Heavy Rain (Playstation 3)

From the makers who brought you the compelling story from Indigo Prophecy (AKA Fahrenheit), Quantic Dream has their latest video game ‘Heavy Rain’. Four kidnappings have gone unexplained, with the boys later being found drowned with an Origami piece on their chest. The serial murderer known as the Origami Killer has kidnapped another boy, and four unrelated individuals will work to putting this killer to justice, by any means.

The core belief of Quantic Dream is the power of video games being a delivery for storyline. The interactivity of games allows the player to choose what they want to unfold, and discover. With this, Heavy Rain puts you in control of four different characters, all with different lives. The basis of the game surrounds the moral choices we make in order to save the ones we love. Every choice affects the story. So much so, that if a character dies in the game, that character is gone for good. With such an open field for choice, this game promises to provide multiple replayability opportunities.

The game’s attention to detail is immaculate. With fantastic use of stop-motion acting and voice-over work, the movements and expressions the characters make help wash away the idea that you’re playing a game, and instead experiencing a story. The controls are simple, and while incorporating the single button or movement play of a God of War or Shenmue game, they work extremely well for the situations you'll face.

- © Gerard Ward

An evolving thriller in which you shape the story

Mature content, reflecting a realistic world setting that explores powerful themes

Stunning graphics, animation and technology support an emotionally driven experience

Accessible gameplay via intuitive, contextual controls and interface