Heavy Rain. Yeah, The Weather Has Been Rubbish Actually

A bit of a change from my normal realms of blogging in which I might moan about the mere mention of that dead Jade Goody or a review of a drama or reality show on BBC or ITV. This blog is part of a series of blogs which are reviewing different formats. I have a few blogs planned reviewing music and some of the albums released this year. However, this blog is reviewing a game. Yes, a game which you would insert into your games console; or in this particular case, a Playstation 3. And the game I shall be reviewing? Heavy Rain - a game exclusive to the PS3.

I have actually completed the game, something which is very rare for me. I never have the patience to bother trying to complete missions and end up just running around and driving cars pointlessly being a villain. I have only completed one other game previous and that was Grand Theft Auto IV; and that took a few years. The ability to roam around free often used to beat the temptation of having to complete missions. Heavy Rain only took me a month to complete. To a hardcore gamer, that seems like a long time, but you have to remember that I actually live a life in between twiddling my thumbs to control a character on my television. Anyway, a month seems quick to me, and that is because A) the game is relatively simple and B) it just isn't that long.

An Origami Figure in the Heavy Rain. The story summed up in one picture.

What is the point of the game? Well, I'm not particularly sure. It would have worked just as well being a movie, what with it having such a thought-provoking storyline. They would have probably made more money as well. However, I do know why they chose not to. The main idea of the game is that the player can make decisions, and each decision made has ability to change the entire outcome of the story. You could choose to jump of a building; killing one of your characters. You also play numerous characters, all of which are involved in the story line and all, at some point, interact with each other. I mean, there are 22 different possible endings. You could play the game so many times and never have the same story.

You play a father, who at the beginning of the game loses his son who dies being hit by a car. He then again, after a few months have passed, loses another son who this time has been kidnapped. As a result of his first son's death; he suffers blackouts (a slightly important detail they are slow to point out). Another character is a private detective who suffers with asthma (a pointless detail they are quick to point out) and is trying to solve the case. Another character is a female Journalist who is introduced through a nightmare sequence and suffers insomnia (a pointless detail they are quick to point out). There is also an FBI agent, who has to work with the local police to try and help solve the case of the missing child, and he suffers from some kind of strange vision (a pointless detail they are quick to weave into the story). You sporadically change between the characters.

The four characters staring thoughtfully into the distance.
From left: The FBI Agent, The Journalist, The Father, The Private Detective

If you wanted to play the game in the same way you play Grand Theft Auto for example, you would be quickly disappointed and bored I think. This game does not test the players skills (luckily for me), and if you wanted to get a packet of crisps, you could do without pausing; because nothing bad would happen, like in any other game. If you want to play the game for the actual story then you would enjoy it. I go into both categories, so I suppose that makes me kind of apathetic towards the game.

In some games you will be pressing buttons quickly to make the character run, shot his gun and jump at the same time, while alternating between different angles to get the best shot a man’s head being blown off. This game has tried to make the controls as life-like to the actions on the game as possible. Opening of a door will require pulling the analogue downwards then turning it. Repeatedly shaking an orange juice carton requires you to shake the motion sensitive controller. A shake of the controller could be used to kick open a door or push away an attacker. Turning of the controller will turn the car during the one car chase scene. A more awkward action like picking a lock may require you to press and hold a sequence of buttons, which are awkwardly arranged from the controller layout.

The controls can get frustrating at times, but luckily, it tells you which buttons to press or move in order to complete an action. Sometimes if you make a mistake, it will allow you another chance or it may just result in you being kicked in the head, and once you get lost in the action of the game, it is very easy to make a mistake. You can also hear the characters inner thoughts by pressing a button or you can make your game changing decisions by pressing just one button. However, there is no need to fear if it sounds awkward, because the first hour or so of game play and storyline is there to teach you how to use the controller. It may get tedious, but you’ll be thankful for it later in the game.

In this instance, you shake the controller to get the bald-headed freak off

I was worried when it came to a sex scene. I started to become a bit disturbed at the thought that I may have to use the directional buttons to thrust, but it cuts out before that stage. The only influence you have in the sex scene is the order you choose to take characters clothes off. Yes, I will point out now: You see CGI breasts, and to be honest, for breasts generated on a computer, they aren't very perfect.

The graphics however, are exceptionally brilliant. You can watch a conversation scene between characters and forget that it isn’t real. It is so easy to get lost in the game and its plot thanks to the superb facial expressions and life-like motions of the character. You can see them breathing. The reason for it being so life-like is because it is all filmed with different actors and actresses playing characters, and their movements are logged onto a computer where they create the game; clever really.

**SPOILER ALERT**

If you haven't played the game, and have an intention of playing it and don't want to ruin the ending for yourself, then I suggest you skip the next three paragraphs...

As for the rest of us:

At least one of your characters will inevitably die and it is full of surprises and it is completely based on your own decisions which character(s) it is who is killed. At points, as the father for example, you are given the choice to kill yourself in order to save your son (I didn't take these options, and yet I still saved him). The big surprise is who the Origami Killer is. You see, the general idea, is that every year a kid is taken and put into flood drains, during Heavy Rain (thus it's name, surprisingly), and the kid is supposed to drown slowly as a result. The police become convinced that the father is the killer, so he has to also convince them he isn't the Origami Killer as well as save his son.

Eventually, my story finished with the child being saved by the father and the Journalist. The father and journalist ended up living together happily ever after with the saved son. The FBI agent ended up quitting his job for pastures new as his 'Strange Visions' are a result of his job. The Private Detective, you know, the one with Asthma, is killed... BY THE FATHER! Do you know why? Do you want to know why? Because the Private Detective is the Origami Killer. *Gasps*

The fat bastard was only doing it because, while stupidly playing on a construction site with his brother as a young child, his brother fell into a flood drain, and drowned. At one point in the game we get to relive the event, and to be honest, it isn't that sad really. Anyway, I chose to shoot the murdering bastard a few times to so he fell of a crane and into the water, where he ironically drowned and died. I am rather pleased with my ending. I was a very lovely and charitable player; despite the end killing.

**END OF SPOILERS**

Welcome back. 

My general thoughts of the game were all rather positive. I was a bit disappointed by how little action you really do and how short the game ended up being, especially for the price! However, it was completely different to other games and I enjoyed it. I love the idea that the outcome of the game is completely dependent on how you play the game and the decisions you make. No other game allows you to do that, and it is certainly unique. The musical score of the game too, makes it even better. It has been beautifully crafted to accompany the game’s storyline; enhancing a dramatic or emotional scene perfectly. It can subconsciously prepare the player for an impending threat. It is exactly how you would expect a musical score for a feature film to be.

The game and story has incredible depth which you would never expect to get from a console game and is so very intense if you really get into it. If you are prepared to play the game with an open mind, like I did, then you will love the experience and really have empathy for the characters; and seeing as the game is based around a father’s love for his child, then what else would expect. I would suggest buying the game to anyone who has a Playstation 3 and is fed up of playing the same-old shooting or racing games you find on the console, and now that it has gone down in price from when I brought it, there is no reason not to.