What I mean by the title is this; the first time you play it, you won't be thinking "game" at all.
Instead, you'll be pulled in by the surreal graphics, compelling storyline, and realistic characters.
I can honestly say that this is my favorite game, due to the fact that it actually became part of my life, instead of me beating it and getting ready for the next game.
I never knew what "psychological damage" was, exactly, until I played this.
Though it didn't damage me in the ways of: I need to suicide or go do drugs, but more in the way of slight depression; nothing so serious that you'd need a shrink or anything, but more of a sadness.
After you beat it the first time, you'll have most likely gone down the path you've chosen and have liked the way it turned out. If that's the case, the 2nd+ time you play it and go down a different path, you'll have to do certain things that you normally wouldn't. This is kind of what messes it up, because the first time you play it, you want your actions and responses to be right, or just how you want them to be. Then when you play again, you'll start feeling uncomfortable since you don't REALLY want to do the things you're doing, but just have to do it to see the other endings.
After I played it the first time, then started on the 2nd/3rd play through, it started becoming more of a game, and was "easily-put-downable" when I started getting frustrated/bored. (Not really frustrated or bored, but the first time you play it you don't want to stop playing because you HAVE to see what happens next, but after you play it once, it loses the gripping factor.)
People will say that the shocking twist near the end of the game ruins it; I say otherwise.
Though I can agree that it "may" ruin it, I still like the way the characters react and deal with the situation.
So for me, the game never goes into an " aw, that ruined my whole experience! " moment, ever.
There are 57 trophies in the game, in which you are awarded by doing specific and particular things within each chapter.
I updated this game the moment I got it, which was a tedious 1.1gb download, and with my slow internet I had to wait a whole day until it finished.
I never played it before I patched it, but I figured if I'm going to play it, I might as well download the patch; seeing as it fixed camera issues, new main menu and supposedly bonus content (making-of videos).
I got the version of Heavy Rain without the blue PS Move compatible logo, so I don't know if that version has the update pre-installed or not, seeing as it's the Move Compatible version.
But the patch installed on the previous version installs the Move patch as well, so everyone can enjoy Move no matter what version they have.
It's very hard to express why this game is great without telling spoilers; but if you're like me, I didn't want to see a single video of Heavy Rain before I got it, because I knew it would ruin everything - and I can say, if I had watched a video of Heavy Rain prior to gameplay, I would have been upset seeing as playing this game without knowledge of anything is the best way to go.
I don't even know if I've started the review yet, but let me start explaining the aspects of the game.
The game is single player, has trophies, and has 1 Downloadable Content episode (the game creator has basically said that after they finished working on PS Move version of Heavy Rain, and they started working on new DLC they figured it would waste time, and said that they would rather work on a new project, instead of spending more time on Heavy Rain.)
Which I find stupid, how can you "waste time" on something that can still be played?
But, I am fine with this, especially after playing the first and most-likely only DLC.
(*1*) - GRAPHICS: 9.0
The graphics in this game are spectacular, the skin textures and overall ambiance are better than any game I've ever seen.
I watched video reviews, (after the fact), and I saw that they were all complaining about a few things, one in particular is how this game is supposed to be a cinematic presentation-styled game, yet some scenes of the game's textures are terrible.
This is true, even though I don't feel that way about it.
I admit, some scenes will have the character's face slimy-looking and textureless, and while these scenes and moments in the game come a little bit too often, it doesn't ruin gameplay aspects, but it will be noticeable and might have an awkward " uhh " effect on you and anyone watching you play it.
Other than that, graphics are great, one of the few games (if not only) that actually makes rain in a game look good.
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(*2*) - STORYLINE: 10
I might be a bit off with giving it a 10, but I'll explain.
As I've said above, the first time you play it, you just know that the game is just what you're looking for (if you're looking for one of the few great Mystery/Crime games.)
Some people will say the game is very slow and boring in the beginning, but quickly ramps up after an hour or so; but I say different. I'm actually pleased that the game developers gave the audience time to introduce the characters, instead of just starting the game in mid-battle or like you already know them and are well-acquainted;
The story introduces each character and shows you what their issues are, or what they have to deal with daily, and gives you a starting point on how you want to play with your characters.
