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Here's How Heavy Rain's Controls Work
Posted by Michael McWhertor at 1:00 AM on August 27, 2008
Quantic Dream's David Cage walked us through a Heavy Rain demo at Games Convention last week, giving us a taste of how the game actually plays. While much of the presentation touched on facets of Heavy Rain's "rubber band" storyline and little things, like motion captured eye movement, Cage paused often to talk up the PlayStation 3 game's control scheme.
We've already written about the driving game inspired character control — the R2 button moves her forward, with the left analogue steering her head and shoulders — so let's focus on how everything else is done.
After discussing how the character walks, Cage showed us how to interact with objects. Outside of the residence that the protagonist was investigating were a pair of metal trashcans and a mailbox. Both could be opened with the right analogue stick, using forward and back motions that translated to on-screen movement. Pulling back on the stick fully opened the mailbox door fully, pushing it forward closed it. You may have seen this interactivity showcased in the game's Games Convention trailer, with the character opening a refrigerator with a sweeping arc of the right analogue stick.
Heading up to the house's front door, a context sensitive control scheme appeared in the bottom right corner, giving us two options — knock or ring the doorbell. Both could done repeatedly, with a side to side motion of the right stick.
Following that, another context sensitive control option became available, letting the player call out to whomever might be inside. This was done with SIXAXIS control, giving us three dialogue options. This could be done in concert with the knocking/doorbell-ringing for maximum annoyance to whomever might be at home.
As the character walked around the house's right side, we encountered a barrel. It wasn't of the exploding type, just a regular, non-combustible barrel that Cage wanted to use as a step. Pushing the object over with the square button, his controlling assistant pushed it forward with a thrust forward of the SIXAXIS. To right it again, he hit the square button.
Heavy Rain also gives players access to internal dialogue. Using the L1 button, we can listen to the main character's thoughts, giving players helpful clues about how to progress or simply to learn her opinion about the pros and cons of the current situation. There were two options when deciding whether to break and enter the house, one "daring", one "cautious".
Much of what we saw in the house was controlled via these methods, with brief Quick Time Events requiring randomized button presses. One, triggered by bumping into an overturned bottle, simply required a quick push of the triangle button.
Perhaps the most interesting implementation of the PlayStation 3 controller was during one of the stealth-action sequences. Forced to hide from the killer during the demo, the protagonist sneaked behind an open door, something that required the player hold X, then the R1 button, then the triangle button.
Another version of this sort of finger Twister game occurred when she sought shelter in a large wardrobe, requiring four consecutive button presses. We didn't actually see anyone from Quantic Dream fail at this, but it added a nice bit of tension to the scene.
Some of these control methods have been featured in Quantic Dream's previous games, but Heavy Rain looks to bring them all together into a cohesive package that feels thoroughly well implemented. We definitely look forward to going hands-on with the PlayStation 3 controller whenever Sony decides that's something it wants us to do.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
WhitePoop
Posted 1:32 AM 27/8/08
@Fonzythedog: Inflammable means flammable? What a country!
-Dr. Nick
WhitePoop
elronathon
Posted 1:32 AM 27/8/08
I've got to say these controls sound ridiculous...although I'm happy to try it and be proved wrong.
incidentally QTE doesn't really do much for me anymore...at least not since Shenmue II - that made up for it by having a basic Virtua Fighter wrapped up in it...
elronathon
NewYork214
Posted 1:27 AM 27/8/08
cant wait for this game. indigo prophecy was really good so heres hopin
NewYork214
pashaveliki
Posted 1:26 AM 27/8/08
Indigo Prophecy was an amazing games, and goddamn Quantic Dream for creating one more reason why i feel compelled to buy a PS3. Once they finish this, they should get the liscence and script for shenmue III and get to work, eh, eh, eh?
pashaveliki
Maleficent Lovecraft
Posted 1:26 AM 27/8/08
I am hesitant about the complexity of the controls but mostly I am hesitant because of the usual reaction to something that isn't guided by the left analog stick.
But I think this sounds amazing. I was right there with them when I first learned of the motion-capturing of the eyes. Now I am definitely there with the challenge.
But uncontrolled optimism is dangerous. So I remain vaguely optimistic with a strong undercurrent of pessimism.
Maleficent Lovecraft
GFX-187
Posted 1:25 AM 27/8/08
@Fonzythedog: DR Nick makes the same mistake. lol.
