidnapping of a small boy whose father is one of the characters you command as you attempt to unravel the clues and find out who the serial killer is. It might sound somewhat basic a story, but it is worth noting that Heavy Rain is the first truly down to Earth, character driven adventure title I can recall playing that doesn't rely on either fantasy elements/twists or being comedy centric. This is a noir thriller that borrows heavily from thriller/serial killer movies of various kinds for some of it's set pieces and presents a truly grim, brutal story and world for you to explore and investigate. This is genuine mature storytelling of the kind you rarely see in videogames. To go into any further detail about the plot would really be to spoil the experience, but trust me when I say it is a gripping, engrossing tale with some excellent twists to it and a fantastically realised degree of control of the outcome of any given situation.As stated, gameplay is much like last generation's Farenheit, with a heavy narrative approach taking you between each 'chapter'(Of which there are several dozen throughout the game, varying depending on how you play at least), which will usually consist of at least one unique area you are either free to roam and explore, inveestigate, or work your way through in the case of more 'action' centric setpieces. During these segments of free control, you move your character using R2, with the amount of pressure you apply determining movement speed in a simialr manner to 'accelerating' in driving games. Might sound a bit clunky, and at times it can be sadly, but given the game's camera dynamically shifts a lot to preserve the 'movie like' atmosphere it attempts to create, this is probably the best way they could have implemented player control over the characters, if not the most responsive to use. Besides this, you have the 'quick time' button presses, which work a little differently than you might expect for the most part. Yes, there are the usual timed presses during action scenes, but for most of the game, you will interact directly with pretty much every action your character makes. For example, say your character was trying to pull a window open, you would be required to hold down L1 and R1 to simulate the gripping of your character's hands on the window while then moving your controller in a downward motion to simulate pulling said window open... or if your character was carefully maneuvering between some wreckage or some such, you would be prompted to press and hold a sequence of buttons without letting go in a bizarre game of finger Twister designed to simulate the awkward placement of hands and feet your character is currently carrying out on screen... it's actually rather clever how the prompts simulate the actions on screen at times, and rarely will you be allowed to just 'sit and watch' events unfold, as there will always be something you need to do happening just around the corner, and how well you do in these actions will often directly impact how the story unfolds. It is a truly immresive experience... so long as you know exactly what kind of experience to expect going in, as this is NOT a title for 'twitch' gamers after a 'quick fix' kind of game. This is a long haul experience that commands your patience and attention as you play, but it is also VERY generous with saved checkpoints too... but more on those later...Visually, the game looks great, with some staggering attention to detail in places, and while on a surface level it might not compare to the likes of Uncharted 2, Heavy Rain still looks awesome, especially given the sheer volume of characters on screen at once you sometimes get, with the nightclub sequence capturing the feel of a hugely crowded venue surprisingly well. Likewise the soundtrack is excellent, as is the voice acting... for the most part... as it seems clear the cast consists of a lot of French people with english as a second language, and as such there are a lot of French accents and occasionally woodenly delivered lines throughout the game that drags things down now and then, but only now and then.A few other criticisms to note are that the game does seem to suffer occasional technical glitches, with some oddly 'flickering' character models, crap collision detection during bits where your character is talking and people seem to pass through him as they walk past, and on one occasion the game even crashed out on me. Not pleasant, but thankfully all are rarities. There were also very occasional sound glitches, where music would seem to 'skip' like a bad CD player during the more 'sedate' gameplay scenes.A case can also be made for the sheer simplicity of the gameplay, where it is possible to merely walk around interacting with every possible thing to trigger the next story point for the most part, rendering a lot of the challenge irrelevant in the game, and yes, it is ridiculously easy it must be said, but the simplicity shouldn't be a problem as long as you don't rush things, the game does offer rewards for approaching each situation a certain way(Be it either an unlockable bonus feature or a trophy). Add to this the fact the game requires a large 4.5 GB install to your HDD and doesn't bother telling you this on the box(I hate it when games do this) and you have what would almost add up to enough bad points to warrant a mark down and I was tempted to, I really was, but just getting a proper, full adventure game again as a full retail release seeing such a heavy push and it actually being a truly awesome game is something I really think should be encouraged at a time when every other new game is some generic shooter or racing game, so I'm giving Heavy Rain top marks, though with a big "BUT..." attached for the above reasons.This is very much a title where you need to be informed of what you are getting going in, but so long as you are capable of enjoying what it has to offer, you will have an absolute blast with it.A real breath of fresh air at a time when one is needed.
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21.5.2010

In the title of my review I put the word, essential. Let me start by qualifying what I mean by that. This game will not find a place in everybody's hearts or collections; read the reviews, play the demo and speak to people who have already played it before settling on a purchase. It is a very different experience and not everyone will like it. It is essential in terms of the future of game design; this is a brave, innovative and sometimes flawed foray into an exiting new genre for games.The subject matter is dark and unpleasant; children are being kidnapped by a serial killer only to be found dead days later on waste ground with an orchid on their chest,an origami figure in their hand and rainwater in their lungs.You follow the story through the eyes of four people who have different motivations for finding the killer.Ethan Marrs - A grieving father, his eldest son was killed in a car accident 2 years before and his remaining son has been taken by the killer. He has only days to solve puzzles set by the killer to save his son.Madison Paige - A reporter who is looking for a big scoop and scoops more than she bargained for.Scott Shelby - A retired policeman and private detective working on behalf of the victim's families.Norman Jayden - An FBI agent trying to solve the case using state of the art technology and battling drug addiction.Each story begins as a separate entity, but towards the end they come together in various way, some obvious some shocking.The narrative holds up very well despite the intricacies of the plot, there are a few lapses in logic, but in general considering the depth of the story this is a remarkable achievement and very compelling. The reveal of the killer is audacious, shocking and genuinely upsetting.When exploring the environment you have control of the character and move them by looking with the left stick and moving with R2, this is a little awkward to begin with and can lead to some occasional frustrations but for the most part works very well.The action plays out though clever quick time events and very natural feeling button presses, you could be driving the wrong way up a freeway at one point and changing a baby's nappy the next, dodging bullets in a shootout or chasing a suspect through a supermarket. These are scripted events and you have no direct control over the course the action takes, but failure or going left instead of right or making the wrong choice can have a significant effect on the story and the fate of your character.The character animations beggar belief, with facial animation that allow the digital characters to show subtle emotion, and motion captured movement that gives them real individuality. This allows you to engage with them on a level never seen in games before. The voice acting of the major characters is exceptional and the majority of the supporting cast are equally strong, once again giving a depth and realism to the gameplay rarely experienced before.There is a part in the game where Ethan has to kill a man to get information on his son, when it came