Quantic Dreams has been showing off new environments and technology behind its much-anticipated PS3-exclusive, Heavy Rain and we've cherry-picked the most important details.
In an effort to make the game as realistic as possible, Quantic has scanned the faces of over 70 actors, says 1Up in its preview, with motion capturing and voice recording all pumped into the game's characters as well.
1Up calls the game's environments "immaculately detailed" explaining: "Rather than approach the settings as levels in a game, QD hired both a renowned movie set designer and an architect to create realistic, lived-in sets for its virtual actors to inhabit."
QD revealed new environments including "a rain-soaked crime scene at the side of the highway, a stylish Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired abode packed with whimsical furniture, a cozy, cluttered apartment belonging to a young lady, a musty antique shop stuffed with ornate clocks, and a dusty, sunbeam-filled train station," describes the site.
Quantic Dreams is, as before, remaining particularly protective over the game's plot and gameplay outside of what was shown in the original demo, which it made clear bared no relation to the story of the final game. The only clues given are that you will investigate a series of mysterious murders in an "east coast American town.
But Quantic Dreams CEO, David Cage told 1Up: "Most publishers are still busy making games for 12-year olds," adding: "Heavy Rain is for an adult audience who want to be emotionally engaged." A "thousand-plus page script" apparently makes up the game's "nonlinear fractal structure".
All sounds very intriguing. We're ready to see the game proper now, though.
Graphics look awesome, although I remember Dragon's Lair/Space Ace looking awesome on the Amiga. It's amazing what you can do with graphics if you don't have to bother with a game/control engine (joke).
I'm pretty sure that unless they make the whole thing run like a dreamworks film, it will (like all games) seem hollow, eyes will still look souless when in motion and acting, narrative etc will still suck compared to film. Then again, this has always been secondary to a good game and controls to me, so I would say this. I can't think of ever being really moved, or even more than midly amused by the humour, by a game. It's the overly serious tones I normally laugh at. Or Lawrenson on PES.
Rather a negative post, sorry. I started off with "graphics look awesome...". But genre defining? Please explain.
Isn't this nothing more than a very pretty 'QTE' game, hardly what i would call 'genre defining'.
I know, this has the potential to end up being the PS3's answer to Dragon's Lair...let's hope the controller's up to the job though!
Or it could end up being the PS3s answer to Shenmue - which *could* be described as 'very pretty QTE' too (however, we all know that's not an entirely accurate description).
This all sounds really incredible to me. The whole premise of solving murders is some what fresh, the amount of detail going into everything is awe inspiring, and the 1,000 page script has me drooling. I can't wait to see how this turns out, and I still don't even own a PS3.
Isn't this nothing more than a very pretty 'QTE' game, hardly what i would call 'genre defining'.
I know, this has the potential to end up being the PS3's answer to Dragon's Lair...let's hope the controller's up to the job though!
Or it could end up being the PS3s answer to Shenmue - which *could* be described as 'very pretty QTE' too (however, we all know that's not an entirely accurate description).
If this is PS3's answer to Shemnue then we can safely assume it will be a fantastic game, but sell badly. I am just glad that some developers are still willing to take a risk, especially in the current climate.
Personally I think Heavy Rain will have a lot in common with Shemnue, though the inclusion of multiple story paths could give Heavy Rain more replayability. However, without Shemnues fantastic regions to explore, it may struggle to inspire as many gamers.
The story will be life or death to this game, in my opinion.
If this is PS3's answer to Shemnue then we can safely assume it will be a fantastic game, but sell badly. I am just glad that some developers are still willing to take a risk, especially in the current climate.
Personally I think Heavy Rain will have a lot in common with Shemnue, though the inclusion of multiple story paths could give Heavy Rain more replayability. However, without Shemnues fantastic regions to explore, it may struggle to inspire as many gamers.
The story will be life or death to this game, in my opinion.
Sadly man, there's so little information out there about this game that this is just 'finger in the air' stuff. It could have much in common with Shenmue, but it could also be nothing like it. It would be nice to see less screens and see some information about the game itself. It's almost torturous not knowing.
If this is PS3's answer to Shemnue then we can safely assume it will be a fantastic game, but sell badly. I am just glad that some developers are still willing to take a risk, especially in the current climate.
Personally I think Heavy Rain will have a lot in common with Shemnue, though the inclusion of multiple story paths could give Heavy Rain more replayability. However, without Shemnues fantastic regions to explore, it may struggle to inspire as many gamers.
The story will be life or death to this game, in my opinion.
Sadly man, there's so little information out there about this game that this is just 'finger in the air' stuff. It could have much in common with Shenmue, but it could also be nothing like it. It would be nice to see less screens and see some information about the game itself. It's almost torturous not knowing.
Yeah, but you can't blame them - if they've got something truly different on their hands, it's probably better that they play their cards close to their chests.
Like everyone else - I've not got a scooby what this is going to end up like.
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, UK BA1 2BW England and Wales company registration number 2008885
