Heavy Rain: What has been Watched can not be Unwatched

[Ausdoerrt]

Again... check out Indigo Prophecy, its the same guy, same concept, only graphics are a bit out of date. Still, nothing quite like it out there.

Seen the movie, can't say I liked it much.

I think people have every right to bash a game for not being a game due to serious lack of gameplay.

OK then, can I bash KAMAZ for not being a fast sports car, or bash MS Paint for not being able to open mp3 files? Bash Crime and Punishment for not having enough "action"? "I hate my dress shoes because they're horrible for cross-country marathons!!" (c) dissatisfied customer

The world of bashing things for what they aren't is great, ain't it.

 

[Black]

Gee, too bad you're clueless when it comes to games and the fact that they need gameplay.
That's the main thing that distinguishes games from other mediums, you know.
Perfectly reasonable to bash "a game" for not letting you play it. I'd bash foobar and winamp if they were unable to play music too!

 

[Ratty Sr.]

Thus far most all critiques I've heard come down to "I don't like this type of game".

What, the shitty type? Yeah, I can kinda see where those critics are coming from.

The world of bashing things for what they aren't is great, ain't it.

Indeed, there are a lot of things Heavy Rain isn't. "Good" is one them.

 

[Brother None]

Bash Crime and Punishment for not having enough "action"?

More comparable to bashing a book for not having any words.

And again, the fringe nature of "interactive films" as a genre aside, Heavy Rain is just downright idiotic from everything I've seen. From asinine actions to the game railroading you, it's nothing it promised to be, other than stupid.

 

[Ausdoerrt]

And again, the fringe nature of "interactive films" as a genre aside

...except that this is exactly what most everyone's bashing the game for, here. I wouldn't be arguing right now if I saw much reasonable critique. The problem is, I don't. Of course a fucking interactive film will have less player interaction than a shooter, and I'm not that surprised that it's fairly linear/railroaded either, since the "games" like this tend to be.

Look, I'm not arguing that it's the game of the century, just saying that a lot of the critique here ranges from fairly unreasonable to downright hypocritical.

 

[Sam Ecorners]

At least there is a nice nudity glitch
http://sussuworld.blogspot.com/2010/03/glitch-de-heavy-rain-mostra-nudez-de.html

 

[Silencer]

Sony has no control of sites such as Metacritic, where the game is in great standing from a multiple range of reviews

The hype controls the Empire. Whoever controls Dune, controls the hype.

5ily

 

[Ratty Sr.]

At least there is a nice nudity glitch
http://sussuworld.blogspot.com/2010/03/glitch-de-heavy-rain-mostra-nudez-de.html

Alright, you've convinced me, I'm buying this game.

 

[Sander]

...except that this is exactly what most everyone's bashing the game for, here. I wouldn't be arguing right now if I saw much reasonable critique. The problem is, I don't. Of course a fucking interactive film will have less player interaction than a shooter, and I'm not that surprised that it's fairly linear/railroaded either, since the "games" like this tend to be.

Look, I'm not arguing that it's the game of the century, just saying that a lot of the critique here ranges from fairly unreasonable to downright hypocritical.

A lot of the critique focusing on the gameplay is a result of the hype and marketing of this game. It's supposed to be a revolution in gaming, where choices matter and you play a real human being. Bullshit.


Also, from what I've seen of this game, it has no actual consquences to the choices you make. The only way interactive movies have a reason for existing is if you can actually influence what happens.


Also, Indigo Prophecy had a great first half and an absolutely retarded second half which made every previous choice made irrelevant, and turned it from a decently interesting murder mystery with a bit of a noir vibe, into a ridiculous fantasy dream.

 

[Ausdoerrt]

A lot of the critique focusing on the gameplay is a result of the hype and marketing of this game. It's supposed to be a revolution in gaming, where choices matter and you play a real human being. Bullshit.