to it I could not pull the trigger because I could not bring myself to turn him into a killer. As a result I went into the final part of the game with a vital clue missing, but a clear conscience. This is Heavy Rain's strength; it makes you consider the choices you make, not just on a practical level, but on an emotional one too. At one point I failed to rescue a character, and has to restart the scene and play again to make sure I was successful, not because I would make the game more difficult without them, but because I didn't want them to die.The world you occupy is dark, grey, very realistic and, other than the first 20 mins of the game, raining. That is not to say it is dull, quite the opposite, the detail is incredible, the lighting subtle and evocative and full of grit and feeling; drink it in when you can as you rarely visit the same location twice.There are parts of the game that move at a glacial pace and others, like the beautifully choreographed fight scenes, that will have your pulse pounding. And others, particularly the trails Ethan has to endure in the attempt to save his son, that will have you squirming in your seat.There are certain parts of Heavy Rain that if you mess up the button sequences your character can die. This is not game over, you will continue the story arcs of the remaining characters, but the ending and the experience will be significantly different.This is where Heavy Rain stands out. Speak to people what have played it and they will all have had a different experience, there are multiple endings from uplifting to downright depressing and each player's journey to the ending will play out very differently due to their successes, failures and most importantly choices during the game. It demands multiple play troughs' and the game actively encourages you to do this by allowing you to play though scenes with a choice to save or not; so you can go back though a scene before you finished the game without effecting you current save. You will be compelled to play again simply because you want to see all the different things the characters you have journeyed with experience.A warning - in my view this game should have been rated 18. Not because of the violence, swearing, partial nudity or the slightly embarrassing sex scene; these this are generally done in service of the narrative and are not excessive or gratuitous; but because the game makes you experience these things on a quite personal level, it could be disturbing for younger people. I am 38 and felt quite wrung out after a couple of the sessions of play.I hope this gave you an insight into my experience, as you can probably guess I loved this game and can't wait to see what Quantic Dream do next. Some DLC is on the way, the first episode is already on PSN.If you are looking for an adult, character driven, emotionally engaging, innovative and original experience as a tonic to the raft of generic playing experiences out there, pick up a copy of Heavy Rain and immerse yourself in a totally different entertainment experience.
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2.4.2013

I've just completed my third playthrough of this game.Now three years after its release, I still love it. Its concept, approach, direction and execution are still totally original. It's a completely unique experience and I recommend it wholeheartedly. Without going into details, it is something you have to experience as a gamer - a milestone if you will - and it's worth witnessing. Even if you end up not liking it.That's pretty much all you need to know, however if you're coming in green (and have the patience for a long review), read on...ThemeThe premise of the story is one of the main character's children is kidnapped, under the ever-growing cloud of the infamous Origami Killer.`How far would you go to save someone you love?' is the game's tagline, and it stays true to this premise, pitting you in unthinkable situations where what you decide to do has a bearing on the overall outcome of the game.OverviewYou play as 4 different characters, have to guide them through the story using both personal choices and skill with the idea being you have to keep them alive. The `pull' of this game now - as it was on release - is that any of your characters can die at various points in the game (if you don't do enough to save them), but the game will continue unabated to its conclusion, regardless of which ones are alive or dead (you ultimately control the destiny of 6 different main characters, but you only `play' as 4).This is both the strength and weakness of the game. The feeling that you really have to pull out the stops is second-to-none, and the tension you feel in a life-threatening situation is real. It's brilliantly realised and you will be genuinely gutted if someone dies. But this in-turn can affect your enjoyment of the last third of game (everyone remains alive for the first half of the game at least, regardless of what you do): when a character dies the remaining scenes (some of them quite big) that they WOULD have been in are not covered in another form (a cut-scene for example), they are simply omitted, meaning that you can arrive at the end of the game and not understand why something has happened, or why someone is doing something. It CAN be a bit hollow.On the flip side, if you play through to one of the `better' routes, the fullness of the story and the numerous different finales can be absolutely fantastic, leaving you with one of the most absorbing games you will ever likely experience. Note though that keeping them all alive doesn't necessarily constitute the `optimum' route (a fact that game Creator and Director David Cage mused on pre the games release).Ultimately, there is no correct play through; they all stand on their own merits for better or worse. The `trouble' is that if you just happen to get an outcome that is not to your personal liking you will inevitably deem it a less-than-brilliant experience. This does not, ultimately, mean it is a `bad' game.TechnicalThe games controls are not of a traditional layout. You press R2 to move forward and the left stick for direction, but other than that everything is context sensitive. For example if you're climbing a ladder you may have to press R1 and L1 which correspond to your hands. If you are driving a car you may have to `steer' the controller left and right as if it were a wheel. There's sections where you will have to perform ergonomically challenging actions - such as Origami or moving through restricted spaces, where the buttons will represent your body's position and involve pressing a sequence of buttons for a certain amount of time, for example.The end game is that people have labelled it `one long quick-time event', but this is utterly unfair. I won't defend that it is a FORM of QTE, but it is very intuitive and not everything in the game has to be done at speed. If you look at it from the other side of the fence, it is actually a very natural (if unfamiliar) form of control. It wont appeal to everyone for sure (and I wouldn't want it to be in every game), but it is definitely more than `one long quick-time event'.Mapped to the L2 button is the characters thoughts and these are absolutely critical to your enjoyment and `immersion' in the game. The majority of them are brilliantly implemented and are accurate to what is happening on screen, however you do not have to use this button at all, and you can miss out on a lot of content if you dismiss it.PlaythroughAcross my three playthroughs I have had 3 totally different endings with three different sets of characters. The replayability is huge and the campaign lasts for about 8 - 10 hours, so it's not a marathon every time you want to try again. I don't actually know how many possible outcomes there are as there are so many permutations, but it is well over ten. In a way, you kind of act as a `Director' as you play it, because you will end up deliberately taking a certain path after a while in order to see what the outcome will be. Whether this is a good or a bad thing is open to debate.CriticismAnd as such, the game has, over the years, received a lot of criticism. People have called it a glorified `choose-your-own-adventure book', an interactive film and even not actually a `game' at all. It is absolutely different to anything you will ever play (and I will admit the controls are clunky and it is absolutely linear, plus the story has more (plot)holes in it than a packet of Polos), but I think being different and one-of-a-kind is a good thing - particular in an industry that is increasingly overrun by FPS's and yearly updates.OverallIt's not perfect, but Heavy Rain is just as brilliant, relevant, engaging, original and unforgettable as it ever was and some of my all-time favourite gaming `moments' have come from this game. I can't recommend it enough. It is years ahead of it's time and in fairness I think a lot of its drawbacks are due to technical limitation rather than poor execution. It deserves its place in the market and I look forward to Quantic Dream's next offering: The impending `Beyond: Two Souls'.9/10.
