The Official Heavy Rain Thread. Post Impressions but beware of spoilers!

I was going to modify my IGN review thread but then decided Heavy Rain deserved a dedicated threadfor impressions and discussion.

Here's a link to Metacritic where you can check on all the reviews for yourself:

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps3/heavyrain

Heavy Rain s currently carrying a score of 89, which is pretty solid.

I was impressed by the demo and will be nabbing my own copy later today. That said, this game is one of the most divergent titles I have played in recent memory and I fully understand how some people could be less than impressed. I personally hated Indigo Prophecy but the HR demo struck me as compelling.

Also, while I'm looking forward to reading impressions and discussing this game, let's be aware of spoilers and tag them accordingly. HR seems like it will be an easy game to ruin for people and none of us want that.

My copy is on its way from Amazon right now.

...and since it seems common for newer users to not know how to use spoiler tags, this is how you do them:

[spoiler] Type spoilers here... [/spoiler]

rragnnar,

Thank you for that.

I was on Neogaf earlier and it appears that spoilers for this game are abound.

Crap. I hope this game doesn't pull out a Demon's Souls on me and turn out unobtainable over these forsaken shores. Thanks for the spoiler warnings, Gram. I'm very much looking forward to the impressions that you guys post here.

This goes without saying, but be careful when treading into any place regarding Heavy Rain info. I stupidly scrolled down to the comments section when looking through some of the trailers and I think I had a major plot point spoiled for me.

I haven't decided if I'm going to pick this up right away. It's incredibly tempting, as I really enjoyed the presentation of demo, and I'm really looking to dive into something different than what I usually play. Unfortunately, I'm a bit strapped for cash, so I think I'll wait to read some impressions around here first.

Unfortunately, I'm a bit strapped for cash, so I think I'll wait to read some impressions around here first._Dez_

Crap. I hope this game doesn't pull out a Demon's Souls on me and turn out unobtainable over these forsaken shores. Thanks for the spoiler warnings, Gram. I'm very much looking forward to the impressions that you guys post here.

SteelAttack

Dont watch any recent trailer. Dont read any youtube comments. Dont go to N4G, and certainly avoid the neogaf thread.

Also, dont read any posts in this thread from anyone you dont know. Spoilers for this game are every where.

Called blockbuster, they dont get the game till Friday. WTF! This game went gold like three weeks ago. My blockbuster always gets their games on Tuesday. They got freaking DarkSiders on launch day. Maybe it's on purpose. Maybe they want Day-1 people to go buy it?

Let's agree now to make this the safest Heavy Rain Thread on the Net. Mods, please delete any post that doesn't adhere to the spoiler format or in any way reveals crucial information about the game.

I seriously can't fathom the selfishness of some people.

Let's agree now to make this the safest Heavy Rain Thread on the Net. Mods, please delete any post that doesn't adhere to the spoiler format or in any way reveals crucial information about the game.

I seriously can't fathom the selfishness of some people.

Grammaton-Cleric

Anyone play this yet?

I played it for about an hour or so and stopped when I reached the 3rd character (the investigation scene in the demo).

So far its been really good. I was on a media blackout for this game and I didn't play the demo so its been entirely fresh for me thus far. The thing that jumps out at you the most while playing is the atmosphere. The attention to detail is impressive, even walking in the hallway with Shelby makes you wish other games had this look and fidelity (horror games especailly). The sound is also fantastic, great use of 5.1 and great clarity (really noticable after playing Dragon Age).

I know there are a lot of complaints about the controls but I think they work well with the cinematic camera angles in place. Sure they could have made the camera like Uncharted or Gears and that would have lead to easier controls but I appreciate them doing something different, the game wouldn't have the same vibe with a fixed over the shoulder perspective.

Its so early in the game and I'm already second guessing my decisions which is a great sign. Im going to play more in a little while but so far so good.

Edit: I tried posting my impressions on certain scenes but the spoiler tags are screwing the format. I've tried a thousand times to fix it :evil:

I screwed up and left my copy at work... arg. I won't get to play this till 6:00pm tomorrow.:(

Anyone play this yet?

I played it for about an hour or so and stopped when I reached the 3rd character (the investigation scene in the demo).

So far its been really good. I was on a media blackout for this game and I didn't play the demo so its been entirely fresh for me thus far. The thing that jumps out at you the most while playing is the atmosphere. The attention to detail is impressive, even walking in the hallway with Shelby makes you wish other games had this look and fidelity (horror games especailly). The sound is also fantastic, great use of 5.1 and great clarity (really noticable after playing Dragon Age).

