Heavy Rain

Quantic Dream is the studio behind Indigo Prophecy/Farenheit and Omikron, if you're unfamiliar with the name. Anyway, I was a big, big fan of Indigo Prophecy (save for some of the stupid shit toward the end), so I'm excited for whatever their next project turns out to be. Which, seems to be a new adventure game for PS3 by the name of Heavy Rain.

They're showing an unusual video for it at E3, displaying their technology in the form of a video game character at a virtual "audition", possibly hinting at the game's narrative. Download it here:

http://www.quanticdream.com/download...ASTING_AVI.zip

I'm generally not all that concerned about the technology for a game like this, but after seeing that video, I've definitely changed my mind. The character development and atmosphere were the best parts of Indigo Prophecy to me, and just seeing how much more emotion comes through with better facial technology, and better visuals/whether effects/animation, really makes a huge difference. Aside from the lip/mouth syncing problems (which they had better fix), I really like the look of the visuals. The writing is quite good, too, as is the voice acting. Looking forward to it.

You terrible fucking people.

nice sig. glad somebody finally did it.

Thanks Andy. Hadn't heard about this.

I like my memories of Omikron. Indigo Prophecy was pretty exceptional warts and all. I thought they were working on Omikron 2 though. Or is this it?

Edit: Just watched the video. Really cool. I agree with all of this

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Originally Posted by Andy

I'm generally not all that concerned about the technology for a game like this, but after seeing that video, I've definitely changed my mind. The character development and atmosphere were the best parts of Indigo Prophecy to me, and just seeing how much more emotion comes through with better facial technology, and better visuals/whether effects/animation, really makes a huge difference. Aside from the lip/mouth syncing problems (which they had better fix), I really like the look of the visuals. The writing is quite good, too, as is the voice acting. Looking forward to it.

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http://www.silverscreens.com/cinesau...bowfinger1.jpg

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Originally Posted by Andy

You terrible fucking people.

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Quantic Dream ran out their credit with me when I got to the ending of Indigo Prophecy. Anyone who can take such a great game with a fantastic beginning, middle, and then turn it completely around to shit in the end cannot be trusted.

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Originally Posted by Dragonmaster Dyne

nice sig. glad somebody finally did it.

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No it's not, it's just Andy being a tool. Still, atleast he isn't you.

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Originally Posted by g0zen

Quantic Dream ran out their credit with me when I got to the ending of Indigo Prophecy. Anyone who can take such a great game with a fantastic beginning, middle, and then turn it completely around to shit in the end cannot be trusted.

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I think what you mean is, anyone who can take such a great game with a fantastic beginning and middle and then turn it completely around to shit in the end has the potential to make a game that is amazing for its entirety and should surely be given another chance. 'Cause then you would be right.

LOL! No thanks!

LOL!

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Originally Posted by g0zen

LOL! No thanks!

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An LOL response from a poster with a Civil War sig thats based on mortal kombat. Its a walking talking internet fad.

And who the fuck are you again?

Mortal Kombat isn't a fad. It's a lifestyle choice.

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Originally Posted by g0zen

And who the fuck are you again?

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Why? Are you some big wig around here?

Mortal Kombat is easily the favorite in the NHL Playoffs.

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Originally Posted by diffusionx

Mortal Kombat is easily the favorite in the NHL Playoffs.

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Its a bit unfair with Sheeva in the net.

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Originally Posted by Clash!

Why? Are you some big wig around here?

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You missed the joke.

I originally started watching this video, and at first, for some reason, she sounds really off. (Like she's retarted, or deaf, or something.) I didn't watch the rest, and then sort of forgot about it.

Finally got around to watching it all of the way through today, and hot damn do I love this trailer. Once things get going, she sounds far better, and things like this make you realize just how much more emotion can come out of a game when the graphics begin to feel more real. Everything about her "scene" in the trailer is so cool, and really makes me want to see more of how this game will turn out.

I still haven't played Indigo Prophecy yet, beyond a demo, but even with hearing about how crap the ending turns out to be, I still want to pick it up and play it. I think that the closer we get to machines that can produce "humans" that get closer to looking, sounding, and acting human, the more chances companies will take on making games that simply deal with human drama and don't rely on aliens, monsters, and so on. I'm really looking forward to those kinds of games.

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Originally Posted by shidoshi

I originally started watching this video, and at first, for some reason, she sounds really off. (Like she's retarted, or deaf, or something.)

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She's just French. Same difference, really.