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26.2.2010

Heavy rain is the spiritual successor to Quantic Dreams 2005 interactive thriller epic Fahrenheit: A game that kicked stale gaming convention square in the pants with it's intense movie atmosphere, deeply moving drama and it's distinctive yet intuitive control system. So hoping to take the fledgling interactive drama genre to all new levels of depth and emotional intensity (not to mention prevalence on the market - fingers crossed) have Quantic Dreams raised the bar or have they left future games like Farenhiet and Shenmue floating in the bowl? Well here's a handy point by point list of the good and the bad of Heavy Rain (hopefully it'll aid anyone out there who's a bit unsure about picking up a copy of this unique title).THE GOOD BITS:* - Deep multidimensional characters that,for most part, grip you from the get go - which is definitely a good thing considering the character driven nature of the entire affair.* - Not only are the characters extremely well defined through the writing but also graphically - the detail on every characters face is so good that the loading screens are extreme, extreme close ups of the character you are about to play. Every beard hair, every wrinkle, every tiny mole and imperfection is stunningly rendered. Magic.* - Not only is everything in the above point as true as can be but also the sets (seems to be more fitting than levels) where each characters trials and tribulations take place are beautifully designed and meticulously rendered. The team behind this (and the outstanding lockable concept art) are at the top of their game - in fact I don't think I've seen a game that comes close to the graphical superiority of this title.* - The controls are as interesting and well thought out as in Fahrenheit, action feels intense yet the same actions can be used to do something as gentle as disinfecting a tender wound or even changing a babies nappy. Well mapped and perfectly implemented.* - Atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. Lighting, weather, sound and animation; all of these things have been used to awesome effect. Every scene I have played thus far has oozed dark beauty and inspired a total sense of immersion. You even get to build you own little piece of creepy origami while the game is installing! Also wait till you get to use the detectives virtual head set to change your surroundings....wow.* - The story is very well written and feels like a collaboration between the writers of Se7en and Hitchcock! There are a few minor issues here which will be mentioned below but rest assured these points are minor and you will not be treated like a fool.* - Everyone will no doubt have their favourite character - mine's Madison, the young lady photographer, and, no, not just because you get to see her in her birthday suite but because she's got style, flare, issues and a cool attitude. In fact let me make a point here: A lot of sites are speculating that the only female character is just eye candy - let me just say this is not so: you get to see both sexes in various states of undress, it's just the simple fact that women are a lot better to look at - sorry it's the truth - both men and women get naked in here but hairy bums just don't win out. Madison is a strong character with just as many issues and reasons to be a major part of the proceedings - go sister!* - The branching choices are in full swing, if a character dies the game carries on without them and plays out around their memory .Everything matters and nothing is cut and dry. When this game says your choices matter they really do it's not just a cheap advertising ploy or a bunch of black and white scenarios. I already can't wait to play it out again in different ways - the only problem is my attachment to the characters and in my first play through I tried to aid them as much as possible and be as moral as I am in my real life - still, as in my real life, I made mistakes...perhaps I'll rectify these next time through, we'll see.* - The soundtrack is subtle and effective and goes with the rest of the goodness like a satisfying, rich, gravy.THE NOT SO GOOD BITS:* - This is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, if you're a total action freak there are definite dry points throughout. If you're not into games as art much of this will definitely not appeal - I don't want to put anyone off or undermine anyone's intelligence - mostly because I want people to appreciate this and proliferate the genre - but it will definitely not appeal across the board. Sorry.* - Not every character will be to everyone's taste but you will definitely have your favourite amongst them without a doubt and for anyone that gets hooked this will be a minor issue.* - Sometimes walking about can be a pain in neck - this is not a game breaker but it has that early resident evil feel (slightly) and can get a little antsy at times.* - There are a few small stumbles in the story - I don't want to ruin any part of it but there are a few small bits that don't quite gel that leave you thinking `would you really do that,' even with all the choices on offer there seems to be an absence of what anyone would realistically do at times. Again this is a very, very minor occurrence but it is there and needs to be mentioned.* - Some of the side characters are a little dense, heavy handed and O.T.T. but they pass by quickly and, again, are in the minority. Plus they add spice.* - Some people think movies and games should remain as far apart as arm hair and a naked flame and to those people I say: remain as far away from this as arm hair and fire.CONCLUSION:This is gonna be a short one: I've heard reviewers up and down the web calling Heavy Rain things like Mesmerizing, Stunning, Emotional, Deep, Intriguing, controversial and a hell of an experience - well I can't top any of that and will just say: it is all of these things. Buy it, enjoy it and be blown away.
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20.5.2010

It's rare that a game totally delivers on its promises. It's even more rare when a developer manages to live up to the claims they have made. When Quantic Dream announced their follow up to Indigo Prophecy (aka Fahrenheit), we heard wild claims of creating new and innovative ways of gaming. That they'd tell a story in a way never before seen in this industry. That they could make you feel, care and hope. That we'd be taken on a journey, as if we were watching a film. Well, after seeing Heavy Rain through to the very end, I can say that without a doubt, they have most certainly succeeded.Quantic Dream have genuinely achieved something incredible with Heavy Rain. You may be skeptical.I too was hesitant to trust that it would do everything they boasted. I too feared it would be, (god-forbid) one long quick time event. But until you have experienced it, there is no real way to express how refreshing and exhilarating it was to play through what is, frankly, a groundbreaking product.The first thing you'll notice is how visually arresting the game is. Heavy rain employs stylistic techniques similar to what you'd expect from a full motion picture. Everything from the hazy background chatter of a busy police station, to the thoroughly impressive lighting effects - highlighted spectacularly as you hesitantly creep through a desolate apartment block, sunlight triumphantly pouring through grimy windows, bouncing off the dust particles floating aimlessly across your path. Of course there's the rain itself, relentless and foreboding, it sets the tone for the dark, unsettling tale it permeates.These visual tweaks and graphical flair make for cinematography that easily rivals the most depressing of European indie flicks; and the added touch of spot on performance captured animations mean you totally believe in these digital actors. You are engrossed from the word go, and as you are introduced to each character and treated to a beautiful close up of them, dilating pupils and all, you fall more and more in love with the sinister, yet downright breathtaking world of Heavy Rain.When Quantic Dream began tossing the term "interactive drama" around, showing screens of gameplay that saw huge button prompts appearing above characters, there was an almost universal moment