Heavy Rain offers a compelling season in Hell for anyone interested in a deep story and characterisation.
As its name implies, the game is set in a miserably wet environment. From what I recall of English literature classes, its what they call pathetic fallacy, as the weather really does reflect the dark worldview that French developer Quantic Dream have set out to portray. And for each characer, the game really is a season in hell; whether Ethan mars, who has to face the trauma every parent dreads, or the other three playabble characters, the game perfectly welds a glowering and relentlessly sordid atmosphere with the personal catastrophes that each of them must face as they deal with the mysterious serial "Origami" child killer. Although reviewers have understandably been mesmerised by the games fantastically detailed graphics and character models, special mention must go to the wonderful musical score, which adds depth and seriousness to the unfolding tragedies that the player/viewer experiences.
The game controls are a mix of quick time events (QTE) and a curious control system that aims to recreate simple everyday movements viw the right analogue stick. In fact, the latter is more reminiscent of guitar tablature than conventional videogame controls. Perhaps the biggest irritation for me is the cumbersome and imprecise old-school "Resident Evil"-style tank controls which require the player to hold the R2 button; however, this isn't a game-breaking issue because the input system for QTEs is sharp and extremely forgiving. The emphasis is always on giving players just enough choice when controlling the four characters wityhout really diverting from the main thrust of the whodunnit thriller plot.
What must be mentioned is that "Heavy Rain" would not be succesful in creating this lovingly detailed envirnoment of any- and every-where America if the human characters were not believable types. Quantic Dream have triumphed in crafting characters that are as solid in their connection with the audience/player as they are in their high definition apperances. The obviously French origions of the voice actors (especially the actor that plays Lauren) doesn't really detract from the experience.
Although the much-vaunted choice system is not always as flexible as many critics would like, the game generally achieves its dark and yet human view of the world by giving just enough choice for players to make (via dialogue options and quick time events) without deluging them in some "Butterfly Effect"-like system whereby the smallest decision has enormous and unforeseen consequences. In truth, it would have been nice to have more say in the story development during the first half of the game, with a greater say given to the gamer as to how the relationship between FBI man Norman Jayden and police officer Blake developed, for example.
The game can be completed in less than eight hours, but the branching story tree during the last part of the game and the possibility for some of the charcaters to die adds another two playthroughs for even the mildly curious player. Trophy support is very well implemented because it gives opportunity for gamers to see what available choices there are left to be made with view to another playthrough. However, it is hard to really recommend a purchase of the game rather than an extended rental, although the addition of downloadable standalone game packs in future may change this.
"Heavy Rain" is a fantastically accomplished hybrid of videogame and drama. Whether the game remains a quirky novelty or becomes a template for a new breed of story-driven videogame is hard to tell. What is not is that this is one trip to the dark side that any PlayStation 3 owner must experience.