Heavy Rain

[ElPresidente]

It got bugger all attention at E3 but here is the tech demo (http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/adventure/heavyrain/media.html) for Quantic Dream's (Fahrenheit, Ominkron: The Nomad Soul) upcoming PS3 adventure Heavy Rain.

Self shadowing isn't on for this demo so expect some improvements to the graphics. The tears in particular impressed me.

More info here (http://www.quanticdream.com/pages/frameset_index.php?lg=us)

[tau]

yeah.... i saw that on gamespot. it really impressed me. it's strange how there was no thread on it until now.

I can't wait to see what they do with this engine.

[bradlaw]

its pretty cool she should have shot her self lol..................
even thought she was using her hand in the end!

[UC1]

free hd video (http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?fs=1&id=2717)

[TrinityJayOne]

Very nice indeed. Any word on what the game is actually about, or what it really is?

[ElPresidente]

Keep in mind the name of the game is actually Heavy Rain... I accidentally typed Hard Rain into the title and it won't let me change it. :(

As for the gamestyle I'm expecting it will be similar to Fahrenheit... hopefully without cocking up the final half of the story though. ;)

[Lazlow]

As for the gamestyle I'm expecting it will be similar to Fahrenheit... hopefully without cocking up the final half of the story though.

Agreed.

Also I'd like to see more variable gameplay than Fahrenheit. None of this "I haven't found the knife, I can't leave BS" >_>

[TrinityJayOne]

I haven't played Fahrenheit, care to fill me in? Also I highly recommend the link Ultracrazy1 gave, tis very nice quality. Pep for you!

[gaselite]

Body animations, lighting, backgrounds and camera work were all extremely impressive

Facial animations and lip synching need some work.

[SOX]

Lip synching needs heaps of work, I couldn't tell if they were deliberately trying to make her look slow or not til about half way through, but I'm sure things like this will be fixed before release.

[Space_Monkey]

I picked this up from IGN a little while back. I thought it was just a tech demo, looking foward to seeing more, I thought she looked a little fake though.

[/backslash]

Actual gameplay footage!

akNbviQfddI

Looks like its going to play out similar to 'Fahrenheit' with quick-time events where you have to press the buttons in time. I'll be buying this for sure :D

[Adios]

Fahrenheit was one of the best experiences I had with a video game last generation so I can't wait for this :D

[Shorty]

Here's the HD version (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38635.html) on GameTrailers. Looks kinda cool, though I'm usually not a fan of quick time events.

[Lazlow]

Yeah Fahrenheit was okay, but its abundance of QTEs and faux-divergance (plus shit story) soured it all somewhat.

QTEs have been done to death, and if this game plays much like Fahrenheit, its going to get savaged.

[Tonez]

Definitely looks like it will play similar to Fahrenheit. I enjoyed that game but after a while it just became trial and error. I didn't mind the story at first, in fact I loved it but than it just went all weird.

[Ashmaran]

Hmm I expected it to look more impressive and Fahrenheit made me completely sick of that QTE shit.

Not as excited as I was before.

[Conky]

So you just press the corresponding button when it shows it on screen.

Thats gay.

[Nic Xtreme]

Golly gee, that looks brilliant. If it's anything like what I played of Fahrenheit, with it's not-too-punishingly-annoying QTEs (this one integrates them better), and its brilliant conversation options, I can't wait for it!

[Natrak]

Definitely looking forward to this, particularly if it fixes the problems Fahrenheit had, which in spite of its flaws contains some of my favourite memories...there really is nothing else quite like it.

[Tukenstein]

So you just press the corresponding button when it shows it on screen.

Thats gay.

Unlike pretty much every other QTE in existence, though, the one's in Fahrenheit (and from the looks of things, Heavy Rain too) often corresponded to what was happening on screen. It's nothing huge, but it made the QTE's feel more involving then most others.

Also, as long as they keep the retarded-Fahrenheit-story-twists from coming anywhere near Heavy Rain, I know I'm going to adore it regardless of whether it has poopy gameplay or not.

Actually, I'll probably love it even if it does veer into retarded story territory. >_>

[Lazlow]

Problem I had with Fahrenheit's QTEs though, was the button prompts covered nearly the the entire damn screen, so you never really got to take in what Lucas was actually doing. I can't say I really felt involved. Not as much as say God of War.

I have been hanging out for this though, being a starved of more lateral adventure games. But Alan Wake is definitely higher up on my anticipation list.

[/backslash]

Problem I had with Fahrenheit's QTEs though, was the button prompts covered nearly the the entire damn screen, so you never really got to take in what Lucas was actually doing. I can't say I really felt involved. Not as much as say God of War.
Didn't the game have movie clips you can view later on without the button prompts?

I didn't mind the QTE too much once I used a USB gamepad instead of keyboard+mouse controls (which were almost impossible to use)

[Lazlow]

O_o

I completed the game with keyboard mouse. Never had and issue, the QTEs were handled entirely by the numpad.

Didn't the game have movie clip you can view later on without the button prompts?


Kind of defeats the purpose though, to go through again, just to see what got missed.

[Tukenstein]

Well, I don't remember having any issues watching the clips while doing the QTE's. >_>

[UKG.]

Reminds me of a next gen Shemue mixed with Resident evilish.

[/backslash]

CfONB5kDNkY

The background is really 'eye-catching' ;) They say the interface will be changed (but not the QTEs) and the game will be due out late 2009

[Tukenstein]

Baaaaaw. The Aussie release schedule had it listed for October (I think >_>) this year sometime. :(

[Creedy]

30 minute public presentation for Heavy Rain.

http://www.gamekyo.com/videoen13497_heavy-rain-public-presentation-video-mirror.html

Gimme gimme adventure gaming!!!

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Adventure gaming? This game looks too ****ing ordinary.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Adventure gaming? This game looks too ****ing ordinary.

After hearing Shane give this game big raps on an episode of 1up yours my opinion of it changed dramatically.

I hope everyone is wearing their excited pants because we are apparently getting new footage of this on next weeks GTTV (21/5).

[SpearrO]

Great! Man, when it rains it pours alright! No pun intended :o

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

The rain is going to be melting your ****ing face at E3

[Space_Monkey]

Bout' time there was some new news on this game!

I thought it had been abandoned.

Bring on Adventure Gaming Goodness!

[Creedy]

I'm hoping it's kind of similar to Still Life.

[Lazlow]

In what capacity? From everything I've read, it'll play just like Fahrenheit.

Adventure gaming? This game looks too ****ing ordinary.

lolnub!

[Creedy]

It plays very differently to Fahrenheit actually. I hope you get to investigate murder scenes and stuff like that.

[Shorty]

It plays very differently to Fahrenheit actually. I hope you get to investigate murder scenes and stuff like that.

"Those clouds are dark. Looks like we're getting some..."

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/tv/horatio460.jpg

"...Heavy Rain."

YEAAAAAAHHHH!

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

"Those clouds are dark. Looks like we're getting some..."

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/tv/horatio460.jpg

"...Heavy Rain."

YEAAAAAAHHHH!

tHIS GAME JUST GOT A LOT MORE INTERESTING

[Lazlow]

It plays very differently to Fahrenheit actually. I hope you get to investigate murder scenes and stuff like that.


Differently how? From what I can tell it uses a similar control system to that of Fahrenheit; perform specific stick actions when prompted.

[Creedy]

Looks like we'll see more of this on May 26th.
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009/05/17/playstation-around-the-web-what-we-read-48/#comment-219977

Lazlow, Fahrenheit had two forms of gameplay, the more adventure like sections followed by the influx of QTE's. From what I understand Heavy Rain will have QTE's too but it's much more open ended then any other game before it. I think it has something to do with making your character look towards the object they want to interact with and so you have many different choices during these scenes.

[Lazlow]

I think its universally agreed that Quantic were essentially building upon what they made with Fahrenheit; they weren’t going to reinvent the wheel. Which is why I say its going to play largely the same as Fahrenheit. Some QTE tweaking doesn’t really change matters much.

I’m also highly sceptical of Quantic’s own marketing speak. Fahrenheit was initially marketed as an episodic adventure with a free and divergent story; heavily implying a strong emphasis on cause and effect.

This is certainly not what eventuated. the whole mental stability bar - whilst not wholly original - was a nice idea that I felt was poorly executed.

[Adios]

Heavy Rain is easily around the top of my most anticipated list of games. All the little tidbits of info we've heard and the videos we've seen all look fantastic.

[Creedy]

ummmmmmmmmm
Is this really meant to be in-game?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/Creedy/HR1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/Creedy/HR2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/Creedy/HR3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/Creedy/HR4.jpg

Much bigger versions here.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=15929788&postcount=213

[Lex]

probably, considering there won't be much else going on on-screen. why is everyone getting a hard-on for this again? oh right, sony fanboys actually believed what sony spouted about the hardware, and need to justify it.

[Creedy]

David Cage has already said there will be scenes with crowded spaces.
Why are you even in the Sony forum when you don't want the console?

[Lex]

to piss dumbshit fanboys off.

[Lazlow]

probably, considering there won't be much else going on on-screen. why is everyone getting a hard-on for this again? oh right, sony fanboys actually believed what sony spouted about the hardware, and need to justify it.

Whilst I'm also annoyed by the massive hard on Creedy has for eye candy (as it was also the first thing he commented on with the Trico footage, and Killzone 2... and pretty much every game that gets previewed), conceptually Fahrenheit showed a lot of promise and circumstance lead to a rushed product (hence the first part being a great game, and the last part going completely batshit loco off the deep end).

I'm hoping that they realise the potential of their ideas and deliver on their promise of a completely divergent adventure title, a game where cause and effect actually plays a heavy role in the progression of the narrative.

This is basically the game that decides whether I bother with a PS3 or not. Unless there's word of a PC port some 6 months down the track.

