Review: Heavy Rain PS3

Heavy Rain, created by Quantic Dream. Another movie-kind-of-game that was released before Beyond: Two Souls. I was told the game was even better than Beyond, and most reviews are very high about this game. Do I agree…? I’m not so sure…

Heavy Rain – The Origami Killer

Heavy Rain is not a regular game. Just like the other games from Quantic Dreams, it’s like you’re watching movie, but you’re being a part of it. You have to guide the characters down the stories by making choices, doing specific things that is important in the story, and depending on how you do things, the story may go in different ways, but it will always lead to the same end: finding the killer. But it also offers different endings for all of the characters in the game (you’re still following me?). Quantic Dream gives you the idea that you’re leading the story.

The game is set in a city in America. In that city (where it rains every day) is a serial killer going on, named the Origami Killer. He leaves origami figures by his victims, and it’s up to you to find out who the killer is and to save his most recent victim. In Heavy Rain you play four characters, and every now and then you switch from character to character who will lead you deeper into the story and hopefully bring you to the Origami Killer.

All the four characters are different from each other. Ethan Mars is depressing, while Madison Paige is friendly and empathic. Norman Jayden is an addict and Scot Shelby is asthmatic.

A Boring Movie?

Sometimes Heavy Rain feels like a boring movie. Where Beyond: Two Souls kept getting your attention, your attention might drift off to something more interesting with Heavy Rain. Yet, you continue because you’re curious who the killer is — or you don’t even bother any more. Then there are specific scenes that make you think: Why is this scene in the game?

And it may feel like some things has no use to the story-development at all. Beside that, the beginning of the game was slow. Very slow. Because you’re playing four characters, it’s hard to get a connection with those. Every time I had to play Shelby or Madison I was all “Argh! Not again”, simply because I didn’t like those characters, and I had the idea that with no Madison in the game, the game would have been the same, or maybe even better.

Likes

• Strong story.
• A few good characters.
• Good graphics
• Keeps your curious who the killer is.
• A surprising end.
• Realistic
• The makes you think before you make a choice.

Dislikes

• Slow beginning.
• Some annoying characters.
• Too much characters. Hard to bond.
• Sometimes you wish you had a ‘fast forward’ button.
• Replay value is low.

Worth the Money?

I paid 8 bucks for it, but new the game would cost 15 to 20 euros (Holland). Is 20 euro’s really worth it? No, I don’t think so. It’s a longer game, and there is just as much action in it, as there are boring moments, it just doesn’t feel worth it. I’m sorry Quantic Dream, but I feel like you’ve could have done a much better job (and you did, with Beyond: Two Souls).

Review: Beyond: Two Souls PS3

I have been playing A LOT of games the last few months, it’s insane. I finished Beyond: Two Souls, The Last of Us, and Heavy Rain. And I already started with the new Season from the Walking Dead Game. But it’s never enough, isn’t it? I already have my eyes on a few other games. I used to hate the PS3. Now I feel guilty that I ever said that. So let’s start with Beyond. A little pearl between all the games.

Beyond: Two Souls

The first moment Beyond started playing, my jaw dropped from the amazing graphics. I had to reply the first scene, only to be surprised by it again. But what is the game about?

You play Jodie Holmes. A girl who, since her birth, has a special gift. She is attached to an entity, who she called Aiden. It’s an entity who only Jodie can see. In the game you play 15 years of Jodies life — but the story is played in a random order. You go from little Jodie, to teenage Jodie, and back to little, and then going to an adult Jodie and back to little Jodie, etc. This creates a lot of questions with the person playing the game.

Beyond: Two Souls feels like a movie that you control. Through out the game you have to make (difficult) choices that can change parts of the story-line. But in the end, you decide the end of the game.

Jodie is played by the actress Ellen Page, and the resemblance between the two is amazing. A few other known-faces you’ll see are: Eric Winter and Willem Dafoe.

More Like A Movie?

Beyond feels more like a movie. But it will never get boring. There is action in it, drama, creepy scenes and moments where you’ll have to hold your breath because it’s so exciting. You get to fight, you get to do things. But you also get to cook dinner (Or you can order pizza), and play the guitar. But in my opinion, nothing felt useless. It adds a little bit of a fun in a game with a heavy story.

Because you get to make decisions, and choose answers, it feels like you are in the game. It pulls you in, and it’s hard to take a break from the game. I finished the game in a few days — the game isn’t super long. But if you play a few hours everyday, you can easily finish it within a week (or two?).

 Likes

• Pulls you in
• Awesome graphics
• Good story
• You get to choose the end.
• Has a bit of everything; Drama, horror, action and love.
• Good music.
• Different than you’re usual kind of game.
• Talented Hollywood actors.

Dislikes

• A few holes in the story here and there, but nothing drastic.
• Annoying camera angles something.
• Aiden’s abilities are sometimes limited, which makes you feel limited.
• For some people it might feel like you’re only watching, and only are there to press a button or two — I didn’t feel that way.
• Sometimes you have no choice and the game lets you shoot someone.
• You either love it, or you hate the game.

Worth The Money?

It depends how much you pay for it. With some stores here you pay 30 and for some you pay 20. It’s an 8 hour game, so would you pay 30 bucks for a game that you can finish in a few days? But I think it’s a great game. Great graphics, great gameplay and so far I haven’t experienced any bugs in the game.