What I didn't know in the beginning, though now I do, is why all your actions, in the beginning and middle of the game, don't actually change anything towards the story or the ending.
But now I see that it's because the game is trying to shape your opinion of your character.
It's basically testing you in the beginning/middle of the game, to see what you want your characters to do when it all starts coming down.
I do agree, though, that the game gets a lot better after your choices REALLY start to mean something.
You honestly start to feel sad and scared when your characters are in near-death experiences.
This is the FIRST game EVER, that I was actually scared for my CHARACTERS life in any game.
It wasn't like "Oh no, I'm gonna die", it was more like "OH NO, NORMAN'S GONNA DIE!!!!!11!!!1!111!"
It tells you something if you're playing a game, and are actually scared for your characters, instead of only scared that you, yourself, are about to lose a battle.
People also say that the characters are good and all, but aren't enough for you to connect with them and get a chance to feel for them. I could say that it's true and untrue. Reason is, you don't ever feel like you're INSIDE your character, but more like you're just looking at them from the outside. However, who can say that being inside them is so great?
From what I've seen, looking at them from the outside is still an emotional ride. I felt for each character like it was someone I knew going through these things (all thanks to the introductory part of the game.)
This would have to be my favorite storyline of any game, because it's one game that actually left it's mark in my memory; a solid mark.
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(*3*) GAMEPLAY - 9.0
It's hard to say when it comes to this game's gameplay. I don't know how to explain it.
I've read that people say that this game is just one big quick time event, and that they will hate Q.T.E.'s in any game they play from now on. My ending results didn't tally up to that one.
There ARE a lot of Q.T.E.'s, but it isn't so much to the point of you wanting to destroy all Q.T.E.'s.
I never had a problem with it, or even moments where I thought to myself: "When will this be OVER!!?!?!?"
When it comes to movement in games, you'd think move the analog left or right to go left or right, but this game is a little bit different. Yeah, you move by holding R2, then moving the left Analog stick in which way you want to go, but it's a bit hard at times. Specifically moments where the camera automatically switches when you walk pass a certain point, then you try to turn left or something, then you'll start going backwards and the camera flicks back to the way it was before you CAME to that point. All in all, it's annoying, but only when you get to those moments in the game.
But with that aside, movement in this game is realistic, and never at a time does it make you tired of walking.
My game has only gotten stuck 2 times, even though I've had it just a week, but to my knowledge and what I've seen, the game doesn't get stuck every chapter, maybe like just once the whole game.
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(*4*) SOUND - 9.5
Personally I love the soundtrack, it complements the weary ambiance and sad game tone, and adds to what you feel for your character. People say that the characters' voices in the game are at-times: terrible. I could agree, but then I think of the reason why people are saying they're terrible. Everyone's voice in the game is pretty much top-notch, except the character Norman Jayden.
His voice can sound tremendously weird at times, and will make you a little bit scared for no reason at all.
The voice actor would turn some words into the weirdest thing yet. Example; a sentence he said in the game was similar to this: "All the victims were drowned in rain water." Ok, sound right? Well this is how he pronounced it:
"All the victims wuh drowned in rain wahtuh." It's kinda creepy; it does it on similar occasions in parts of the game.
But then, I realized something. This game was made in Europe (Quantic Dream is a European based company) IE: SCEE (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.) And I guess to people, the way he pronounces things would make them think "Why is this an American game, and is supposed to be American characters, yet the voices sound like they aren't?" And for some reason, they think of it as a negative, and that it's bad voice acting.
But this game ISN'T American. And though the game's story is based on the east coast of USA, (most likely somewhere along the lines of New York), who says the characters in the game ARE American? Especially with Norman Jayden being an FBI agent, not normally stationed in this east coast city.
So I just disagree with statements such as it's an American game, with non-American voice actors.
But I will say that at times, at least every character has 1 moment in the game where they sound weird.
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(*5*) MISCELLANEOUS
Before I got this game, I was quite worried about the nudity in the game.
