The big question on everyone's mind is: will Heavy Rain appeal to gamers? Is it even a videogame, or just an interactive movie? We've had an early preview version in our hands for some time now, and we can tell you that it's going to divide people.
Heavy Rain isn't your typical videogame. It's about developing an emotional connection, intrigue, story and quick decision-making with real outcomes. That's the way Quantic Dreams sells it, at least.
There's no action-packed intro cutscene, no explosions and not even a hint of a gun in the first few hours of play. In fact, your first tasks in the game, playing as architect and father of two, Ethan Mars, is to get out of bed, have a shower and shave and a watch some TV as you wait for the missus to get home with the kids.
There's nothing tense or exciting about it. It's also perhaps not the best start to a game that has a giant question mark of appeal over its head. But we can see what QD is doing with this: an effort to build your empathy with the characters.
It's highly interactive - but not in the way other games are. You can't jump or punch at will. With the exception of R2, which makes you walk in the direction you push the left stick, none of the buttons have a direct function - it's all context-sensitive.
As you walk through the internal environment of Ethan's apartment you see arrow icons appear over several objects. Pushing the right stick in that direction activates your interaction with that object and there are a lot of them. Not just light switches, drawers and doors - you can pick up photos, look at letters, toy with electrical appliances, open the fridge, open windows, use the toilet or spend a moment with your pet budgie.
Whether or not you do any of that is up to you - it's your choice, but gamers who are open to this sort of game will take huge satisfaction out of being able to explore every crevice of these detailed environments.
A few minutes later your missus arrives and you spend another 10 minutes speaking with her, helping prepare the house for Jason's - one of your sons - birthday. Even the smallest of tasks are made interactive - holding the correct buttons down to carry shopping to the table, pushing the right analogue stick gently enough to softly set the plates on the dinner table. Do anything wrong and your other half will nag. Do it right and she'll keep her good mood.
After that scene you move on to the shopping mall where your wife leaves you with Jason while she goes shopping. But he's a wanderer, and after buying a balloon for the little man you lose sight of him and enter a state of panic as you run around a crowded mall to find him. This is where you really see QDs work on character emotion.
Ethan's body language changes, his head turning frenetically as he searches the crowds. You can hear his breath deepen and his voice quiver. Hold the R2 trigger and Ethan's calm stroll is now a desperate shuffle as he walks urgently, sporadically taking a few running steps every few seconds. Whereas before he'd automatically avoid nearby people, now he's shoving them out the way as you tap X to call after Jason every few seconds.
The on-screen HUD also reflects your mood, with on-screen icons now blurred and shaking frantically, as hard to read as it would be to think in such a situation. Holding R2 at any point in the game brings up a list of your characters thoughts - a list that takes a sinister turn as you search for your missing son.
This is where Heavy Rain shines because we find ourselves connected with Ethan's plight. We're nervous. Would we care as much if we hadn't just spent 20 minutes playing with Jason in Ethan's garden? Doubt it.
Moments later (as already revealed, so it shouldn't come as a spoiler), Jason is struck by a car and dies. It's an emotional scene - but nothing compared to what else the game has in store. You're not truly gripped yet.
Forward a few years and Ethan's split from his wife, lives in a dank apartment and is miserable. Like putting cold hands into warm water, the transition from the vivid-coloured brightness of the previous scenes contrast hugely to the sense of sorrow here.
The game sets the tone fantastically. On-screen colours are washed out and there's a glum grainy taint over the graphics. The music is sombre and slow. An unshaven messy Ethan has a constant look of regret on his face and in his tone of voice. And of course it's raining heavily outside as you collect Shaun, your other son, for a night in with his dad.
This is where you're left with the task of babysitting him for 20 minutes of game time - another slow episode to add to the start of Heavy Rain. This scene's been shown previously - you feed and water your son, paying sufficient attention to his needs, then put him to sleep at the right time. Do it right and you're best mates, mess up and he'll hate you - one of the earliest hints of consequence in the game.
Later you find there's a darker side to Ethan as he suffers from sporadic and uncontrollable blackouts, waking up hours later in the middle of the street holding an origami in his hand and no recollection of how he got there. This happens in a later scene as he plays with Shaun in a park. He wakes up hours later to find Shaun missing, setting the scene for Ethan's desperate search for his only son who could have fallen into the hands of the origami killer.