GFX-187
corronchilejano
Posted 1:25 AM 27/8/08
Somehow, I like how the controls sound. Like handling a robot, but without the invincibility.
corronchilejano
The_Catalpa
Posted 1:25 AM 27/8/08
I really, really want to love this game, but I have to say that from that description, the controls sound purposefully cluttered, over complicated, and frankly, awful. I just hope they have the sense to make the motion controlled aspects optional.
Granted, it may be an entirely different horse when hands are on, but man, this isn't sounding good.
The_Catalpa
seppukake
Posted 1:24 AM 27/8/08
"something that required the player hold X, then the R1 button, then the triangle button... Another version of this sort of finger Twister game occurred when she sought shelter in a large wardrobe, requiring four consecutive button presses."
This sounds like an arthritic gamer's nightmare.
seppukake
HamThePharoah
Posted 1:24 AM 27/8/08
@Kenoji: Why's it sad?
HamThePharoah
GFX-187
Posted 1:24 AM 27/8/08
I still think QTE's take you away from the game when you should be concentration on how to escape an enemy your instead you are waiting for the next icon to appear somewhere on screen. Also some games can be quite unforgiving with long load sequences if you cock up.
Id prefer to see things like the choking mechanics in the godfather game using rumble to feel the pulse.
GFX-187
vid3oman64
Posted 1:21 AM 27/8/08
This looks pretty cool. I like how they're trying to do something different with the controls. I hope that they don't make things too complicated, or else every situation will feel like hitting random buttons.
vid3oman64
DavidinMN
Posted 1:21 AM 27/8/08
It seems like a next gen version of Shenmue. In that game your speed was dictated by an analog trigger as well, and you used the analog stick to steer the character. Shenmue famously used quicktime events, or QTEs for scripted action sequences as does Heavy Rain. Does anyone else see these similarities?
DavidinMN
Fonzythedog
Posted 1:19 AM 27/8/08
'As the character walked around the house's right side, we encountered a barrel. It wasn't of the exploding type, just a regular, inflammable barrel that Cage wanted to use as a step.'
FYI, inflammable means the same as flammable...
Fonzythedog
hagridore
Posted 1:18 AM 27/8/08
Nice to know that no matter how video games evolve there is always a place for barrels filled with explosives.
hagridore
Neobara
Posted 1:18 AM 27/8/08
@tooji: No, it's not that kind of game. If you need a twitchy shooter fix go play Halo or Resistance. If you've never played a game like Heavy Rain go look up Indigo Prophecy for the PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox (i think). It was a great game (the beginning, anyway.. fucking matrix), and i imagine Heavy Rain will be one too.
Neobara
Kenoji
Posted 1:17 AM 27/8/08
I really liked indigo prophecies, its just sad that this is a ps3 exclusive.
Kenoji
gahazakul
Posted 1:17 AM 27/8/08
@tooji:
Do you need to shoot something for a game to be fun?
@MR. FAP★FAP!:
I think thats the point to an extent.
gahazakul
Accordion
Posted 1:16 AM 27/8/08
@relax_guy:
The controls have small button prompts on screen when available, this Kotaku explanation is for the insight of those interested…
The QTEs keep your focus on the game rather than the boards of the screen, at last!
I really like how tense events will have you struggling to hold the controller and thus your nerve. A little similar to Shadow of the colossus and the grip mechanic, i usually hold the controller very firmly when i am trying to hold on to a colossus. So scenes in which the character might drop an item should have the player nearly dropping the controller.
Cant wait!
Accordion
MR. FAP★FAP!
Posted 1:15 AM 27/8/08
That seems needlessly confusing...
MR. FAP★FAP!
budash2
Posted 1:12 AM 27/8/08
Cool beans
budash2
Candlejack
Posted 1:11 AM 27/8/08
Sounds different to say the least. I have to try it for myself before I'm sure whether I like it or at least don't mind it. Good that they will bring a demo at some point to the PSN.
@relax_guy: Who cares?
Candlejack
tooji
Posted 1:10 AM 27/8/08
Well I would hope that there is some sort of combat mechanics be it shooting or something like that but I guess not. This game isn't shaping up too well in my mind, not my type of game.
tooji
Mr.Garcia
Posted 1:10 AM 27/8/08
Still hate quicktime events...
Mr.Garcia
PatMan33
Posted 1:10 AM 27/8/08
I'm... somewhat confused.
PatMan33
iNime
Posted 1:09 AM 27/8/08
Massive erection for this game...MASSIVE!
iNime
relax_guy
Posted 1:08 AM 27/8/08
uhh......
quicktime sequences and controls that need to be explained in this kind of detail?
sounds like GOTY.. in bizzaro land.
relax_guy
Spootythegameguru
Posted 1:06 AM 27/8/08
Sweet, hopefully it'll all wrap together nicely.
