Washington Post Article Aptly Explains Aim Of Heavy Rain

Our review for Heavy Rain received a tremendous amount of flattering praise from our readers (and I thank you all; I worked hard at it), and we also see the PlayStation Blog quoted it on their Twitter page. However, you may be wondering about the more subjective elements of the analysis.

In the review, I do what I can to relay the intense and unique atmosphere in Quantic Dream's excellent title and I add that it feels like no other video game available. You may have seen similar commentary from other sources, but one in particular is really worth reading. It's a very similar editorial to what I would've written had I not been responsible for the actual review, and in it, you will see words that echo many of our sentiments. For instance:

"In Heavy Rain, you feel entirely responsible, because the choices you make alter their fate. And that's what's changed: You're participating in a narrative that combines the visual plausibility of a movie with the choice-and-consequences mechanics of a video game. And you care more about what happens to these people, strangely enough, because they're so definitively not you."

If you're familiar with my review, you know I said something very similar to this. Furthermore, there's the title that says Heavy Rain simply isn't a "video game" according to the technical definition of the term. Quantic Dream boss David Cage himself has said the same thing and in fact, one of the first Trophies you earn is "Started an Interactive Drama," which is probably the best description for this title. We're just trying to give you all a better idea of what to expect come February 23, and it's articles like Peckham's here that really helps.

Related Game(s): Heavy Rain

2/12/2010 9:26:02 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (37 posts)

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BikerSaint
Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 9:50:15 PM
Reply

Great to see people & some media are getting the full meaning of HR

5 up, 0 down

to_far_apart
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 2:42:25 AM

Agreed.

I'm really glad to see the amount of positive feedback for this game. I've actually have read a few articles, and some have gone more in depth for this game, it's good to see they're giving the game the proper time to discuss.

2 up, 0 down

B-RadGfromOV
Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 10:22:24 PM
Reply

It is indeed a great article. He does a good job of explaining something that even David Cage himself has trouble explaining.

1 up, 0 down

Banky A
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 5:00:14 AM

Crap, really?

0 up, 1 down

Dancemachine55
Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 10:29:33 PM
Reply

I really do hope the Australian version of Heavy Rain has not been edited to suit the MA15+ rating.

I've wanted this game for so long, and I want to experience it as David Cage dreamed it. NOT according to what the OFLC believe is suitable for 22 year olds like me.

It's so close. My preorder has been fully paid off. "And now we play the waiting game...
...
...
...
I'm bored, let's play hungry hungry hippos!"

... or better yet, the Heavy Rain demo

2 up, 1 down

Sheps
Monday, February 15, 2010 @ 2:54:21 AM

I haven't heard anything about it being censored in Australia, but you never know. Michael Atkinson might be in need of something to complain about.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 10:58:11 PM
Reply

This is one instance in which I am glad to be wrong, I thought the media would treat this game like another bit of pornography for the kiddies. But applaud the journalists who take the time to see how games have grown.

6 up, 2 down

Naztycuts
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 12:17:41 AM

Gaming is becoming "mainstream" I think World, you have to thank the Wii for getting an untapped audience (suburbia?) into gaming. When you get a mature game like HR that may be misunderstood by the anti-game activists you need intelligent writers in mainstream media explaining what its about so they dont get the wrong idea and get national headlines for their angry rant.

2 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 1:36:26 AM

yeah, that's what Fox news is for.

2 up, 4 down

Naztycuts
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 2:42:48 AM

Fox News? I said intelligent! XD

3 up, 3 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 3:38:56 PM

see: "angry rant"

0 up, 2 down

MyWorstNightmar
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 6:25:43 PM

Apparently you don't watch Fox news. Otherwise, you would have a higher oppinion of them.

3 up, 0 down

Milonakis
Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 11:17:19 PM
Reply

I have to pick this up now, just finished the demo.

1 up, 0 down

___________
Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 11:20:02 PM
Reply

o please enough with the teasing the wait is killing me!
o well at least AVP is here to tide me over for a while.

0 up, 0 down

ThePearlJamer
Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 11:23:12 PM
Reply

Honestly, I still don't know what Heavy Rain is exactly. And for some reason I don't really care all that much. Every time I try to read up on it weather it be on this site or another i find the pieces to be ridiculously long and I just can't stay focused for that long. It it could be explained to me in a paragraph...maybe two. I might want to learn more, but i can't say that for sure...

1 up, 14 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 11:26:21 PM

You might wanna stick to COD then.

8 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 11:43:53 PM

No offense, but if you can't fixate on an article long enough to read it, my guess is you'll hate Heavy Rain.

16 up, 0 down

Naztycuts
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 12:23:46 AM

Ouch Ben thats harsh, do you really need a long attention span to enjoy Heavy Rain? I mean my sister with ADHD enjoyed Indigo Prophecy/Fahrenheit and I'm sure the games are similar even though I have yet to play Heavy Rain I think I know what to expect from it. Not being arbitrary :)

1 up, 4 down

to_far_apart
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 2:44:35 AM

I understand certain games are not for everyone, and i respect how you feel about it. But Ben's right, i highly doubt you'll like Heavy Rain if you can't even read an article haha

World is right, stick to COD, easy on the mind, not to much immersion, just simple run and gun ;)

Last edited by to_far_apart on 2/13/2010 2:45:01 AM

1 up, 0 down

Roach721
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 4:06:37 AM

Then just play the demo and you'll see what everyone is talking about, especially the fight scene with the detective. Had my heart pounding, i did kick his @ss though.