[Creedy]

Whilst I'm also annoyed by the massive hard on Creedy has for eye candy (as it was also the first thing he commented on with the Trico footage

orly?


It's apparently year old test footage so I think it may be real.
HURRY THE **** UP if it is real! lol
Game looks to be unreal if you ask me.

That video is old? I think it just got leaked now.

DAMN I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS!!!!
The platforming is going to be great in this game.

[Lazlow]

Firstly the first comment I saw in Trico thread from you was:

The video is certainly all real time, certainly hope this is at E3.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

Secondly, even the one you posted above only comments on the games apprearance.

This is neither here nor there though and has no bearing on Heavy Rain, so let's not drag the thread down further. You are a graphics whore, have been for a long time, and nothing you can do will convince me of otherwise.

[Creedy]

I'm a graphics whore but I had the inferior console last gen?
uhuh

I'm excited about and love games like Disgaea, Earth Defence Force and Cross Edge, yep they are graphical marvels.

[Nic Xtreme]

Totally can't wait for this. As long as it has sexy weather effects (in both sound and visuals), tells a great story and has an effective atmosphere, I'll be happy.

[Creedy]

New pics of Heavy Rain, linked to GAF as I'm capped and it would take me forever to Photobucket the images.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=15950520&postcount=305


*EDIT*
Someone translated some of a foreign website with a Heavy Rain article. More to come I guess.


"Four main playable characters: Ethan Mars, Scott Shelby, Madison Paige and Norman Jayden. Each one featuring different exclusive scenes, character backgrounds, abilities, personality, will be witness to different events and will share his/her own views on what's going on to build the story for the player.

FBI agent Norman Jayde was shown here, his job being the making of criminal psychological profiles. He was sent to the West Coast to investigate the Origami Killer case as backup since it's been months and the police still doesn't have a friggin clue. This already adds a tense relationship between him and the police that'll impact the storyline. He's been trained in psychological studies, able to dwelve into the killers' mind. He's highly professional and organized, but obsessed to the point he'd do anything to catch his man.

Jayden uses a prototype device: the ARI (Alternate Reality Interface), comprised of a pair of glasses and a glove linked together. The glasses are capable of detecting fingerprints, ADN remnants, blood trails and such that'd normally be invisible to the human eye. The glove allows for inmediate analysis of the substances bypassing the wait for lab results."

*EDIT 2*

"Seems like Jayden's main weakness is his drug addiction. If he spends too long without a dose of Tryptocaine he will manifest abstinence syndrome in the form of convulsions, dizzyness, blurry vision and overall incapacitation that could be fatal in some situations. The player will have to juggle between following the killer's track and hiding this addiction."

"Old interface has been discarded, now the context sensitive actions appear around the character as he moves around the environment - basically they come up as "ideas" on what to do. The speed these prompts move at, font size and such are relative to the character's emotional status. i.e: if he's calm, they'll move slowly, if he's under pressure they'll be fast and if he's drugged they'll appear blurry, nigh-unreadable. Dialogs use the same system."

*EDIT 3*

"In the gameplay demo, the player walks through the junkyard to face Macjack, who happens to be smashing cars with a shovel. [Praise on facial animation, texture work, lighting and script] He proceeds to interrogate the guy, who feigns ignorance, eventually assuming a hostile stance and leaving the scene. Alone now, Jayden enters storage and turns on the ARI (screen filters to a VR-like bluish tint), revealing ADN traces on the floor. Scanning reveals it to be floor and also confirms a car paint match. Further investigation takes the player to an acid pool containing human remnants. At this point a magnum revolver meets Jayden's head, music starts and QTE ensues. Successfully pulling it off lets you turn the tides agains Macjack, and the game lets you continue interrogating him in a much more direct manner. Unfortunately, right when the arrest is taking place, Hayden suffers from abstinence and needs to take a pill from his pocket (via QTE). They fail, though, so Hayden faints and awakes inside of his car right as a crane is crushing it, so he has to escape and fight the suspect to death."

[Antwandemarco]

sounds rad

[Second]

Video's on Kotaku:
http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/05/finally-some-heavy-rain-gameplay-footage/

[SOX]

Sounds ****ing stupid. Can you run over Microsoft once you upgrade and get the better treads? if no, then ty u very much and i'm gunna play some halos

[Slippery]

Not impressed - there was almost no emotion from the characters and you defeat the guy by not getting killed? Meh

[Blob]

Looks to be all quicktime events from every video they show. Surely sony knows thats not going to impress people. Proper gameplay footage first please (if there is any).

[Second]

(semi-)Interactive Movie.

[Lazlow]

It… looks a lot like Indigo Prophecy to me

Heh, called it (ftr Indigo Prophecy = Fahrenheit)

Basically if you liked Fahrenheit, you'll like this. If you hated Fahrenheit, you'll hate this.

If you hate QTE's you'll really hate this.

[drzaius]

what the hell?
i know the video is bad quality/tiny etc but the graphics look pretty average considering all the hype.

[Second]

Heh, called it (ftr Indigo Prophecy = Fahrenheit)

Basically if you liked Fahrenheit, you'll like this. If you hated Fahrenheit, you'll hate this.

If you hate QTE's you'll really hate this.

I've been wanting to try Fahrenheit, but I hear the latter half of the game just falls to shit.

[Lazlow]

Yeah the story goes a bit bonkers. It was originally going to be released in episodic portions, but somewhere along the way plans changed and the whole thing was rushed to completion.

There's still a good half a game in there and that'll give you taste of what these games are all about.

[Bronze]

I've been wanting to try Fahrenheit, but I hear the latter half of the game just falls to shit.

Depends on how you play it, I guess. I ended up with a necrophilia scene in a train carriage then a pretty average, run-of-the-mill conclusion.

I believe there's many different paths that the game can take depending on your actions through the storyline, so your ending would probably differ from the one I got.

I'm looking forward to Heavy Rain. I really enjoyed Farenheit's cinematic presentation and bizarre storyline, and having read Eurogamer's hands-on, it looks like Heavy Rain will be an evolution of that.

[Creedy]

I haven't seen the video yet as I'm capped.
Apparently they showed off the action elements but not the usual adventure style gameplay. They seemed to have wanted to show off their new contextual none QTE style of gameplay.
Quick decisions based on where your looking etc, seriously though didn't people see the other video involving the taxidermist?

[Lazlow]

This essentially sums up what's wrong with Fahrenheit:

For about two thrids of the game, everything is rock solid, it plays well, has an excellent story and some wonderful standout scenes. But in the last third of the game, I just don't know what happend, it's as if the remainder of the game's plot was hastily written down one lunch time at the pub, shortly after seeing the Matrix ten times in a row.


There are 2 points in the game (both right at the end), where the outcome of you action directs the narrative to a specific ending, of which there are 3.

[Second]

Depends on how you play it, I guess. I ended up with a necrophilia scene in a train carriage then a pretty average, run-of-the-mill conclusion.

I believe there's many different paths that the game can take depending on your actions through the storyline, so your ending would probably differ from the one I got.Well, you just sold me.

[Blob]

what the hell?
i know the video is bad quality/tiny etc but the graphics look pretty average considering all the hype.

Agreed.
This game like the Conduit has their respective console fanboys clamoring for no real reason. The game could turn out to be utter tripe yet its already been giving the mindset after two QTE videos that its going to be a 10/10 game. I dont quite get it to be honest :/

[Second]

The game has got a lot to live up to. I mean, seriously, how can you beat a necrophilia scene in a train carriage?!

[lex3191]

Yeah the story goes a bit bonkers. It was originally going to be released in episodic portions, but somewhere along the way plans changed and the whole thing was rushed to completion.

There's still a good half a game in there and that'll give you taste of what these games are all about.

i worked as a games tester for atari, and we worked as testers on indigo prophecy. we spent a long time testing it, probably close to a year. man was i sick of that game by the end of it. i agree it goes off the rails by the end.

watching the gametrailers videos of heavy rain, the game looks, great kinda interested, but QTE for me does not make for engaging gameplay. it sucked in res5. in this however when you miss the QTE it doesnt end the game the story just evolves which is better.

[HiredMan]

Looks like Heavy Rain has been delayed until 2010 (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/heavy-rain-delayed-until-2010)

[/backslash]

Looks like Heavy Rain has been delayed until 2010 (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/heavy-rain-delayed-until-2010)
Fudge :( Sounds about right though, Heavy Rain still looks incomplete at this stage

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I think 2010 may actually be the new year of the ps3

[/backslash]

What else is coming out in 2010? Uncharted 2 & FF13?

[Lazlow]

GT5 (maybe :p )

[/backslash]

Psh, yeah right :p Luckily I don't care about that game

[Tonez]

Finally watched the video and I think Laz was spot on.

Anyone hoping this game is anything about Farenheit with prettier graphics is going to be disappointed.

Luckily I enjoyed Farenheit so I will more then likely love this. The best part of Farenheit was the story (well the first 3/4 or so) so if they can keep the same mature storyline regarding this serial killer I'll be sold.

EDIT: I also watched the GTTV exclusive thing and I'm a little worried this will even make it to Australia. The producer has promised nudity and sex scenes.

[Second]

... Necro sex scenes?!

[Lazlow]

TBH, it was pretty shit.

[Tonez]

TBH, it was pretty shit.

What was? The story or the necro sex scene?

[Lazlow]

All the sex really, awkward stilted attempts at tenderness. Pure OMG MATURITY moments that really didn't work.

[T Strife]

Yeah, but just how often is sex mature in real life? ;)

[Lazlow]

I think its more the fact it was a little desperate. There are more ways to convey affection than with a superlfuous bonking mini-game.

[Second]

THE SEX WAS A MINI-GAME?!

