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I kinda exaggerated when I said "all" your articles, but a good number. HR might not have been your ideal game narrative-wise, but I think Cage deserves some credit for making the game he wanted to make with no compromises. In a world of endless shooters and endless rehashes of farmville I don't think HR was such a bad game
I admire Heavy Rain for daring to focus on story and for the nearly seamless integration of story and gameplay. I would have liked it better had it been written by someone with actual talent instead of a hack like David Cage.
Re: SH2: Granted, I've only played about a third of Silent Hill 2, but what I heard of the voice acting ranged from passable to outright appalling. Aside from the dodgy accents and the awful children, Heavy Rain was much better acted.
Re: SH2: Granted, I've only played about a third of Silent Hill 2, but what I heard of the voice acting ranged from passable to outright appalling. Aside from the dodgy accents and the awful children, Heavy Rain was much better acted.
@James Sunderland: Pretty much everyone who played SH2 knows that it's a masterpiece and I can only agree. But it only touched topics that work in a horror context and has supernatural background. There aren't that many games that take the typical thriller setting and are still enjoyable. Maybe LA Noir is the Heavy Rain Jim is looking for.
1million buyers can't be wrong, play Heavy Rain!
Seriously though, what's with this joke, Jim? So you and a lot of other gamers don't like Heavy Rain, but why badmouth David Cage and the obviously alternative/different games he makes? I don't get it. It's nowhere near being a critic, just pure pessimist. You should know better and I definately expect more serious and subtile articles from you in furute!
Seriously though, what's with this joke, Jim? So you and a lot of other gamers don't like Heavy Rain, but why badmouth David Cage and the obviously alternative/different games he makes? I don't get it. It's nowhere near being a critic, just pure pessimist. You should know better and I definately expect more serious and subtile articles from you in furute!
I liked Heavy Rain. I will defiantly agree that the story has its flaws but cutting off your figure with a rusty fuckin butcher knife was one of the most intense things I did last year in gaming. That was a very memorable moment and Im sure Im not alone.
LOL @ "thank you to all the people..."
this isn't an oscar acceptance speach, if you're going to blow your own trumpet at least admit you're just trying to make yourself feel better. even better, how about you do it in private, where legions of your customers don't have to see how conceited you are.
this isn't an oscar acceptance speach, if you're going to blow your own trumpet at least admit you're just trying to make yourself feel better. even better, how about you do it in private, where legions of your customers don't have to see how conceited you are.
@asyouburn
"In a world of endless shooters and endless rehashes of farmville I don't think HR was such a bad game"
Keep running with the same old cliches, dude. If you look around there actually are a vast amount of different genres to choose from. I think you're either exaggerating the whole "shooter" thing or vastly ignorant with the type of game being released every week. For example, did you pick up Lost in Shadow? That's not a shooter.
"In a world of endless shooters and endless rehashes of farmville I don't think HR was such a bad game"
Keep running with the same old cliches, dude. If you look around there actually are a vast amount of different genres to choose from. I think you're either exaggerating the whole "shooter" thing or vastly ignorant with the type of game being released every week. For example, did you pick up Lost in Shadow? That's not a shooter.
I weep for the future of gaming if the community is so ignorant that they can see the likes of Heavy Rain as an example of sophisticated storytelling.
Seriously guys, read some books for a change, you're killing me here with your poor taste in narratives.
Seriously guys, read some books for a change, you're killing me here with your poor taste in narratives.
Everyone's entitled to their opinion. But the opinion that heavy rain *lowers" the bar for narrative in video games just proves that some not all opinions are equal.
For me, Heavy Rain was really frustrating because I think it basically took 2 steps forward and 2 steps back at the same time. On one hand, they provided a fairly new experience with sequences that had never even been attempted in games before. The one that stuck out to me was the one where you have to take care of your son for the evening, which could end up in a variety of ways depending on how you played it. On the other hand, as Jim mentioned, there were many plot holes, weak characters, terrible voice acting, and unnecessary attempts at being mature that only proved that it wasn't being mature (Madison's completely unnecessary shower scene in the beginning being a standout example). Theses showed that while video games can tackle different types of narrative, they're still not held up to the same standards as other mediums, which does games a disservice.