I know there are a lot of complaints about the controls but I think they work well with the cinematic camera angles in place. Sure they could have made the camera like Uncharted or Gears and that would have lead to easier controls but I appreciate them doing something different, the game wouldn't have the same vibe with a fixed over the shoulder perspective.

Its so early in the game and I'm already second guessing my decisions which is a great sign. Im going to play more in a little while but so far so good.

Edit: I tried posting my impressions on certain scenes but the spoiler tags are screwing the format. I've tried a thousand times to fix it :evil:

F1Lengend

TBH, I had zero problems with the controls. They mentioned how the controls would be way back at GC 2008, so I mentally prepared myself to work with them instead of getting too upset about it. Besides, it makes sense from a design standpoint. I just played GOW again, and it uses the traditional analog control scheme. Whenever you go into a different area, the camera changes and there are times when you are holding the analog stick down when you should be holding it up. It completely screws with your head, and you have to let go of the analog stick and start over. In a game like Heavy Rain where the camera angle changes every few seconds, it would be weird to use the analog control scheme.

You cant use formatting in your spoiler section. Everything has to be in one single paragraph.

I'm really struggling with this game. I have an obsession with doing well, passing, you know? So when I start to fail, and recognizing the game has an auto save that can make going back impossible, I pause and quit out to the menu and try again. This was especially frustrating because... (you need to have played as Madison once to be safe reading this)

[spoiler] I had no idea that the first Madison Page scenario was all a dream, and she kept dying, and I would pause and quit out, perplexed at what I could have done wrong, knowing she has more to do and be involved in from the trailers. I did this about seven times before I actually thought to myself that she has insomnia, and that this might be a dream, and I let it happen. Whadda ya know? I was right. [/spoiler]

I just have a hard time accepting things as is when I screw up, and it's hurting my experience so far. I'm trying to get over it, but it's a hard habit to drop. But that's not the fault of the game. Though what is the fault of the game is my other issue. When the action on screen really speeds up, some of the QTE button combos they throw at you are, to be honest, ridiculous. So the QTE are not always implemented well, but this doesn't happen often enough to be a major issue, not yet. Love the presentation, it creates a great atmosphere. It's like Indigo Prophecy on steroids.

I've played up to the point where the son disappears. Great stuff so far.

lol. Carnage, i think that's a spoiler. :P I didnt know that happens in the game. :(

lol. Carnage, i think that's a spoiler. :P I didnt know that happens in the game. :(

S0lidSnake

Played and beat the game yesterday. It was a VERY satisfying experience. For the most part I had no problems with the controls, however there was one particular occasion where it did feel I was fighting with them.

I will say I do disagree with gamespot's review in regards to the limited replay value. I already want to go back and replay it because of some choices I made the first time through. There were a few times were I made a "oops" kind of choice, and one or two choices I really regretted.

The one thing I will say that doesn't really spoil anyhting: I liked Indigo Prophecy, but the story collapsed in on itself about %75 in. Thankfully that doesn't happen in Heavy Rain. The story starts slow...almost painfully slow, but it ramps up and just keeps getting better. This is definitely one of my favorite experiences this gen.

Played and beat the game yesterday. It was a VERY satisfying experience. For the most part I had no problems with the controls, however there was one particular occasion where it did feel I was fighting with them.

I will say I do disagree with gamespot's review in regards to the limited replay value. I already want to go back and replay it because of some choices I made the first time through. There were a few times were I made a "oops" kind of choice, and one or two choices I really regretted.

The one thing I will say that doesn't really spoil anyhting: I liked Indigo Prophecy, but the story collapsed in on itself about %75 in. Thankfully that doesn't happen in Heavy Rain. The story starts slow...almost painfully slow, but it ramps up and just keeps getting better. This is definitely one of my favorite experiences this gen.

Gemini_Red

As it turns out, the main character was a ghost the whole time and only the little boy could see him. Also, he was actually Tyler Durden. And Vader was his daddy.

Seriously though, thanks to everyone for being careful. I got my copy last night but I probably won't get a chance to play until later tonight or tomorrow.

I'm scared that this game, as of right now anyway, is competing for my number one spot of favorite video game of all time. The last time this ever happened was when I was playing Shadow of the Colossus. I don't want Xenogears to be dethroned. I am really enjoying this game and I haven't felt this immersed since Xenogears and Shadow of the Colossus.