Jesus Christ. I'm totally going to get the game.

[Tonez]

THE SEX WAS A MINI-GAME?!

Jesus Christ. I'm totally going to get the game.

hahaha Yeah dude. You had to control his rhythm.

[T Strife]

It was awesome. You pushed up on the analogue stick. Then you did it again, and again, and again...

But it was sex!

[Lazlow]

Seriously Ruda, just d/l hentai games. They're better.

[Slippery]

EDIT: I also watched the GTTV exclusive thing and I'm a little worried this will even make it to Australia. The producer has promised nudity and sex scenes.

PS3 = imports, OFLC don't scare me

[Lazlow]

Customs might though if they wisen up to people importing prohibited material. (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2008/07/games_refused_classification_are_prohibited_goods_ will_be_confiscated/)

[McChimp]

Nooooooooo! I pray to god they don't!

[Blob]

Never heard of customs seizing games although I knew they technically could. I dont think they even checked the packages ive recieved from overseas.

[Lazlow]

I've had two packages inspected; a legit DVD from Hong Kong and my Neo Geo from Japan

[Blob]

I've had two packages inspected; a legit DVD from Hong Kong and my Neo Geo from Japan

Mmm. Well ive got a few banned games here and if they have checked the packages theyve never noticed that it shouldnt go through.

[Second]

Seriously Ruda, just d/l hentai games. They're better.

I'm not Stormin, so I think I'll pass. :P

[Lazlow]

Mmm. Well ive got a few banned games here and if they have checked the packages theyve never noticed that it shouldnt go through.


Heh, I have both Blitz The League games :D

Don't get me wrong, its not like they're suddenly going to crack down on it; they need due cause to open a package, and 99.9% of game/dvd imports would look inconspicuous in the mail.

But like the article said, its still a risk.

[Tonez]

Heh, I have both Blitz The League games :D

Don't get me wrong, its not like they're suddenly going to crack down on it; they need due cause to open a package, and 99.9% of game/dvd imports would look inconspicuous in the mail.

But like the article said, its still a risk.

Also you've got to think with a high-profile release like Heavy Rain (if it got RC), they would be more vigilant in looking, especially if the package comes from Play-Asia or something.

[Lazlow]

I dunno, GTA4 was pretty high profile, and I got one form Play Asia just fine >_>

[Tonez]

I dunno, GTA4 was pretty high profile, and I got one form Play Asia just fine >_>

WHATEVER LAZLOW :p

[borgster101]

Well Fahernheit was rated MA15 in Australia and it wasn't censored (i.e. full sex scenes) whereas the US version was.

Sexual content seems to be more of an issue in the US, but they can get all the violence they want .. it's usually violence or "sexual violence" that gets the OFLC with its ban hammer.

[Shorty]

If they tried hard enough, they could catch it under the "nudity and sex being related to game rewards" clause so if you need to bang someone to proceed in the game they could RC it for that reason. Which would the kind of silliness we've come to expect, really.

[borgster101]

Potentially .. there's not enough consistency in their rulings to conduct any sort of reliable analysis on the OFLC's behavior :p

[Creedy]

Demonstration part 1
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-heavy-rain/50415

Demonstration part 2
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-heavy-rain/50413?type=flv

Demonstration part 3
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-heavy-rain/50411

Demonstration part 4
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-heavy-rain/50409

Deonstration part 5
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-heavy-rain/50407?type=flv

[Manny M]

This game is looking great. Just decided to look at some of the new GC 09 trailers and it looks like a rich story.

Another thing to look forward to buying a PS3 slim (at this point it was only GoW III).

[McChimp]

ONLY thing?? C'mon. Take a look at the back-catalogue of exclusives: MGS4, Uncharted, Little Big Planet, INfamous, Ghostbusters (for the time-being), um........there's probably a few more. lol.

I LOVE the GoW games, but I'm not as buzzed about GoW 3 as I thought I'd be. That said, I'm a big fan of Cage's (dating back to Omikron) and think, even if there's some haters of his style out there, his team's games are worth getting excited about.

[Manny M]

Not to de-rail, but out of your list, Uncharted and Infamous do entice. Can't think of much more. We can take this to the PS3 gen thread... I had another whinge there. :P Convince me.

[ElPresidente]

ONLY thing?? C'mon. Take a look at the back-catalogue of exclusives: MGS4, Uncharted, Little Big Planet, INfamous, Ghostbusters (for the time-being), um........there's probably a few more. lol.

I LOVE the GoW games, but I'm not as buzzed about GoW 3 as I thought I'd be. That said, I'm a big fan of Cage's (dating back to Omikron) and think, even if there's some haters of his style out there, his team's games are worth getting excited about.

There is a special level of Hell reserved for people who don't like David Cage. :D

[nkbswe5]

Bring back love for this game!

Box Art:

Euro
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g169/nkbswe5/heavyrain.jpg

Not Euro
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g169/nkbswe5/51J7qYd1vuL.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g169/nkbswe5/270389_lback.jpg

[Campdog]

I haven't seen those yet. The Euro one looks better imo.

Looking forward to this one :)

[Creedy]

I want to learn more about this one, apparently some embargo lifts tomorrow so we should get some new info.

[Australian Ninja]

Heh, I have both Blitz The League games :D

Don't get me wrong, its not like they're suddenly going to crack down on it; they need due cause to open a package, and 99.9% of game/dvd imports would look inconspicuous in the mail.

But like the article said, its still a risk.

Yeah, of all the crap I've ordered in recent years I've only ever had one package be checked by customs, one from HK (a game)

[Australian Ninja]

David Cage said in some recent interviews (not in these words) that unlike Fahrenheit, Heavy Rain would not go off the rails in the end quarter, nor would it contain supernatural content (although I'll be interested to see if that part is 100% true).

I'm really looking forward to Heavy Rain, I don't expect it to be a super-great game, but a well made ambitious one that tries out some new ideas.

It's been pretty clear from the start that the emphasis is on story, more than anything else. Granted it gets plenty of press because of the tech involved, but once it's been and gone nobody will really care about that, it's the story and characterisation that will matter in the long run.

Fingers crossed that Quantic Dream learned what they needed to on Fahrenheit then.

I expect many people will be disappointed by Heavy Rain, because of their expectations of
what they want it to be, rather than what it is,
and the stigma attached to QTE's, and developer "promises" (Molyneux Syndrome)

[Lazlow]

IIRC Fahrenheit was initially going to be episodic, but that was scrapped for a full release, therefore the game was rushed to completion.

I just hope Heavy Rain delivers the divergent experience I was expecting from Fahrenheit.

[Campdog]

I just read a new Preview (http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/12/heavy-rain-impressions-an-ambitious-sorrow/) from Kotaku this morning. It got me even more excited about this game!

Its going to be interesting to see how the whole story gets woven together. How each character will interact with each other and how it all comes together but so far I like what ive read and seen.

Cant wait for this one :)

[Stevorooni]

It is sounding pretty amazing, still not keen on the quicktime events though but I suppose it depends on how often they are used

[Lazlow]

If its anything like Fahrenheit, every 5 minutes!

Seriously these games are more akin to an interactive movie, and with Fahrenheit I felt the QTEs was Quantic's attempt at shoving some game in there somewhere.

[Creedy]

People seriously use that sorry excuse for a blog as a news source? Seriously?

The game sounds gewd IMO

http://www.gamersyde.com/news_gamersyde_preview_heavy_rain-8810_en.html

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/heavy-rain-dec-hands-on

[Slippery]

Giant Bomb Heavy Rain hands on preview. (http://www.giantbomb.com/news/a-procedural-downpour-heavy-rain-hands-on/1801/)

[Darren]

We were lucky enough to have hands-on time with Heavy Rain last month. Expect a two-page preview in Hyper 196.

[ElPresidente]

People seriously use that sorry excuse for a blog as a news source? Seriously?

The Australian site. Certainly.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Doesn't the Australian site let any scrub write for them?

[ElPresidente]

I'd hardly call David Wildgoose a scrub. :P

[Creedy]

Don't they just steal all "their news" from other sites like NeoGAF?

[AranchineD]

Yes, so sane minded people don't have to wade through that filth to actually find the news that matters.

[Campdog]

People seriously use that sorry excuse for a blog as a news source? Seriously?

Whats wrong with it? The Australian site has lots of very relevant information to Australia and it gives me a pretty good run down of whats news in gaming. Cant ask for more than that.

Anyways, looking forward to reading that preview ChaoticJack :D

[Creedy]

The problem with it is that they have picked up news from NeoGAF in the past from posters who were just joking around. IGN have done it in the past too and it goes to show that a lot of gaming "journalism" is a massive joke.

[AranchineD]

And I suppose the 99% of the time where they get things right doesn't mean jack shit, right?

[Creedy]

It means they get their news from any old joint and shouldn't be trusted. I'm sick of blogs trying to come off as professional gaming "journalists" when they don't actually do any journalism themselves and just steal from other web sites.

[AranchineD]

And I suppose the 99% of the time where they get things right doesn't mean jack shit, right?

[Lex]

Gonna have to agree with creedy here, slowtaku is a ****ing joke. If you're gonna use a blog, at least use destructoid.

[AranchineD]

Destructoid is exactly the same except it has a bunch of pretty colours as a background and the opinions of some Joe blob trying to tell me what to think.

[Lex]

Hardly. Destructoid have posted far less hilariously inaccurate stories, and are much less likely to shit out a press release as an article. They're both pretty crappy, but slowtaku is terribad.

[Stevorooni]

It means they get their news from any old joint and shouldn't be trusted. I'm sick of blogs trying to come off as professional gaming "journalists" when they don't actually do any journalism themselves and just steal from other web sites.

But that's what I like about Kotaku, they combine news or "news" from various sources so I only have to go to one website to read it all.

