When big name publishers announce AAA titles, most gamers have an initial, knee-jerk reaction as to whether or not they are hyped about the impending release. Some games you just know you are going to want, no matter what reviews you read or gossip you hear. Others just do nothing for you and even giving it a second thought seems like a pointless waste of your time. When Sony announced Heavy Rain, which of the aforementioned scenarios best described your immediate view? Well, if you're anything like us then neither will be your answer as we really didn't know what to make of it. As the hype bandwagon gains momentum however, Heavy Rain has really grabbed audience attention and as more details emerge on what some deem to be this quarters biggest hitter, we for one are growing curiouser and curiouser.
So few details have emerged in regards to the story line of Heavy Rain and in truth, what we know so far is mainly pieced together from the various snippets of information that developers, Quantic Dreams sporadically drop, pulling us ever deeper into the their created enigma. What has been confirmed is that there will be at least four playable characters; An FBI profiler named Norman Jayden, a retired private detective by the name of Scott Shelby, Madison Page, a journalist and an architect called Ethan Mars. Each character has their own story to discover but it is the way you go about doing so that will determine the direction in which your experience will head. One thing they all have in common however is their search for the mysterious Origami Killer, who abducts small boys and drowns them in rain water.
Heavy Rain takes the form of an immersive, decision-making tale in which even the smallest of delayed reactions can completely change the eventual outcome of the game. As well as featuring action genre-like playability, the game also features control prompted quick time events. For example if your character is being attacked, rather than the button bashing bore that some titles incorporate, you will be required to press the relevant on-screen. Hesitation will not end your game, but could alter its course. During these scenes, a timer appears on the screen which opens a window in which you can choose to follow the command. Compliance is not mandatory however, allowing you to react in your own way to a particular situation. Different decisions will lead to different outcomes, none of which you will be aware of until after you have carried out your choice.
The rest of the game is played out using unique control mechanisms. The right trigger will make your character move forward while the right analogue stick controls direction. The left stick will dictate the characters' head movements, allowing full control over your view and ensuring you never miss even the smallest of clues in your murder hunt. You will be required to use varied amounts of force and control with firmer button responses needed for fight scenes, and a gentler touch required when carefully applying a character's make-up, for example. Not only does this give you an idea of the broad spectrum of tasks you'll be fulfilling, it also indicates the attention to detail placed into making Heavy Rain an interactive joy. It is this tailored control system that will divide the clearly adult audience at which this title is aimed. You also have full control over your chosen character's thoughts too, allowing them to think things you may well have in your own head, prompting an according reaction.
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