As far as real action goes, things only heat up when you take control of private detective Scott Shelby. He visits a rough apartment building to speak with Lauren Winter, a prostitute who's son was killed by the origami killer - a serial killer that leaves his victims (all young boys) with an orchid on their chest and an origami figure in their hand.
During questioning, different gestures appear over your character's head, giving you the freedom to choose your tone from persistent to sympathetic or sly. On leaving, you cross paths with a shady-looking fellow who forces his way into Lauren's apartment who's screams you hear moments later. You burst in to engage the punk, triggering a QTE-style fight scene.
Unlike in Shenmue though, failing to hit a gesture in time doesn't mean failure and the need to start again.
Miss a command and you typically take a blow and come one step closer to losing the fight. Knowing that main characters can die in Heavy Rain - and the story still continue without them - makes these scenes far more tense than Shenmue's ever were. Every time you miss a command you grit your teeth hoping that wasn't the mistake that'll allow your opponent to plunge a knife into your chest.
Win the battle and the guy leaves, Lauren is grateful and you earn a friend. Fail (on purpose, as we did just to see what happens) and you take a beating. But, worryingly, the guy still leaves and she's still grateful. Winning or losing seemed to have little-to-no bearing on the proceeding cutscene and overall result.
QD promises the outcomes of such scenes are to have a long-term effect on the story you experience, but from what we experienced in this relatively short preview demo, we're disappointed to be unable to vouch for that.
Later in the demo we take control of FBI agent Norman Jayden to investigate the murder scene of another origami killer victim. This is where gameplay goes all 'Minority Report' as you use a pair of sci-fi glasses to investigate the environment with a futuristic hologram HUD.
Tapping R1 sends out a virtual pulse, highlighting any nearby points of interest for Norman to mull over. Following tyre tracks and trails highlighted by your flashy eyes, you gather evidence to later examine back at the police HQ, where things again go all space age as you use SixAxis motions to make Norman manipulate a holographic user interface.
Again, both scenes are relatively slow and void of any real consequential action, but serve as more chances to pull you into the story of the characters.
Last off we take control of Journalist Madison Paige who was revealed in the first demos of the game. She wakes up in the middle of the night, suffering from insomnia in her plush city apartment. Again, you mull around messing with coffee and other interactive objects before, obviously, heading to the shower to see her in the nude (best shower scene in a game EVER, by the way).
It gets tense, though, when you see the fridge door open and you know you didn't open it. You can see Madison's anxiety build as she suspects someone else is in the flat. Her suspicions prove correct and you're left with more choices - do you run for the phone on the desk or break for the front door to escape.
We head for the door but are obstructed by a bloke in a hood branding a knife. It's another QTE fight and this time we're in real trouble. Without spoiling too much, we will say that in a second play-through, we tried going for the phone and it ended up not working so had to go for the door anyway. And failing any variety of the commands seemed to end with the same (admittedly shocking) conclusion.
We love the concept of Heavy Rain. Two hours in and we're gripped by the story now, too. But there are two things that worry us. Firstly, the first 40 minutes of play.
Shenmue starts off with the brutal killing of your father and your emotional pledge for revenge. Heavy Rain's spiritual predecessor, Indigo Prophecy (aka Fahrenheit in US) has you awaken from a coma in a restaurant toilet, covered in blood next to a dead body with a police officer outside that's about to need a pee any moment. That's tense.
In this game you wake up in bed to scratch your arse and take a piss, before spending half an hour babysitting a child. As a writer that has a deep-routed appreciation for these type of scenes, I can appreciate their purpose. Many gamers I end up rowing with, however, don't, and those are the people who'll never get past these sections to see the good stuff that lies beyond.
Our second concern is the lack of consequence. Nothing we did had any real affect on what happened overall, and we're hoping the fairly inconsequential outcomes of scenes in this demo prove to contrast massively from later scenes in the final game, because we couldn't seem to find any alternative plotlines in the version we have here.
On a more positive note, having become attached to the story and allowed the characters to develop, we're gripped by what Heavy Rain has in store beyond the scenes in our preview version, especially if it does have the 20+ endings that rumoured reports claim. It's an emotional ride if you can allow yourself to become truly absorbed, and it could be very special indeed. QD just needs to deliver.