The scene in Jayden's "office" might be the most amazing graphical wizardry I've seen this generation. Wow. The game is pretty amazing overall. I've run into two weird glitches, one where an NPC froze in place, and another where the screen went black, and my speakers nearly exploded from some noise glitch. Aside from that, this is a phenomenal game.

The scene in Jayden's "office" might be the most amazing graphical wizardry I've seen this generation. Wow. The game is pretty amazing overall. I've run into two weird glitches, one where an NPC froze in place, and another where the screen went black, and my speakers nearly exploded from some noise glitch. Aside from that, this is a phenomenal game.

rragnaar

As a bit of a side note there is one thing I would want to impress as well, and that is the rating. A lot of games that get the M rating usually get it due to extreme violence, course language, graphic gory material, or crass, pervers humor. This usually isn't enough to stop younger kids from getting their hands on a game...as anyone with Xbox live is well aware of. While I am not keen on 10 year olds playing MW2, GTA, or Halo I have developed a grudging tolerance for it.

Why do I bring up the rating? Simple: this game is NOT FOR KIDS. This is one game where the rating should be taken very seriously and should be enforced, and for once I feel the rating is very significant. This IS a mature title. The material that is provided is done so in a very serious manner, from child murders, drug abuse, alcoholism, sexuality....the way this is handled is appropriate for the setting, but it is not for young children to see. Given the content and what you can see in this game, I am honestly surprised that an AO rating wasn't considered. The fact that Heavy Rain was just given an M rating does give me hope in regards to the ESRB, as they may be starting to understand the significance of this medium and when done correctly genuine "mature" titles may see the light of day.

In short if you have wee ones, don't let them play it and don't play it in front of them.

I beat it and overall it's a solid game. The plot can be quite clever but I thought it was way too linear. I think gameplay wise it hasn't improved from Indigo Prophecy, there is almost zero challenge. Replay value doesn't seem too high because the a lot of chapters are almost like they are on rails...not saying it's a disappoinment just not what I was expecting.

Just pulled a marathon session of almost 5 straight hours :P, I've put in about 7 total hours into the game so far. I've made it to the section where they showed the E3 footage between the FBI agent and the black dude operating the crane. I'm quite surprised at some of the moments in this game, I found a few heart pounding in order to save yourself (music does a great job in building tension). It starts off slow, but it keeps getting better and playing different characters so often keeps the experience fresh. You'll be immerse and pulled into this game that it will be hard to put the controller down. My only gripe is when your character is for example shaking, or in an awkward situation the QTE prompt that appears will be a text of letters shaking and blurring that its hard to see to make the decision you want given the short time you get, it appears rarely but its an annoyance.

This game is too intriguing to pass up, so I just picked up a copy... but I can't play at the moment. Does anybody know what this 200mb patch is supposed to be?

This game is too intriguing to pass up, so I just picked up a copy... but I can't play at the moment. Does anybody know what this 200mb patch is supposed to be?

_Dez_

Finally got the chance to play a scenario with each of the available characters, and I'm totally captivated by the game so far. The presentation is astounding, the characters look incredibly detailed, and I'm totally in love with the game's atmosphere. It's soothing, yet haunting. I don't want to finish it too fast, but I want to know what happens next.

I'll echo what everyone seems to be saying: there's a bit a slow start, not that I mind too much. I really enjoy interacting with environment and just letting it all soak in, just taking my time. The voice acting seems a bit spotty at times, though that really seems to be only in the beginning. Controls aren't too bad. I'm so used to tank controls (thanks Resident Evil!) that it has never really been an issue navigating, though I seem to have some trouble shaking the controller when the game prompts you to do it. It seems like it wants you to be really precise when it comes to waggling, but that seems to be it. Everything else works really well, and the game feels pretty involved even when doing day to day tasks. I gotta get some more time in before the end of the day. Totally enthralling.

I've heard it is better to opt out of the patch, one of the moderators over at NeoGAF, who is also a reviewer, was saying that his copy ran great before the patch, and was buggy afterward. I just cancel the patch and get signed out every time I start the game.rragnaar

Ah, well it's too late for that now. Thanks for the heads up, though. I wonder if it has anything with the occasional... I guess twitch would be the best way to describe it. Characters in conversations make sudden head twitches from time to time, not a lot, but it can be a little jarring to see. I hope that's the worst of it though.

