Heavy Rain is a cinematic psychological thriller from game developer Quantic Dream exclusively for the PlayStation 3. Dealing with a range of adult themes, the game revolves around a sophisticated plot and strong narrative threads that explore a complex moral proposition. You assume the role of multiple characters with very different backgrounds, motivations, and skills in a world where each player decision affects what will follow.
Nine years later, Heavy Rain's flaws have only become more pronounced. Even so, strong narrative design can't be denied, and it's just enough to ease the pain caused by the game's more outrageous blunders.
If you've already played Heavy Rain on PS3, you won't miss anything. If you're totally new to it as a PC gamer, it might surprise you with its branching narrative and raw drama, even if the writing occasionally misses the mark.
If you loved the game when it first came out, you may find that Heavy Rain has lost some of its initial spark in comparison to newer games.
Heavy Rain looks fantastic on PS4 and still has the power and sophistication to leave a lasting impression. Despite not fixing the glitches and awkward, robotic crowd scenes for this remaster, Quantic Dream's interactive drama is an absorbing experience not to be missed.
Heavy Rain is poorly written and not as smart as it thinks it is, but has a genuine sense of choice and consequence.