2 up, 0 down

Karosso
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 9:48:12 AM

That fight scene with the detective was heart pound and then some. Can't wait for the game to come out but, might delay playing it a bit until I finish Indigo Prophecy.

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 11:03:52 AM

Nazty: That's not harsh. I'm being truthful. If you can't sit still long enough to read an article (which would only take about two minutes), I can't see how anyone would be interested in playing a game with the pacing and sensitivity of Heavy Rain.

3 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Sunday, February 14, 2010 @ 2:04:10 PM

This is the problem with the youth in America (and the rest of the world?). ADD and the inability to focus on anything longer than a few minutes (hence all the quick cuts in shows and movies... The MTVing of America if you will), making reading boring for them, has led to the bulk of our youth being illiterate. If you frequent enough websites and read the comments, you'll know what I mean.

2 up, 0 down

whiskeytango74
Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 11:54:25 PM
Reply

@ WorldEndsWithMe that comment you made cracked me up. I laughed so hard i almost started crying. my eyes literally started tearing up

0 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 1:35:14 AM

ha, gotcha!

0 up, 1 down

Qubex
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 7:52:27 AM

I'll have a whiskey on that one World :)

Q!

"i am home"

0 up, 0 down

BlackBriar
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 12:58:52 AM
Reply

Game is going to be Great!!!

Last edited by BlackBriar on 2/13/2010 12:59:07 AM

2 up, 0 down

jaybiv
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 1:14:49 AM
Reply

I tried to read the WP article, B Dukat but I think your review really told the story better. I was on the fence with this game until I played the demo. I cannot wait for 2/23. This is truly one of those innovative games that should bring a bunch of imitators. This game is essentially a movie that we can control.

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 1:33:57 AM
Reply

I played some of the demo, turned it off, went on Amazon and hit the preorder, 45 bucks with my bit of credit. I didn't want to pollute it any more with the demo, I just want to play this whole game! It's way too amazing.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 2/13/2010 1:35:41 AM

3 up, 0 down

to_far_apart
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 2:47:26 AM

I had pre ordered it already, and after trying out the demo, all i can say is damn. Can't wait for the release date.

0 up, 0 down

Karosso
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 9:53:50 AM

I know what you're saying Word, when Uncharted 2 came out I had seem all the cool cliffhangers and all I could do was say "Oh, its that scene!" :(
From now on I will just avoid watching too many videos of upcoming games, they always show the best scene from the game.
I did not need the demo, the moment I finished reading Ben's review, I went on Amazon and ordered it, that was all the info I needed :)

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 2:04:24 AM
Reply

I NEVER planned to buy Heavy Rain but after the demo......god damn, Heavy Rain is sooner or later for me.

1 up, 0 down

Qubex
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 8:01:21 AM
Reply

Ok, I finally got around to downloading the Heavy Rain demo and playing it. Tis no doubt impressive; I think Cage himself is probably surprised at how well it turned out...

Must say, I have had some problems with the controls. I don't like how we have to push a button to walk. It felt strange at the start, but I did get used to it. It became easier and easier as time went along.

Graphics and atmosphere are superb... no question it is done well. The engine they have developed is also very good and I am sure it could be applied to alot of interactive drama I.P.'s in the future. In fact, if the sales of Heavy Rain do very well, Sony will not just be in the business of making "video games", but blockbuster interactive drama's. It could eventually become such a big genre it will have its own fanfare and followers the world over... the interactive drama of the future may even have the type of success Avatar has had, or other movie block busters.... I guess Heavy Rain will be one of the games people will look back and say... "it was all because of the critical success of Heavy Rain"... it seems obvious this is the entertainment of the future...

Motion Pictures will have their rightful place, and continue to do so; but as current and future generations change, as this interactive medium is powered by ever more sophisticated "real-world" immersive engines; so the game worlds they power and characters they make live will be ever more real to enjoy, play and experience...

...as I wrote in one of my previous posts... "one small step for Quantic Dreams, one giant leap for video games"

Q!

"The Wizard left Oz"

Last edited by Qubex on 2/13/2010 8:06:33 AM

4 up, 0 down

Robochic
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 9:43:51 AM
Reply

I still havent' played the demo, my husband did and said WOW he was so amazed. I don't want to play it cause I know it'll drive me crazy when I can't go further so I'm waiting for the day its released. for now I'm on my way to play Bioshock 2, cause I know i'll be putting this game on the back burner once heavy rain walks into my home.

1 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 1:31:20 PM
Reply

This is really where v-games start getting more complex imo

I'll be impressed if most reviewers/gamers understand that this is not an rpg, an action/adventure, or an FPS

It's a new genre

Last edited by Scarecrow on 2/13/2010 1:31:36 PM

0 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Saturday, February 13, 2010 @ 5:17:14 PM

Really, it's just an evolution of the adventure game (be it point-and-click or something like Shadow Of Destiny).

But it definitely is innovative.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Sunday, February 14, 2010 @ 9:16:46 PM
Reply

To me, what it is, is the evolution of their last game Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy only .

And IMO, there's no other game ever made, that even come close to either of them!

No that I'm saying SOD wasn't great, because it was too!

0 up, 0 down

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Washington Post Article Aptly Explains Aim Of Heavy Rain

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