 

Review: The Walking Dead Telltale Game PS3

You thought the show was good? Try again. Now that the Telltale game is out, you can now play the Walking Dead game yourself. I got the game in December and finished it in two days. I got hooked within the first 30 minutes, but why? It’s not your typical game, and not your typical zombie-game at all!

The Walking Dead Telltale Game

I got the game for the PS3, ever since I found out how much fun the PS3 really is. I never liked it, I couldn’t handle the controller well (still can’t). I’m still used to the Nintendo controller, or the Wii controller. And I still think about those buttons, Instead of the X and O on the PS3 controller. Thank god most games I play tell me which buttons to use, or else I’d fuck up (and I still do at times).

The Walking Dead TT game is not your average game. You should see it as the serie on tv, but instead of watching it, you also have to do things. The first season of the game has 6 episodes, and you can finish those episodes in 1 to 2 hours, depending on how good you are. You do get to shoot zombies so now and then, but you also follow the story, get to choose what to say or what to do and all those choices you make, and how you make your character behave have effect on the next episode.

You play Lee Everett. Lee is convicted for murdering, and taken to a prison at the beginning of the game. He doesn’t even get to arrive there, when he meets some of the undead, but is saved by Clementine. A young girl who has been hiding from the zombies, while waiting for her parents to come home, who are in Savannah for a vacation.

That’s right, you don’t play Rick Grimes, in fact, you only get to see one or two characters that you know from the tv-show. Which is good, because that means that you never really know what is going to happen.

Do I Like It?

Yes, I do! It feels like you got control over the game — even though you haven’t. The choices you make have effect on the story and the characters in the game, but the game will follow one story, and no matter what you do, the story will go one way. Example: If you don’t kill one of the characters, he will die one way or another. But that doesn’t bother me, the game makes you feel like you’re in control. You get to choose what to do, or what to say, so you feel like you’re a big part of the game.

It will play with your feelings. I thought season 1 was horrible, but season 2 will be even worse (episode 1 is out already). Clementine is a young girl, so you’re often thinking to yourself when making a choice: be nice, or tell her the harsh truth? I was often tearing up or cursing at the tv. Expect the game to be depressing, horrifying and sad — a roller-coaster of emotions! The conversations feel real, the characters react like ‘normal’ people would. That’s a good thing! It means the game is good.

But…

If you’re looking for action, then this game might not be what you’re looking for. Tho, I know someone who plays Call Of Duty and whatever and still enjoyed the game. Yes, there is some action and shooting in it, but don’t compare it to Call of Duty. It’s a different game, different methods, different style. But that doesn’t make it a bad game.

The game feels short. You get hooked and you end up finishing it within 2 days. Maybe the episodes feel short, but once you get the hang of it, you go through those episodes so fast, because you want to know what will happen next.

Have you played this game already?

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Reborn

Lara Croft Tomb raider is actually a bit of nostalgia. My mother has finished a lot of her games on the computer. And I always was watching, or playing as well. Or helping my mother guide through the game with a walk-through and translating words for her because it was in English. We both shared a good passion for Lara Croft. I loved the game, and feared it at the same time. The parts where you were swimming underwater and suddenly a shark bites your ass off always startled me!

So last weekend I bought the newest Lara Croft game for the PS3. I hate the PS3, because I can’t work with its controller. I’m way too used to the Nintendo controller. The PS3 one with its circle, and triangle just doesn’t seem to make sense to me. That’s why I’m playing the Tomb Raider game on easy right now. I still need to get used to the controller, and if I have it on normal or hard, it’s just never going to work. But let’s talk more about Tomb Raider!

I LOVE the game! Lara looks absolutely stunning, they sure didn’t forget about her chest… The place where the game is played at, is stunning, yet creepy. If you love old Asian scenery, then you might enjoy it! Then we haven’t even talked about the story line yet. The game is a Lara Croft, that happened before all of the other Lara Croft games. It shows how she turned from a nice and friendly, caring young woman to a strong survivor.

And I was so used to the old Tomb Raider games that the first thing I noticed was that she moved her mouth while she spoke during the game. Haha! But that’s not all, Lara Croft isn’t immortal (tho, she has unnatural stamina and endurance), and even she can die, let alone that you can carry so many weapons at the same time. You can even update your weapons and work on and update your skills. There are several skills you can work on. Surviving skills and hunting skills. You are able to hunt on animals and use them for their food. You are able to create fires and also collect ammo, as in every other Tomb Raider game. As your skills get updates you are able to do more things. Silent attack your enemy from behind, or throw dirty in their face to distract them before shooting a bullet through their face. And yes, there will be blood.

As the story is about Lara Croft and who she’s becoming. The game is about surviving and helping her friends that are captured by some bad guys. In meanwhile there are secret tombs you can find and get into and find treasures. Even the typical Tomb Raider puzzles are included in this game.

She even gets dirty in this game! She starts off pretty clean, but very wet. And during the game, as you go through more mud and forests you get dirtier and dirtier and your clothes get more ragged. Even specific wounds stay on her body and get better during the game, like they are healing. The win blows her hair in the right direction, and she makes strange, awkward — beginner — movements when she has to make a long jump. You know, the kind of jump where you move/swing with your arms and legs. And when it rains, there will be raindrops on the camera too.

Overall, I think this game is just awesome! Yes, this might be the best Tomb Raider ever.

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