sprites & bites

I have been playing video games in some form or another for about 20 years or so now.  I have played a zillion and one games in all sorts of genres from action to sports and platforming to horrors.

Every once in a while a game comes along which is attempting to redefine video games and their genres and maybe even create a new genre.  Heavy Rain on the Playstation 3 is one such game and expectations are high that this game is going to have a positive impact in the way future games are constructed.

Heavy Rain is not just a game, it is also an interactive thriller based around 5 main characters who you get to play. These characters are actually real people alive today and they all centre around a fictional story of a serial killer – The Origami Killer. Your actions and reactions to events in this game will determine how the game plays out, in fact your actions are so important to the gameplay that a wrong decision may lead to the death of that character and once dead they are dead for the rest of the game and you continue with the remaining characters so you may have to think hard about your actions before committing to them.

The developer, “Quantic Dream” wants to play with our emotions. They want the gamer to feel real emotion when playing the game and to feel what the characters are feeling. If they succeed with this then maybe it may change some games forever. If they fail, then it will only be remembered as just a game in gaming history.

Heavy Rain is an adult game and not suitable for children. It has mature content and is designed solely for a mature audience. Kids need not apply on this one. Think Patricia Cornwall or James Patterson.

Heavy Rain will only be available on the Playstation 3 and is due for release at the end of February. Check out www.youtube.com for lots of trailers and preview videos.

Rated 18 years and over.