Reading on websites, it kind of made it seem like a full-on, non-stop, "IN YO FACE" kind of thing.
This is NOT the case. There are just 3 times in the game in which you encounter these scenes.
Only 1 time will you be unable to bypass it. (2 times if you want a platinum trophy)
The first scene you'll be forced to watch, it's Ethan in the shower.
It doesn't show anything in the front, just his butt. It may seem like it's going to show more than that with the way the camera moves, but that's it. It gets a bit weird when he gets out and you have to shake the controller to dry him off with a towel..
The 2nd scene is when you play with Madison, she'll have an OPTION to take a shower, in which she takes off her clothes, walks into the walk-in shower, and it shows her breasts and butt, that's all.
Again, it may seem like they're going to show more than that, but they won't
It all depends on your views.
This scene isn't needed to get a trophy; you don't even have to go into her bathroom at ALL to beat that chapter.
The 3rd scene, however, IS needed to get a trophy, seeing that there's something that happens after the fact, and depending on your actions, will earn a trophy.
I won't say who, but you're given the choice to kiss a person, or not to kiss.
If you kiss the person, then they'll start having some sex! xD But no, what they really do is start kissing, then lay on the floor. You'll have some INTERACTION with the scene, like to either unhook so and sos Bra, or to change position...
The only nudity they show in this scene is so and sos Right breast, I'm not sure if they show any butt, but yeah...
Depending on your views, this might be something to run home about. And I can say, it's kinda awkward if someone is watching you play, however, it does change the story/ending depending on which you choose. So, good luck with-a-THAT.
There are a few bugs, such as during a movie scene where characters are talking to each other, and then some people that are walking around will just walk straight through the characters or any object, such as a desk or wall.
I can say that it's really weird when it happens, but it's only a few times during the whole game, and ruins nothing at all.
There are also some weird times where the characters facial expression doesn't quite match the situation...
You'd know when you see it.
It may sound like there are just bugs and problems at every which way, but it's only a few, and is spread out through the whole game, and by the time you encounter one, you'd have forgotten about the previous ones.
(*5*) OVERALL - 10
At the end of the day, I give this game a 10; because of how the story is told, and what the game makes you feel for the characters is just too realistic. And for a GAME to make me actually fear the outcome and possible regret of a situation is just wonderful. And even though I said the game gets a bit boring after the 3rd or so play through, this is still a game that should not be passed by. If like me, you'll connect to the characters. At first, I didn't like Norman Jayden, and had liked Ethan the most, but after I played it again, I started liking Norman more and more.
This is an Action/Adventure, Drama, Mystery/Crime, and Romance.
I really hope that this game has created a new genre of games, as I also loved Indigo Prophecy.
There just aren't enough, if any, games like this, and have added Quantic Dreams to my list of favorite companies.
I hope this review helped.
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EPIC!!! ...WIll have you wanting to be literaly in it!