I have to agree, while not perfect games themselves, even more recent titles like Alan Wake and SH: Shattered Memories had much better plotting and characters than Heavy Rain. Not to mention, in bogth those games...there was actual, y'know, gameplay.
Oh come on Holmes, you're really comparing HR to the coin eating POS that Dragon's Lair was where you die every 2 seconds?
@pascuz46: true, true
@pascuz46: true, true
Their heart may have been in the right place, but the storytelling was about as 'student film' as it gets. It may have been original, but that doesn't mean it's good. I can see what people like about it, but I gotta side with Jim on this one.
It pains me to see Heavy Rain get so much praise and success, being championed as 'original' and 'innovative' when it was essentially a revised Fahrenheit or Indigo Prophecy. When theres Silent Hill: Shattered Mememories (sooooooo much better) getting ignored by critics and gamers at large a like.
@Toxicity8
I just finished Shattered Memories last light and it's a masterpiece. Shattered Memories proves that video games are an art form! Heavy Rain proves how shitty a game can be without any direction.
I just finished Shattered Memories last light and it's a masterpiece. Shattered Memories proves that video games are an art form! Heavy Rain proves how shitty a game can be without any direction.
@Toxicity8
I just finished Shattered Memories last night and it's a masterpiece. Shattered Memories proves that video games are an art form! Heavy Rain proves how shitty a game can be without any direction.
I just finished Shattered Memories last night and it's a masterpiece. Shattered Memories proves that video games are an art form! Heavy Rain proves how shitty a game can be without any direction.
I completely agree with Sterling here, for a refreshing change of pace.
David Cage is the gaming industry equivalent of that elephant that the zookeepers taught to "paint" and now the "paintings" sell for thousands, you know... 'cause its art.
David Cage is the gaming industry equivalent of that elephant that the zookeepers taught to "paint" and now the "paintings" sell for thousands, you know... 'cause its art.
Why is the stupidity level of the comments worse than usual? Actually, why do I give a shit? *plays SSFIV*
Press X to rage.
( Sorry its been 70 something comments and I was shocked nobody cracked that joke yet)
( Sorry its been 70 something comments and I was shocked nobody cracked that joke yet)
@MyLittleHero
I actually have played Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. It's one of my favorite games, but the fact remains that it still adhere's to genre tropes to tell it's story. Very, very seldom is there a game with a SINGULARLY dramatic vision that relies on few
Anthony Burch once said that he wanted to see the day when games could be about anything. About taking your child on his first day of school. About love, life, mortality and the wide range of topics that every accepted artistic medium covers. Heavy Rain was a first mainstream attempt at this, and that's why it's important. Yet it is routinely laughed at because it is far less than perfect.
I actually have played Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. It's one of my favorite games, but the fact remains that it still adhere's to genre tropes to tell it's story. Very, very seldom is there a game with a SINGULARLY dramatic vision that relies on few
Anthony Burch once said that he wanted to see the day when games could be about anything. About taking your child on his first day of school. About love, life, mortality and the wide range of topics that every accepted artistic medium covers. Heavy Rain was a first mainstream attempt at this, and that's why it's important. Yet it is routinely laughed at because it is far less than perfect.
Pardon me for spoiling this moment.
So...if we cut out all of the Jim bullshit and DERPDERP READ Cage's actual quote in context, we find he's just thanking all of the people who made his game a FINANCIAL success.
"If I may, I would like to add a message for all the people who supported us and bought Heavy Rain, and to all my colleagues in the industry who voted to give awards to Heavy Rain. I would sincerely like to thank everybody for their trust and support, and for having made Heavy Rain a real success."
Yes, Jim, such a bold "claim" he makes. Oh, and here's the use of the whole "meaningful" theme:
"We are working hard to invent the next revolution after Heavy Rain, and to surprise all the people who believe in our vision and to convince the others that games can become a more meaningful medium."