I beat it and overall it's a solid game. The plot can be quite clever but I thought it was way too linear. I think gameplay wise it hasn't improved from Indigo Prophecy, there is almost zero challenge. Replay value doesn't seem too high because the a lot of chapters are almost like they are on rails...not saying it's a disappoinment just not what I was expecting.

trifecta_basic

Thanks for the impressions and good to hear from you.

I can't recall seeing you on these boards for some time.

You've been missed.

I'm loving Ethan's challenges. I thought he'd be the least interesting character from the start, but he has really had some incredible scenes.rragnaar

Did you NOT see the amazing Ethan trailer from Gamescom? His story seems the most interesting to me.

[QUOTE="rragnaar"] I'm loving Ethan's challenges. I thought he'd be the least interesting character from the start, but he has really had some incredible scenes.S0lidSnake

Did you NOT see the amazing Ethan trailer from Gamescom? His story seems the most interesting to me.

hmm.. played the first four scenes today. It starts off really slow, like slower than AC2, but like AC2 it pays off in a huge way. I was running around that mall screaming! :lol: Great stuff!

Also, the title sequence is probably the best I've seen in a video game. The set pieces in the game are phenomenal. The sets feel like they were designed by a hollywood pro. They look so good that they make up for the slightly uncanny facial animation.... it's really a gorgeous looking game.

P.S The dude can draw! How cool was that sequence! In fact, most of the sequences so far have been fantastic. Even little dialogues b/w him and his sons are really well written. I must say I feel ashamed of doubting David Cage. This game has pretty decent writing.

Got it, played and got one of the endings.

Great game and I find all the characters very interesting to play, particulary Scott for some reason.

[spoiler] However I kinda feel it is a little off as my ending had Scott being the Killer which I find rather illogical since he's asking around and actually searching for the Origami Killer. [/spoiler]

Just finished the game and for those wondering the length of the game I'll say its 8-9 hours, I've played it on the highest difficulty which just consists of good reflexes. I liked playing as Scott the most in this game, great game. 9/10. Anyone know what the DLC is supposed to be about?

***spoiler***

Treflis

I beat it earlier and loved it....

*Spoiler contains identity of Origami Killer, don't click if you don't want to read it...*

[spoiler] I think it made sense when you think back on Shelby being the killer. He wasn't looking for the Origami Killer, he was pretending to be a Private Eye so that he could go back and find any evidence that would link him to the crime, so that he could destroy it and cover his tracks. It totally took me by surprise, but it made sense as I thought about it. [/spoiler]

oh snap! Suddenly it starts to ake sense. Very interesting!

My second time through I found whole chapters that I hadn't opened up on my initial run. There's certainly plenty of incentive for at least one replay.

And there are some pretty crazy endings to explore as well. Tears in Rain has to be the most depressing ending I've seen in a videogame. There's so many ways that "final" chapter can play out. I put it in quotes becausethe final chapter changesdepending on your choices, but I'm referring to the latest possible chapter in terms of the timeline.

There's some pretty brilliant potential moments in this game, like Jayden putting it all together. I would have loved to see more of that kind of mental test to go along with all the dexterity checks. That'd be my only complaint. Looking forward to that DLC whenever it comes out.

The ending I got was incredibly bleak (I missed too many opportunities/clues). Awesome game. I'm going to wait a bit before replaying it, but I know there is a lot of stuff I could have done better so I'm sure I'll see a bunch of stuff I didn't see my first playthrough. Damn I ****ed up.

My Gamestop was out of DLC before I got there at 5 in the afternoon to pick up my preorder, which is good and bad (good because it indicates a lot of people preordered HR, bad because I don't get to play the DLC) though they told me they hoped to get some more codes in Friday. *Shrugs* If worst comes to worst, I'll guess I'll buy the DLC whenever it hits the market.

Heavy Rain is such as innovative, well done game that if Sony is smart, they will ask David Cage to continue to make games for them no matter how HR sells (even if not immediately recognized, quality tends to get recognized over time, as Team Ico demonstrates).

This game went from one of the most awesome, most incredible game i've ever played to complete and utter s*** in about three short sections. I am sorry, but if I play the whole game without screwing up a single QTE sequence, and have the game penalize me for mistakenly pressing the wrong button in the very last section of the game, or worse the game misreads my sixaxis motion then the game has failed. Failed miserably. I did not play the game for 9 hours straight to get that horrible excuse for an ending. yeah, the twist made sense, but it's bull**** how everything else panned out.

Yeah, I can go back and replay those sections, but my first experience with the ending has totally ruined my experience with the game. It is indeed phenomenal at times, unlike anything i've played before, but that ending was nothing but pure filth. It should've never made the cutting room floor.