Spootythegameguru
dead_red_eyes
Posted 1:52 AM 27/8/08
@Anarchist_Gamer:
I quite enjoyed the story of Indigo Prophecy, but some of the quicktime events just dragged on for way too long. Like the psychic attack in your apartment, where every object, even a box of tissues is thrown at you. And the whole use of the trigger buttons to build up the meter is a fucking pain in the ass. I can't seem to recall if the triggers on the original Xbox controller were a lot looser, but trying to do those events on the 360 controller sucks. It's like trying to play the old Track & Field game on the NES, with your 360 controller. It's damn near impossible really.
dead_red_eyes
SansSanity
Posted 1:51 AM 27/8/08
Its a shame this is a PS3 exclusive, because I would have loved to play this.
SansSanity
Anarchist_Gamer
Posted 1:45 AM 27/8/08
I hate to burst the Indigo Prophecy's bubble, but was I the only one who played it? The story was good, until the end. The level of interactivity was interesting, but most of the gameplay was clunky walking and quick time events. The game was almost all quick time events and clunky walking. In a lot of ways, it was like a modern day point and click adventure, which is a pretty good way to describe it. I'd be surprised if the controls in Heavy Rain end up feeling smooth. But hey, what do I know yet?
Anarchist_Gamer
Fonzythedog
Posted 1:44 AM 27/8/08
I've never played Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy. I never understood the reason for renaming it for the US. It's kind of a weak excuse to rename a videogame incase it gets confused with a Michael Moore docu-film. Yeah, like they'd make a cash-in videogame about Fahrenheit 9/11. Will they rename Heavy Rain into some other weird name incase people confuse it with Singin' In The Rain? /joke
Fonzythedog
gadjet
Posted 1:40 AM 27/8/08
excellent! I really can't wait to get my hands on this.
I love how the controls mimic the object you're interacting with.
Really innovative stuff here... not Halo 3 innovative, but what is?
gadjet
VicViper
Posted 1:38 AM 27/8/08
This sounds like an extension of the controls in Indingo Prophecy (IP). IP tried to be something different, but ultimately devolved into utter absurdity. I really hoped they learned their lesson...
VicViper
mfwahwah
Posted 1:38 AM 27/8/08
I love how this game is shaping up. Everything from the controls, the graphics, the concept is just spot-on to what I was hoping for. The more I hear, the more excited I get.
I kind of feel bad for people who immediately hate QTEs and games without shooting. I have played just about every genre of game out there, and I basically love each one for what it contributes to gaming. :D
mfwahwah
zaagis
Posted 1:34 AM 27/8/08
Oh man. Sounds SO FULL OF FUN.
zaagis
bysty
Posted 1:34 AM 27/8/08
This game sounds wonderful. Hopefully it isn't being too over-ambitious. I really want it to succeed and not feel like random button-pressing.
@DavidinMN: I've always wanted to play Shenmue but have never had a Dreamcast or an Xbox. This makes me happy.
bysty
Rectangle
Posted 1:33 AM 27/8/08
I don't think I'll be buying this Choose Your Own Adventure game.
Rectangle
gadjet
Posted 2:21 AM 27/8/08
@Sh0dan:
Your cat hates you.
gadjet
newave
Posted 2:19 AM 27/8/08
great graphics! i love it because we can surely celebrate alone in the dark!
newave
formina
Posted 2:16 AM 27/8/08
Indigo Prophecy was easier on the PS2 than on the Xbox. One of the few things where regular buttons were a better choice than triggers, if only for alternating L1 and R1 repeatedly. So far it sounds like Indigo Prophecy with a bit more (and hopefully a good ending this time). Personally I can't wait.
@Candlejack: This game is exclusive and someone doesn't have a Playstation 3. What's wrong with wishing it wasn't exclusive?
formina
Sh0dan
Posted 2:15 AM 27/8/08
Lol at the control scheme. It'll never work.
For navigating s 3D space nothing beats LAS > move and RAS > Look.
So simple even my cat has it mastered. Okay I tell a lie, the cat doesn't play games…yet.
Seriously though, those controls sound like the worse parts of Alone In The Dark.
Sh0dan
Leftoverz
Posted 2:15 AM 27/8/08
@Kenoji: I think the sad thing is that only Sony is willing to fund game developers that are making games that take innovative approaches.