The definition of what a Marmite Game is could be Heavy Rain.
I really enjoyed Indigo Prophecy (apart from the Ending!) and have high hopes for Heavy Rain, I do however have a nagging doubt that it might not be the Game the Devs want it to be .
Still, you have to give props to the Developers for doing something different, even if it isnt to everyones taste or liking.
A game which leads you slowly into the story, with lots of 'mundane' things to do first actually appeals to me, as I like to take my time (I explore every nook and cranny of every level in an FPS). However, the reliance on context-sensitive 'quick time events' (I know QD don't like that description, but it's what a lot of people are going to call them), and the potential lack of freedom, are a concern.
(as already revealed, so it shouldn't come as a spoiler)
Well, it obviously still is one, isn't it? Sigh.
Sounds very interesting, even if it does turn out to be flawed. Ideas like this are great for pushing games in new directions, and also to show people who don't value computer games that they are becoming an art form.
I also like the idea of worlds this deep - reminds me a little of Shenmue, and that was amazingly immersive.
Go my fingers crossed for this- as a more mature style game would make a refreshing change- saying that- the few gameplay videos I've seen are looking a little ropey- characters look realistic one minute then like puppets the next- and the less said about the QTE stuff the better.
CVG why does every game have to be action orientated? I seriously laughed at the first few paragraphs were you ramble on about guns not appearing for hours, not being able to punch excessively, not being able to jump, no bombs or explosions, all explained in what comes off as a downbeat, disapointed manner!
It's sad really that mike jackson is very pubescent in thought and of his surroundings, I would not be surprised in the least if transformers 2 is one of his favourite films, he probably marvels at the sight of giant robots flirting!
Why does everything have to be halo or mw2 or guns, explosions, swords and shields and thousands of men in battle formation or basically the quick fix of adrenaline(lol) that teens espically crave. Do you see sport and dj guitar hero as the only and true alternative to this?
Heavy Rain is a new direction, even an expansion for gaming, espically on the devs who have had the balls to try this sort of genre before, i really welcome it, its a change, an actual game with a real thought processing story! Dont judge something harshly because you don't understand its intentions fully, but then again if you did that, you wouldn't be the closet bias that you(cvg and pretty much every gaming mag) are anymore! shame!
CVG why does every game have to be action orientated? I seriously laughed at the first few paragraphs were you ramble on about guns not appearing for hours, not being able to punch excessively, not being able to jump, no bombs or explosions, all explained in what comes off as a downbeat, disapointed manner!
It's sad really that mike jackson is very pubescent in thought and of his surroundings, I would not be surprised in the least if transformers 2 is one of his favourite films, he probably marvels at the sight of giant robots flirting!
Why does everything have to be halo or mw2 or guns, explosions, swords and shields and thousands of men in battle formation or basically the quick fix of adrenaline(lol) that teens espically crave. Do you see sport and dj guitar hero as the only and true alternative to this?
...Dont judge something harshly because you don't understand its intentions fully, but then again if you did that, you wouldn't be the closet bias that you(cvg and pretty much every gaming mag) are anymore! shame!
*Sigh*
So you really think he's saying he would have preferred the game had it had more guns and explosions? Really? If I were you, I'd try reading that opening again. Done? Now, are you sure he's saying that, or do you think he's trying to contrast Heavy Rain with the endless droves of Halo / Gears / CoD clones out there right now? See, that wasn't too difficult, was it?
And while I'm thinking about it, I'm sick of the "...he must have liked Transformers 2" argument that is used to 'discredit' anyone who suggests they like anything that's not highbrow. Jesus people, it's possible to like Transformers 2 AND Citizen Kane*!
*not that I would ever admit to that myself...*ahem*
Heavy Rain is a new direction, even an expansion for gaming, espically on the devs who have had the balls to try this sort of genre before, i really welcome it, its a change, an actual game with a real thought processing story!
Now, this is something I can agree on. Regardless of whether or not the game succeeds (either critically or financially), I applaud QD (and possibly Sony - are they helping fund it?) for taking the plunge with this.
