A little over a week has passed since I first played Heavy Rain. And I really wasn’t planning on doing any kind of review for it. Because, you see, it’s not really a game—in the traditional sense, anyway—and I was afraid many of you pubescent Modern Warfare gamers here wouldn’t really care. But a few days after finishing the story, I just can’t seem to get it out of my head. So, I’ve decided to do a small review. If not only for closure for myself, to spread the word to you “hardcore” gamers about an amazing interactive experience that you really should play.
Spending a whole lot of time talking about the story would be a disservice to you, so I’m not going to talk too much about that here. But as to not leave you completely in the dark, Heavy Rain’s story is about a father whose son gets kidnapped and the trials and pain he goes through to try to save him. Think somewhere between the movies “Saw” and “The Fan.” Just know that Heavy Rain’s narrative is really great, and not just great for a game, great for a movie. And that’s really what Heavy Rain is—an interactive movie.
Though the main story revolves around the aforementioned father, you also get to play as a great cast of supporting characters like an FBI agent, a Private Investigator and a pretty lady who shows her boobies a few times. As the mystery unfolds, the characters’ stories eventually intertwine to reveal the kidnapper/serial killer dubbed the Origami Killer.
The gameplay aspects of Heavy Rain are pretty simple. As you explore your surroundings you will be prompted to press certain buttons to make your character interact with people or items in the environment. It may be as simple as hitting a face button or it could be a timed series of acrobatic stick movements and button presses that test your fingers’ dexterity. If you’ve played video games in the past five-years you are probably familiar with the QTE—well, it’s a lot of that.
Now, that may not sound very awesome, but somehow the quick time events feel strangely fresh here. The tension-inducing exercises take a symbiotic coordination of eye and hand that really add to the suspense of the game.
Further adding to the suspense is the fact that your actions in the game effect the overall story in a much greater way than you’re used to. If you make the wrong decision at crucial moments during the game or miss certain quick time events, things can go south quickly. Maybe you won’t find your son alive or maybe you won’t find him at all. Make a big enough mistake and you’ll just die—for good.
Quantic Dream and Sony have built a high budget action game with Heavy Rain. The art direction rivals anything Hollywood has to offer. Your mood is stirred by a great soundtrack and the above average voice acting carries the story for the duration. And did I mention boobies?
Overall, Heavy Rain is an amazing interactive experience that you owe it to yourself to play. It is a rare game; one that can be enjoyed by both the person who holds the controller and couch-lurkers like girlfriends and roommates. If you have a PlayStation, go out and buy the game immediately. If you don’t have a PlayStation, get one! Show your support for fresh game ideas like Heavy Rain and we’ll all be rewarded with more great games like it in the future. Believe me, Microsoft and the creators of Natal are playing Heavy Rain right now just dreaming about the possibilities.