MS is content to fund FPS sequels and Nintendo is willing to allow innovation so long as it is buried under a Mario veneer and suitable for an 8 year old.
It's unfortunate that games from Team Ico are seen as fringe titles and take a backseat to the mainstream onslaught of FPSs and 3PSs.
Leftoverz
brightcrazystar
Posted 2:12 AM 27/8/08
WHAT??? Right Stick doesn't control the camera???
I knew Too Human was gonna suck. Oh, this isn't Too Human?
Day friggin ONE!
brightcrazystar
doubtful
Posted 2:08 AM 27/8/08
I'm not sure a developer has ever tried to use a control scheme as an obstacle to fun.
doubtful
Black-Dog-Howls
Posted 2:02 AM 27/8/08
@gadjet: That's a joke right? Sarcasm right? I mean, right? The halo 3 part is really a joke right?
Black-Dog-Howls
Candlejack
Posted 2:01 AM 27/8/08
@SansSanity: Normally you buy a console with games you would love to play. That's how it tends to work. I hate your mentality you know that.
Candlejack
frenchdestroyer
Posted 2:01 AM 27/8/08
@Anarchist_Gamer: I agree your ass off. I loved Farenheit and got really immersed in it for a while, but it controlled like a complete dog - I remember being in a library and trying to walk over to a bookshelf, it was harder than most of the QTE's. Walking isn't hard in real life. Everyone else has realized that by now.
Seemed like everything Indigo Prophesy/Farenheit (As it was over here) did right, it did something horribly horribly wrong.
I'm still interested in Heavy Rain but I just think neither of these games are (or are going to be)as clever as they think they are.
frenchdestroyer
gadjet
Posted 2:00 AM 27/8/08
@Anarchist_Gamer:
What' wrong with a modern day point and click? I love point and click adventures. Why must every game fit some pre determined mold?
gadjet
Creasy
Posted 1:59 AM 27/8/08
For GTA 4 I bought a xbox 360. Now that I soon can get the pc version, I sold the box, and preordered the pc version.
Same's for Heavy Rain.
Just for this (greatest masterpiece the last 10 years) game I'm gonna buy a ps3. Until the pc version comes out.
Creasy
Kai200X
Posted 1:58 AM 27/8/08
I'd love to play this totally different type of game. I don't want to keep playing the same thing over and over.
Kai200X
crim
Posted 2:46 AM 27/8/08
Sad, nothing disrupts an captivating story quite as much as controls I have to constantly think about.
crim
James, just James
Posted 2:43 AM 27/8/08
this game sounds boring. interactive environments are awesome if the detail is there, and if they bring something ejoyable to the game... opening a mail box, ringing a door bell... who gives a flying monkey poop about that? also, QTE... how many people have to say how much they absolutely LOATHE qte before developers get a clue? what is the sense in creating a dramatic, suspense filled moment like hiding from a killer if you ruin the suspense by stealing the gamers attention AWAY from the suspenseful action and forcing them to focus on a retarded button pressing scheme?
James, just James
anoon
Posted 2:40 AM 27/8/08
This will end in tears.
anoon
Spilt_Milk
Posted 2:40 AM 27/8/08
The controls sound incredibly bad. I have a feeling this is going to be another Alone in the Dark with needlessly cumbersome controls schemes and terrible cameras. Pretty piktars and character animations will not overcome that.
Spilt_Milk
Black-Dog-Howls
Posted 2:36 AM 27/8/08
This game is made for those of us that beat MGS3 on the hardest mode possible going No Alert, No Kill, Tranq only.* Crabclaws unite!
*shudders in memory of the five button first person shooting
Black-Dog-Howls
acez2087
Posted 2:33 AM 27/8/08
Wow...now that is truly innovation and making good use out of the PS3's Sixaxis controller. Quantic Dream did a fantastic job on one of my favorite games to date "Indigo Prophecy" and we need more immersion from games from developers like them and not have every developer and their uncle hopping on the "God of War" band wagon with contextual button presses galore. I mean the first 5 games you play after God of War is nice, but the next 20-25 becomes extremely repetitious no matter how different it may seem.
acez2087
Lazlo
Posted 2:33 AM 27/8/08
@gadjet:
Even if that were the case, trolling is still not cool, dude. Please stay on topic.
As for the controls, I'm more than willing to welcome a change. Does anyone remember the original Metal Gear Solid, that did not have a "typical" control scheme and last I checked the game did pretty well.