Granted, I disagree with the "next revolution" bit, but that kind of language can be expected when it is the basis of your success.
Wait, "games can become a more meaningful medium"? So I take it Jim doesn't agree with this since he so virulently disparages David Cage as the "Kanye West of videogames", a reference right out of Teen's Choice Award roast? But how does this statement become interpreted as "Heavy Rain made games a more meaningful medium."? There are some invisible dots being connected here that I just don't understand.
SUCH an arrogant bastard amirite? I dunno, I think it's supremely arrogant to post a snippet from a mere THREE paragraphs of interview and then proceed to pad out the post with an unrelated editorial. With the space spent bitching about the supposed lack of hubris in Mr. Cage, Jim could've just as easily posted the entirety of Cage's unpublished quotes and give his readers an opportunity to think for themselves.
And I agree with Jim about the game...after my time with Heavy Rain. While I was playing it, however, I was mesmerized. Enough so, that I can believe there is validity within Cage's school of design: It can be done, it'll be done better, for sure.
So...if we cut out all of the Jim bullshit and DERPDERP READ Cage's actual quote in context, we find he's just thanking all of the people who made his game a FINANCIAL success.
"If I may, I would like to add a message for all the people who supported us and bought Heavy Rain, and to all my colleagues in the industry who voted to give awards to Heavy Rain. I would sincerely like to thank everybody for their trust and support, and for having made Heavy Rain a real success."
Yes, Jim, such a bold "claim" he makes. Oh, and here's the use of the whole "meaningful" theme:
"We are working hard to invent the next revolution after Heavy Rain, and to surprise all the people who believe in our vision and to convince the others that games can become a more meaningful medium."
Granted, I disagree with the "next revolution" bit, but that kind of language can be expected when it is the basis of your success.
Wait, "games can become a more meaningful medium"? So I take it Jim doesn't agree with this since he so virulently disparages David Cage as the "Kanye West of videogames", a reference right out of Teen's Choice Award roast? But how does this statement become interpreted as "Heavy Rain made games a more meaningful medium."? There are some invisible dots being connected here that I just don't understand.
SUCH an arrogant bastard amirite? I dunno, I think it's supremely arrogant to post a snippet from a mere THREE paragraphs of interview and then proceed to pad out the post with an unrelated editorial. With the space spent bitching about the supposed lack of hubris in Mr. Cage, Jim could've just as easily posted the entirety of Cage's unpublished quotes and give his readers an opportunity to think for themselves.
And I agree with Jim about the game...after my time with Heavy Rain. While I was playing it, however, I was mesmerized. Enough so, that I can believe there is validity within Cage's school of design: It can be done, it'll be done better, for sure.
No one is going to read the link to where Sterling quotes Cage grossly out of context? Okay, fair enough. Is no one else going to notice there are in fact trees in a forest? Typical.
Thank you Jim! I've been mystified by all of the love that Heavy Rain receives. I enjoyed playing through it once with a friend as we both laughed at the ridiculous plot, voice acting, and "game play."
People can see that this is a cheesy choose your own adventure book in videogame form, right? Hailing this game as a cinematic experience is setting the bar for videogames low.
People can see that this is a cheesy choose your own adventure book in videogame form, right? Hailing this game as a cinematic experience is setting the bar for videogames low.
Jim, I almost always agree with you and really are one of the great voices of video games as of now, but i have to disagree with you. Sure, the use of red herrings every 30 seconds is abominable, but it really did have the heart, soul, story, and gameplay of a really well made title. The characters are fleshed out more than you think, which isnt much, but is much more than most modern games you will find. It oulls you in with s great story and really makes you think "how far am i willing to go?" Its the one game that made you think in a sea of straight forward games.
@Nicodemus
I totally disagree with the statement Anthony Burch said. Actually, I disagree with a lot of the things he says. There are game that deal with those topic, but they are engrossed in a fantasy or fantasized world. For example, the ending for Earthbound expresses what the director felt when he saw a rape scene while simultaneously how strong human emotions can be. Also, something that might work in an other medium might not work in another. Some of my favorite books are: Notes From the Underground, The Stranger, White Nights etc. Those books deal with what you're saying, but they don't work as a film (they tried and failed) or a video game! Heavy Rain was made buy a man who knows nothing about video games. He once said, "I like to watch movies, not play games".