I thought the preview came across quite fairly. I can't be the only person who's still worried about this being an interactive movie rather than a videogame, and Mike's views didn't exactly put my mind to rest. The lack of real consequences sounds a little worrying, but I'll give QD the benefit of the doubt, seeing as we only have a demo to go on.
I'd be delighted to see this succeed. If it does it'll be a massive leap forward for games; hell, even if it fails it's presented a whole truckload of new ideas. But I have my reservation, and my fingers are crossed it won't end up being:
@bunneyo, You must've missed the last paragraph where he said that he was attached to the characters and was gripped by the game and that it could be something special.
It was quite obvious (to me at least) that he was mentioning the lack of guns or a jump button etc. at the start of the preview because it's unusual for a game to lack these basic abilities, besides, it's clearly an important factor in the game, why wouldn't he mention it?.
I urge all gamers who want something a little more from their games than mindless gunning down of enemy's to give it a go. I played Quantic Dream's previous game Fahrenheit (aka Indigo Prophecy) and it has turned out to be my favourite game of all time. You never know you might be surprised.
I'm similar to StonecoldMC (Alan Wake), in the way that I have confidence (blind faith?) in Heavy Rain being a game that I will enjoy probably more than any other game that was released in 2009.
I thought this preview was very good - balanced and fair. The good and the bad have to be commented on. The good being the story and the build up of empathy for the characters, which is important for a game like this. The bad being the uncertainty over the consequences of your actions not yet being clear.
Still, this was a preview build and I think it can only be truly understood by playing the full game.
Not really bothered about it getting off to a slow start, although that may start to grind on subsequent play-throughs. The first Ethan chapter sounds like a tutorial mode, so as long as the latter chapters have more meaningful things to do, this should be a great experience.
The fact that we have people like Kojima and Cage trying to do things so ambitious even if not successful is what makes Videogames the most sophisticated medium out there.
All this talk of QTEs is irrelevant until somone develops a VR input.
Day one purchase for me for the simple reason that it's a one off never been done before.
Not really bothered about it getting off to a slow start, although that may start to grind on subsequent play-throughs. The first Ethan chapter sounds like a tutorial mode, so as long as the latter chapters have more meaningful things to do, this should be a great experience.
I've been playing Dragon Age and it seems like I have barely had a decent scrap in the first 7 hours. However, the story is very deep and enjoyable, making the whole experience far more absorbing than it should be. I'm loving it so far.
What I am trying to say is that the most memorable portions of the game are the dialogue trees and the choices that you make. The section with Connor (the possessed child) had a really tough choice to make and turned out to be my favourite part of the game so far.
That's why I am really looking forward to Heavy Rain. I'm getting to old for shooters nowadays and haven't got the time to spend hours online, so these types of games are so important in keeping me interested in gaming. A game that makes me think, if you know what I mean.
Not really bothered about it getting off to a slow start, although that may start to grind on subsequent play-throughs. The first Ethan chapter sounds like a tutorial mode, so as long as the latter chapters have more meaningful things to do, this should be a great experience.
I've been playing Dragon Age and it seems like I have barely had a decent scrap in the first 7 hours. However, the story is very deep and enjoyable, making the whole experience far more absorbing than it should be. I'm loving it so far.
What I am trying to say is that the most memorable portions of the game are the dialogue trees and the choices that you make. The section with Connor (the possessed child) had a really tough choice to make and turned out to be my favourite part of the game so far.
That's why I am really looking forward to Heavy Rain. I'm getting to old for shooters nowadays and haven't got the time to spend hours online, so these types of games are so important in keeping me interested in gaming. A game that makes me think, if you know what I mean.
I know what you mean and agree, apart from the getting old for shooters part! Since Shenmue, I've always looked out for games that do things differently. That's why I hope this game does well, so developers aren't put off on delivering these experiences and Sega will see fit to making Shenmue 3!
I think you'll be able to count the seconds till this hits the bargain bin. shame as its probably making some great advances in storytelling & gameplay. I just dont think people like this restricted amount of control or having a "simon says" control system.
"Unlike in Shenmue though, failing to hit a gesture in time doesn't mean failure and the need to start again."
Actualy if you missed the 1st QTE in most of Shenmues instances you would get a second and sometimes a third chance. Wonder if Mike Jackson even made it out of Yamanose. Probably couldn't get past the cute kitten or the capsule machine.