[Hyperblau]

People seriously use that sorry excuse for a blog as a news source? Seriously?

The game sounds gewd IMO

Why should we listen to someone who uses the word gewd?

Edit: Have you even read the kotaku preview? It's a very good preview and very well written.

[ElPresidente]

It means they get their news from any old joint and shouldn't be trusted. I'm sick of blogs trying to come off as professional gaming "journalists" when they don't actually do any journalism themselves and just steal from other web sites.

I can't speak for Kotaku US (I don't read it) but one of the people trying to come off as a professional gaming "journalist" on Kotaku AU is the same man who hired both Darren Wells and myself to write for a tiny publication called PC Powerplay all those years back.

I'd consider being more specific than your current blanket commentary is allowing.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Will read Destructoid for the fat brittish guy

[Lazlow]

It means they get their news from any old joint

Ever paid attention to the closing credits of you average 6 O'Clock news service?

I used to be very critical of Kotaku for the very same reason, however I've come to accept that online news is an extremely competitive industry, to quote Ricky Bobby "If you're not first, you're last". Kotaku do at least make sure that if the source is dubious or a story is based on internet rumour, they'll say so. Then its up to the reader to make their own judgements.

[Hyperblau]

Will read Destructoid for the fat brittish guy
I listen to their podcasts for that reason, but I found his review of Assassins creed 2 to be way off the mark.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I don't like the podcast, that fat guy is alright but everyone else is boring as shit.

[Hyperblau]

I think they all work together pretty well, except Samit, god he drones on. Brad Nicholson is gold though.

[Lex]

I can't speak for Kotaku US (I don't read it) but one of the people trying to come off as a professional gaming "journalist" on Kotaku AU is the same man who hired both Darren Wells and myself to write for a tiny publication called PC Powerplay all those years back.

...and?

[Creedy]

So yeah I wonder when the demo for this gets released.

[AranchineD]

Quantic Dream co-CEO Guilaume de Fondaumiere told Kotaku in New York that the game’s Trophy alerts will operate on a delay. That gets the team around the problem of having the little Trophy alert message and accompanying chime interrupt scenes of tense crime-scene investigation or a father’s quiet struggle to get his son to talk to him after a bad day at school. The game will maintain its mood during the important parts by rewarding the gamer with alerts during transitional scenes.

Well now, that actually seems like quite the nice idea. I would probably have all alerts turned off anyway if I was going to play a game like this, but I suppose this really does show that they want to create particular mood in the game and make sure nothing gets in the way of that.

[ElPresidente]

That's always been a defining feature of Quantic Dream for me. Their steadfast refusal to let the standard rules of play define their vision of gaming. Seems such an attitude extends beyond the game itself and into the supporting technology.

Nice. :)

[Creedy]

Video preview that's not in English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkKNYcm_G_0

Another gameplay showing towards the game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpxfvrlLeHI

The graphics are pretty ****ing unbelievable and it's good to get a better understanding of the gameplay.

[Lazlow]

Watched the second video:

- a lot of effort has clearly gone into the facial detail and expressions, to be expected as that was the main emphasis of the initial tech demo. Its definitely impressive in this area.

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2895/shot2h.jpg



- some of the textures and object shapes appear a little rough. Some anomalies popped out at me:

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/622/shot4b.jpghttp://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4086/shot4.jpg

Couldn't decide if the above was a quick focus pull or texture pop in...

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/8678/shot3.jpg

certainly looks rough here.


It appears to play very similar to Fahrenheit, complete with gestures and QTEs for even the most mundane of tasks. Obviously the detective vision (I forget what they call it) is something that's new, I just hope that its not a simple case of following a path with waypoints along the way.

Its still a game I've very keen to get my hands on, Fahrenheit showed so much potential but was ultimately rushed. Heavy Rain has been given a healthy amount of development time, and I like the fact that dying simple shifts the point of view to another character, with the previous character's death altering the narrative.

I just hope there's a bit more game this time around.

[/backslash]

I just hope there's a bit more game this time around.
I get a feeling that's going to be a problem with this game, from what the creator has said & looking at these videos there seems to be heaps of QTEs and little movement

[Lazlow]

About halfway through Fahrenheit I felt that it was essentially a point & click adventure, that didn't want to point & click. I found the whole gesture interface somewhat superfluous, when a simple button push would achieve the same result, it felt unnecessary.

Some might say it aided immersion, but I disagree; the 3rd person perspective by default makes you a witness rather than a participant, where as I felt a lot more synergy with the rock climbing segments in Modern Warfare 2,

[buckstwits]

This game reminds me a lot of the 3D Broken Sword games

[McChimp]

That's always been a defining feature of Quantic Dream for me. Their steadfast refusal to let the standard rules of play define their vision of gaming. Seems such an attitude extends beyond the game itself and into the supporting technology.

Nice. :)

And I think that's the best thing that they can do, because the more 'standard' things they do in their games tend to be the weakest point. I'm thinking the
flashback to childhood scenes in Fahrenheit and the weak 'sneak around, get past the guards' part of the gameplay. They really do seem to excel when they're aiming away from the standard, well-worn path as far as gameplay goes.

[ElPresidente]

Agreed.

A play of Omnikron: The Nomad Soul further rams this point home.

On that subject a sequel is apparently in development by QD. If it comes even close to the brilliance of the original I'll be stoked.

[Creedy]

Another preview.

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/12/its-boring-until-its-not-the-subtle-genius-of-heavy-rain.ars

"The scariest scene I played in a video game this year took place inside a mall, when I was tasked with watching my virtual child in Heavy Rain. The scene that unfolds uses a few tricks to keep you disoriented, and the tension is slowly increased until it's nearly unbearable. The way the action is laid out is hard to describe without spoilers, but the end result is nightmarish, and the pacing makes the outcome feel almost inescapable. This is a game that's going to divide critics, and gamers will find it either the high point of the industry or a complete failure."

[Lazlow]

Dragon's Lair for the new millenium!

[Vindik8or]

Oh god I wish QTEs would die in the arse. They were appropriate 25 years ago, but they weren't even good then. It is such goddamn, lazy game design.

[Lazlow]

At work but couldn't resist skimming through the full write up:

Is this a collection of quick-time events?
That's the most often heard criticism, based on what we've seen of Heavy Rain. Yes, you'll be hitting buttons to interact with onscreen cues, and some movement requires you to move the physical controller, taking advantage of the DualShock 3's motion-sensing abilities. You'll be doing many mundane things: turning lights on and off, cooking dinner, taking a shower. In fact, the first hour of the game seems to exist only to show you how normal your life as an architect and a father is. In that time I did some work, played with my kids, and helped my wife around the house


Having to perform so many mundane tasks will definitely divide people. Some may see it as relationship building between player and character, I see it as unecessary filler. Other games can have you building a bond with your on screen avatar, without requiring your to feed, bathe and clothe them. This ain't The Sims;

The idea behind creating this illusion of "real life" is immersion, and to make these characters feel real and breathing. But we're playing a video game here, and the effect may turn off more players than it draws in.

Fahrenheit had similar moments, but IIRC they were few and far between.

Sony utterly spoiled the gaming world with the voice acting in Uncharted 2. That game is basically the high water mark for voice actors that sound involved, committed, and natural. Heavy Rain, with all its emphasis on this day-to-day nightmare, stumbles in this regard. The characters all feel fully fleshed out, but when they open their mouths the voice acting seems forced, and the rhythms are off. There are multiple vocal tracks, so you can hear them speak in nearly any language you want, but in English they simply don't sound like native speakers. It's barely noticeable in most cases, annoying in others.

For a game that's going to rely so much on emotion to make an impact, this is a big disappointment. There is still time before release to have this tightened up, and I was only able to play a small portion of the game, but from what I saw, this could be a downer for the game.



Damn shame, and certainly could break the game. Hopefully its only prevalent in this sample, and not in the full release.

The way the button presses and movement allow you to interact with your world feels natural after a short time, and it stops seeming like a series of quick-time events almost instantly. You're simply opening an door, and you're moving the analog stick to do so instead of hitting a generic "action" button. Much thought went into these interactions.


This is promising. Given I played Fahrenheit on PC with a mouse/numpad combo, the pad might actually offer a different experience, enhanced by the gyro sensors. From the vision shown I do like the fact that on screen prompts are very unobtrusive, compared to Fahrenheit.

That said, they're still QTEs. QTE's have had their day, its time for developers to start putting some effort into interface design. Its the easy lazy solution to common problem, and they should be avoided. Its about as uninteractive an interactive medium gets.

[Vindik8or]

I don't have a problem with the mundane tasks bit as they seem to intend it, what is problematic is really, what are your chances of failing at any mundane task? Plus QTEs are unrepentant poo.

[Creedy]

Me? I'm excited about the game, I really want to see how the story developes. You must really hate reading that Vindik8or!

[ElPresidente]

I know I do. I hate reading posts playing the victim especially when they are targeted at someone who hadn't mentioned them. But to each their own.

I don't have a problem with the mundane tasks bit as they seem to intend it, what is problematic is really, what are your chances of failing at any mundane task? Plus QTEs are unrepentant poo.

Did you ever give Fahrenheit a go?

For simple stuff you couldn't fail, you just replicated the motion with the controller. The QTE stuff could be failed though but there were not for simple actions.

I completely understand people not liking QTEs but I actually REALLY enjoyed how they were used in Fahrenheit. It gave me a feeling of some participation in sequences that would have otherwise been cut scenes.

Heavy Rain has been on my radar for some time now. I have not disliked any of Quantic Dreams' past titles I can't see that changing with this release.

[Creedy]

IMO the QTE's in Fahrenheit really got on my nerv but I liked the game in the end. That whole room falling apart scene took me for bloody ever!!!