of stomach churning dread amongst the gaming community. The fear was that we would be forced to endure a 10-hour long quick time event. Thankfully this is only partially true. Whilst you will occasionally be frantically tapping buttons and swiveling analogue sticks in order to keep the digital face you inexplicably care about from being murdered, the majority of the game however, proceeds at a much calmer pace.Instead of pressing `Triangle' to block a punch or hop over an obstacle, the sticks are employed to mirror the actions that you are performing on screen. Similar to the control scheme in Skate, the input method here aims to represent as closely or intuitively as possible, the behaviour or actions of your character. This could mean anything from rotating the stick to wrap bandages over a wound, to holding `R1' and slowly dragging the stick to set the table without dropping or breaking any plates. In one case, you're even asked to gently sway the control pad from side to side to mirror the seductive dancing of Madison Paige, the games heroine.It's these innovative and exciting applications that make playing Heavy Rain so wonderfully refreshing, even if you're simply cooking eggs or putting on lipstick, these mundane activities instantly become totally exhilarating. At least the first time round that is. Having replayed large chunks of the game more than once I can already see where some of these simpler, less interesting activities, may not be so fun a third or fourth time.That's not to say that the game becomes boring or too slow at any point, the pacing of Heavy Rain is one of the most impressive aspects. It manages to be exhaustingly quick one moment, and then reservedly slow the next, all the while being thoroughly enjoyable; whilst the quieter sections may drag on momentarily, and the more hectic segments seem too challenging at times, for the most part the game is constructed and presented in a way that is virtually pitch perfect.You'll never be fighting for your life wishing you were methodically investigating a crime scene, and you'll never be watching television with you're kid hoping for a murderer to come crashing through the window. Somehow Quantic Dream have created a narrative in which you are happy at any given point, you are always satisfied with the challenges of that scene. Whether things are moving at a snail's pace or hurtling at you with life threatening hast, you're never left wanting more.I wont give anything away about the story, all I'll say is that although it's not the most original yarn to be spun in recent times, and influences such as Saw and The Departed (to name a few) can be seen throughout. If we consider the way in which that story is told, with it's endless variables, branching paths and multiple endings. The authentic and terrifically realised characters that act out these gripping scenes, as well as the vivid, engrossing world they inhabit. Then it's clear that Heavy Rain is not a game, nor is it a movie; it is in fact is as perfect a cross between the two mediums as we've ever seen, or are likely to see for years to come. A unique and refreshing experience, that sucks you into its dank, grimy world, makes you care about the people within it, and leaves you with a sensation games rarely manage to evoke. This one is definitely not to be missed.
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21.4.2010

Heavy RainPlayStation 3Rated 15Stats:HD 720p1 Player offlineRequires 12MB minimum of free hard drive spaceSupports: Sixasis & a PlayStation Move controller (PlayStation Move requires you to install an update for the game beforehand)Developed by Quantic DreamPublished by Sony Computer EntertainmentStory:The Origami Killer kidnaps young boys just to see if their father is able to save them in time before they drown in rain water. For Ethan Mars it would be a test of sheer will and devotion to try and save his son Shaun; but Ethan has already lost one son in a car accident which left his family torn apart. Four unconnected people turn up, to solve clues as to whom the Origami killer is,however you're put in the driver's seat throughout this entire game, so your actions would determine the story's final conclusion.Story Review: Ethan MarsThe story is heavily emotional and would leave a lump in your throat getting through it. The initial set up of a nice family home at the beginning is a little cliché, but without it, we wouldn't understand the back story. After the opening credits, you get a sense of isolation from both Ethan and Shaun; where Ethan feels guilty and Shaun somehow blames his father for what happened to his brother. For me the action is a little slow during the part where Ethan & Shaun are in the house together, but it's a requirement which is needed, so we can fully grasp the relationship of the two. Ethan's parts are done to perfection as you feel every pain, anxiety that this guy has when trying to find his son.Story Review: Norman JaydenNorman Jayden who comes across more like a Fox Mulder type person, gets urinated on a lot by his fellow police officers who dismiss his ideas completely, even when it proves that Norman is on the money. Norman has to put together a series of clues which is found at crime scenes by using an impressive piece of kit, known as ARI (Added Reality Interface) which show up orange lozenges when he hovers his hand over the evidence. Norman for the most part likes to play good cop whilst his partner plays bad cop; this is evident when interrogating suspects. Also Norman's back story of being addicted to some kind of antidote that combats hallucination brought on by persistent use of the ARI system is quite good, but you'll have to watch his intake of the stuff so you don't accidentally overdose him. Norman's parts are like Ethans in the way they are well put togther.Story Review: Scott ShelbyScott Shelby is also on the case of the Origami Killer, but he's heading down a seperate path to the others. Scott's parts are boring on occasions, playing golf with him to interrogation. It's not so much the acting which is at fault, but rather the scenes are two slow. Scott seems to gather up evidence that the police have forgotten to collect, which is a little strange, never the less these are well portrayed, I just expected them to be a little faster.Story Review: Madison PaigeMadison is a Journalist who targets Ethan Mars because she is infatuated with his story, but she herself is an insomniac, who can't seem to sleep properly and she seems to have disturbing nightmares. Madison patches up Ethan everytime he has done his tasks, but it's only a ruse to get more information out of him, but by the end she is an impressive asset to keep alive. Madison tends to go the extra mile to the point of putting herself in danger, but once in danger, the action itself goes to fast for me to keep up with, so she dies, there is a way to keep her alive, which is to pay attention and don't blink.Story review conclusion:All the characters are amazing and help bring the story together and by the end it becomes clear that they all want the same thing, which is for Shaun to live. All the secondary cast are really good too so Story gets 10/10Visuals:The character's look great, but the set pieces could of been done with more texture or detail cos' they look a bit boxy, the worst part is the food being placed on Shaun's plate at the beginning as it looks revolting. The parts in the rain are too blurry, where the texture is somewhat lost. So the overall visuals gets 6/10Gameplay:Constant QTE's (Quick Time Events), these are buttons that need to be pressed at the right time or done in a certain way to avoid failure or death. The game is more like an interactive movie than a game, but it is still challenging. The only downside to this game is that the characters walk like robots, but other than that, gameplay is simple to master as the buttons are represented on the screen as you play through the game; so gameplay gets 8/10Conclusion:**This games features elements of nudity, self harm/suicides, extreme violence and drug use**, so don't buy this for anyone unless you're sure they can tolerate the themes depicted within this game. But a game that has a good story, that is gripping and well paced it gets 5 stars overall, so I definitely recommend.