Just another example of someone who hasn't properly played or understood Shenmue criticising it. Shame on you MJ. Chamon mike foxtrot.
I don't think i've played a bad quantic dream game. they've always been ambitious and had interesting plots and characters.
If Heavy Rain delivers half what they promised i'll be more than pleased. An actually Mature game that places plot and character development over mindless action and explosions. Yes please!
"Unlike in Shenmue though, failing to hit a gesture in time doesn't mean failure and the need to start again."
Actualy if you missed the 1st QTE in most of Shenmues instances you would get a second and sometimes a third chance. Wonder if Mike Jackson even made it out of Yamanose. Probably couldn't get past the cute kitten or the capsule machine.
Just another example of someone who hasn't properly played or understood Shenmue criticising it. Shame on you MJ. Chamon mike foxtrot.
Not really bothered about it getting off to a slow start, although that may start to grind on subsequent play-throughs. The first Ethan chapter sounds like a tutorial mode, so as long as the latter chapters have more meaningful things to do, this should be a great experience.
I've been playing Dragon Age and it seems like I have barely had a decent scrap in the first 7 hours. However, the story is very deep and enjoyable, making the whole experience far more absorbing than it should be. I'm loving it so far.
What I am trying to say is that the most memorable portions of the game are the dialogue trees and the choices that you make. The section with Connor (the possessed child) had a really tough choice to make and turned out to be my favourite part of the game so far.
That's why I am really looking forward to Heavy Rain. I'm getting to old for shooters nowadays and haven't got the time to spend hours online, so these types of games are so important in keeping me interested in gaming. A game that makes me think, if you know what I mean.
I know what you mean and agree, apart from the getting old for shooters part! Since Shenmue, I've always looked out for games that do things differently. That's why I hope this game does well, so developers aren't put off on delivering these experiences and Sega will see fit to making Shenmue 3!
This game has my money so far.
Well, I don't know how old you are, but I am 36 now and my skill at shooters has dwindled - partly because I don't spend a lot of time online with them anymore.
Also, Shemnue is probably the reason why I am interested in Heavy Rain. The most memorable parts of that classic were the most mundane (book stacking and using a fork-lift truck, for example) of tasks, that shouldn't have suited the game, but just did.
I think those tasks gave you respect for the character in a way. Book stacking certainly gave me respect for librarians, that's for sure!
Its simple ...if you want to shoot guns...put your FPS of choice in and away you go,...if you fancy a drive likewise...an adventure...again press the button and put another disc in..
If you want to play something a bit calmer, more story driven then put this on..simple really isn't it
I think its a lovely idea ..even if it's not executed well, at least they had a go..and you never know it might give other devs ideas and spawn some fresher ways to make games...ive played for 25 years now..its getting a bit samey in some respects i think so good on ya guys
I'm still on the fence about this one, but that write-up made me really WANT to want it. I hate QTEs but understand that to fully get a sequence going the way the devs intended you do need them.
But the fact that it feels like you're being slotted into a character and made to take part in their world while life continues whether you're ready for it or not - that really appeals to me. Especially if you know what's coming (with the minor spoilers in this article). You do it without any real attachment, trying to pry the last few precious seconds out of each relationship. Clever.
I'm sure they said there's not going to be a demo, but I'm really hoping there is. Because I still don't know if this is going to appeal to the part of me that feels guilty about getting quite involved with The Sims or if it's going to bore me to death just walking between sequence triggering points in the map.
This is one of the games I bought the PS3 for, and I'm liking how it sounds.
Obviously some people aren't going to like it because they can't blow stuff up every five seconds, so they can stick to moronic crap like MW2 while I enjoy an intelligent, character driven plot.
I'm still on the fence about this one, but that write-up made me really WANT to want it. I hate QTEs but understand that to fully get a sequence going the way the devs intended you do need them.
But the fact that it feels like you're being slotted into a character and made to take part in their world while life continues whether you're ready for it or not - that really appeals to me. Especially if you know what's coming (with the minor spoilers in this article). You do it without any real attachment, trying to pry the last few precious seconds out of each relationship. Clever.