Something about this video really bothered me. It didn't look natural. The lip movements seemed exagerrated and it didn't look as if her mouth closed all the way. The mo cap seems not-quite-right. I don't know what it is, but something's wrong and it rubs me the wrong way.

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Originally Posted by shidoshi

I think that the closer we get to machines that can produce "humans" that get closer to looking, sounding, and acting human, the more chances companies will take on making games that simply deal with human drama and don't rely on aliens, monsters, and so on.

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This is exactly why the first 2/3 of Indigo Prophecy are so good, and why the last 1/3 is so bad.

I still want to play Indigo Prophecy, even after hearing about the ending. Dark Rain looks good too.

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Originally Posted by Andy

You terrible fucking people.

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It's probably because the file takes awhile to download.

Anyway, I really like what they're trying to do with this game, but at the same time this chick's facial movements made her look like she had down syndrome half the time, it probably didn't help her case that she had a very thick french-english style pronunciation on everything, either. Her teeth are showing WAY too much as well. It looks like she's an angry dog revealing her teeth before lunging in for the kill.

Her body language was over done, which would have been great if her body language looked nervous at all (this is an audition after all). Some of it worked really well, and some of it didn't. Overall it leans more to favorable and seemed cool. If I ever own a PS3 I'll probably buy this (pending favorable reviews) simply because these guys are trying something in gaming outside the rock'em sock'em "R'AH R'AH!" violence found in almost every other one (aside from The Sims and Sims City).

Color me pink, tickled pink that is. The humor at the end worked pretty well, too.

This Casting demo was whipped up really quickly to be shown at E3. They've said they know they have a long way to go. I agree with all the criticisms, but still found it highly compelling nonetheless.

One thing that disturbs me, though, is that it's just a video clip converted into CG (or real-time PS3 rendering, whatever, doesn't matter). In other words, there's nothing interactive here, nothing that makes it a game. Hopefully their goal is to integrate these principals into gameplay rather than settling for just having the most indie movie-like cinemas in videogame history.

what the bump

Yeah, I was under the impression it was strictly a tech demo but if it actually will be a game cool beans.

Monster Rain

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Originally Posted by RoleTroll

Monster Rain

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Quick! Hide under the porch!

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Originally Posted by Compass

This Casting demo was whipped up really quickly to be shown at E3. They've said they know they have a long way to go. I agree with all the criticisms, but still found it highly compelling nonetheless.

One thing that disturbs me, though, is that it's just a video clip converted into CG (or real-time PS3 rendering, whatever, doesn't matter). In other words, there's nothing interactive here, nothing that makes it a game. Hopefully their goal is to integrate these principals into gameplay rather than settling for just having the most indie movie-like cinemas in videogame history.

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It's an adventure game, dude. What do you want them to show?

The mouse cursor, slowly pixel-hunting for highlightable/named objects.

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Originally Posted by MechDeus

The mouse cursor, slowly pixel-hunting for highlightable/named objects.

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TEH GAMEPLAY.

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Originally Posted by Compass

TEH GAMEPLAY.

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The gameplay is probably walking around picking up objects and using them elsewhere. Not really trailer material.

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Originally Posted by Frogacuda

The gameplay is probably walking around picking up objects and using them elsewhere. Not really trailer material.

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My point was that Quantic Dream was going on and on about how they were going to bring emotion into games -- which is great. But then they just show a non-interactive movie clip. How is that a game? Because it's being rendered on a PS3? Literally, the exact same clip could have been shown at a film festival.

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Originally Posted by Compass

My point was that Quantic Dream was going on and on about how they were going to bring emotion into games -- which is great. But then they just show a non-interactive movie clip. How is that a game? Because it's being rendered on a PS3? Literally, the exact same clip could have been shown at a film festival.

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It's not from the game, dude, it's a tech demo. It's not a scene from the game at all.

But still, that doesn't make their claims hollow. Is the emotion going to be brought to the game by having better inventory puzzles or is it going to be more effective because the digital actors are more expressive? Adventure games are a form of digital fiction. Quality puzzle design and a natural interface is really all there is to the gameplay, more that any actual mechanics. And that's fine.

If it plays like a 15 year old LucasArts game, with amazing production values, a great story, and unprecedented cinematic flair, it'd be a pretty damned good game, don't you think?

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Originally Posted by Frogacuda

It's not from the game, dude, it's a tech demo. It's not a scene from the game at all.

But still, that doesn't make their claims hollow. Is the emotion going to be brought to the game by having better inventory puzzles or is it going to be more effective because the digital actors are more expressive? Adventure games are a form of digital fiction. Quality puzzle design and a natural interface is really all there is to the gameplay, more that any actual mechanics. And that's fine.

