Ben-DutkaHeavy Rain is one of those landmark games that has already received immense praise from most major critics.
And although the game utilizes the Sixaxis motion control (to some extent), the project was initially built around the concept of Sony's new motion controlling technology, known for now as "Arc." This according to what Quantic Dream boss David Cage told European site Dagbladet (as summarized by Joystiq ), where he spoke about Sony's new ambition and his desire to work with it. As for Heavy Rain :
"If you are talking about Motion Control, this is something we initially considered for Heavy Rain. The very first version of the game design was based on motion control, but it was not feasible at the time."
As some of you already know, you do use the Sixaxis to input some of the QTE commands in the game. They're not complex and in all honesty, I don't think I've missed even one in any of my three play-throughs (I usually miss ones I just don't expect, and there's one analog movement that's tricky), but I still wouldn't want to have the entire game run through motion control. But I guess the only reason Heavy Rain didn't turn out that way is because the developers didn't think the new motion technology was far enough along.
For the future, Cage all but confirmed they are working on something for the motion controller because he said "there is a good chance that we announce something about it in the coming weeks." My guess is they scrapped the idea for HR, at the same time deciding they still like "Arc" and would make another game for it. We'll have to see how that turns out; at this point, I'll be interested in anything Quantic Dream has to offer.
Related Game(s): Heavy Rain
That would have added to the immersion of the title. A pity that the timetable for the motion controller wasn't more advanced.
Totally agree with you there.
Just think about the added immersion to Heavy Rain, would be phenomenal. But, glad to see there interest in developing something new or additional content using arc.
I can't wait for this game to come out.
At this point i would have preferred the motion controls. So far with the demo, im not liking the controls one bit but its not something that will keep me from playing the game.
Shouldn't it be possible to add a patch once the motion controller is released?
Jawkee, same here.
The controls, especially the walking feels really unnatural and slow. The story is intense though. I will definitely own this game at some point.
Ill probably get it shortly after its released. The controls aren't ideal, but like you said, the story could keep me hooked.
after playing the demo, i believe they'll probably try and patch arc compatibility to this game. the controls are simple enough to be able to do this.
On a related note, i heard killzone 2 might get patched for arc support.
I have a feeling this is going to turn out like the RE5 situation, with the controls.
Thats alright I thought the controls were great and it adds to the gameplay the way the controls work. I think the developers wanted you to hold down R2 for instance, so you would slow down and take it all in.
They wern't perfect but definitely good.
In my opinion im glad they scrapped the idea, I don't want to have to buy an unique controller for this, its doesnt enhance it like Guitar Hero.
word, but the Guitar Hero scene in "Couple's Retreat" was pretty damn funny 🙂
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 2/12/2010 12:28:30 PM
Same here. I would not have liked the idea of having to buy another controller just to play this game. Couples Retreat rocks
Yeah… I take classic controls over a gimmick any day. I'm glad they decided to release Heavy Rain now instead of waiting for the Orb… or the Sphere… or the Arc… of whatever it's called.
I'm on the fence regarding the arc, and probably pretty happy they didn't go in that direction for HR. Having played the demo I can where I might have some issues with the controller…may need to practice a bit twisting my fingers about like pretzels.
My one question about game play would be, if you don't get it right (the controls), can you replay the chapter or are you stuck w/ the outcome!?!
The tagline is "Make Choices, Face the Consequences"
Once you do something, or something happens, you're stuck with the outcome.
well atleast they arent delaying the game to wait for the "arc"
Like, ahem, GT5 and 3D, ahem.
Very true, but at least it's better than "rushing."
"Delay > Rush"
a.k.a GTPSP and PSPGo >_<
I'm not liking how Sony's treating PD..
Interesting idea, but I wouldn't want to buy a peripheral to play this game. I'm downloading the demo as we speak, woohoo. And I never had much trouble doing the finger aerobics in Indigo Prophecy so I'm not worried.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 2/12/2010 12:29:39 PM
It doesn't matter to me one bit.
After playing the demo, I am convinced that this game will be one of the best experiences I have ever had with gaming.
I am still amazed at the level of interactive elements. Inhaler? WOW!!
Quit touching yourself. (Arc boob grab)
Sounds like a good Arc DOA game.
Im liking the demo so far. I may buy the arc if I like the full game and arc compatibility is patched in.
Thats interesting. I just played the demo this morning and one word- WOW! I loved it and will say the six-axis was perfect. All the QTE' were spot on. Never have I felt so in control with the DS3 during QTE' and the motion control of the six-axis.
that's sick even so. i'd love the idea of, idk, pulling up the gear stick with arc.
I was intrigued by Heavy Rain but was going to put it off because of lack of free time (school) and lack of money (unemployed).
But I was so impressed with the first scene of the demo, I jumped on the the internet and pr-ordered immediately after the demo was over.
Was the prostitute the same actress/character from the casting call promo? Man, she's intense.
Interesting, i can see how the game and 'Arc' would link, but how would they have known to make that link unless they knew about it prior to development? Maybe, just maybe, they are working alongside Sony to make heavy Rain a release to go along with 'Arc'? Just a suggestion. 🙂
I for one, definitely hope that QD put's out a free DL after the Sonymote comes out, just to give some of us who want it, the chance to be able to try the game out that way too.
Dualshock3 and/or Sonymote = best of both worlds, & everybody wind's up happy!
The demo is great and ben's review is fantastic. Heavy Rain ia a sure buy for me because of that.
thank god they did not use it for heavy rain, that would of completely destroyed the game for me.
remember the more gadgets you have the more things that can go wrong.
i can see if this had used the gem it would of ended up in tears and broken TVs.
im not exactly confident on how accurate this things going to be, i can see people getting frustrated when it interprets wrong moves.
NO I SAID UP NOT RIGHT YOU DUMB PIECE OF SH*T!!!
something along those lines.
Interesting, even more so if it gets patched later on.
Just played the demo this morning/last night and as much as I love the idea of a massively branching storyline the gameplay doesn't make me want to rush to get it ASAP. I'll wait til it gets cheap.