I totally disagree with the statement Anthony Burch said. Actually, I disagree with a lot of the things he says. There are game that deal with those topic, but they are engrossed in a fantasy or fantasized world. For example, the ending for Earthbound expresses what the director felt when he saw a rape scene while simultaneously how strong human emotions can be. Also, something that might work in an other medium might not work in another. Some of my favorite books are: Notes From the Underground, The Stranger, White Nights etc. Those books deal with what you're saying, but they don't work as a film (they tried and failed) or a video game! Heavy Rain was made buy a man who knows nothing about video games. He once said, "I like to watch movies, not play games".
heh Jim Sterling has a really hard time letting this game go, not the first game dev that is full of himself and certainly not the last, deal with it...
well, thats your opinion. in mine, heavy rain was far from perfect, but was a fresh breeze of air on nowdays games. loved and felt really involved with the experience. It was a personal epic story, no universe was saved. I could relate to the main character's fears all the way. And, I cant help it, I even scream Jason! every time I see a kid running in the mall, just for the lols.
The guy sounds like a pretentious twat, but I think he's half right. While Mass Effect and Silent Hill might have done way more for the medium, Heavy Rain is the first game I've seen where you played as a divorced dad picking his despondent kid up from school and cooking him dinner in a depressing bachelor pad.
There are lots and lots of games about space warfare and spooky monsters. He tried something new, and it wasn't a massive failure.
It wasn't fun or a work of art, either, but it broke some new ground.
Now, all we need is a fun game about being a divorced dad.
I propose "Cooking Weekend Daddy." It'd be like Cooking Mama except all you'd make is hot dogs and macaroni. And your kid wouldn't even eat it.
There are lots and lots of games about space warfare and spooky monsters. He tried something new, and it wasn't a massive failure.
It wasn't fun or a work of art, either, but it broke some new ground.
Now, all we need is a fun game about being a divorced dad.
I propose "Cooking Weekend Daddy." It'd be like Cooking Mama except all you'd make is hot dogs and macaroni. And your kid wouldn't even eat it.
Heavy Rain certainly opens doors, or at least got alot of people's attention. Not perfect, but did alot of things right (meshing gameplay with emotional content, providing coherent narrative for both fail and success cases).
Also, allowing me to confirm or deny a relationship between two protagonists is an absolutely good thing. A glossed over facet of the game, but man, refreshing as all get out.
I hope other studios try their own attempt at what Heavy Rain did.
Also, allowing me to confirm or deny a relationship between two protagonists is an absolutely good thing. A glossed over facet of the game, but man, refreshing as all get out.
I hope other studios try their own attempt at what Heavy Rain did.
Another Heavy Rain rage piece? Really, Sterling? Climb down off the damn soapbox. I don't even understand how your comments relate to what was actually quoted, it's like you'll grab anything relative to Heavy Rain simply to launch a pre-conceived tirade. Seriously, at this point it's past pathetic. Some people liked Heavy Rain, some people like what it was trying to do as a major release, get the hell over it.
I didn't like the game, but I understand and approve of the direction they wanted to forge for gaming. Silent Hill is NOT the same kind of game, at all. Just get over it already.
I didn't like the game, but I understand and approve of the direction they wanted to forge for gaming. Silent Hill is NOT the same kind of game, at all. Just get over it already.
@fozzyozzy
Unfortunately no one is going to read your post. I'm generally not a glass half full type of guy, but I'm happy to know that there are others out there that believe this format can be vastly improved upon and that it does has merit.
Unfortunately no one is going to read your post. I'm generally not a glass half full type of guy, but I'm happy to know that there are others out there that believe this format can be vastly improved upon and that it does has merit.
All I want to say Jim is don't change for any of these kitties. I thinks it is nice to still have an actual critic out in the industry. When I read other electronic entertainment magazine, I find myself disturb by the blatantly obvious writters who have been paid by the industry to give high remarks to a mediocre game.
