GC 2008: PS3 Heavy Rain – looking great but how will it play?
Heavy Rain for the PS3 was detailed for the first time today. But while there’s no doubting that the game looks great, the gameplay leaves a lot to be desired. Can the actual playing experience ever match up to those gorgeous visuals?
If Sony’s great hope for the PS3 this year is LittleBigPlanet, with its lead character of Sackboy being touted as the face of the Playstation 3, then next year seems to be all about Heavy Rain. The Quantic-developed title was officially unveiled, complete with release schedule and gameplay footage, today at GC 2008 in Leipzig.
The game looks sweet as a nut, I mean really beautiful, with stunning human faces and jaw dropping backgrounds. The demo shown at GC 2008 was of actual in-game footage, although it looks to play just like one long cut scene. Check it out below.
The game is scheduled to be released late in 2009, so there is still a massive amount of scope for improvement, but even so, the gameplay mechanics seem to be in place and on first look, they are nothing but some very basic QTEs (Quick Time Events).
Don’t get me wrong, QTEs certainly have their place in gaming, but if that’s all there is to a game then they can become very dull, very quickly. I first experienced them in Shenmue on the Dreamcast, but they have also been used in many games since, notably Indigo Prophecy (or Fahrenheit), Quantic’s last game.
The QTEs is Heavy Rain also look decidedly simple, with just the four main buttons used to control your character’s choice of action. Choice seems to be the keyword bandied about by David Cage, the writer and director of the game, during his unveiling of the game.
Heavy Rain essentially sees you becoming the main character, the director and everyone else in between as you play out the story in the way you see fit. Every decision you make can have a moral and meaningful impact on the storyline.
So graphically, I haven’t seen anything finer all year, and I also like the idea behind the game, with a mature storyline putting the gamer supposedly in the hot seat. I’m just not sure whether the gameplay is going to work for me, and I worry that we’ll end up feeling more like passengers on a train rather than the driver of a car.
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8 Responses to “GC 2008: PS3 Heavy Rain – looking great but how will it play?”
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August 20th, 2008
The gameplay reminds me a lot of the old Dragon’s Lair arcade game, and Cobra Command on the Mega (Sega) Cd. I’ll probably get myself a PS3 when the next price drop occurs, but I don’t see myself getting this game, the longevity of it is a concern.
August 20th, 2008
up urs wet bitch… SACKBOY WILL RULE ALL!!!
and also Kratos… I love Kratos.. is a non-Gay way…
SACKBOY!!!!
I seriously hope this isnt a game like Siberia or any click and go games… please some action…
August 20th, 2008
No Comment
August 20th, 2008
Well, even if that were to be all there was to the game, no one said it would have to be bad.
I don’t know much about this game, but maybe the goal is to make it simply an interactive movie, nothing with any major challenge or interactivity beyond choosing certain actions.
Though if that was the case, they could do away with the quick time events all together…hmm…
August 21st, 2008
The visuals on this game are awesome! But there’s always a let down
here’s hoping the gameplay changes in time for release.
August 21st, 2008
Bourne:
Nice to see part of your comment.
“The visuals on this game are awesome!”
Sony always delivers no matter what time.
Heavy Rain will be a must have game can’t wait to get it.
August 21st, 2008
What’s the problem? This game is to appeal to a certain audience like Farenheit, if u don’t want it get something else. There is nothing wrong with a bit of choice in genres.
August 21st, 2008
I agree with Mr Sparkle… this is definitely going to be a “love it or hate it” kind of game. I like what it’s setting out to do, so let’s hope it delivers. I’m looking forward to playing the demo.
For those of you that still don’t have a PS3, I suggest taking a look at this Stacker 2 contest going on where you can win one (or a 360 for that matter). There are less than 180 entrants as of now, so you have to like your chances too. All you need to do is design a 6 Hour Power t-shirt, which is surprisingly easier than you might think. For contest details, go here: http://www.brickfish.com/Entertainment/Stacker2?tab=overview
I work with them, so send me an e-mail if you have any questions. Let me know if you enter too, and I’d be happy to vote for your design. By the way, Dave, I hope you don’t mind me commenting on your post. Good luck to those entering.
Franklin Keane
http://www.6hrpower.com
Franklin6hrpower@gmail.com