Video games are frequently regarded by the mainstream as the annoying little brother in the media family. Whereas music, movies, television, and literature can frequently be lauded for both conveying and causing emotion, video games rarely get credit for doing so. Heavy Rain is one of those games that demonstrates video games can have just as much artistic credibility as any other medium.
The game follows four characters hunting for a mysterious serial killer named the Origami Killer. Ethan Mars lost his son in a tragic accident two years before. While suffering from depression, blackouts and a fear of crowds, his other son is kidnapped by the Origami Killer, who has set up a series of trials Ethan must complete if he wants to rescue his son. Ethan meets Madison Paige, a photojournalist who helps Ethan while investigating on her own. Meanwhile Norman Jayden, an FBI profiler, and Scott Shelby, a retired-cop-turned-private-eye, seek out clues to the killer’s identity. Norman uses futuristic technology to analyze leads and evidence, while Scott relies on more traditional investigation.
The game relies heavily on a multiple-point-of-view exposition, switching frequently between the four main characters. In terms of their personalities, the characters are among the most realistic portrayed in a video game. They are familiarly flawed without falling into overly clichéd stereotypes, and their emotions feel genuine. All is not perfect, though. While most of the dialogue feels authentic, there are instances of groan-worthy speech. However, they’re minor moments among otherwise excellent storytelling and character development. The sound design, much like the story and character rendering, is top notch. Alternating between calm and tense, encouraging and depressing, the music keeps you in the moment without being overwrought.
Screen shot from Heavy Rain.
The character models also contribute to the realism of the game. Both the main characters and the other people you encounter are rendered in creepily life-like quality. Although technology has not yet improved to the point where video game characters and real-life actors are interchangeable, Heavy Rain’s character models are easily among the best available. Facial animations and body language accurately portray emotions, as well as physical and psychological states of the characters. At times, though, you can definitely tell where the game’s creators spent most of their graphics budget. In contrast to the characters, the textures of the clothing and the settings suffer from bland textures. While the different locales look realistic from a distance, up-close inspection reveals minimal attention to detail.
Screen shot from Heavy Rain.
Besides the walking controls, which can be frustrating, the game is controlled almost exclusively through the use of quick-time events, similar to boss battles in the God of War series. Where it differs, however, is that it not only controls your dialogue and actions, but also controls the direction of the story. Your choice of how to react (or not react, for that matter) affects how other characters perceive you, whether you succeed at a given task, and the very survival of your characters. There is no game over. If you die, you die — and the story moves on without you. The quick-time events are generally well-executed, although it can occasionally be difficult to identify which button does what when the game is not played in high definition.
The decisions you make are not black and white, not merely a choice between good and evil. A “good” decision can end in a bad way, and vice versa, and the tension you feel when making these decisions is palpable. Are you willing to kill if it means you might be able to save someone you love? Are you willing to help a stranger if it means you might be arrested? Are you willing to deal with both the legal and personal consequences of those decisions?
Screen shot from Heavy Rain.
Although it has no multiplayer component, Heavy Rain should keep players busy with multiple playthroughs. Immediately after my first game finished, I began second-guessing my decisions throughout the game. What if I had tried this tactic? What if I hadn’t pressed that button when prompted? What if I didn’t catch the killer? These “what-ifs” will keep players coming back for more.
Heavy Rain innovates in a way that few games have ever succeeded. While it is by no means perfect, it can definitely be included as evidence of games as an art form. It is less a video game than an interactive choose-your-own-adventure book for adults, relying on empathy and emotion over adrenaline and cheap scares.
Story: 9.5
Gameplay: 9.0
Graphics: 9.0
Sound: 9.5
First Play: 9.5
Replay Value: 8.5
Overall: 9.25
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