Lazlo
Candlejack
Posted 2:31 AM 27/8/08
@formina: Some games are and stay exclusive. That's wrong with it. Do I go around posting in Gears of War 2 articles how I wish the game wasn't exclusive (nevermind that I don't)? It's this retarded mentality of games on PS3 aren't supposed to be exclusive as soon as they look promising that is pissing me off.
Candlejack
Michael McWhertor
Posted 3:08 AM 27/8/08
@Fonzythedog: Indeed it does. Consider me charred with regret.
Michael McWhertor
Spilt_Milk
Posted 3:04 AM 27/8/08
I HATE guitar hero and I do not want to play guitar hero button mashing games in my thrillers or anywhere else. They are stupid in every single game including RE4.
Spilt_Milk
tooji
Posted 3:01 AM 27/8/08
@gahazakul:
Well what I'm sort of trying to say is that you're not controlling the action, it takes you out of the game and you're just spectating
tooji
Android8675
Posted 3:00 AM 27/8/08
I'm all against complex control stuff (Gimmie a 2600 joystick anyday), but after Fahrenheit I can't wait to see this game. I like the idea of twister on a control stick.
It'll be my first purchased PS3 game. (got the MGS4 bundle, still haven't finished that damn game)
Android8675
--Core--
Posted 2:50 AM 27/8/08
You know These button sequences do add tension to the game.. seriously.
When playing RE4, every time I goofed up on Leon during the knife fight, and he had that dagger drove into his heart.. I cringed big time! and was on the edge of my seat.
Now I don't love button sequences at all.. but there alright.
--Core--
doubtful
Posted 3:34 AM 27/8/08
@Candlejack:
It's this retarded mentality of games on PS3 aren't supposed to be exclusive as soon as they look promising that is pissing me off.
Perspective. Get some.
I don't think SansSanity's comment, "Its a shame this is a PS3 exclusive, because I would have loved to play this," deserves being labeled a 'retarded mentality,' nor do I think that term should be used at all.
So someone who doesn't have a PS3 wants to play this game? You act like they shit in your Wheaties. What kind of a person does it take to actually admit to getting pissed off all because another gamer is excited about a game, but regrets that currently they won't be able to?
Sheesh.
doubtful
last_emp
Posted 3:30 AM 27/8/08
Hmmm seems they made a game after all :)
last_emp
TRT-X
Posted 3:22 AM 27/8/08
Boy, this sounds like a great control scheme for a two-part controller with some kind of motion sensitive controls or something...
TRT-X
Refused
Posted 3:22 AM 27/8/08
Definitely not my type of game, but I am sure some people will love it.
Refused
Candlejack
Posted 4:00 AM 27/8/08
@doubtful: Point taken, I'm sorry for getting up in his face, or anybody else's.
Candlejack
doubtful
Posted 3:56 AM 27/8/08
What does that say, I mean, isn't it obvious that this kinda comment never appears on the 360 or Wii side of things, or much less often? -Candlejack
I would guess it's because most of the good Wii exclusives are classic Nintendo franchises, and people are not likely to say, 'Too bad Mario Party isn't on the PS3.' And many former PC/360 hybrid exclusives have come or are coming to the PS3 (some of which were clamored for, like Bioshock).
Ultimately, what I would take away from the trend you are noticing is that the PS3 is ripe with upcoming exclusives that people are excited about. Those are the bullet points that SONY or any console company is using to move systems.
I understand where you're coming from (we've all certainly seen myriad comments decrying exclusivity). I guess I just thought you were a little too harsh on this one in particular. I don't think SansSanity intended to malign SONY for making this an exclusive, but was lamenting the fact that the circumstances of life being what they are have not yielded them a PS3.
Sorry to get all pedantic.
doubtful
hardlylikely
Posted 3:53 AM 27/8/08
Interesting control scheme. It sounds conceptually similar in some respects to the Penumbra games on PC, where you use mouse movements to mimic manipulating objects in the world such as drawers, hatches, handles and obviously weapons. They also have a version that supports a haptic controller, but don't know very much about that yet, never having used one.
It's exciting to see there are still some developers out there experimenting with different control methods. Now if only some of them would work on Wii games!
hardlylikely
Xiedo
Posted 3:44 AM 27/8/08
Not related, but I've always wanted to play Simon Says while I'm watching an intense movie. And then when I mess up I have to rewind and watch the last scene over again.
Oh, this is that? Awesome.