As for heavy rain, I never played it all the way through. (primarily because I do not own a playestaion 3) I can say that I feel that I did play enough of the game to get the ebe and flow of it all.
That being said, I will admit to interesting gamplay, but to have an opinion on a story that I'd did not fully complex would be completly foolish.
As for heavy rain, I never played it all the way through. (primarily because I do not own a playestaion 3) I can say that I feel that I did play enough of the game to get the ebe and flow of it all.
That being said, I will admit to interesting gamplay, but to have an opinion on a story that I'd did not fully complex would be completly foolish.
"Oh, and Silent Hill 2 did everything Cage claims Heavy Rain did. Only with better acting."
No...absolutly not.
biased....because its your favorite game.
No...absolutly not.
biased....because its your favorite game.
@Sexualchocolate
Not revolutionary at all. Go play Indigo Prophecy. If you say you have, then I call bullshit, as you'd know that Heavy Rain is the same concept as Indigo Prophecy.
Not revolutionary at all. Go play Indigo Prophecy. If you say you have, then I call bullshit, as you'd know that Heavy Rain is the same concept as Indigo Prophecy.
Really? From what I can gather this just seems like a guy who's faith has been restored that something other than call of duty (see FPS ) can sell and is actually appreciated for a change. He's just happy it didn't flop. I for one loved every minute of heavy rain , as did all of my friends. It's one of the few games I've played where after we all completed it we sat down and talked about what was different in our games.
@MyLittleHero
We both seem to have similar tastes in games (we both agree that Shattered Memories is a revelation) So I'm surprised we disagree on where the industry could potentially go. Do you believe that a game like Heavy Rain be for this industry what films like, I don't know, Little Children or The Reader are to that medium? Or do you think that games are not the place to explore mature themes in anything other than a heightened, fantasy scenario?
We both seem to have similar tastes in games (we both agree that Shattered Memories is a revelation) So I'm surprised we disagree on where the industry could potentially go. Do you believe that a game like Heavy Rain be for this industry what films like, I don't know, Little Children or The Reader are to that medium? Or do you think that games are not the place to explore mature themes in anything other than a heightened, fantasy scenario?
@MyLittleHero
We both seem to have similar tastes in games (we both agree that Shattered Memories is a revelation) So I'm surprised we disagree on where the industry could potentially go. Do you believe that a game like Heavy Rain be for this industry what films like, I don't know, Little Children or The Reader are to that medium? Or do you think that games are not the place to explore mature themes in anything other than a heightened, fantasy scenario?
We both seem to have similar tastes in games (we both agree that Shattered Memories is a revelation) So I'm surprised we disagree on where the industry could potentially go. Do you believe that a game like Heavy Rain be for this industry what films like, I don't know, Little Children or The Reader are to that medium? Or do you think that games are not the place to explore mature themes in anything other than a heightened, fantasy scenario?
Heavy Rain was a very frustrating game to me. The more "gamey" parts of the game were awesome, but the writing and the voice acting was embarrassingly awful. But It did open a lot of new doors in mainstream video games.
Also, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories was incredible.
Also, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories was incredible.
@all
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories on Wii or PS2?
Just want to know if I should wait because I dont have a Wii...
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories on Wii or PS2?
Just want to know if I should wait because I dont have a Wii...
@MightyFavog
Lest you think I'm a rabid fan (I do go by James Sunderland on this site), I played SH2 for the first time this year and it's not even one of my top 5 favorite games. That being said, I think Silent Hill 2 actually has some of the best acting in a game ever. On first inspection it seems very amateurish and probably even bad, but I ended up falling in love with the VO. There's just something memorable and human about it.
Lest you think I'm a rabid fan (I do go by James Sunderland on this site), I played SH2 for the first time this year and it's not even one of my top 5 favorite games. That being said, I think Silent Hill 2 actually has some of the best acting in a game ever. On first inspection it seems very amateurish and probably even bad, but I ended up falling in love with the VO. There's just something memorable and human about it.
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