The QTE's in Heavy Rain seem to represent what is happening on screen a lot more than in Fahrenheit.

[Lazlow]

The QTE's in Heavy Rain seem to represent what is happening on screen a lot more than in Fahrenheit.

Only because the on screen prompt is positioned over the active area, its still the same basic system.

[Vindik8or]

Me? I'm excited about the game, I really want to see how the story developes. You must really hate reading that Vindik8or!

Why would the ramblings of an idiot bother me? Though true, I really do hate reading where you can't even spell "develops".

I know I do. I hate reading posts playing the victim especially when they are targeted at someone who hadn't mentioned them. But to each their own.



Did you ever give Fahrenheit a go?

For simple stuff you couldn't fail, you just replicated the motion with the controller. The QTE stuff could be failed though but there were not for simple actions.

I completely understand people not liking QTEs but I actually REALLY enjoyed how they were used in Fahrenheit. It gave me a feeling of some participation in sequences that would have otherwise been cut scenes.

Heavy Rain has been on my radar for some time now. I have not disliked any of Quantic Dreams' past titles I can't see that changing with this release.

I never did play Fahrenheit. Cinematics/FMVs just shouldn't be in games, and cheating them in by making them "interactive" with QTEs is somehow worse: you can't even lose yourself in watching the really expensive DVD, you have to be on the lookout for the ridiculous little pop ups.

Cut-scenes are fine if they are representational and enacted by the player, ie. in the Baldur's Gate series when you rest you get the little camping animation. But other than that, they're just more lazy game design. People bemoan all the time "OH BUT THE STORY", well there's two answers to that. First, you should have a fun game and gameplay mechanics, then worry about the story - the game should not be slave to the story; second, take a leaf from Half-Life 2's book - excellent story, not a single cutscene or break in immersion.

[ElPresidente]

I suggest you give it a shot if you find it cheap anywhere. It really doesn't feel like the way you have described.

[McChimp]

Oh god I wish QTEs would die in the arse. They were appropriate 25 years ago, but they weren't even good then. It is such goddamn, lazy game design.

But you almost can't qualify this as a 'game' in the typical sense. It's almost more like an interactive story/ movie. QTE's aren't my favourite development in gaming history, but used right (and like El Prez said, Fahrenheit did it right for the most part) they can be good within the right style or context.

[Lex]

Vin, I think you should stop talking about games, and actually play some.

[Vindik8or]

Pfft, I've got $3 to my name, a broken computer and no TV. I have a very complex set of criteria and raionalisation for spending money on any game and consequently
there's only been one game I've owned that has disappointed me and I haven't played to death (Scribblenauts). Plus, I'm studying at nerd HQ to be a games designer so it's all part of the process.

But you almost can't qualify this as a 'game' in the typical sense. It's almost more like an interactive story/ movie. QTE's aren't my favourite development in gaming history, but used right (and like El Prez said, Fahrenheit did it right for the most part) they can be good within the right style or context.

If that's your best explanation, you can piss off. This is a gaming forum for gamers. $90 (or whatever) is too steep for a glorified DVD title menu. Besides, what is HL2 if not an "interactive story"?

[Lex]

It scares me that the 2 people on this forum going into making games, don't actually play any. The industry is ****ed.

[Vindik8or]

It scares me that the 2 people on this forum going into making games, don't actually play any. The industry is ****ed.

Hurp a durp, dickhead, based on what? I play loads of games, I just don't buy them so often, and when I do I play them constantly for several years. I don't know who else you're talking about; I can vouch for one other forum member who's doing games design with me who I've done most of my recent gaming with.

[Australian Ninja]

I don't understand why people complain about Fahrenheit and Heavy Rain.
(anyone feel free to elaborate rather than just attack me as this is directed to the general forum, and I have not read this current page when posting)

They pretty much are interactive movies, and similar to the old point click games in their lack of interactivity. Is is just because it's 3rd person that people give the games a hard time?

I mean, it's not like the games were designed to be something else, if you go back and read the interviews and such for both games, you'll get a better feel for what the developers were aiming for. Why complain that a game is what it was intended to be?

Its like saying you throw the basketball too much in a basketball video game and why can't I use guns. Because it's a sports game.
Or if you walk into a country music festival and expect to hear death metal - it's means you have not done your homework imo.

Fahrenheit and Heavy Rain are interactive stories with context sensitive controls, not action games (although they have some action in them)

[Vindik8or]

How bout reaching a logical conclusion before declaring that you've arrived at one?

[Jickle]

The main problem with Farenheit for me wasn't that it was essentially an interactive movie - the problem was that it was an interactive bad movie. Plus there was one sequence I had to do again and again because I wasn't hammering the triggers fast enough.

That said, I hope Heavy Rain isn't as good as it looks because I don't want to have to run out and buy a PS3.

[Lazlow]

FTR, I said the same thing about 1 or 2 pages back... they are akin to interactive movies. Why else would I proclaim it Dragon's Lair for the new millennium.

They pretty much are interactive movies, and similar to the old point click games in their lack of interactivity. Is is just because it's 3rd person that people give the games a hard time?

No its because point & click adventures generally have object and logical (and illogical) puzzle requiring a gamers powers of deduction. Fahrenheit (IIRC, I should probably fire it up again) didn't really feature any of that. The only difference between it and Dragon's Lair was the freedom of movement and superfluous gesture based interface.

This is why I hope Heavy Rain features a little more game.

[Creedy]

**** me dead, Vin wants to be a games designer. It all makes sense now.

[Shorty]

He's not the only one.

[StorminNorman]

I'm really excited about this game. To me, it seems like the first game ever that will deliver on the promise made by Shenmue almost ten years ago.

I think you all know how I feel about Shenmue, so that should give you some idea of how much I want this game.

[Lazlow]

I don't, please elaborate.

I don't get a Shenmue vibe from this, to me Shenmue was a different beast. Heavy Rain looks set to meet the lofty expectation I had for Fahrenheit (ie a truly divergent branching narrative, that shifts and changes depending on the choices you make... even the little ones)

[Creedy]

Isn't Yakuza more like Shenmue whilst Heavy Rain is like an interactive movie?

[Bokracroc]

I don't mind 'Interactive Movie' as long it has a good and interesting story to tell. Fahrenheit's really went to crap and it really suffered for it.

[ElPresidente]

For me there were only two areas in Fahrenheit I didn't enjoy and both are obvious to most who played the game.

The first was the damned stealth sections during the childhood flashbacks. Completely unnecessary and broke with the style the game had set up. Ugly stuff.

The second is super obvious to all - dropping the ball on the story in the third act. Up until then the story had me intrigued, I was invested in the characters and I really wanted to see how it all came together. Then... well... I don't think we need to recount exactly how badly the story was concluded but lets just say any suspension of disbelief was right out the window by this stage. A real shame.

Had these two areas been rectified Fahrenheit may not have been one of the elite but it would be one of my most fondly remembered titles. As it stands the first two thirds can only claim that. :)

If that's your best explanation, you can piss off. This is a gaming forum for gamers. $90 (or whatever) is too steep for a glorified DVD title menu. Besides, what is HL2 if not an "interactive story"?

Arguing from the soapbox of ignorance is rarely a good idea Vin. Doesn't matter how long or how hard you shout down others you still have no idea what you're talking about. :)

Anyway, you're a The Neverhood fan; we're talking similar amounts of 'gameplay' in both (despite obvious stylistic differences and the lack of Terry S. Taylor :D).

I think you all know how I feel about Shenmue, so that should give you some idea of how much I want this game.

Stop dry humping the disc. You'll break the Dreamcast. :)

[nkbswe5]

Stealing from Kotaku again, the US pre-order bonus is a code to download the first episode in the 'Heavy Rain Chronicles' series of add-ons which I didn't even know existed.

PAL though get a Collectors edition, includes episode 1 of the Heavy Rain Chronicles, the game’s soundtrack and a dynamic XMB theme for your PS3. The box is also specially made to make it look like it's been rained on (a "specially embossed" box).

By 'includes episode 1', it means a download coupon. I'd like to see this box though, sounds interesting. And lame. But interesting.

[/backslash]

I bet I could make an even better cover if I used real heavy rain :p

[McChimp]

If that's your best explanation, you can piss off. This is a gaming forum for gamers. $90 (or whatever) is too steep for a glorified DVD title menu. Besides, what is HL2 if not an "interactive story"?

Yeah, I won't be p*ssing off, 'cos I'm one of the gamers on this gaming forum, and believe it or not, I'm a gaming fanatic who just happens to have an interest in MANY games that may not fit your/ other people's opinions of what qualifies as a game. And yeah, it may be $90-$100 to buy said 'glorified DVD menu', but honestly, no one's forcing you to buy it, and people taking an interest in it is hardly going to bring about the downfall of the games industry.

Also, the difference between this and HL2 is that HL2 is a FPS, for chrissakes! It told a decent story, but in an all-too familiar style (Not that I'm knocking it for that). This is probably something closer to interactive fiction, which is something that isn't really utilized outside of freeware and the like.

[Australian Ninja]

FTR, I said the same thing about 1 or 2 pages back... they are akin to interactive movies. Why else would I proclaim it Dragon's Lair for the new millennium.



No its because point & click adventures generally have object and logical (and illogical) puzzle requiring a gamers powers of deduction. Fahrenheit (IIRC, I should probably fire it up again) didn't really feature any of that. The only difference between it and Dragon's Lair was the freedom of movement and superfluous gesture based interface.

This is why I hope Heavy Rain features a little more game.

I only meant the lack of interactvity they had in common, not the puzzle solving. Another poorly written post by me. Why do I even bother? And Lazlow, while I AGREE with you, I don't actually memorise all your posts, but I will consider starting a scrap book, so that I can cross reference all the points made and not risk actrually saying anything in my own way.

