In a world filled with first-person shooters and sports titles, this game shows you something different.
Game Play - 9.0
Visual - 9.5
Audio - 9.0
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Overall - 9+
I know that people say this about games all of the time, but Heavy Rain is a game that is different from almost anything out there. (At least on consoles.) This game's dark suspenseful plot plays out like a Hollywood thriller with the player as the director. It's not for everyone, and definitely not for children, but for people looking for a new thrill will find a rewarding experience that can be different for everyone.
Heavy Rain plays out like an interactive movie. Button prompts pop up on the screen symbolizing character actions. A successful button press will result in the intended action. However a miss doesn't simply mean that no action occurs. Sometimes it could change the course of future actions, or nothing could happen until the proper button press is entered. Some button presses even need to be entered slower or faster than normal. Most of the button entries are pretty straight forward and work very well. Some of the six-axis commands were a little awkward for me. (I will admit that I have never been comfortable with PS3 Six-Axis Use) Interestingly, Heavy Rain doesn't feature a traditional 'Game Over' screen. The actions, failed or successful, affect future events. This results in very open-ended game play. My brother and I both played this game, and we had very different experiences. This openness makes it very interesting to go through the game on repeat play-throughs.
The plot of Heavy Rain involves the investigation of the Origami Killer, a serial murderer who kidnaps and drowns children in rain water. The player controls 4 different characters who each have a different connection with the case. These four people each trek through the plot in their own ways, each one investigating a different aspect of the Origami Killer. These different aspects provide an entertaining and suspenseful view to the story. I don't want to delve too much into the plot because I think this game is at its best if the player comes in with no ideas or misconceptions. Suffice it to say, if you enjoy dark mysteries, you'll love this.
Graphically, Heavy Rain is outstanding. The main characters are very detailed in their look and expressions. Whether a charming smile or a dark, brooding glare, the faces of the characters are emotion-filled and detailed. The environments fit very well with the dark tone of the game. The sub-way, filled with people, has a florescent lit hue that makes it seem just like being underground, and the rain effects add to the somber, darker feel of the game. My only complaint about the graphics is that there are some rare times where there is a graphic tear across the screen, but it doesn't take away from the game play. The soundtrack is also very good. When the music is playing, it always fits the action on the screen. The voice acting is mostly well done, but there are some rare times where the quality drops a little bit. However, this never takes away from the game play, and the audio just adds more suspense and emotion to the game.
Overall, I throughly enjoyed this game. I know it's not going to quench an action-junkies thirst, but it does give a deep, enjoyable gaming experience. I will give a warning one more time. Even though I played and enjoyed Rated M (Mature 18+) games when I was a teenager, this game feature some very adult content, situations, and themes. However, for everyone okay with that, have a great time with this unique and involving game.