Game Review: Heavy Rain

Game: Heavy Rain
Console: Sony Playstation 3
Developer: Quantic Dream
Release Date: 23rd February 2010

Some video games are difficult to categorize, falling into many different genres, none of which define them properly. The best way to describe Heavy Rain in my opinion would be as an interactive experience. It's definitely still a video game, rather than a movie as players have control over their character's actions and thus the outcome of the game, but there's less direct control than in most games.

Featuring 4 playable characters, each with a different perspective on the story, the game unfolds in small chapters. While each character has different personality traits and motives, gameplay is pretty similar from one to the other apart from FBI agent, Norman Jayden who has hi-tech glasses which allow him to inspect and record data from crime scenes and other areas of interest. Besides this though, other normal actions are performed in the same way as the other 3 characters.

Gameplay actions are performed via button presses, movements of the controller and analog stick movements. Depending on what needs to be done, players may need to perform the action slowly, gently or in a certain way. Often there are choices as to which action to perform, or things to say; these appear as the symbol for a button press, followed by the action which the choice will initiate. When characters are stressed the choices may rotate quickly around their heads, or be difficult to read, imitating their mood.

A large part of the game is QTE's or Quick Time Events; at many stages in the game where quick decisions need to be made, such as fight scenes, chases and tasks, actions appear onscreen which must be completed within a few moments of being seen by the player to initiate the correct response. Failing to press a single button hardly ever impacts the entire fight/chase etc, but consistent errors may well have a bearing on the result.

As a cinematic experience, the game relies heavily on its plot to entertain players with the gameplay as more of an empowering secondary device. Without spoiling too much, players must investigate the case of the Origami Killer as 3 of the playable characters, while completing tasks set by the Origami Killer as Ethan, arguably the game's main character. There are multiple twists and turns, and many memorable moments throughout the plot, and it's paced almost perfectly at 10-15 hours for full completion.

Depending on what choices are made by players, any of the playable characters can die, or fail to perform vital actions to initiate the best possible ending. Because of this there are many possible endings to the game, ranging from the perfect ending to the absolute worst case scenario. The game handles this well though, as it's not too hard to get a generally good ending, even if players have made some mistakes on the way through the game. While I can understand the frustration of getting a bad ending, it's fairly unlikely that anyone attempting to get the best ending will lose in such a way.

Graphically the game is excellent; locations, objects and characters are all well modelled and weather and lighting effects combine nicely to accent the game's overall mood. My only complaint is that some of the character's faces seem a little less human than they could, but it's to be expected of CGI style character models, and it doesn't impact the game particularly. The voice acting is mixed, with some actors doing an excellent job with their characters, and others not quite hitting the mark.

Overall Heavy Rain is an experience that many gamers should enjoy; it's a break from the grey haze of shooters, and mass of racing games we're offered, for more depth and storytelling. While some people might not be fans of the QTEs or style of decision making featured in the game, any other gamers should at least enjoy the experience that's being offered. It's not a game without its problems, but they're not big enough to matter once you reach the end of the game.

Rating: 91/100
Grade: A