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27.2.2010

"Why should I buy Heavy Rain?" you think to yourself. The answer to that was best put by Adam Sessler editor of G4: "If you care anything about videogames at all you must play Heavy Rain". This game and, I do not put this lightly, is a masterpiece of gaming. Quantic Dreams have not created a game where everything is artificial, they've crafted a game where the characters are lifelike. Right from the start Heavy Rain is like the very best of what thriller, detective and mystery books and movies have to offer, this game will grip you. This game is for the hardcore gamers and even the non-gamers out there, if you're looking for a mature, engaging and interesting game then look no further.PlotThis is probably the hardest part to talk about,whatever I say plot-related will take some of the surprise out of this amazing story, so I'll keep it vague. You'll play the role of many characters but Ethan Mars is the main protagonist. He's a normal guy who works as an architect, he's got a wife, kids and a nice house. Soon into the game Heavy Rain sets it's dark and gritty theme, where Ethan is drawn into the world of the Origami Killer: a serial killer who leaves distinct and mysterious "calling cards" at the scene of every murder. It soon becomes a race against time for all those involved, the question is: who is the Origami Killer?GameplayThe game is predominantly made up of exploration and interaction. Before I mentioned the characters were lifelike and they are, you are the characters, from the mundane normality of everyday life such as setting the table and taking a shower to the emotional extremes where your characters will break down, bleed and maybe even die, you'll be controlling it.This is the best time to mention the unique controls of Heavy Rain, most of it is predominantly quick time events (for those not in the know: quick time events are where games prompt you to press a series of buttons to succeed) for those gamers who haven't died from shock from this bit of info, it's not as bad as it sounds. Yes, Heavy Rain is frustrating at times because of the QTE events but in a good way, in other games where you fail it's game over and you get to replay that part, if you fail in Heavy Rain you deal with the consequences because that's life. Heavy Rain is the definition of art imitating life, if you aren't fast enough to react you'll get hurt and if you don't think on your feet there are major ramifications.Another thing to praise about this game is that it actually has real moral choices were you will be conflicted about what options to choose, Heavy Rain does not do the clear cut "moral choices" from most games where you know what's right and what's wrong.If you want replayability it's worth playing the game through again because you won't discover all the plot details, see every scenario, unlock all of the bonus content or even get all of the trophies first time through. There's also DLC (downloadable content) on the horizon which takes the form of episodic chapters which you can play through so you'll be playing Heavy Rain months later.PresentationIf I were to nitpick I'd say that sometimes when you have a lot of graphic intensive things going on on-screen you will see a reduction in quality, but honestly this is one of the slickest looking games I've ever seen. When your randomly exploring, the detail and beauty of the game is awesome, and the cut scenes are even more detailed, they're sharp, they're lifelike and they're lovely to look at. In terms of the graphical quality definitely up there with the likes of Naughty Dog's Uncharted so you can't really go wrong.SoundtrackPerfect game soundtrack; an emphatic and dramatic selection of music that fits all of the scenes perfectly. Yes it has the edgy killer type music, but it also has heroic themes, pulse-pounding action music and even club music in there.SummaryIn summary, Heavy Rain is a diamond in a sea of games that try to be like whoever is most popular. Quantic Dream opted to do something different and head in a different direction and it pays off, it's an epic and satisfying game experience that proves games can be an art form and can be mature. This game has characters you actually care about. Trust me on this, when your characters in danger you'll be celebrating when they evade that knife or pull off that jump. If you haven't already bought it all I can say is at least try it, it'll surprise you.
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31.3.2010

I think most of us didn't quite know what to expect from 'Heavy Rain' when we first heard about it as there is precious little to compare it with. For that alone, for being unique and different, it deserves praise, because this is a very brave attempt at creating a whole new gaming genre. As a result I will focus much of this review on the feel of the game and the experience, touching only briefly on the controls etc.The game itself looks absolutely beautiful, with some of the most realistic looking faces and effects I've ever seen. As an all-round package there are probably better examples of stunning graphics, but in places 'Heavy Rain'is astonishingly good looking and realistic.How the game is played and how you control the various characters has been much talked about, it is innovative and at first a little unusual, but really it doesn't take you long to learn at all, it will be second nature within minutes. It may seem that much of what you do with this control system is irrelevant or merely present for effect, but all of the seemingly mundane tasks your perform add to experience, the realism and in their own subtle ways, the plot which is the real star of the show.The story itself is engrossing, the Origami Killer is on the loose and is targeting young boys, you play 4 different characters, all of whom find their lives affected by this serial killers rampage across the city in different ways. It is a genuine mystery, looked at from many different perspective and through many different eyes, it's all about the atmosphere, the interactions of the characters with each other and the plot, which unravels like any great thriller or suspense drama.The important factor is that you drive the story, what path is takes depends upon you and your decisions, in effect there are NO wrong decisions, there is no such thing as dying in the traditional gaming sense, if your character dies...he dies and the story moves on without them. Whatever you decide it is your choice or perhaps your failing to overcome an obstacle, it gives you the feeling that what is happening is real and flowing and not restricted to a fictitious environment where the hero always survives. As a result of all the twists and turns involved in the game, there are multiple endings and routes you can take, all depending on what you did.There are a couple of points of caution I'd like to make though, first of all despite their being genuine replay value in finding different ways of doing things and changing the storyline, the first time is ALWAYS the best by far. Once the mystery has been solved, there isn't a whole lot of incentive, beyond basic curiosity, to play through it again. I suggest you play this game with your mind switched on, attempting to coast through it will ruin the experience, take it seriously and I highly recommend that you accept the consequences of your actions without going back. Even if you regret doing something or fail to do something in a scene, let it continue or you'll shatter the fragile fantasy of it all. 'Heavy Rain' would totally lose its magic if you in effect, rewound to an earlier point and tried again.'Heavy Rain' is a triumph, because it tries to do something new, it tries to combine the best aspects of computer games with movies and to a large extent it succeeds. The voice acting is excellent, the characters interesting and diverse and deep in ways I haven't really seen before, these character have real problems in their lives and issues to contend with. The magic of this game is that it comes to life, it's like you are a character in a movie, but that movie is an actual persons life, combining elements from both, the drama and suspense of the silver-screen with the understated and underwhelming feel of real-life. It is wonderfully balanced.I highly recommend you purchase this game, but because of the relatively low replay value once the mystery has been solved, I would suggest you pick it up second-hand so you aren't spending too much on a game you may not play much more of, still though, it is like any great crime thriller, a thoroughly enjoyable journey.