If it plays like a 15 year old LucasArts game, with amazing production values, a great story, and unprecedented cinematic flair, it'd be a pretty damned good game, don't you think?

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I know it's a tech demo.

I know what passes for gameplay in most adventure games.

I am way into Quantic Dream. I will buy Heavy Rain. I will probably enjoy it.

What I am saying:

Rendering an FMV in extreme detail, down to super-nuanced character behavior, has nothing to do with gameplay and, while cool, does not particularly impress me as far as implications for potentially groundbreaking game design. I never said this makes their claims hollow. I said I hoped they were planning on doing more with this "emotions in videogames" angle than just trying to replicate real life in non-interactive cut-scenes that happen to appear in a videogame.

There was an interview a few months back in Edge with the guy who runs Quantic Dream, and it was pretty informative in terms of advancements they hope to make to the genre.

If I can find the issue I'll scan the pages.

Exactly. I had just read that interview before watching The Casting. It's the one with The Outsider on the cover, #165.

Yep, that's the one. They seem to have set their bar very high in terms of what they hope to achieve. But who really knows if that's just hopes and dreams vs what they can really provide in terms of gameplay experience.

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Originally Posted by Compass

Rendering an FMV in extreme detail, down to super-nuanced character behavior, has nothing to do with gameplay and, while cool, does not particularly impress me as far as implications for potentially groundbreaking game design.

I never said this makes their claims hollow. I said I hoped they were planning on doing more with this "emotions in videogames" angle than just trying to replicate real life in non-interactive cut-scenes that happen to appear in a videogame.

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If it ain't broke...

bump-asaurus

according to spies at the GC sony press conference tomorrow, a new Heavy Rain trailer and gameplay is going to be shown off

http://kotaku.com/5039130/frenchies-...spoilers-ahead

Also new Singstar, and they got caught before they saw the whole press conference.

Many Bothans died to bring us this information?

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Originally Posted by B-Ri

bump-asaurus

according to spies at the GC sony press conference tomorrow, a new Heavy Rain trailer and gameplay is going to be shown off

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Oh shit, Heavy Rain is going to have gameplay? Day one.

It's nothing but QTE's

Cut scenes count as gameplay, right?

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Originally Posted by Advocate

I still want to play Indigo Prophecy, even after hearing about the ending. Dark Rain looks good too.

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IP is worth playing. Fun game even tho the ending was so hilariously bad.

The ridiculous ending of Indigo Prophecy was not enough to make me forget how awesome the first 80% was.

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Originally Posted by Drewbacca

Cut scenes count as gameplay, right?

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If you ask metal gear fans.

video

http://www.gamekyo.com/video12722_he...lle-video.html

QTE ATTACK!

I think you mean: QTE ATTACK!

ATTAQTE!

I hope this isn't going to be a horror game. I was interested in seeing them go for a human drama like they've been talking about since Indigo Prophecy, but the allure of Hollywood cliche seems to be too strong.

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Originally Posted by Frogacuda

The ridiculous ending of Indigo Prophecy was not enough to make me forget how awesome the first 80% was.

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This is true. Totally agree.

And I am reaaaaally lookking forward to this game even more after seeing the new trailer and screens.

I also agree with Frog, and hope it's more realistic. Focusing on real human drama and not some out there scifi plot would be awesome. And these developers are capable of doing that.

Also, those graphics are f'ing amazing.

Man I wish it was coming out this fall

New Preview from 1Up.

Good to hear him acknowledging the way he screwed up the story in the latter part of Indigo Prophecy.

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Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Good to hear him acknowledging the way he screwed up the story in the latter part of Indigo Prophecy.

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i still need to play this, cause i hear sooo much about it.

Play the first half, then frisbee the motherfucker.

Messing around with random objects in the first half of the game is my favorite thing. <3

It's like they tried to make the second half more appealing by having more nudity (in the Euro version anyway) but nothing can save the last part of the game.

It is a sadness that people probably specifically tracked down the import Euro version for that reason.

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Originally Posted by YellerDog

It is a sadness that people probably specifically tracked down the import Euro version for that reason.

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I got the Euro PC one mostly because it was on one DVD instead of fifty discs. I don't care for polygon nudity but I don't like supporting censored versions of games either.

I think you're lying. Your secret is safe!

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Originally Posted by NeoZeedeater

... but nothing can save the last part of the game.