Xiedo
Candlejack
Posted 3:43 AM 27/8/08
@doubtful: Okay, I chose the wrong words. I'm not one to use "retarded" in that way and you should know that. In any case, I do not want to pick one guy out of the crowd. There are numerous comments on any promising PS3 exclusive, i.e. LBP, that question why it's exclusive or that it's "a shame" it is. Am I supposed to view someone literally stating it's a SHAME that it's only on PS3 seriously? What does that say, I mean, isn't it obvious that this kinda comment never appears on the 360 or Wii side of things, or much less often?
Why can't people just take some games as exclusive to a platform and leave it there? Why must Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo not publish a game for a developer and lock it to their platform so that they can market it as game "only possible on my system"? I DO NOT UNDERSTAND.
You want a game that's published by the console manufacturer -> YOU BUY THAT MANUFACTURER'S CONSOLE. End of story.
Candlejack
KaliKOtt
Posted 3:40 AM 27/8/08
QTE next gen galore yay...
The game looks interesting but the trailer really made me claustrophobic like Crecente
Im willing to bet that it sells like shit much like Drake's Fortune though
and I somehow don't like the graphics since they feel absolutely soulless
Might have to change my mind if I ever get a hands on though
KaliKOtt
Juthan
Posted 4:24 AM 27/8/08
@sascha23:
Did it come through in my post that I want very badly to play Heavy Rain. Not sure if I brought that point home or not.
But in case I didn't, I really, really, truly want to play Heavy Rain.
;)
Juthan
sascha23
Posted 4:20 AM 27/8/08
@Juthan: My friend, you crack me up. You are a true fan, or in the least mildly insane, which is fine in my book.
sascha23
sascha23
Posted 4:19 AM 27/8/08
Man, the wait for this game is probably going to be longer than any other PS3 game I'm currently psyched about.
sascha23
hardlylikely
Posted 4:18 AM 27/8/08
It was the Novint Falcon I was thinking of, for reference.
hardlylikely
Juthan
Posted 4:18 AM 27/8/08
Having played, finished, and loved Indigo Prophecy, I am disgustingly excited for this game.
I do not care if you had to stand on your head to make the character move forward throughout the game, I would still buy it on release.
I do not care if you got struck by lightning in real-life whenever it struck in-game, I would still buy it on day of release.
I do not care if the fat guy in the video actually stabbed me in real-life and tea-bagged with his sweaty balls as I lay bleeding to death in a pool of my own hot blood. I would still buy this game.
And as I lie dying and pass my final BM, I would use my last bit of strength to reach for the controller to finish this game.
Juthan
excellent_lad
Posted 4:54 AM 27/8/08
To everyone bitching about the QTE, you really should read a little more on this game. For starters, it doesn't distract from the action, as the prompts/icons for button presses are attached to the point of interest, like the knife being swung, or the bottle you need to catch. The developers have also said that these events are about living with consequences, so if you fail it is often not instant death/game over, but rather "the bottle dropped, so now the taxidermist might realize someones in the house" or, "you stumbled down the stairs when fleeing, and now you have a bruise that stays with you the rest of the game." I don't understand the hate for QTE, it's just a test of reflex, and i loved them in RE4/GOW2
Anyway, i'm excited for this game, good to see engaging experiences once in a while.
excellent_lad
get2sammyb
Posted 4:28 AM 27/8/08
@DavidinMN: Yeah the comparisons are certainly there. Even down to the mixed responses and the walking animation of the character in the trailer.
get2sammyb
Ehardergardens
Posted 5:17 AM 27/8/08
@The_Catalpa: you'd find that reading control descriptions of even the most intuitive control schemes would sound horrible and complicated... most control schemes have to make sense to the preexisting paradigms of control mechanics, but to describe those mechanics would sound hopelessly confusing... we don't tend to learn or remeber motor skills in those ways...
I think this game like Fahrenheit will be a promising mixture of interactive branching 'puzzle' solving, or situation handling, and some adrenaline QTE action sequences... which i think would work for something like this, that's probably story and character driven, rather than arcady action, "vidjay gayem". What you enjoy in a game maybe different though...
Ehardergardens
BallPtPenTheif
Posted 5:15 AM 27/8/08
@GFX-187:
QTE always makes me feel like I'm playing a game of Simon. I agree with you, that it removes the player from the game because whenever I play a QTE I'm so focused on the button prompt that that I usually miss the details of the entertaining action sequence.
Addittionally, no matter how random the button prompts are, having QTE for the same action with the same animation gets insanely repetitive and boring.
Death to QTE
BallPtPenTheif
luigilogik
Posted 5:14 AM 27/8/08
Sounds a little overly complex. Maybe the game will be better for it, but there are two things I already hate: Not knowing what to press to continue the game, and being told exactly what i have to press and when. Quick time events boil my blood.
luigilogik
gblock
Posted 5:10 AM 27/8/08
I'm so pumped for this game. Please don't change a thing - I really like the idea of something this fresh, this new, and if done well, this could be the best thing since Loom.