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26.2.2010

When I first heard about Heavy Rain all those years ago I eagerly anticipated it's release. During the later years it seemed the more I heard about it, the more excited I was about the game (I'm usually quite sceptical about new releases so this is a rarity). Alarm bells started to ring though when I started seeing all the adverts for the game and news of the "4 Days Challenge". In my experience most products marketed that heavily usually fair rather poorly. I'm glad though that in this instance this wasn't true. Heavy Rain is by far most recent gaming example of gripping story telling and with an atmosphere thick enough to cut with a knife.There is no other current generation game that comes close to the Heavy Rain experience.The story revolves around a serial killer known as "The Origami Killer" who kidnaps children and drowns them. Your viewpoint switches between 4 playable characters. Ethan Mars, Farther of the most recently kidnapped victim. Madison Paige, A Journalist writing on the Origami Killings. Norman Jayden, An FBI Agent working on the case of the Origami Killer and Scott Shelby, A former cop now P.I hired by families of the Origami Killers victims, as they all search for the Origami Killer and his hostage Shaun Mars.You're probably thinking "If I think it's a contender for Game of the Year, why am I only giving it 4 stars, surely game of the year should be a 5 star performance?" and if you weren't before, you are now. There are several reasons why I'm only rating it 4 stars, the main one being I can't give it 4 and a half and that due to the following reasons I couldn't give it full marks.1) Glitches and freezing - As some of you may be aware of, there are still a few bugs in the game that need ironed out. I experienced a few minor one-off glitches (my favourite one being when Scott's head decided to twist 180 degrees for a brief moment) but one that really annoyed me was when my game would freeze when I get onto the dance floor in the Blue Lagoon in which I had to reset the console. It would work normally once I loading my game again though. I've also heard stories about saves corrupting, although I never had a problem with such.2) The Controls (Movement of Character) - Although the control layout sounds good on paper (assigning the movement to R2 allowing the left analogy stick to change the players point of focus), paper can be a flimsy thing. Since you walk in the direction your focusing in, the analog stick is pointing in the direction you want to be going anyway, all this button configuration is doing is making me hold down an extra button to move. I personally would have though it would be better using the left analog stick to move the character and using R2 to run (since most of the game nobody can go faster than a brisk jog). I've read other reviews praising the controls so maybe it's just me that doesn't get it.3) Slow Beginning - The neck breaking intro meant to drag you kick and screaming into the game runs rather too slowly, mostly serving as a 20min tutorial on the controls. To which less than 5mins of that time is necessary to the story. Meaning that it does drag on a bit for a wile but about 30mins in it'll suddenly grab you by the balls (or the tits if you're a woman) and drag you through until the end (I played it for 14hrs straight as soon as I got it, that's how in to it I was). As the old saying goes "Good things come to those who wait".If you're willing to forgive the reasons mentioned above, you'll discover a unique gaming experience unlike any other, where with every action comes a reaction capable of changing the very course of the game. Beautifully presented both visually and audibly with probably the best rain effects I've ever seen in a game. A must buy for any PS3 owner.One minor thing I have to mention. With the game you get a sheet of printed paper so you can fold your own Origami Figure like that shown on the box. The instructions on how to fold it were shown on screen whilst the game installs giving you something to do during installation.
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27.2.2010

"Heavy Rain" is by far the most innovative game I have played for quite some time. No other title has immersed me so deeply and made me feel so much a part of a story. Although it does have a couple of minor faults, this is likely to be a contender for Game of the Year (and we're only in February!).In a city on the East coast of America, a murderer known as "The Origami Killer" is on the loose and taking the lives of innocent children. You, the player, are drawn into this terrifying tale by playing four different characters in an attempt to bring the killer to justice.What makes "Heavy Rain" so great is the fact that it is utterly unique. Every action you take, every word you say, has a consequence.The way in which you react to any given situation has an effect on how events unfold later in the game. Sure, there have been games before in which a player's actions determine which variant of a path they travel down (RPGs such as "Fallout 3" come to mind, for example), but not on the scale that "Heavy Rain" does. If a character dies, there is no returning to a previously saved game - the story progresses without them and the way it pans-out is affected by such events. The developers claim that there is an exceptionally large number of ways in which this game can conclude, and this means that everyone who plays it will have a different experience. In short, "Heavy Rain" delivers a level of interactivity heretofore unseen in video games.The story is immersive, gripping, and full of suspense. The characters have a lot of depth to them, and offer enough variety between one another to keep things interesting. One of this game's strongest points is also its soundtrack - the music constantly shifts to reflect the tone of each scene, and at times the orchestral score is utterly chilling. It really does add to the atmosphere tremendously. Gameplay-wise, some people have criticised "Heavy Rain" for merely consisting of a series of "quicktime" events. However, it is so much more. Although it is scripted and you do follow one main storyline, the outcome of your actions cannot be broken-down to a mere "pass/fail" format - they instead trigger different events in which you can complete a scene. These actions vary from life or death situations to the simple activity of brushing a character's teeth - either way, you can't help but feel as if you are a part of this game.However, "Heavy Rain" is not without some minor flaws. At times, the voice acting isn't quite up to scratch. Lip-syncing seems a bit off and character's facial expressions appear slightly wooden. Furthermore, the graphics aren't exactly groundbreaking. Don't get me wrong, this game looks fantastic, but there are a couple of moments when the visuals are questionable. At one point, my character was having a conversation in a busy police station and all of the CPU "background" characters were passing through him as if they were ghosts - this is fine in a game such as Warcraft, where constantly bumping into other people is a hindrance. But in the case of "Heavy Rain" it serves to undermine the realism that the story has so delicately created. In addition, the controls could perhaps have been improved upon - they often feel a little bit clunky and unresponsive. One such instance occurred when I had to guide my character through a series of small, dark tunnels - the constantly changing camera angle appeared to confuse the system as to which direction I wanted to go in and as such I was left constantly going back and forth. But these small problems really are infrequent gripes with what is quite simply, a spectacular game."Heavy Rain" won't be everyone's cup of tea. If you're after a gung-ho, mindless action game then this is not it. If however, you are looking for something unique, something that requires you to weigh-up every consequence of an action and something that will immerse you into a story like nothing else, then you must play this game. It is utterly unique and completely engrossing.