Im gonna go to bed. cant believe i wasted the last nine hours on this thing. First and last time I ever finish a game in one sitting......

This game went from one of the most awesome, most incredible game i've ever played to complete and utter s*** in about three short sections. I am sorry, but if I play the whole game without screwing up a single QTE sequence, and have the game penalize me for mistakenly pressing the wrong button in the very last section of the game, or worse the game misreads my sixaxis motion then the game has failed. Failed miserably. I did not play the game for 9 hours straight to get that horrible excuse for an ending. yeah, the twist made sense, but it's bull**** how everything else panned out.

Yeah, I can go back and replay those sections, but my first experience with the ending has totally ruined my experience with the game. It is indeed phenomenal at times, unlike anything i've played before, but that ending was nothing but pure filth. It should've never made the cutting room floor.

Im gonna go to bed. cant believe i wasted the last nine hours on this thing. First and last time I ever finish a game in one sitting......

S0lidSnake

Guess you didn't get one of the good endings either :P. I don't know if we got the same ending, but the ending I got made sense even though it meant things turning out pretty much the opposite of how I wanted them to. The stakes are really high on the last few segments, but what game doesn't get harder as it progresses? What differentiates Heavy Rain is that failure has costs, one doesn't just reappear and start over again at the point of failure.

*Shrugs* If you don't like the last bits/ending of the game, to each his own, but I loved every second of it. I've been a gamer for thirty two years and HR is one of the rare games which is both superbly done and like nothing I've played before.

Guess you didn't get one of the good endings either :P. I don't know if we got the same ending, but the ending I got made sense even though it meant things turning out pretty much the opposite of how I wanted them to. The stakes are really high on the last few segments, but what game doesn't get harder as it progresses? What differentiates Heavy Rain is that failure has costs, one doesn't just reappear and start over again at the point of failure.

*Shrugs* If you don't like the last bits/ending of the game, to each his own, but I loved every second of it. I've been a gamer for thirty two years and HR is one of the rare games which is both superbly done and like nothing I've played before.

CarnageHeart

well, great the spoiler tags arent working today. Anyone who hasn't finished the game, do not read below. Get out, get out while u still can.

Again, do not blame me spoiling the ending for you. You've been warned.

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I got the worst possible ending. Where everything that can go wrong, does. Now here's the problem, I dont think it's because the game got harder or it's because i screwed up a QTE sequence. I was playing around with the prompts in Ethan's car towards the end trying to figure out the puzzle, and he started the car and went to the wrong address. It didnt even ask to confirm me if i wanted to go. Then I found the freaking golden watch with Jaden, but accidently shook my controller and it pulled me out of the ARI program, and wouldnt let me go back. Worst ending possible there as well. Then after a long sequence with madison, i accidently walk into the fire trying to activate the next QTE prompt and guess what? No second chances there either. I just went back and played those three chapters again, and realized that i was on the right trackeverytime my last try, I knew all the clues, i knew where the kid was, i knew which QTE to activate in the fire, but because of the silly sixaxis implementation and other QTE related mishaps, i was forced to sit through what is quite possibly the most unfulfilling ending ever. I dont mind sad endings, i loved what they did in Seven. The ending here was forced upon me even though i basically nailed almost every single QTE in the game before that. For instance, i played those three segments again and got a whole new scenario. In this scenario, a long fight takes place.... i wont say with who or where, but after this long QTE fight which was interrupted three times by cutscenes involving other characters, i mess up two consecutive sixaxis QTEs and just like that, that character dies. Then the other character dies as well because his fate apparently was tied to that other dude's fate. I mean two deaths based on two consecutive sixaxis QTEs? really? I hope Sony signs him up for another game, because this game at times, was brilliant! David Cage is a really good writer and he had a fantastic story to tell here. Hopefully no sixaxis QTEs in his next game though. :P

Another thing i wanted to mention is that the game suffered from frequent pauses/skips through out the campaign. It happened during the most crucial scenes, and the most action packed scenes. Towards the end, the audio itself would go out on a regular basis. There were quite a few important scenes towards the end where i didnt hear anything for a good 30 seconds or so.

Then there were the long ass loading times, made even longer by the trophies. basically, the game would load then the loading screen with the faces would freeze, and stay that way until the trophy pops up. I started counting after the first few hours, and the loading times were over 2 and a half minutes long. Did anyone else experience these issues or did I just screw up by not listening to rag and downloading the patch? :P