Heavy Rain is a game that is different from other games in distinct ways. The graphics are breathtaking. The game play is interactive. Oh and one last thing- it's entirely story driven. This one fact sets it apart from many of the other games that I have played in that it's not necessarily reliant on action sequence to drive the story forward. Instead, sometimes you must do the most mundane things, such as setting the table or playing with your kids. Another important point is that the story's outcome can be changed by just one decision. The game doesn't have a set ending. This gives the player a sense of openness, an ability to explore the possibilities. As Chris Roper said in his IGN review of the game: "your choices don't result in major changes throughout the game, instead sending slight ripples through the dialog and character interactions for the bulk of it but resulting in vastly different endings." This means you will most likely never play the game the same way or achieve the same outcome. As such, the narrative is finally in charge.
First, why is the last sentence highlighted?
ReplyDeleteSecond, I'm wondering what you mean by "the narrative is finally in charge" and "it's entirely story-driven." These are claims in need of evidence to support them -- where specifically in the game do you see a lack of gameplay and rules? Or is that not what you're suggesting?
Elaborate a bit on your thinking here if you would.
Sorry for the confusion.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I don't know why it did that. What was said is 'This means you will most likely never play the game the same way or achieve the same outcome. As such, the narrative is finally in charge.'
Second, what I was aiming for was not there is a lack of gameplay or rules, but that instead of the game being pushed forward mainly by action sequences or fights, as is the case for many games, the narrative is the driving force. At least that is what I have gotten from the game so far. The reason I felt this was significant is that while the plot presented by a game is always a major point, in Heavy Rain the way the narrative is told is what drives that plot forward, rather than just a set sequence of events.
While I agree with most of what you said, I am a little confused on how it is completely story driven. I would agree that it is Story-driven because it is a game that has a complex and deep narrative, but the game itself isn't completely driven by the story. Compared to most games such as first person shooters, the action is more closely tied to the story, but don't most all games have a story that is followed. I would argue that this game is mostly story driven, but the fact that you can change the story so extensively makes it to me less story driven. I think that a game that follows a story closely and doesn't have much room for change, allows it to be more story driven than a game such as Heavy Rain.
ReplyDeleteI literally just posted about Heavy Rain!! As you know from class, I would argue that Heavy Rain is not a game at all. I do agree with you in the fact that the storyline, or narrative aspect of the game is the driving force. Without the storyline, what would you have?? Nothing! Even though you can change the outcome by making certain decisions, if those choices were not there, I do not think there would be anything to "play".
ReplyDeletejdprice, you have a very good point. The action sequences are extremely important to the game. I just feel that, because those action sequences are so closely tied to the game, it remains largely story driven, rather than action driven. As to the games without much change in the story, I feel Heavy Rain is more of a story driven game because of the fact that it can change, allowing you to explore many different outcomes.
ReplyDeletechelsea, what would you call it then? It is far too interactive to be a movie, or even an interactive movie or story