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28.2.2010

There has been much talk about "Heavy Rain as an interactive drama, as a precursor to a new type of videogame exeprience where story and character developement matter more than quick thrills. What really matters with "Heavy Rain", however, is that it is an exciting, beautifully made and surprisingly fluid experience that easily bears the weight of expectation.As its name implies, the game is set in a miserably wet environment. From what I recall of English literature classes, its what they call pathetic fallacy, as the weather really does reflect the dark worldview that French developer Quantic Dream have set out to portray. And for each characer, the game really is a season in hell; whether Ethan mars,who has to face the trauma every parent dreads, or the other three playabble characters, the game perfectly welds a glowering and relentlessly sordid atmosphere with the personal catastrophes that each of them must face as they deal with the mysterious serial "Origami" child killer. Although reviewers have understandably been mesmerised by the games fantastically detailed graphics and character models, special mention must go to the wonderful musical score, which adds depth and seriousness to the unfolding tragedies that the player/viewer experiences.The game controls are a mix of quick time events (QTE) and a curious control system that aims to recreate simple everyday movements with the right analogue stick. In fact, the latter is more reminiscent of guitar tablature than conventional videogame controls. Perhaps the biggest irritation for me is the cumbersome and imprecise old-school "Resident Evil"-style tank controls which require the player to press the R2 button; however, this isn't a game-breaking issue because the input system for QTEs is sharp and extremely forgiving. The emphasis is always on giving players just enough choice when controlling the four characters wityhout really diverting from the main thrust of the whodunnit thriller plot.What must be mentioned is that "Heavy Rain" would not be succesful in creating this lovingly detailed envirnoment of any- and every-where America if the human characters were not believable types. Quantic Dream have triumphed in crafting characters that are as solid in their connection with the audience/player as they are in their high definition apperances. The obviously French origions of the voice actors (especially the actor that plays Lauren) doesn't really detract from the experience.Although the much-vaunted choice system is not always as flexible as many critics would like, the game generally achieves its dark and yet human view of the world by giving just enough choice for players to make (via dialogue options and quick time events) without deluging them in some "Butterfly Effect"-like system whereby the smallest decision has enormous and unforeseen consequences. In truth, it would have been nice to have more say in the story development during the first half of the game, with a greater say given to the gamer as to how the relationship between FBI man Norman Jayden and police officer Blake developed, for exmple.The game can be completed in less than eight hours, but the branching story tree during the last part of the game and the possibility for some of the charcaters to die adds another two playthroughs for even the mildly curious player. Trophy support is very well implemented because it gives opportunity for gamers to see what available choices there are left to be made with view to another playthrough. However, it is hard to really recommend a purchase of the game rather than an extended rental, although the addition of downloadable standalone game packs in future may change this."Heavy Rain" is a fantastically accomplished hybrid of videogame and drama. Whether the game remains a quirky novelty or becomes a template for a new breed of story-driven videogame is hard to tell. What is not is that this is one trip to the dark side that any PlayStation 3 owner must experience.
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4.8.2010

I have very high praise for this game. "Heavy Rain" totally drew me in, the level of realism was so great that I really cared what happened to the people I was watching on screen in a way that quite surprised me.I can't say much about the plot other than the obvious (4 people become embroiled in the search for a serial killer), because everyone who plans to play this needs to know as little as possible about the plot to get the most out of it. You need to know about the style of play though. Apart from making the character move about, which is done with the directional stick, every other action on the screen is co-ordinated by following on-screen button prompts. Some of this simple, for example,if you stand facing a cupboard, you might see an arrow pointing to the left flash up - and pushing the analogue stick to the left makes the character open the cupboard and see what's inside. And some of the action is more complex. Anything like fighting, escaping or carrying out difficult tasks means that you have to watch the screen closely and press the right button quickly as it appears, or hold three down at once, or mash one as fast as you can...get the idea? Sounds like it would get boring fast but I have to say it didn't - although I got sore hands after a few of the very diffcult combinations when I ran out of fingers!The success story of "Heavy Rain" though, is the sense of real drama. The story and the characters are fantastic. All four leads are amazingly lifelike, and they speak, move and emote with real depth, and this makes you become hugely involved with the plot...well, I certainly was, When my characters encountered hurdles or were subject to attack, I was with them all the way. Sometimes I even surprised myself by shouting at the screen when I was able to dish out much needed retribution to some of the very unsavoury characters who were after me. And unsavoury is putting it mildly. I agree with some of the other reveiwers about the classification of this game. I think an 18 certificate would have been easily justified. I knew the game was about a serial killer but I didn't expect things to be quite so violent. The killer taunts one character by forcing him to undertake sadistic "trials", and a couple of these made me flinch with genuine revulsion as I did them. This is undoubtedly due to the hyper realism of the game - you really feel like you are totally immersed in the action, and that these could be real people. And nobody has a nice time in this story: "Heavy Rain" is one very dark game.I only have a few niggles - some events in the game are massive red herrings that are never explained. The plot is very clever (it has to work from four different perspectives), but some of the finer points passed me by and at times I got lost. The overall weakest part of the game is character movement - the swivel-and-walk-in-different-directions control scheme is hellish...sometimes I was twirling my character all over the place before getting them aligned correctly to open a door or press a switch.The flow of the game is great though, the saving is spot on - theres no easy way to backtrack if you think you've made a bad choice - unless you reboot in the middle of the action before the autosave kicks in - although I later found out you can choose a chapter and replay and save it, but I couldn't tell if this meant playing forward again from that point or simply saving that standalone chapter with a different set of actions in it (?)In general, this game is a class production all the way, high quality and mature in all respects. The "quick-press" way of controlling the action will not be to everyone's taste - especially if you know exactly what you want to do but the button combinations are too difficult or too quick to press correctly. I think everyone should play this game, but again, be warned that it can be quite hard hitting due to the impact of some very realistic scenes of violence.