I'm excited.
gblock
Benzak
Posted 5:30 AM 27/8/08
To everyone talking about reloads when you bork up a QTE:
From what I've read about it, there seems to be some kind of branching within the QTE's. So you can do badly but it will put you at a bigger disadvantage.
Personally I'm looking forward to trying this game out, since it looks to focus heavily on the story.
It'll be a nice break from 20 minutes of shooting followed by a, "Lol, we gotta shot them other guys!" cut-scene.
Benzak
Gervy
Posted 6:04 AM 27/8/08
Hmmm.... The controls sound difficult to the extent of interrupting the game. If I have to actually think about the controls instead of enjoying the game, that's a problem. Not to mention, my motto is, "If I wanted to move more than my thumbs, I wouldn't be playing video-games". (That goes for the Wii as well... if I'm that active, I'd like, go outside and shizz).
Gervy
BigDerf
Posted 5:55 AM 27/8/08
If you are really that concerned about QTEs then please go out and buy cheaply or borrow from a friend Indigo Prophecy. Yes the story unravels towards the end, however there is something about the story/storytelling of the game that compels you to go forwards from the beginning and I'm sure the same sense will exist with Heavy Rain. And if you haven't watched the gameplay video then do so cause you will understand that its not the traditional giant button in the middle of the screen QTEs but smaller buttons that pop up where your eyes are (Like you know, on the knife coming for your face)
The game's controls aren't about being the tightest or anything but about being able to interact and deal with almost any object or situation. Yeah I can just press the action button whenever I want to interact with something in a game like MGS and love it but its also badass to be able to swing open a door with the stick, or just jam repeatedly on someone's doorbell.
And one more thing about dying during QTEs. That is the game's 'gameplay' mechanic. I'm sure most of us have died a shitload of times trying to hack through enemy after enemy in DMC or trying to shootdown a nonstop onslaught of chimera in Resistance. As much as it's movie-like in storytelling it's still a video game and knowing there are consequences for sucking is a good thing. Imagine if you couldn't be killed in DMC or COD or Halo. It'd be BORING.
(One last side note: Anyone else kill themselves accidentally in Indigo Prophecy by drinking and taking aspirin. Cause when I did that I shit myself.)
BigDerf
Psudonym
Posted 5:55 AM 27/8/08
New is good. I like new. Unless it's bad. But this doesn't sound bad. So... it might be good? I'm pretty damn certain we'd all like some hands on this.
Psudonym
Blah8
Posted 5:46 AM 27/8/08
I don't want the game to be all QTEs - that would just get annoying. However, I do like the way it makes you do some "finger twisters" to get through the sneaking sections and how there's so many different options on how to approach the same situation. Choice is almost always a good thing and anyone who's ever tried to stay completely quiet on certain floors knows it's a challenge.
Blah8
gridbug
Posted 6:23 AM 27/8/08
I'm playing Fahrenheit (Indigo Prophecy - US) on the PC and the control scheme while original is a little weird. The QTE moments I've encountered are pretty tricky to master (using the arrow keys and the numeric keypad at the same time) but I imagine this will be a bit easier on a console game controller.
gridbug
stevesan
Posted 6:08 AM 27/8/08
dear god...this sounds like...like....SHENMUE!?!?!?!?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
stevesan
The bigger the lie, the more they beleive!
Posted 6:56 AM 27/8/08
QTE FTW ME OTL
The bigger the lie, the more they beleive!
TheIrishNinja
Posted 6:51 AM 27/8/08
@Rectangle: its uh, its not that kind of game if you've followed it, though.
@Spilt_Milk: did you play indigo? its why many of us are looking forward to this.
those thinking Shenmue (cause of the QTE that is apparently the bane of a few of youse existence), i can see that control-wise between indigo and shenmue 2, but it stops there, they're vastly different games.
and yes, if quantic and suzuki did a shenmue 3, i would dance in the streets.
TheIrishNinja
NexusSIX
Posted 6:42 AM 27/8/08
This game would sound amazing, if for every little different thing you did, rippled into a new ending. Think of the movie "Groundhogs Day" or "Run Lola Run". It sounds like a movie that you interact with pretty much. So for me in my eyes, the saving grace would be a movie with multiple endings. It would kinda piss me off if, you do something wrong, and you have to do the whole sequence again. Pretty much a "Let's memorize the controls at such and such time" kinda game.
