[HEADING=1]Continuum's Heavy Rain Demo Impressions[/HEADING]
Let me begin by saying that the demo was awesome. Pure awesome. The sort of awesome that wrenches at each neuron and synapse in your brain and permeates each and every semblance of your awareness in an explosion of ecstasy. Yeah it's that damn good. But please remember that this is the demo and this is my opinion. [footnote]I am only doing the first half of the demo because I preferred it and I think it captures the essence of the game a little better.[/footnote]
It begins with a tutorial that seamlessly weaves into the main level in which you play as private detective Scott Shelby. Immediately what struck me was the noir feel to the atmosphere. You are sitting in a car beside a dingy alley and the rain is pelting down from the night sky. The shady somewhat sombre soundtrack complements the setting wonderfully with light piano. The oily street lamps and lonely corners just epitomise noir.
In order to complete specific actions which are activated via innovative quick time events you need to flick the right analog stick in a certain motion or press a button in a certain time frame. You may be thinking "Aw but I hate quick time events" but trust me on this one, it is not the type of merciless Bayonetta quick time event that punishes you for even blinking. It is fun, relatively simple and you don't die if you miss it; the scene just changes a little if you do.[footnote]Bear in mind that it uses the sixaxis shake thingy sometimes. I couldn't get it to work, but it isn't really that big an issue.[/footnote]
With a swift flick of the analog stick I switch off the ignition of the car and step out into the alleyway. In order to walk you must hold down R2 and move the left analog stick which makes even the smallest of efforts seem like a little task. Which is what this game is, a series of small bite size tasks. But they are ever so tasty.
I continue down the alleyway getting to grips with this original and intuitive design and as I reach the end, my character begins to have breathing difficulties. I have to act fast, and with some skill dabbled with mild panic I manage to enter the quick time sequences and grab the inhaler from the detectives pocket. Now that is a character I think to myself- this guy is flawed and he has a trench-coat. It's worth mentioning the rain as well for obvious reasons. It looks fantastic, the way it dynamically falls onto the detective's shoulders and head.
I walk out of the alley and into an apartment block where I am greeted by my first dose of conversation. I assume it is the landlord and he is apprehensive at first to give me details but the detective and his silver tongue do their magic. I find out that I am looking for a woman and she is in the third door to the left up the stairs. I get to the door and knock. A scene ensues where I try and gather information about this woman's boy who went missing in order to see if there is any connections to that case and the one the detective is investigating. She is reluctant and apprehensive and so I leave my card on the table and exit the apartment.
5 Dolla
I have to mention a few things here about the previous scene that are relevant to technical aspects. The animations of the woman's face were excellently rendered and definitely on par with Mass Effect 2. I am going to go as far to say it is more realistic considering that these are all human characters facing difficult emotions and realistic situations. You can see it in their faces and their body language. It also means that you empathise with the characters a little more. That's where the similarities end however, but I thought it might help put it into context if you have something to compare to. The voice acting is excellent as well; it coalesces impeccably with the characters' facial expressions.
Back in the hall I am accosted by intense, panic filled music as the detective's damn bronchioles start acting up again. On the third puff of the inhaler, a large rather intimidating bald man walks by giving me eyes. Guess where he walks into. Right you are; the prostitute lady's apartment. I walk back and knock on the door three times before I get an answer from none other than Baldstrum.[footnote]I named him myself. I think it's fitting[/footnote]
Now comes the pinnacle of this section of the demo as I realise the little story arc is coming to a close. In the background the woman is on the floor, clearly having just been beaten. I find myself submerged in an intense hand to hand fight with Baldstrum, most likely to the death. Each quick time event I miss means another hit for Baldstrum. The soundtrack reaches a new level of wild and suspenseful. Each time I press the right button at the right time, Shelby dodges or strikes back. The crazy bastard that is Baldstrum finds and wields a broken bottle and believing he has the upper hand, he makes a brash move. I dodge him and smash his head into the shower door causing the glass to shatter, something akin to how his head must now feel. He gets up, and pathetically claims he will have revenge as he stumbles out the door. Shelby stays calm (like a fox) and shrugs off the woman's thanks, with a "Take care of yourself", before he leaves the room ending the first half of the demo.
Overall, I saw no problems with the demo and only positives. Although it is merely the demo, it is shaping up to be a fantastic title. I am most definitely investing in it and if you like interesting characters, a mystery and intuitive controls- you should too. I have to say aswell that you spend alot of time interacting. It is not just like watching a film, it is more like the next generation of Point and Click Adventures.
On an off note if you are a dribbling, festering Halo fanatic who can't play a game without committing virtual genocide, you probably won't like Heavy Rain.
[small]By the way this is my first review of sorts. Please don't flame me, I would like constructive criticism.[/small]
* but I watched a video of the demo and I gotta say it looks to be what I thought it would be Indigo Prophecy done right