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2010
Review for Heavy Rain (ps3):Hello all! First off, I would like to start by stating the impact this game had on me upon finishing it. Let me put it like this; I have never played a game as great as this since the legendary Xbox title star wars KOTOR. In fact, having rented this game and finishing it days later, I have already purchased it off of Amazon (to support the developers) and am recommending the game to all my PSN friends! I rarely do that with a game. But a game of this caliber deserves a good, detailed review honoring the developers who created such a groundbreaking game. Unfortunately, you constantly have to keep reminding yourself of that though as you progress through the storylines...its still a game.So I am going to start off by explaining how this game is so different from the others today. First of all, you should know that this game utilizes time-sensitive controls. Meaning that all the features of the controller will be used in some combination to perform tasks and/or simple actions. For example, to walk across the room and open the fridge door... hold R2 (walking to the fridge) and then use the R stick to make a half circle movement (to open the fridge door). This style of game play, though tedious to some becomes 2nd nature after 5 minutes and is a constant enjoyment throughout the game! In my opinion, this makes the player more INVOLVED in the game. I kind of like to relate the story line *structure of the game like the well-known The Sims games. You perform rather life-like rituals and actions that help get the story going at first (you won't be making coffee every single morning in the game. lol) but just involved enough, so that you form a close enough relationship to the character(s). In addition to what makes this game realistically stunning is the ability to see/hear what your character is thinking of (which changes realistically to any new situation). That is an unheard of feature for any video game! It is tied into the plot to help you most often, so don't be turned off from that feature. Some people have made reference to the classic arcade game Dragon Lair, and I can only attest to the part about the sequential button/arrow combos, which is a looot, more detailed and diverse in Heavy Rain. As you will see in the game, simple actions and fight scenes (as well as love scenes) involve just more that simple button combinations. How you press the buttons, how long you press the buttons, as well as with how many other buttons/control sticks- all have a part in the game play. It makes for a really satisfying experience though.Graphics are by far the best I have seen in a non-fps shooter title. Several times in the game, I have become soo immersed in the fluidity and natural integration of game play and the supposed `cut scenes' (supposed because a cut scene defines a non-playable scene from a playable one). So its really saying something when the majority of a game is so visually stunning that it makes the player feel like he/she is the director to his own thriller/murder mystery movie. How many games do you or I know of that have that much capability?? None that come to mind. Sure, many that are 3D worthy, but none quite so astounding to the point where you think you're watching an in-theater movie. Details are EVERY WHERE!! And the environment is so interactive with the character; you'll find yourself wanting to stray from the objective just to explore. (Note: I DO NOT mean this as in FALLOUT or OBLIVION exploring! Way too big.) :P But impeccable attention to detail and functionality. I would also like to mention that each small action has its own genuine sound effect. The cracking of an egg, raindrops, ambient sound, etc.- all have their own non-generic sounds. Furthermore, QuanticDream has gone the next step and used real actors (not self-claimed) to perform the dialogue. They are even strapped with movement sensors that provide real-time information to the computers so that basic human (gender-specific too) positions and functions are carried out to the last detail. The female character has a certain sway in the hips when she walks and a certain type of posterior/abdominal characteristics than the stiff, pencil-neck male counterpart who's beard gets thicker and thicker as the days go by. My point is movement that needs to be captured is captured- but with painstaking detail and live human modeling. To put it into perspective, they used the same method that Peter Jackson used to create Golem (for fans of Lord Of The Rings)- an actor in a sensor-studded suit, playing the role of the slimy creature.Unfortunately, there are many negative reviews about the graphics issues when they played on their ps3s for 10+ hours. I can't believe I have to state this, but of course your ps3 may start to skip and/or freeze after 10 HOURS OF NON STOP USE! This is a very demanding game and there is no inadequacy on the game disc or stations' part. Simply put, the ps3 is an efficient gaming console- not a super computer made by Alienware that has internal liquid cooling tubes and 4x 120mm fans scattered around. Come on. So, yes the locking/freezing issue is a problem with the owner's handling. If you encounter problems where pixilation distortion occurs or color range is way off, or for any bugginess at all, then just restart the console before resorting to deleting and re-installing.The storyline is really as indulging as it is masterful! The writers of the plot composed it so that there are a myriad of endings, climaxes and paths for the four different characters! Similar to...Bioshock, Kotor, Mass Effect, Alpha Protocol, Far Cry and other RPG titles that insisted on choice as the dominant factor that the game, Heavy Rain does not disappoint in this section. In fact it over exceeded my expectations and thoroughly surprised me! In fact its like my earlier example, imagine you're in a theater watching a movie and you decide, "I don't want him to die" or "well he's not important, he can suffer from a heart attack" and it happens like that! It's all about the choices you make however small! There is no karma system like a few of the rpg games mentioned above. It is simply irrelevant to the game play. The murder can actually remain unsolved even and you will still be able to finish the game!!! That's how wide open the possibilities are!An extremely well made game that will have you on the edge of your seat wanting to replay it over and over again. I highly recommend this game to those wanting a break from the barrage of fps shooters out there and just see how far the RPG industry has come! Thank you for staying with me thus far. Hope this helps you!
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2010
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