Heavy Rain demo

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 8:08 pm

For those PS3 owners interested in checking out what this game is all about there is a demo out now but you have to work for it. It's not that hard at all, I just did it and it worked. Here's what to do:

Head on over to http://www.precinct52.com/case1117_briefing(assuming you’re signed up) and then choose 4 pieces of evidence. They are:

•The short cigarette butt from the cigarette butts
•The odd right hand driver picture from the tire tracks
•The diner with a Sphinx picture on it
•The Origami Bird

Sign up for an account first and then go back to that link and log in.

GB_Simo · Post by **GB_Simo** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 8:32 pm

Thanks Scoop, just done the necessary and got my code for the demo. The website's on a go-slow at the minute so I assume I had a fair amount of company.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:32 pm

I should add for the North American folks that you redeem the code in the English PSN. If you don't already have a PSN account in England you'll have to create one. Mine's downloading now and it comes in at just under 2 gigs.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:35 pm

Thanks, Scoop!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:55 pm

Hmm. Just tried it and it said that the given code was not longer valid.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:13 pm

10spro wrote:Hmm. Just tried it and it said that the given code was not longer valid.

Did you see my post above about redeeming it with an English PSN account? If not set one up if you don't have one yet and try after signing in with that account.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 12:12 am

ScoopBrady wrote:
10spro wrote:Hmm. Just tried it and it said that the given code was not longer valid.
Did you see my post above about redeeming it with an English PSN account? If not set one up if you don't have one yet and try after signing in with that account.

Yeah I have an UK account, the code just didn't work. Will try again later.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 8:44 am

When is the US demo dropping?

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 12:04 pm

I can already tell this is going to be one of those games that divides people. The people who like it will really like it while the people who don't like it will think it sucks ass. I don't see much middle ground for this title. Count me in as a person who likes it.

The demo includes 2 scenes but I only played the first one because I already know I'm getting this one and I don't want to ruin anything. This game seemed like more than just a game of QTE's to me. I don't hate QTE's but I don't love them either. The idea behind the game had me excited but I was a little worried about the QTE's. That worry has been allayed.

For instance, to squeeze through a gap between a wall and a dumpster you press and hold 3 buttons in a specific sequence. When you have to pull something out of your pocket you do a motion with the right analog stick. Shake the controller to shake your asthma inhaler. I got in a fight and the combination of tapping or pressing and holding buttons along with right analog stick movements brought extra intensity to the fight.

The only nitpicks I have are the hold R2 to walk and steer with the left analog stick. It wasn't enough to detract from my enjoyment though. I can't wait for the full version.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 1:20 pm

And I am one of those people that were rather underwhelmed. While the story seemed to get me to explore further, it was the controls that annoyed me. Keep it simple, multiple tapping and different presses just to get an action going is not for me. This is where the controls got awkward for me, often finding my hands in impossible positions in order to progress. Why can't I just use the analog for walking? Nope. Press R2 first.

Voice acting is OK, but often falls off the mark. Screen tearing is lazy. It just shouldn't be there. The success of this game will depend a lot on the strength of the plot . And the plot is propelled mostly by talking, thinking, and examining. If you're looking for some fast action, you won't find it here. Visually, it looks very good, the dark atmosphere, the pouring rain. If you don't know how Vancouver winters are in November, here's a good preview.

While I found the demo engaging, I think I'll renting this one from day one buy.

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:10 pm

Haven't tried the demo yet but I've been meaning to start a thread about this game. I'm very excited about it. This is the kind of risk taking I would like to see more often in the video game industry. The people at Quantic Dream are really trying to push video games into a different direction, creating film like experiences that aren't about wanton violence and the thrill of the kill. They are exploring human emotions and telling adult stories.

Based on what i've seen in videos the game will be far from perfect. The voice acting/dialogue doesn't look all that great and that's a big letdown for a game like this. This can be somewhat excused considering that English is not the creator/writer's first language. Also, the uncanny valley is in full effect here with some odd looking lip syncing and weird facial expressions.

That being said I still think it could be a groundbreaking game. I've been waiting for years to play a game that can skip most of the violence and tell a complex, adult themed story that might rival that of a good art house film.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:48 pm

LAKing,

Did you ever play Indigo Prophecy/Farenheit for the Xbox/PS2/PC? That was made by the same guys, while the story went from interesting to batsh!t crazy by the end there were some interesting gameplay concepts they've seemed to have built on here. Apparently, Heavy Rain won't have any supernatural themes which is a relief.

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 7:50 pm

Macca00 wrote:LAKing,

Did you ever play Indigo Prophecy/Farenheit for the Xbox/PS2/PC? That was made by the same guys, while the story went from interesting to batsh!t crazy by the end there were some interesting gameplay concepts they've seemed to have built on here. Apparently, Heavy Rain won't have any supernatural themes which is a relief.