So again, blame the PR dept. and not the game devs. But, like I said, that's actually one side of the critique that I'm inclined to agree with. But hey, all's fair in love and game marketing

 

[Arr0nax]

And again, the fringe nature of "interactive films" as a genre aside

...except that this is exactly what most everyone's bashing the game for, here. I wouldn't be arguing right now if I saw much reasonable critique. The problem is, I don't. Of course a fucking interactive film will have less player interaction than a shooter, and I'm not that surprised that it's fairly linear/railroaded either, since the "games" like this tend to be.

Look, I'm not arguing that it's the game of the century, just saying that a lot of the critique here ranges from fairly unreasonable to downright hypocritical.

I must admit some of the bashing here is a little... exagerated.
Do I go bash FPS because I don't like this genre of games ?
No, I just don't. It's not my stuff, so I'll not bother complaining about it.

However, it's true that an interactive movie need at least a good storyline to back it up since it's all it has to provide fun to the player. And it's true that Heavy Rain story sucks balls.

So, criticizing the game content is fine. Criticizing the false non-linearity is fine. But repetitively bashing it BECAUSE it's an interactive novel just don't seem right. If it's not the kind of games you like, pass your way.

 

[Brother None]

So again, blame the PR dept. and not the game devs.

Doesn't work that way. Nobody gets a free pass for trying to sell off something it's not. PR is supposed to get me to like and buy a game, that means I'm in my full right to kick a game's ass because of false PR.

Just the way it works. From a consumer standpoint.

 

[Ausdoerrt]

Doesn't work that way. Nobody gets a free pass for trying to sell off something it's not.

They didn't really, either. They exaggerated a bit, but that's a commonplace strategy. I mean, do you regularly rage at the Axe commercials because they falsely suggest that using the product will automatically get you laid?

And let's be honest, consumers who buy something solely based on advertisements and then aren't satisfied with the product brought it on themselves.

 

[shihonage]

Again... check out Indigo Prophecy, its the same guy, same concept, only graphics are a bit out of date. Still, nothing quite like it out there.

Seen the movie, can't say I liked it much.

Well then you won't like Heavy Rain.

 

[Ausdoerrt]

Does it have bullshit psychic powers and whatnot? I don't mind the storytelling style so much as I do the lack of coherency and juvenile writing.

 

[Bal-Sagoth]

Does it have bullshit psychic powers and whatnot? I don't mind the storytelling style so much as I do the lack of coherency and juvenile writing.

Nah, none of that at all. The story is actually quite well written and entertaining, I am on my second play through and enjoying it just as much if not more then the first.

The big main twist to the story is masterfully done and pretty much everyone I talked to was blown away and never saw it coming, which is why I warned people against reading fan reviews on forums and stuff. Knowing it in advance completely ruins the experience.

 

[Brother None]

The big main twist to the story is masterfully done and pretty much everyone I talked to was blown away and never saw it coming.

Never saw it coming because its subtle or because it just has no foreshadowing at all? Because the entire game so far points clearly to Ethan being the Origami Killer, so that being so obvious I assume the game pretends it's him, and then reveals it's one of the other four main characters at the end? If it does so well, in a way consistently hinted to in the game, I'll be impressed.

They exaggerated a bit, but that's a commonplace strategy. I mean, do you regularly rage at the Axe commercials because they falsely suggest that using the product will automatically get you laid?

No, because they suggest it, they don't promise it.

Also, I still fail to see what you're confused about in people's responses, Ausdoerrt. Interactive films are an easy game to get wrong, and when you do people will harp on how stupid it looks and - yes - how little interactivity there is. But that's because you did it wrong. Like I said right at the beginning of the thread:
Look, interactive films are a valid genre, but that's provided the content of the film itself is well-done and entertaining. People forget Dragon's Lair worked because Don Bluth is (was) a friggin' genius, not because of the concept of interactive film.

There's nothing inherently wrong with the genre, but bullshit titles like Heavy Rain will stop it from ever coming to fruition, and encouraging that just because you're desperate for success in the subgenre is terrible.

 

[Black]

This game is an instant classic. This will be remembered as one of the best games of this generation for the years to come.