I think I need to go cut myself now to feel better.....heehee

Still looking forward to playing Interactive DVD Menu, aka Heavy Rain

And those who don't like that I'm going to enjoy playing a game / dvd menu can go and jump in a river

[Space_Monkey]

I put my pre-order on Heavy Rain SE today.

It's rare when I pay full price for a game but with Heavy Rain I'm so freaking excited I wanted to go the whole nine yards, pre-order, Collectors Box and count the days nervously.

[/backslash]

I put my pre-order on Heavy Rain SE today.

It's rare when I pay full price for a game but with Heavy Rain I'm so freaking excited I wanted to go the whole nine yards, pre-order, Collectors Box and count the days nervously.
Where's the SE from & how much?

edit: Hmm...$104 from Game.com.au

[StorminNorman]

I don't get a Shenmue vibe from this, to me Shenmue was a different beast.

Shenmue's a game about atmosphere. It's a game that requires you to pace yourself and really take in the game world. It doesn't want you to rush through it (although it won't stop you, either). This is why it tended to polarise people. If you didn't really get into that aspect of the game, you probably weren't going to have a very fun experience.

I get the same kind of feeling from the Heavy Rain trailers. This looks to be a game where the mood and the setting are more important than what's actually going on in-game. It looks like it wants you to do the same thing as Shenmue: lose yourself in its world first, then get involved in the story.

Of course, I could be wrong, as I've not actually played the game yet.

As to Yakuza, then yeah, that feeling is there also, but the game's RPG mechanics take you out of it a bit too much.

[Lazlow]

Shenmue allowed you to roam - if Heavy Rain is anything like Fahrenheit, you'll be restricted to confined environments.

[Nic Xtreme]

Shenmue's a game about atmosphere. It's a game that requires you to pace yourself and really take in the game world. It doesn't want you to rush through it (although it won't stop you, either). This is why it tended to polarise people. If you didn't really get into that aspect of the game, you probably weren't going to have a very fun experience.

I get the same kind of feeling from the Heavy Rain trailers. This looks to be a game where the mood and the setting are more important than what's actually going on in-game. It looks like it wants you to do the same thing as Shenmue: lose yourself in its world first, then get involved in the story.

Of course, I could be wrong, as I've not actually played the game yet.

As to Yakuza, then yeah, that feeling is there also, but the game's RPG mechanics take you out of it a bit too much.

That's a great way of looking at Shenmue. The game really does draw its greatness from the mood the way its setting is portrayed - you take your time; you are in Wan-Zai. I can honestly say that the feeling, for me, is truly not there in Yakuza. It might be the perspective - the drawn-out distance of the camera - or the fact that "game" elements poke their head in too often...but it's missing something very important.

On that, I completely on your comparison of Heavy Rain's to Shenmue, those core elements. And I sure as hell can't wait for it.

[Creedy]

The SE in the UK is only available at HMV, a bit annoying but I guess I'll pick up Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 at the same time.

[/backslash]

I picked up the CE version from HMV too, only $77 incl p&h :D And its got Episode 1 of the Heavy Rain Chronicles - The 'Taxidermist' scene on the actual disc itself, not as a coupon for the PSN (like the AU version)

[Australian Ninja]

Shenmue's a game about atmosphere. It's a game that requires you to pace yourself and really take in the game world. It doesn't want you to rush through it (although it won't stop you, either). This is why it tended to polarise people. If you didn't really get into that aspect of the game, you probably weren't going to have a very fun experience.

I get the same kind of feeling from the Heavy Rain trailers. This looks to be a game where the mood and the setting are more important than what's actually going on in-game. It looks like it wants you to do the same thing as Shenmue: lose yourself in its world first, then get involved in the story.

Of course, I could be wrong, as I've not actually played the game yet.

As to Yakuza, then yeah, that feeling is there also, but the game's RPG mechanics take you out of it a bit too much.

Man I hate Yakuza. At least I didn't pay for it though

[borgster101]

Man I hate Yakuza. At least I didn't pay for it though
Come on .. Yakuza is awesome!

So Heavy Rain is out in about a month .. this collector edition what is the local price?

[/backslash]

so heavy rain is out in about a month .. This collector edition what is the local price?
rrp $120

[borgster101]

Not bad I guess, it'll probably be at least $99 for something like JB.

[Creedy]

Never mind, apparently a fake interview.

[/backslash]

Heavy Rain's CE has finally been unveiled

http://home.exetel.com.au/backslashio/heavyrain.jpg

It comes in a fancy gatefold cover, treated to make the textured raindrops appear "real", includes a promo code for the game's DLC, some cute (and bloody) little origami and a big fold-out covered in notes, which in the best case will be helpful solving the game's mysteries, worst case will look nice on the wall of a Heavy Rain fan.

This is what the US standard cover will look like:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51biBRAp2-L._SS400_.jpg

Way to destroy its appearance

[StorminNorman]

Gods I hope we don't get that cover out here.

if Heavy Rain is anything like Fahrenheit, you'll be restricted to confined environments.

That... would be disappointing, and certainly not what I've been getting from the trailers.

Still, it might be awesome in its own way.

[Bokracroc]

EB have stuff up for it, we seem to have the poseur-less cover.

[StorminNorman]

Good. I didn't want another Bayonetta debacle.

[borgster101]

Yeah I'd say we will get the same cover as the UK.

Regarding gameplay, from the videos I have seen it looks like it will be like Fahrenheit suggesting confined environments, but I'm cool with that because I enjoyed Fahrenheit ... the story just went a bit crazy in the second half.

[/backslash]

US cover is only limited to US :)

Also the environments in the game seem to be way more indepth than in Fahrenheit. Before it felt like you were only interactive with certain things but now its almost like everything you could interact with in your normal room

[Lazlow]

That raises the question of being interactive for a purpose or interactive for the sake of being interactive. Sure you could argue the case for immersion but that's kinda ruined from the get go when you make it 3rd person.

[Citizen Erased]

I might give this game rent first since it comes out soo close to Bioshock2.

[T Strife]

Sure you could argue the case for immersion but that's kinda ruined from the get go when you make it 3rd person.

You're making some pretty big assumptions there. I'd personally argue that the lack of a proper sense of tactile corporeality in almost all first-person games (with a few exceptions such as Mirror's Edge and Riddick) automatically dislocates me from the gameworld much more than in games presented from a third-person perspective.

A great many things could be accused as being of their medium of choice for no reason other than they wanted to be. Most stories can adequately be told through the pages of a book, but that doesn't stop people from making movies (wherein I would honestly argue that story is given too great a sense of importance, but that's just getting me further off-topic). The simple fact is that the experience changes with the medium, and this comes with different pros and cons. Sure, Heavy Rain may provide Cage with better control over how the experience is presented as a film, but it'd come at the cost of the (attempted) branching narrative, and - more importantly, if opinion matters at all here - the simple pleasure of having small pockets of time in which to poke around the world that he has created. Far too many people overlook the simple pleasure of being able to wander around the space that a videogame can create.

[Lazlow]

I agree to an extent, but personally 3rd Person essentially displays you playing via proxy, rather than a 1st Person placing you squarely within the game world.

So I agree that the lack of interactivity (or goddamned feet for that matter) in most 1st person games can break the illusion, when its not being broken the effect is far greater than any interactive dollhouse.

I'm not a 3rd Person hater, far from it I love Max Payne and Stranglehold, but having your avatar drink juice or carry groceries (as shown in Heavy Rain trailers) doesn't really add anything for me. They included similar superfluous actions in Fahrenheit and I didn't feel it added anything then either.

[Natrak]

Sorry, immersion can happen whether a game is first person, 3rd person, or even goddamn sidescrolling. Immersion can happen when reading words on a piece of paper.

[Lazlow]

Sure, Heavy Rain may provide Cage with better control over how the experience is presented as a film, but it'd come at the cost of the (attempted) branching narrative

I disagree. Any game with a strong narrative can be divergent, simply by having events differ based on your previous actions.

Far too many people overlook the simple pleasure of being able to wander around the space that a videogame can create.

Drinking juice and carrying groceries aren't terribly exciting though... I prefer poking around in alternate realities.

Sorry, immersion can happen whether a game is first person, 3rd person, or even goddamn sidescrolling. Immersion can happen when reading words on a piece of paper.

I was going to persist with my argument, but as I was writing it I remember a game - a 3rd Person game - that engaged me so much as to scare the shit out of me... Silent Hill. And then that brought me to Fatal Frame... but its really only the Survival Horror genre that I can agree upon. No action adventure, or platformer, has created the same sense of a tangible reality that Mirror's Edge did. No 3rd person war games I can recall invoked the sheer visceral terror of war that the Call of Duty series has.

So I'll shut up now.

[dalmatian]

Finally after 6 years got around to finishing Fahrenheit. Absolutely incredible game that was, even with its flaws. To me, Fahrenheit was a pioneer of the action adventure genre. Although Shenmue before it introduced QTE to a game like this before, the fact that you had control over 2 characters at the same time, and used each character to solve puzzles together via pressing a button to switch characters, with barely any load times in switching, made it a one of a kind. Awesome setting, atmosphere and gripping story.

I have to say though, Heavy Rain I hope is a hell of a lot longer than Fahrenheit as much as i enjoyed it, it was over a tad over 4 hours for me which is way too short for a game these days, no matter how good the game is whilst it lasts.

Needless to say, I will be preordering the collectors edition of this very, very soon as this is one game that I HAVE to play. Just please make the game significantly longer than Fahrenheit Quantic Dream ;)

[T Strife]

I disagree. Any game with a strong narrative can be divergent, simply by having events differ based on your previous actions.

