Heavy Rain: A Gloomy Murder Mystery Where You Race Against the Rain

This autumn, I have submerged myself into the chilling murder mystery that takes place in Heavy Rain. This interactive action-adventure, released by Quantic Dream in 2010, tells a thrilling story about a serial killer on the run. The killer kidnaps young boys and drowns them in heavy rainfall, which conveniently gives the game its name. The four playable main characters are racing against the rain, trying to solve this mystery, with only a limited time left to save the newest victim from drowning. That’s the beauty of Heavy Rain, the constant gloomy weather with stormy rain does not only set a perfect mood for the game, but also reminds constantly how time is running out.

 

In my opinion, Heavy Rain is one of the best interactive games, because I truly noticed how almost every choice and move I made, had an impact on the story. Even a slight mistake could alter the story in a huge way. Although you need to keep in mind that the game is a bit older, and you can definitely notice it from its awkward controls and sometimes clunky graphics. I feel like this is why Heavy Rain gets left in the shadow of its younger siblings, Beyond: Two Souls and Detroit: Become Human, way too much. At least in my opinion, the story and quick-time-events (QTEs) make up for the outdatedness, and in some parts even outshine its successors.

The quick-time-events of the game are what make the gameplay fun but also stressful, with every move influencing the narrative. I would like to go as far as to say that the QTEs of Heavy Rain are better than the ones in Detroit: Become Human. They are harder and more intense in Heavy Rain; some even made me so immersed in them that I felt like I was actually fighting someone or trying to escape. I was more pressured to succeed in Heavy Rain’s QTEs because there is this constant pressure of surviving and saving the poor boy from drowning.

 

I cannot stress enough how amazing the story is with its plot twists and thrilling atmosphere. The story really took me by surprise and shook me to my core, I could not have predicted where it was going. Also, I really loved the character design, with four totally different yet interesting main characters. The protagonists are Ethan, the kidnapped boy’s father, Madison, a journalist interested in the murders, Norman, an FBI profiler assigned to the case and Scott, a private investigator hired to solve the case. I got attached to each of these characters and their unique quirks and storylines. The most exciting thing was to see, how their stories intertwined during the progress of the game’s story. With some working together to some working against each other, although they all have the same goal, to save the boy and catch the killer. With seven different endings, anything can happen to these main characters, and it’s all up to the player!

For an avid murder mystery lover like me, this game gives the same vibes as a thriller movie or series would, but it is even better because you get to participate in it yourself! The beauty of this PS3 game’s story and dramatic graphics need to be appreciated by a much wider audience than it now has. If murder mysteries are your cup of tea, I suggest you give Heavy Rain a try.

 

Basic information:

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Quantic Dream
Platforms: PlayStation 3,4,5 and PC
Release Date: February 23rd 2010
Genres: Interactive drama, action-adventure
PEGI: 18

 

Pictures: Mobygames

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