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The end of IP has got to be the biggest "turn for the worst" in gaming history.

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Originally Posted by NeoZeedeater

I got the Euro PC one mostly because it was on one DVD instead of fifty discs. I don't care for polygon nudity but I don't like supporting censored versions of games either.

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I support polygonal nudity, especially when it's uncalled for.

This was the spotlight game on Gametrailers TV last night. I missed most of it, but what I was able to catch looked really cool. I'm pretty sure it's on the dvr so I'll catch the rest later.

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Originally Posted by YellerDog

I think you're lying. Your secret is safe!

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I did the same thing for the same reason!

Also I got it like 2 months before it came out here and it was the same price.

New Polish Trailer. NSFW

Man this game may be a boring as hell qte fest but at least there are titties.

Game looks incredible to me.

This looks like how Metal Gear should have played.

??? I know those are all english words but I can't wring any meaning out of them at all.

James

When does this game come out? Since I stopped working at Gamestop I suddenly don't know any of this stuff. I might just buy a PS3 for this, though... I really want to play it....

Feb 23rd.

the latest trailer was from E3 (at least what gametrailers has)

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3...avy-rain/50383

newest trailer

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/to...avy-rain/61300

i am still on the fence about the game! My new years resolution confines me to 5 new games this year while i have so many unbeaten games on the shelf, and im screwed by march, especially if i grab this.

newest trailer

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/to...avy-rain/61300

i am still on the fence about the game! My new years resolution confines me to 5 new games this year while i have so many unbeaten games on the shelf, and im screwed by march, especially if i grab this.

This is what passes for a videogame now? I remember when TNL was all like, "get your QTEs outta my fucking GAME," and now it's like "all QTEs all the time? And with titties? Hell-motherfucking YEAH! BEST GAME EVER."

f'reals.

You are a fucking retard.

So, they finally made a game from the Christian Slater movie?

I don't think anyone has even come close to saying best game ever here.

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Originally Posted by Hero

This is what passes for a videogame now? I remember when TNL was all like, "get your QTEs outta my fucking GAME," and now it's like "all QTEs all the time? And with titties? Hell-motherfucking YEAH! BEST GAME EVER."

f'reals.

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It's an adventure game with some QTEs in the cutscenes, but from what I understand the QTEs aren't just busywork, you actually have to live with the outcomes and there are times when it's "right" to fail them. But a lot of what you're seeing in the videos aren't QTEs, they're prompts for various forms of interaction.

I don't really know why people talk about this like it's a Dragon's Lair clone even after playing Indigo Prophecy.

Indigo Prophecy was AMAZING until shit turned into DragonballmatrixZ

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Originally Posted by YellerDog

Indigo Prophecy was AMAZING until shit turned into DragonballmatrixZ

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Exactly. All indication is that QD learned from this and there will be no supernatural BS this go around.

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Originally Posted by kingoffighters

You are a fucking retard.

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If it were on wii with motion plus controls for turning the door and stuff he'd be all over it.

:)

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Originally Posted by Frogacuda

It's an adventure game with some QTEs in the cutscenes, but from what I understand the QTEs aren't just busywork, you actually have to live with the outcomes and there are times when it's "right" to fail them. But a lot of what you're seeing in the videos aren't QTEs, they're prompts for various forms of interaction.

I don't really know why people talk about this like it's a Dragon's Lair clone even after playing Indigo Prophecy.

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I don't think it'll be like Dragon's Lair, but if IP is any indication it will be of the story-over-gameplay camp, championing the idea that videogames are just interactive movies and anything that's not should be embarrassed of itself. They've already proudly quipped that Heavy Rain transcends videogames, as if being a videogame first is a terrible thing.

Yet people will go on and on about this as an example of 'gaming art.' Want a real example of game art? Braid. Why? Because not only is it game first, but all aspects of the game (gameplay, art, what little storytelling there is) is all to communicate certain ideas and be symbolic of some larger "narrative" that doesn't ham-fist itself into the game at the expense of being a game.

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Originally Posted by kingoffighters

Exactly. All indication is that QD learned from this and there will be no supernatural BS this go around.

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I got IP on Steam and I'm terribly underwhelmed by it so far. Only an hour or so in and the terrible voice acting, the crappy animation and modelling, and the fact that my 'part' in the game is regulated highly to interacting with only the things the devs want me to, only in the way they want makes me not like it. It makes me wonder if the game aged well, or if the dependency on the tech side means that things thought revolutionary in its time (the facial expressions, graphics) can no longer hold up the other, weaker parts.