(I've never played indigo prophecy nor farenheit (sp?)).
NexusSIX
LxLegend
Posted 7:13 AM 27/8/08
Man forget all that crap.
I need to know only one thing.
Are the games controls responsive?
Or are controls going to have a craptasic delay (sluggish) like GTA4's that alone will let me know if this game is even worth paying attention too.
LxLegend
scuba2steve
Posted 7:46 AM 27/8/08
It all sounds very good... i like the way the QTE's are branching and the way they stick onto the points of interaction and the clever use of the sixaxis sounds fun. The only thing i don't like the sound of is the movement control.... people do not walk like cars... thats why nearly every game now uses the left stick... its easier... just like we found out with every other game... it why tomb raider, resi, onimusha and everything dropped it... cos it sucked...
scuba2steve
Syrish
Posted 7:26 AM 27/8/08
Yeah Farenheit(indigo Prophecy) Had one of the best stories ever. I Haven't played many games, but the game for me that really felt like a movie was that game. It's plot was so good and well done it kept you engaging and going forward to just see what happens next. Yeah when i finished the game it was my favorite game plot ever. But i played ff7 shortly after and yeah i loved the plot there even more. Still i have high hopes for this game, especially the movie like feeling and plot.
Syrish
Xemnas
Posted 8:17 AM 27/8/08
@Xemnas:
Sorry about that, guys. My keyboard just messed up. Anyway, I'm REALLY looking forward to Heavy Rain. I'll pre-order it at the first opportunity.
Xemnas
Xemnas
Posted 8:16 AM 27/8/08
@Xemnas: F
Xemnas
Xemnas
Posted 8:16 AM 27/8/08
These aren't normal quick time events. They are real-time interactions, in which you make a choice, find objects, move where you choose to, and interact with what you want when you want to. It is based on quick time events, and shares strong similarities, though.
Anyway, I'm
Xemnas
Grosolank
Posted 10:50 AM 27/8/08
Is no one interested in that power cruiser she's riding around on?
It's called the Hellcat Combat motorcycle from Confederate Motor Company.Seeing it in the game tells me the designers have taste and knowledge
Grosolank
Mongoosekun
Posted 1:35 PM 27/8/08
@relax_guy:
You can't just shoot people in the face in every game I guess. There's still Gears of War 2.
Mongoosekun
serotoninzero
Posted 1:15 PM 27/8/08
I loved Fahrenheit and have been looking forward to this ever since I've heard about it. Sadly, I'm ps3-less, but I just bought a new tv, and it's only fair to give it another console to play with too. Bluray is fun too.
serotoninzero
losplagos
Posted 2:41 PM 27/8/08
I second that it's a shame you non-PS3 owners won't be able to play it. Should've gone with PS3.
The game looks and sounds absolutely stunning. The control scheme obviously works, it's not made up of QTEs, but context sensitive motions - and it's not set in space! What a breath of fresh air.
losplagos
boopadoo
Posted 4:45 PM 27/8/08
I still don't get Quantic Dream's insistence on using these odd control schemes in their games. Just make it a free-roaming adventure with conversation/decision trees. It really affects immersion when you have to do those simon-says elements.
boopadoo
joeloliol
Posted 7:57 AM 28/8/08
i think it could be fun! will wait for the demo to make up my mind.
joeloliol
LordMetzen
Posted 9:17 AM 28/8/08
@ frenchdestroyer quote- "but it controlled like a complete dog - I remember being in a library and trying to walk over to a bookshelf, it was harder than most of the QTE's. Walking isn't hard in real life. Everyone else has realized that by now."
mmmm, walking isn't hard?...I don't know if not knowing how things work apply to say walking ain't easy. There ain't a single game that can reproduce the fluidity of a human walking as it is in reality.
Most games are close enough, but look at feet and movement, most of the time is out of sync or they cut the animation and repeat like a loop.
WALKING IS HARD IN REAL LIFE, thats the main reason there aren't any bipedal robots around at cheap prices.
Example: Honda's Asimo, its price is millions of dlls, and walks way too slow and its size makes it not really functional for everyday life.
I don't mind developers trying to find new ways to make the player interact fluidly or more life like with the character, and that includes new control schemes.
They have new gameplay, new environments and some people want to play the same games and settings with some new graphics.
This is looking pretty good, and it seems the developers have tried it in many ways and experimented with types of control schemes so good for them....and in a few months good for us. This is looking like the next best thing on the ps3.
LordMetzen