True, but I thought I was just speaking as to why Heavy Rain could be justified as being a game - not comparing it to other titles. In either case, it's very rare for games to successfully pull this off. IGN's review (http://pc.ign.com/articles/106/1063044p1.html) of Mass Effect 2 seems to be implying that Bioware are on to something, but so often such branching paths tend to be born of hyperbole, or at least from over-ambition.
Will Quantic Dream pull it off? No idea, but it certainly has promise enough to make it worth being a game rather than a film. Will it be a particular good one? I have my hopes for it, but I'm still very much on the fence.


Drinking juice and carrying groceries aren't terribly exciting though... I prefer poking around in alternate realities.

This is probably a matter of personal preference. I tire of the typical fantasy, sci-fi and war settings that are thrown around far too often. On the other hand, I have a bizarre fixation with setting foot into another person's home for the first time - it always promises to be a window into a vaguely exotic land and a different style and quality of life. Maybe this is why I insist on living all over the world - there's just so much to be experienced on this planet. Some of it I'm happy to indulge in, and in some cases I'd rather keep more of a safe distance. I'd put being a single father down in the safe distance bracket. This may be a flaw in my own character, but Fahrenheit scratched - and i expect Heavy Rain to do the same, only with longer fingernails - what may be a perverted voyeuristic aspect to my own character.
Not for everyone, certainly, but I don't think it could be listed as an absolute flaw.


I was going to persist with my argument, but as I was writing it I remember a game - a 3rd Person game - that engaged me so much as to scare the shit out of me... Silent Hill. And then that brought me to Fatal Frame... but its really only the Survival Horror genre that I can agree upon. No action adventure, or platformer, has created the same sense of a tangible reality that Mirror's Edge did. No 3rd person war games I can recall invoked the sheer visceral terror of war that the Call of Duty series has.

That Survival Horror did this suggests that other games could, also. I have a lot of dreams of the disembodied variety, but they're still plenty visceral.
That may or may not be relevant, but I get the feeling that we're disagreeing on less than it appears on the surface. If nothing else, I'm pleased that this conversation has managed to stay civilised :)

[Lazlow]

Blade Runner is one game that I felt managed to successfully present a divergent narrative, especially so given when it was released.

The way in which you interact with the characters, the way you treat them, affects later portions of the game. Whether certain characters help or hinder you, whether they are even there at all, or if they are somewhere else, and unltimately comes to one of several different conclusions.

[borgster101]

Trophy List (http://www.ps3trophies.org/game/heavy-rain/trophies/)

57 trophies: 52 secret, 2 bronze, 1 silver, 1 gold, 1 platinum

The secret ones are "unknown" at the moment, so don't worry there's no spoilers :)

[Creedy]

Another new trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO7XbJHdd94

[ElPresidente]

So hot for this game.


Damn I love Quantic Dream. I really do.

[/backslash]

I'm trying to avoid any new trailers now, I've already pre-ordered the game, don't want anything spoiled for me

[borgster101]

So hot for this game.


Damn I love Quantic Dream. I really do.

OH MY GOD!! SOO much this!!! :D


slashy - minor spoilerish perhaps that trailer but gets you hyped soooo much!

[Natrak]

Just gave the demo a go, it's looking quite good. The action sequence in the 'Sleazy Place' part of the demo was fun and quite heart-pounding.

[borgster101]

The demo is up on PSN?

For a game like this, I'd prefer to stay away from demos though.

[Creedy]

It's been getting a lot of good reviews over in Europe land. None English reviews obviously.

[Xanafalgue]

Game looks pathetic. Enjoy nerds.

[Natrak]

The demo is up on PSN?

For a game like this, I'd prefer to stay away from demos though.

There's an ARG type thing running that you can get a demo code from, check out Neogaf or Kotaku for details.

Personally I needed a demo for this game, I've been really on the fence about whether I want to pick it up or not, after playing the demo I'm thinking it's now a definite pre-order.

Going by the demo it has a great sense of atmosphere, the dialogue seems great, it looks like the action sequences are really exciting (which is a surprise, like most I'm not normally hugely into QTEs :P ) and the 'ARI' detective work with Norman Jayden looks awesome.

I really do hope Quantic Dream have nailed the story this time around, Fahrenheit obviously would have been so much better if it didn't shit its pants in the last act.

[borgster101]

Ah I see, thats pretty cool advertising.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I thought this game would be good but the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. All the cool kids pre-ordering from Game? http://www.game.com.au/stores/heavyrain

[Lex]

JOSOOOOOOON JOSOOOOOOoooooOOOON

[borgster101]

Okay, so the excitement got the better of me and I downloaded the demo! :p

It was really good, a very brief teaser of whats to come .. it's pretty short, but it gives you a good idea of the control style and interactivity with the environment. For those worried about spoilers, I can say that the demo wont really ruin anything, the content is pretty much what you would already know based on basic knowledge of the game.

[ElPresidente]

Always been excited for this title but post-demo my excitement has gone into overdrive!

[SOX]

Looks ****ing sick! I went from no interest, to day one purchase over that trailer.

[Ashmaran]

The demo intrigued me in a way, but didn't make me more or less inclined to buy it. The tank character movement and lack of camera control is problematic. I agree that perhaps the player shouldn't be fiddling with the camera all the time, but if I can't see the door I want to walk to then you have failed mr game designer. The rear vision styled camera toggle wasn't a lot of help either.

I found the crime scene investigation to be pointless. Discovering multiple pieces of evidence which were left by the police on scene was not fun, and the body inspection didn't seem to accomplish much either. I felt no need to try that sequence again at all, and I don't really see how it can be interesting in the full game either. It's not like you are making any deductions, you just walk around scanning stuff and maybe talk to the odd person. Talking to the guy in charge of the crime scene had no flow either, it was just like an information repository. Yes, they are things you are likely to ask, but letting you ask them in a different order doesn't make it interactive. Having to follow the guy around doesn't make it interactive, may as well have a short cutscene with the guy giving you a rundown.

I also tried doing things different ways in the hotel scenario and nothing really changed. I realise it's a demo and they don't want to give too much away, but showing or hinting at true consequences to your divergent gameplay is a pretty good way to sell your game. The main ways you could branch that section resulted in basically the same thing with a minor variation.

I found the action sequence a lot better than what Fahrenheit provided so that's a plus. However there's no real gameplay here, it's an interactive movie through and through.

So yeah while I'm still interested in what they are doing, and will probably pick it up based on that curiosity I don't see it working that well as a game and perhaps the guy should just be making movies instead.

[Lazlow]

Pretty much how I felt about Fahrenheit :/

[borgster101]

The demo intrigued me in a way, but didn't make me more or less inclined to buy it. The tank character movement and lack of camera control is problematic. I agree that perhaps the player shouldn't be fiddling with the camera all the time, but if I can't see the door I want to walk to then you have failed mr game designer. The rear vision styled camera toggle wasn't a lot of help either.

I found the crime scene investigation to be pointless. Discovering multiple pieces of evidence which were left by the police on scene was not fun, and the body inspection didn't seem to accomplish much either. I felt no need to try that sequence again at all, and I don't really see how it can be interesting in the full game either. It's not like you are making any deductions, you just walk around scanning stuff and maybe talk to the odd person. Talking to the guy in charge of the crime scene had no flow either, it was just like an information repository. Yes, they are things you are likely to ask, but letting you ask them in a different order doesn't make it interactive. Having to follow the guy around doesn't make it interactive, may as well have a short cutscene with the guy giving you a rundown.

I also tried doing things different ways in the hotel scenario and nothing really changed. I realise it's a demo and they don't want to give too much away, but showing or hinting at true consequences to your divergent gameplay is a pretty good way to sell your game. The main ways you could branch that section resulted in basically the same thing with a minor variation.

I found the action sequence a lot better than what Fahrenheit provided so that's a plus. However there's no real gameplay here, it's an interactive movie through and through.

So yeah while I'm still interested in what they are doing, and will probably pick it up based on that curiosity I don't see it working that well as a game and perhaps the guy should just be making movies instead.

Heh, well without the context of a full story the investigation scene obviously wont mean as much. That said you're right in that you don't really make any "deductions" .. however

you can potentially miss evidence if you dont climb up the hill and see the tire tracks ... in the demo this doesn't really mean anything, but it may have influence on how the story pans out in the full game.

All that said though, the game is indeed an acquired taste, I'd say if you didn't like Fahernheit you're probably not going to like Heavy Rain, unless you didn't like Fahernheit because of the weird story twists, in which case Heavy Rain may serve you better.

For me what I really like about this game (and Fahernheit) is the whole "interactive movie" thing, in that in other games you get a cut scene that plays things out for you, in Heavy Rain you're in control, the end result might be the same but you're still in control, kind of like a director (lol movie reference again :p).

The same can be said for everything in the game, you feel like you're going through all the motions (and you are!), from opening a door, to drinking some coffee .. as opposed to traditional games where to open a door you press a button and then you watch the animation. To some people this might not seem very appealing, and yeah thats what makes it an acquired taste. Though I think that acquired taste really applies mainly to gamers, this game actually has a lot of mainstream appeal, anyone could play and enjoy this game if they like a good story ... but most people wouldn't realise that from looking at the games cover.

[Ashmaran]

Yeah I missed that thing, I got fed up with finding police cigarette butts.

As for Fahrenheit, well I liked the start but by about halfway through I was sooo sick of the QTEs and the way the story fell apart. I finished it, but really the game as a whole didn't do the concept justice.

I don't see the difference between a slight movement of the right analogue stick and pressing a button, you're still triggering a canned animation. Sure one appears more relevant, but really no it's the same.