Great, I can make my guy drink milk out of a fridge. Or check his e-mail, or take a leak. Why should I care, unless it's for the marvel of the novelty itself?

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Originally Posted by Chux

If it were on wii with motion plus controls for turning the door and stuff he'd be all over it.

:)

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Man, is that your go-to for any criticism that comes out of my inter-web mouth?

Let's look at it this way - if Indigo Prophesy came out on Wii with the same everything, only the QTEs and object interaction were replaced with motion controls it'd still be a boring, uneventful, shambling mess that relies too much on (outdated) tech and the movie experience to cover up the lack of interesting gameplay.

Although to its credit, the opening of IP had some promise. Having to clean up the murder scene and escape while under the gun was tense. The fact that your decisions come back to affect the investigation was moreso. But since then I've gone through multiple segments where my decisions only affect things in a superficial BioWare-esque way (hearing about my rescue of the kid on the news), while ushered along a flight path that's very predetermined. I'm no longer making interesting play choices...I have choices, sure, but it boils down to playing rock or blues on my shitty poly-guitar.

Im downloading the demo right now, and will capture and post it on youtubeeeee

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people will go on and on about this as an example of 'gaming art'

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Anyone who goes on about "gaming art" should just kill themselves already.

I believe that games can be art, but that claiming one's game is art is similar to claiming that one is hip. Once you go there, it's bullshit.

I really couldn't care less if HR is considered art or not. It looks like a lot of fun and hopefully, it will tell a compelling murder mystery (with various branches of resolution).

If it's like the first scene of Indigo and better, I'll eat my words. So far all indications have been "holy shit, you 'play' the sequence of brushing teeth! Brillance!" so I won't hold my breath.

Ok just played the demo twice. Possible spoilers, but ill also be posting the playthrough videos soon.

Asking different questions to the prostitute in the first scene the second time i played provided more details as to the origami killer. The first time she got more emotional about her son passing, and didnt give me much details, i also frustrated her by being silent for a little while. The first time i paid her, the second time I did not, i dont know what it changed.

The camera focuses on a digital camera she has when you walk out, I wonder the significance, and how to get to it? Some guy comes to beat her up, and depending on how well you do on the QTE you leave ok or you leave pretty beat up (i bet this will change things in scenes in the final game, outside the demo scope).

The second scene was with the detective, and the second time around i definitely found MUCH more clues. You can leave without finding much evidence at all, or you can find a breakthrough in the case.

Its got... interesting controls, but Id assume after a few hours on the game youll get the hang of them. Its an interesting game for sure, gonna have to think about this one.

anyway, videos incoming.

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Originally Posted by Hero

I don't think it'll be like Dragon's Lair, but if IP is any indication it will be of the story-over-gameplay camp, championing the idea that videogames are just interactive movies and anything that's not should be embarrassed of itself. They've already proudly quipped that Heavy Rain transcends videogames, as if being a videogame first is a terrible thing.

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Adventure games more or less by definition ape conventional narrative media within the confines of gaming. This is neither revolutionary nor is it anything that should be derided.

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and the fact that my 'part' in the game is regulated highly to interacting with only the things the devs want me to, only in the way they want makes me not like it.

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It's as if you've never seen an adventure game before in your life.

Best genre ever. BBL, Gabriel Knight

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Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Adventure games more or less by definition ape conventional narrative media within the confines of gaming. This is neither revolutionary nor is it anything that should be derided.

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Their approach that Heavy Rain transcends gaming, as if the game part is an inconvenient circumstance, should be derided. If they wanted to make a CG movie, they should have. If they wanted to make an 'interactive movie' then it's only to serve the movie part, not the other way around. True, adventure games are also story heavy...

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Originally Posted by Frogacuda

It's as if you've never seen an adventure game before in your life.

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But in adventure games there's at least another layer of context into them. The way a character comments about the situation, an object, the fact that there are ways to 'solve' situations. If it weren't for the puzzle solving, thinking up solutions, and the cleverness in that game aspect I wouldn't be a fan of adventure games. In IP so far it's been walk to this guy, talk to this girl, pick responses, go into QTE...no real 'solving' of anything. Do people think it's a stronger game because of the immersion? I think the opening scene has hints of how the two (immersion and gameplay) can coexist, but seem to ditch it in favor of tell a story first, give you things to interact with second, and letting you, the player, be an active participant, a distant last.

(Not to mention the overarching issue of making a story-heavy, gameplay-lite game is; if I don't give a shit about these characters, story, world, what's to compel me to keep going?)

the other scene is currently uploading.