The game is brilliant in every way. It reminds me of PC adventure games, but it manages to involve you in a way that no game and no movie can.

This game does have an excellent plot (one of the best in the history of videogames), interesting puzzles (which I can't give examples without spoiling them for those who haven't played it) and it is VERY fun to play. You haven't seen anything yet.

This gameplay is very effective to give the player a tactile feel to the game. Pay attention now: it means you get to feel closer to the characters. Especially in situations of danger where your heart will almost jump through your mouth. The sixaxis help it even more because you will actually have to move in some cases, getting tired and making your heart go faster.

The creator claimed that he wanted to create an emotional rollercoaster. Well, he succeeded at it.

This game will be remembered as one of the best of this generation.

haters gonna haet

 

[Ausdoerrt]

Also, I still fail to see what you're confused about in people's responses, Ausdoerrt. Interactive films are an easy game to get wrong, and when you do people will harp on how stupid it looks and - yes - how little interactivity there is. But that's because you did it wrong. Like I said right at the beginning of the thread:
Look, interactive films are a valid genre, but that's provided the content of the film itself is well-done and entertaining. People forget Dragon's Lair worked because Don Bluth is (was) a friggin' genius, not because of the concept of interactive film.

There's nothing inherently wrong with the genre, but bullshit titles like Heavy Rain will stop it from ever coming to fruition, and encouraging that just because you're desperate for success in the subgenre is terrible.

And, as I said before, I'm not exactly arguing it's the game of the century either. Nor am I confused about anything. I just find it ridiculous that aside from a few reasonable comments this thread is indeed full of people bashing the game for the genre, while as you noted, there indeed is nothing inherently wrong with it. I'm referring mostly to comments like "the game plays itself" etc. which are frankly full of shit.

Other than that, I don't think I can comment on the game's story in detail, nor frankly do most people in this thread, because it looks like they're not planning to plan it. Judging a game from a preview is like judging a book by the cover summary.

I also disagree with your last point. Opinions aside, if a genre is dead, a genre is dead. If there are titles, there will be improvement. If the reception is good, more titles will be made, eventually erasing the perceived rarity and exclusivity of the concept, making the critique harsher and raising the bar for the game devs higher. Eventually we may even reach the point where interactive movies of near-book quality will be released. In other words, the more shit there is around, the more likely you're to find gems in it. On the other hand, genres have been slowly dying out despite there being quality titles released, simply because they're either overlooked or given a thrashing in reviews for no apparent reason.

 

[fedaykin]

IF you have anything of consequence to say, present it in a logical fashion. Thus far most all critiques I've heard come down to "I don't like this type of game".

So far in this thread there have been specific criticism of numerous general shortcomings as well as specific interactive scenes in the game. You've ignored all that. I can provide you with more, if you wish.

I'm watching Benzaie's Let's Play part 2 right now and there's the waiting room simulator bit. You character is literally sitting in a waiting room and the fascinating choices you have available are the following: 1) cross your legs and arms 2) put your right foot on your knee 3) put on your sunglasses and glove 4) play with your super duper cyberball thingy by throwing it against a virtual wall (not even a minigame, because from what I can see the throwing is automatic) 5) ask the secretary how long it's gonna be. Lots of cool choices, huh? Not really, because when you analyze them they're all not only meaningless in terms of gameplay (no consequence), but they're not interesting nor challenging, and they're mostly semi-automatic. You simply get a slightly different cutscene by choosing these things in different succession.

Now, what exactly do you think is worthy of defense in this type of gameplay, and why? Even if we accept the fact that it's only an interactive movie and take it for what it IS then this is still mind-numbingly boring, because nothing is happening.

Mundane actions alone do not make for good gameplay, because we do them in real life as it is. In fact, mundane things can even be more enjoyable in life than they can ever be in a game. We all have felt for instance the great relief, the enjoyment of urinating after having had to hold it in for a long time. But there is no way to feel that in a game. And if the action does not even affect anything in the game, then it ends up being little more than filler.