I guess what I'm saying is the interaction is so trivial, so why have it at all? It's like the characters need the occasional prod to continue going about their business. Opening a car door and turning the ignition as two manual and separate actions just seems redundant. It's not an interesting thing to do, and it doesn't make me feel like I'm in control. In a game like GTA you press a button to enter a car, and the character will:

a) Eject the driver if required
b) Slide across to the drivers seat if required
c) Turn on the ignition (if it isn't already on)

So it leaves you to do the fun stuff (ie driving the car and shooting etc)

The thing is, this whole game is primarily those mundane interactions. It just seems like a waste...

[Manny M]

I grabbed the demo the other night also (thanks Natrak), and I came off knowing i'll buy it, but there was one main thing that bothered me... interactions for interactions sake.

Now, in some (rare) cases, going through seemingly mundane movements for the sake of interaction can help immersion... in the demo, it just felt like they were getting you to perform these movements for the sake of doing something... to constantly re-iterate that 'this isn't an interactive movie, it's actually a game'. It felt unnecessary and laboured, much like most 'waggle' in Wii games. I didn't like it, and at points, I found it extremely annoying. Also, holding R2 to walk doesn't feel right either.

Aside from that, what did totally convince me that I will be buying this game was the tone and feel of the set pieces in the demo, the amazing facial graphics and animation, and the interaction with the characters. Those elements definitely sold it to me, and I think it's going to be a very average 'game', but a fantastic story.

Also, on the 'whore' scene, I did like how certain dialogue choices resulted in abrupt endings to the conversation and overall scene... and while it did seem that with all arcs you eventually come to the same end, it was nice to see that you had to think about your responses and not just 'try' all of them out for the sake of it.

[borgster101]

Yeah I missed that thing, I got fed up with finding police cigarette butts.

As for Fahrenheit, well I liked the start but by about halfway through I was sooo sick of the QTEs and the way the story fell apart. I finished it, but really the game as a whole didn't do the concept justice.

I don't see the difference between a slight movement of the right analogue stick and pressing a button, you're still triggering a canned animation. Sure one appears more relevant, but really no it's the same.

I guess what I'm saying is the interaction is so trivial, so why have it at all? It's like the characters need the occasional prod to continue going about their business. Opening a car door and turning the ignition as two manual and separate actions just seems redundant. It's not an interesting thing to do, and it doesn't make me feel like I'm in control. In a game like GTA you press a button to enter a car, and the character will:

a) Eject the driver if required
b) Slide across to the drivers seat if required
c) Turn on the ignition (if it isn't already on)

So it leaves you to do the fun stuff (ie driving the car and shooting etc)

The thing is, this whole game is primarily those mundane interactions. It just seems like a waste...
Yeah fair enough, Fahrenheit was the same of course, but yeah I can see how people would find it annoying. If the story is good though, you'll probably be interested enough to play through, and considiring you finished Fahrenheit, you should enjoy Heavy Rain more.

Also, on the 'whore' scene, I did like how certain dialogue choices resulted in abrupt endings to the conversation and overall scene... and while it did seem that with all arcs you eventually come to the same end, it was nice to see that you had to think about your responses and not just 'try' all of them out for the sake of it.
Yeah, it's good how depending on what you choose at that moment, it changes how the conversation flows and ultimatley changes what will happen at the end of that conversation, i.e. will she open up to you, or tell you to **** off! :p In the full game, these situations should have some interesting implications for progression later on!

This contrasts to other games where you have dialogue choices, whereby you essentially can "try" every option, even if you say the "mean things" first.

[Lazlow]

Yeah, it's good how depending on what you choose at that moment, it changes how the conversation flows and ultimatley changes what will happen at the end of that conversation, i.e. will she open up to you, or tell you to **** off!

Blade Runner did it! >_>

[borgster101]

Never played that one, but yeah it has been done before, but I guess what I mean is, not enough games do it this way, most of the time, it's just a load of options and what you choose doesnt really change things much .. and you can end up trying everything anyway.

[Lazlow]

Generally because you have to structure a pretty complex conversation tree and develop the game around it. Most developers just don't have that time when they're trying to make Action shooters.

[ElPresidente]

People need to play Blade Runner if they haven't already.

One of the most impressive adventure games ever devised.

[Australian Ninja]

Generally because you have to structure a pretty complex conversation tree and develop the game around it. Most developers just don't have that time when they're trying to make Action shooters.

So true....

NPC: Hey there stranger, I see you're new in town

Your options/dialoge:
-Shoot the sheriff with the really really big gun
-Shoot the sheriff with the small gun
-Bludgeon the sheriff to death with a pointy stick
-Talk about poetry and have a cup of hot tea

[sausage]

Ugh; one word: QTEs.


Will not be buying.

[Tonez]

Ugh; one word: QTEs.


Will not be buying.

That's three words.

Or three letters used for the acronym of three words, if you want to get technical.

[sausage]

It's still ugh >_<

[consoul]

In most other games, not nailing the QTEs would equal failure/death/game over.
At least in this one it just results in different outcomes.

This game isn't going to be to everyone's tastes. Anyone who expects an action game will be disappointed. This is more like an evolution of the point and click adventure genre. I really enjoyed the first two-thirds of Fahrenheit, so I can't wait to play this. I just hope David Cage can pull it off all the way to the end this time.

[StorminNorman]

Ugh; one word: QTEs.

Shenmue had QTEs, and still managed to be the greatest video game ever made.

I wouldn't panic too hard about it. QTEs are easy unless you have some kind of problem like no hands or something.

[T Strife]

I wouldn't panic too hard about it. QTEs are easy unless you have some kind of problem like no hands or something.

Fahrenheit may beg to differ. Some of the mashing in that game felt like it was going to break my hands, and the sequences went on way too long towards the end.

The reviews coming in for Heavy Rain, however, seem to imply that the QTE's are neither as punishing or as invasive. They all mostly seem to agree that it's really good, too.

[Lazlow]

Competentcy isn't the issue.

It basically boils down to which side of the fence you sit on; do QTE's make cut scenes interesting, or is it merely bland and detatched gameplay?

It does appear that Heavy Rain has corrected the invasivness of Fahrenheit's QTE sequence. I understand that Cage is going for the cinematic approach but he pretty much ruined the effect when a massive button overlay covers the action on screen.

My opinion is split on QTEs; I can tolerate them when they are a small aspect of the game (ie God of War, Bayonetta, Shenmue) but a game based almost entirely on them would get frustrating. I didn't get into games to be a passenger, which is what they feel like. There is no strategy, there is no immersion, there is no cerebral challenge.

In the case of Heavy Rain it sounds like they've reached a happy middle ground. Yahtzee likened QTEs to "Press X to not die", however, if the promotional material is to be believed, death is not the end, with the story adapting and changing to suit the negative outcome. How much will actually change is to be seen, hopefully a great deal and not some throwaway statement or complete ignorance. Otherwise this could very well end up like a video game equivalent of The Room (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Room_(film)#Errors.2C_plot_holes_and_idiosyncr asies).

The hopes of this "game" are resting entirely on its narrative; if it falls apart like Fahrenheit did, it will be disastrous. No amount of eye candy or QTE defending could save it.

[ElPresidente]

In your opinion yes but for many people, myself included, the fact that Fahrenheit's narrative dropped the ball in the final acts was not disastrous. Disappointing, sure, but Fahrenheit remains one of my favourite games.

Cage isn't making a game with Heavy Rain, he is going for the goal of interactive movie. Whether this is something that compells you or not is down to personal tastes but there is not one aspect of Heavy Rain's development that has even come close to bothering me. What he is trying to do won't be for everyone but thank Christ he is doing it.

[Lazlow]

In your opinion yes but for many people, myself included, the fact that Fahrenheit's narrative dropped the ball in the final acts was not disastrous. Disappointing, sure, but Fahrenheit remains one of my favourite games.

Cage isn't making a game with Heavy Rain, he is going for the goal of interactive movie. Whether this is something that compells you or not is down to personal tastes but there is not one aspect of Heavy Rain's development that has even come close to bothering me. What he is trying to do won't be for everyone but thank Christ he is doing it.

I didn't say it was distastrous for Fahrenheit, I said it would be for Heavy Rain, as it would show very little improvement on Fahrenheit beyond the visual.

My main problems with Heavy Rain's development would be the unecessary amount of focus the visuals are receiving. Its been many many years since The Casting, so this is an area I no longer have interest in. I want to know how it sounds, if the visuals are matched by an equalling gripping performance. Nothing ruined adventure games more in the past than poorly performed voice acting.

As an Interactive Movie, its success would lie in the same areas as conventional cinema; story and performance. And considering there's a few reviews aiming criticisms at dopey dialog, wooden voice acting and a swiss cheese story complete with non-sensical twist, there's cause for concern. I wont excuse an Interactive Movie merely for existing.

The additional criteria would be with regards to how divergent it is, which is currently an unknown quantity seeing as the demo apparently gives very little insight into this aspect, though some reviews commend its replayability due to this aspect.

All I'm saying is I'm cautiously optimistic - I want that genuine experience of choice and a constantly morphing narrative complete with engaging story. However initial reports sound as if it is falling over in some key areas - despite the overwelmingly positive scores being attributed to these reviews.

[Jay]

Review is up at Eurogamer. It's relatively spoiler free, and pretty positive. Looking forward to this one...

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/heavy-rain-review

[Stevorooni]

I'd like to play a demo or something.

The game intrigues me, but quicktime events make me want to punch myself in the face.

[Jay]

I'd like to play a demo or something.

The game intrigues me, but quicktime events make me want to punch myself in the face.

Hit 'B' at the prompt.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I'd like to play a demo or something.


So check out the demo?

[Jay]

Is it on the Aussie store super8? If so I can't believe I missed it. :(

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Not exactly, you need to jump through a few hoops... Natrak mentioned it a few pages back.

http://kotaku.com/5464839/want-the-heavy-rain-demo-right-now-heres-how-%5Bupdate%5D