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Originally Posted by Hero

Man, is that your go-to for any criticism that comes out of my inter-web mouth?

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For you, yes.

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Originally Posted by Hero

But in adventure games there's at least another layer of context into them. The way a character comments about the situation, an object, the fact that there are ways to 'solve' situations. If it weren't for the puzzle solving, thinking up solutions, and the cleverness in that game aspect I wouldn't be a fan of adventure games. In IP so far it's been walk to this guy, talk to this girl, pick responses, go into QTE...no real 'solving' of anything.

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Well, it's dumbed down compared to traditional adventure games, and that's a valid criticism, but don't act like there aren't any puzzles in there.

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

I believe that games can be art, but that claiming one's game is art is similar to claiming that one is hip. Once you go there, it's bullshit.

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I'm tired of the "are games art" question. It's utterly irrelevant IMO.

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Originally Posted by Hero

...the fact that my 'part' in the game is regulated highly to interacting with only the things the devs want me to

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Isn't this true of any game... I don't really have a choice on whether or not to shoot Nazis in the face - there's no force surrender option there, and even if there was, it'd only be because the developers put it in.

Scene 2





their still processing so they should all be full HD in the next hour.

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Originally Posted by Frogacuda

Well, it's dumbed down compared to traditional adventure games, and that's a valid criticism, but don't act like there aren't any puzzles in there.

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Then I've yet to come across them. Which is perfectly possible - like I said I haven't played it too far. The first scene is so promising though that dropping into the next gives little motivation to keep going.

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Originally Posted by Diff-chan

I'm tired of the "are games art" question. It's utterly irrelevant IMO.

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Same here, but the buzz I've read on Heavy Rain points in this direction, as if it's reason enough to forgive any shortcomings it may have as a game.

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Isn't this true of any game... I don't really have a choice on whether or not to shoot Nazis in the face - there's no force surrender option there, and even if there was, it'd only be because the developers put it in.

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Also true! I suppose my biggest concern is that of the choices and direction given to me in Indigo, none of them are very interesting so far. Not to mention the characters/story aren't interesting and imo even if they were the former hinders any appreciation of the latter. The flow of the game seems to appreciate passive player participation to favor a deliberate narrative. To me stories will always be better told through passive mediums since the author retains complete control. Games lacking strong player participation offer no real reason to be a game, other than allowing a player to feel 'immersed' superficially.

Or to put it another way, I may be shooting Nazi's in the face, but the tactile ability to do so, and in an ever-increasing curve of pace, difficulty, while offering different interesting ways in which to shoot them, makes for a better 'game' than one with lots of interesting story and uninteresting player choices.

Story-heavy adventure games definitely aren't for everyone. Whether it's Indigo Prophecy, Shenmue, Dreamfall, etc., opinions are always divided on that sub-genre. Some people want all their video games to be focused on challenging gameplay with minimal story and that's fine for them. Myself, I like all kinds of games and sometimes feel like playing one like the ones I mentioned. I don't think those games would have worked as well or have been the same experience if they were movies or books either; I think the interactivity manages to be more than superficial in those cases. Look at a game like Snatcher, it's very heavy on story/light on puzzles but it's a much different (but still very satisfying experience) than its inspiration source (Blade Runner).

I don't know if you can really call Shenmue story heavy.

Sailor heavy maybe, but story heavy?

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Originally Posted by NeoZeedeater

Story-heavy adventure games definitely aren't for everyone. Whether it's Indigo Prophecy, Shenmue, Dreamfall, etc., opinions are always divided on that sub-genre. Some people want all their video games to be focused on challenging gameplay with minimal story and that's fine for them. Myself, I like all kinds of games and sometimes feel like playing one like the ones I mentioned. I don't think those games would have worked as well or have been the same experience if they were movies or books either; I think the interactivity manages to be more than superficial in those cases. Look at a game like Snatcher, it's very heavy on story/light on puzzles but it's a much different (but still very satisfying experience) than its inspiration source (Blade Runner).

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That true, I suppose an even finer breakdown would be story-heavy games that tell it passively (through cinematics, cutscenes) and actively (requiring someone to read and add internal narration, or dialogue trees from the player).

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Originally Posted by bbobb

I don't know if you can really call Shenmue story heavy.

Sailor heavy maybe, but story heavy?

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Okay, maybe that one's not as constantly focused on the main story but I think it fits with the others as an adventure game that's light on puzzles and is more about the experience than challenging gameplay (unless all you're doing is playing the arcade games in it).