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3.3.2010

This is a game that deals with four main characters dealing with events unfolding (excuse the dreadful pun) around the kidnap of another child by a serial killer, called the Origami Killer. The action takes place from the perspective of each of the four characters - Ethan Mars is the father of the kidnapped boy and the victim of the Origami Killer's twisted games. Scott Shelby is a private detective trying to solve the case for the victims' relatives. Madison Page is a reporter drawn into the plot, and Norman Jayden is an F.B.I agent trying to track down the Origami Killer. As other reviewers have said, there isn't much point in me trying to tell you about the plot - without giving too much away!However, the plot is twisting and there are some really well thought out sub-plots, background details and excellent action sequences ; a frantic drive up the wrong direction of motorway traffic is particularly well done, as an example.So, a big thumbs up for the plot and the characters - i found myself identifying with some of them, and wanting to learn more about others.The graphics are stunning. They are so good that when there is the odd poorly executed piece, you are reminded that this is a game, and not a film. Generally, this is right up there with the best games in terms of graphics. It does have odd quirks in it - one bit where a character seems to walk through a desk is a bit bad, and sometimes the lip-syncing is a little bit off. But having said that, this is still the best attempt i have seen.The voice acting is good, though not quite up there with Batman Arkham Asylum, and the musical score is equally excellent.The control system is not your traditional set up as well. It is basically a long system of quick time events that you perform by slowly moving the sticks, holding multiple buttons and triggers to enable you to interact with various characters and deal with certain situations. The training piece at the start of the game gives you a good introduction to what to expect from the game - though it obviously gets more intense as the plot unfolds.The length is one thing a lot of people have debated. It has to be said that it isn't the longest game you will ever play, but that is the nature of this game. It is trying to blur the lines between cinema and games, and when i finished it for the first time i was a little bit disappointed, but that was because i was enjoying it so much!! Which leads nicely onto replay value ...One of the main selling points of this game is that YOU get to choose what to do, and unlike other games, some of the characters CAN die. When i played through this first time, one of them did die halfway through (entirely my fault too!) but the story carried on. The only slight complaint i have is that the crossroads for characters are kind of telegraphed to you, so you can see what the developers are trying to do and it feels like you have seen how a magic trick has been performed. The illusion is more impressive than the mundane reality of how the effect is achieved. However, there are 57 trophies to earn, so you are definitely going to have to play through the game more than once to get them all, which is a nice way of the developers making us feel we are getting our money's worth!There is a hell of a lot to like about this game - graphics, production quality, inter-weaving storylines, interesting controls and good solid character development.But it isn't for everyone. This is basically a point and click adventure that has been brought up to date by the developers, and if you aren't a fan of that genre then this may not be for you. If you are unsure about this, then i would recommend renting a copy, or playing a demo of it. The second slightly negative comment is that this isn't the most original or ground-breaking of games. The developers made
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17.3.2010

Where to begin, Heavy Rain can feel like a Hollywood movie with a dark, arty crime thriller in the stlye of Se7en or The Silence of the Lambs. Unlike most games Heavy Rain is completly different from other games you've played over the years.The story for Heavy Rain is a dark thriller story, a serial killer known as the Origami Killer. You'll be playing through 4 charcters who are connected to the story of Heavy Rain. You'll be playing a FBI profiler Norman Jayden, Scott Shelby who's a private investigator trying to find the missing cases of the Origami killer. Madison Paige who's a journalist and a loving father called Ethan Mars who finds out his son goes missing.The beginning of the story can be a little slow to begin with but later on in the game it gets even more serious with shocking surprises.Gameplay: Unlike most games which are most action and first-person shooters that you get on any system. Heavy Rain's gameplay is completly different from other games you'll be button mashing and making multiple options and choices through out the game.Before you play Heavy Rain you've got three options to play the game you can play the game with out using the wireless controls if your not familiar with them. But if you are you'll be shaking and tilting your PS3 controller.There isn't really much to talk about on the Gameplay, the movment controls can be abit fiddly while moving but it can easliy be ignored. Through out Heavy Rain you'll be using the right analog stick to do most tings that you would do every day. Some parts of the game you'll need to hold certain buttons if your holding on to somthing or climbing up a slippley hill.When your in a fight with someone or in a tight situation you'll have to be quick this is called Quick-time events which you've probably seen in other games like Resident Evil 4. But if you want one of your charcters to live or die, there are multiple endings and sequences in Heavy Rain the choices can change on what choices you make.Graphics and Sound: Before talking about the graphics, while the game is installing in your PS3 you can make a Origami bird while you wait for the game to install.Heavy Rain's graphics are very well done with it being exclusive on the PS3 with other games like Uncharted and Metal Gear Solid 4. The graphics are well detailed through the modern day world but set in Amercia, the charcters and enviroment are very as well. Heavy Rain is an interactive Drama game, if you were a fan of the first season of Lost and Heroes you'll be on the edge of your seat later on in the game making you not want to leave your seat what so ever with this dark trhilling story.The first time we've heard about Heavy Rain was back at E3 2006 which was called The Casting and what the game was going to be like but over the years from now you can see how well done the game is. The soundtrack is also epic to listen to through out Heavy Rain, if you did pre-ordered the HMV special edition it does come with the soundtrack. It makes you feel gripped into the game and to it's story, vocing is very well done as well for all of the charcters you just want to know whats going to happen next.Overall: I did not want to put the game down after I've played through the first couple of hours of Heavy Rain, I was actully didn't want to turn off my PS3 the story. I didn't really spotted any problems in the game but the downside is that Heavy Rain is a little short and you can easily get the game done under a day pending on how much you want to get out of the game.If your into Murder/Mystery novals or movies you'll probably get the most out of Heavy Rain, there are trophies if you a trophie collector. If you own a PS3 I would highly recommend this game in anyones PS3 collection.
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19.11.2010

Graphics (10)Whilst the motion capture isn't truly breathtaking it still blows away most other games. The playstations power is really on show here with some amazing rain effects and a wide range of locations from malls and parks to powerstations and industrial estates each oozing detail and adding to the realistic atmosphere. The on screen icons are very simple but this is good as they aren't too intrusive. The lack of any other on screen information adds to the cinematic quality.Sounds (10)One of the truly standout aspects of this game. The voice acting on the most part is suberb and the best ever in a game. The different dialogue options react fast to your choices and half the script you won't even encounter on the first play through.The music is excellent at putting across the characters emotional state and the pace of the current situation. The perfectly scored soundtrack and realistic sound effects really sell the atmosphere to the player.Lifespan (7)The game won't take you long too complete especially if some of your main characters die as the game will continue without their remaining scenes. I recommend taking your time to explore what options are available to you on your second play through. It is on your second go you'll truly see how you can effect the course of the story. Yes, alot of changes are minor to begin with but in the final chapters the game can completely change with multiple endings. You'll want to replay this 2 or 3 times especially if you get obsessed with collecting all the trophies.Gameplay (10)Many argue whether this is a game at all or just an interactive movie. The key is not to compare this to other games and approach it as a brand new experience. Yes you are basically following on screen instructions but the tension created when you know pressing a button wrong could result in your character dieing is like nothing else. Remember they die and the game continues in a different way, theres no reloading and trying again. I've never been on the edge of my seat more than playing this game. It has its slow moments but this only serves to build up the tension and bond with the characters and story. The controls are surprisingly in depth, often surprising you with new ways to use the controller. Also when it comes to trophies what other game rewards you for doing things wrong as well as right?Presentation (10)Heavy Rain is the most beautifully presented game on PS3. It looks amazing, the sounds draw you in and the cast of characters are varied and believable. Split into well structured 10-15 minute chapters the game never slows down too much with a large number of action sequences to hold your interest. The story is so engaging though even the slower segments are a joy to play. There are a few plot holes but not as many as you may first think once you replay it and see things from a new perspective.OVERALL (93%) not an averageWhether Heavy Rain is a game or not really doesn't matter, as a form of interactive entertainment it is truly exceptional. The production values are amazing and the story arguably the best in gaming history especially as it changes depending on how you play. The true joy I found with Heavy Rain was those life or death moments where I knew I wouldn't be saved by reloading from the last checkpoint. On the 2nd play through its all about finding those alternative paths and unlocking trophies. Everyone needs to play this just to see what all the fuss is about. Its understandable it won't be everyones cup of tea but should be for the open minded looking for something different.
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