Yes, I've played it. You're spot on about that game. It started off pretty interesting and had some great ideas but by the end it had turned into yet another video game cliche. Still, you could see that this developer was at least trying to be different.

jcalvert · Post by **jcalvert** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 11:00 am

Put me in the ground-breaking experience camp. As adults, I think this is the type of game we all grew up expecting to play. I am not 100% sold on the gameplay mechanics, but appreciate the fact the the developers are trying to go in a different direction.

I posted a lot of comments earlier this morning, but I don't think they will change opinions on the game. Scoop said it best - there are going to be no shades of gray.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:40 pm

This is a game that has me wishing I had a PS3. I liked the last game they put out on the Xbox/PC and would love to give this one a shot.

Maybe I will go for it and get this game and the Show this spring......

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:45 pm

kevinpars wrote:This is a game that has me wishing I had a PS3. I liked the last game they put out on the Xbox/PC and would love to give this one a shot.

Maybe I will go for it and get this game and the Show this spring......

GO!...The blu ray is enough. Seriously. A blu ray player with great games like the show and Demons Souls. Add infused wifi.
Pass Go. Do not stop.

vinny-b · Post by **vinny-b** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 3:46 pm

even having read several magazine previews, Heavy Rain was not on my radar.

however, due to this post/thread decided to download the demo. I like it

in particular, liked the ability to define the speed of the character's animations. It increases the cinema qualities and adds to the immersion. Also, i percieve several of the interations have "life/death" consequences. This is a perception i get from the previews which the demo showed indications of. Hopefully, this will be the case. In addition: impressive production values. Attractive on-screen interface.

what i didn't like: player moves to the left/right exactly like Resident Evil (ps1). This very much takes away from immersion. Uncharted's walking mechanics would be better suited. Also, it was dissapointing to not be able to drive the car. Not looking for a Midnight Club driving engine, however a very basic driving experience would have contributed to immersion. Don't know, maybe this isn't possible (technology limitations?) in this generation. However when considering these factors, this makes this title a $30-35 purchase for me. And not a $60 purchase

overall, for me this demo is a postive. And i like the movement in this dimension
_

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:33 pm

I tried the demo and i'm having the same love hate relationship with it as others are having. I like the mood of the game as well as the voice acting. The walking animations ala Resident Evil 2, blows and makes the game look cheap or rather last last gen. Indigo Prophecy IIRC did not have this problem.

As others on DSP have coined the phrase, finger gymnastics it certainly applies to this game. I'll wait for the game to drop to $30 or if i'm lucky, if it goes on clearance at Target for less.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:08 pm

Release date today. Anyone definitely getting it?

I really enjoyed the demo, but i'm worried the finger gymnastics and slower pacing might grow old too quickly. Having said that, i'm leaning toward this and MLB as my alter ego games for the coming months.

If anyone has grabbed or is grabbing would love to hear some impressions before i jump in the pool.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:22 pm

My copy's ready for pick-up. Should have some impressions in the near future.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 2:25 pm

Should have it this evening as well. I love Gamefly when it works as it should. One day turnaround on new releases and getting them on the release day is awesome. Then I can keep the game for less than 45 bucks. Seems silly to go to a store and buy it!

LAking · Post by **LAking** » Tue Feb 23, 2010 4:57 pm

I pre-ordered it from Amazon but it probably won't be here for another day or two.

vinny-b · Post by **vinny-b** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:46 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:Should have it this evening as well. I love Gamefly when it works as it should. One day turnaround on new releases and getting them on the release day is awesome. Then I can keep the game for less than 45 bucks. Seems silly to go to a store and buy it!

definitely. Intelligent strategy

jcalvert · Post by **jcalvert** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:30 am

I almost always order from amazon - not just games - pretty much anything I can because I hate to shop. This also saves me time and gas; games are waiting for me when I get home from work. Since I use prime service, I get the game quickly, and cheaply (much cheaper that shipping from ebgames, gamestop, etc). In many cases, I think release day shipping is free, even to non prime subscribers.

Back to Heavy Rain. I only played an hour or so last night, and really started to question why I order this one. I do not like the R2 movement controls; same reason I ditched some other games in the past. Hopefully I can stick it out for the 8-12 hours it takes to complete game. Better yet, hopefully the game grows on me once I get to the more interesting parts.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:01 am

Well, I wandered through a Best Buy yesterday and there was a single copy left so i grabbed it.

Played for a couple hours and while the control system takes some getting used to, the story has hooked me. I will say that the first hour or so drags pretty badly as it teaches you the controls. To make matters worse, two of the first three sections are the demo so in addition to the slow start, you're drudging thru "been there done that".

Last night I quit just after getting to the police station and from my 10 minutes in the station I can already see things ramping up.

So in short, it's definitely unique and starts off slow, but the characters and story have me sucked in pretty good.