I'm sure they said there's not going to be a demo, but I'm really hoping there is. Because I still don't know if this is going to appeal to the part of me that feels guilty about getting quite involved with The Sims or if it's going to bore me to death just walking between sequence triggering points in the map.
I don't think we'll know for sure until the reviews clear any doubts. I just pray that it lives up to my own expectations (which are fairly high after reading the developers thoughts) and sells well enough to form a sub-genre of its own.
I'd be chuffed to bits if other companies decided to have a go at creating their own story-driven games. There are so many possibilities if it proves popular enough. That's why there is so much pressure on QD to deliver the goods.
I'd particularly love to see a Fighting Fantasy (Ian Jackson and Steve Livingstone) style series evolve from this type of gameplay - with added RPG style combat. That would be awesome.
I'd be happy to play a full RPG that has this level of character development and freedom of actions. I love Mass Effect, but it'd be even more amazing if you touched everyone you met (easy now!) and they also had an effect on some future part of your story.
As I said, I really want to like it. I really hope they don't disappoint.
I'd be happy to play a full RPG that has this level of character development and freedom of actions. I love Mass Effect, but it'd be even more amazing if you touched everyone you met (easy now!) and they also had an effect on some future part of your story.
As I said, I really want to like it. I really hope they don't disappoint.
I think that's all we can hope for at the moment. I don't think any previews will suffice, especially when they only cover 11 of the 60 or so scenario's from the full game. We need to know, not necessarily the story, but how all the choices you make affect the later parts.
Man Heavy Rain looks awesome. I always love it when a game like this comes along. A different approach is always great. Loved Nomad Soul, loved Fahrenheit and I loved Shenmue.
My most anticipated game at the moment. Everything I've seen so far makes me want it more.
Never saw what everyone has againts QTE's. I agree that they are largely overused now but when they are used properly I have no quarrel's with them.
Since this is a "movie" game, I think we may see more close-ups. Will probably get a ton of uncanny valley feedback. Heard there are some issues with the voice acting of the young father (Not real enough), hope they change it. Otherwise, the game will feel fake and awkward, like watching a bad movie. I really want this game to be something fantastic and great fun and and... but from the vid it gets really close to being just a new generation of Dragons Lair.
So I need to see how open the game is. e.g., When the guy walked down the stairs at the beginning, could he leave the house right away to explore other areas? The path may be not opened at the beginning as the game needs to fill me in on the context, but I am thinking in the general case. If I understand the mechanism correctly, even when a key event pops up, we should be able to move the character (where the game permits), and alternate options/events may appear. e.g., run out the door?
So we may not be restricted by the specific designated key event like regular QTE's - but in my mind at least, I have already decided to let the fat detective die as early as possible! Additionally, most of the previews seem positive so far, but I have to wonder how advanced their build was. In the Sony betas I tried, there were quite a few rough edges to patch. So the previewers wouldn't comment on those work-in-progress details. We may still get some nasty surprises if they don't have time to fix everything.
i love the idea of living different peoples lives and doing normal things and what a great story this could be very excited and will defo be buying a PS3 for this!
@Chris W It's possible that it's scripted so that you can't leave the defined area. So you'll maybe get to the front door, open it and confront the attacker there rather than somewhere else in the house.
The game will be designed to direct you to the sequences that it wants you to see, otherwise you could end up missing half of the events.
I had to sign in for the first time in over two years just to comment on the lies that Mr.Jackson here is spreading.
Now, i can't comment on those other scenes,but, i've played the scene with Scott shelby and the prostitute/Troy multiple times.
In regards to Mike saying he couldn't find indication that your actions affected the scene is pure Bulls**t.
You could either..
A) Just casually walk away when you hear her scream after troy walks in.Perhaps she dies, and she can't call you and give you info.That right there is one drastic outcome by your choices.
B) Enter the room, fight the man, win and after him say something to the affect of "I'll see you again, i promise" as he runs off.
Obviously, you'll encounter him again, perhaps, he'll have a gun or a gang with him.Who knows, it's just another drastic outcome by your actions..
C) You can do what Mike did, get your ass kicked and spread lies on the internet.
It's fools like this guy with his immature "Best shower scene EVER" nonsense that i left CVG. Goodbye again, maybe i'll post again in another few years.
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