"Heavy Rain" and Free-Choice in Games

[Mortimas IV]

eh, i don't really dig the whole free choice thing, i want to be told a story rather than making it.

I usually agree, because a preset cinematic storyline probably means more focus upon said storyline, and cinematic events within. More story possibilities presumably means less development upon each of those expositional "paths," for the programming required would simply be too massive.

 

[falcontwin]

SO basically it's a game where you get a couple of different choices on how to do stuff, and no matter which choice you make the game continues on?

Doesn't really sound like their is much "free choice" If you are only free to chose from predetermined options there is no freedom.

I bet this game ends up being 8-12 hours long really linear and a big dissapointment to all the fanboys who are salivating over it's awesomosity right now.

It may well be a good game but It's gonna have a maximum of a couple of different endings and a chose your own adventure type of story where all decisions lead to the same points.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

Sounds like a real-time choose your own adventure novel. It's just missing the dice.

"If you have rolled less than six, take the number and double it and subtract that from your stamina. If you are still alive, turn to page 16."

And in Mass Effect if your actions caused one of your team mates to buy the farm the game continued on without them. That was a shock to the system the first time that happened to me.

 

[sheic99]

It almost seems like Heavy Rain can deliver what games like Fable or Mass Effect claimed they could: allow player's choices to influence and change everything.

the reason they couldn't allow you to change ever aspect of the game is because doing that is very hard. I significantly doubt that this game will be seen as little more than an attempt to rip off fable 2.

Wait wait wait, what? I don't understand how having a choice system makes it seem like it's ripping off fable 2.

How exactly?

Fable 2 is a Western-RPG with magic and sword play and gun play and all these other things along with magic and wonder and light hearted humour.

Heavy Rain is sortof like a Point n' Click adventure only with more control with you and is extremely grounded in reality (so far atleast).

While I do agree, the morality aspect in Heavy Rain is similar to...well any game that has "morality choice", but how on earth did you get the idea that the game can be compared to Fable 2?

But as for me, I'm intruiged by it. Not entierly sure what my stance on it is though.

as pointed out by the OP its not entirely clear exactly how the game play will pan out. and your right if it is a point and click adventure it wont be seen this way, but believe me the second they add action elements and it begins to resemble fable the comparison will be made.

You're making the assumption that the decision is a Black and White choice between good and evil. The aspect of Hard Rain is that the game will be different depending on your relationship with characters in game and the environment.

 

[mr mcshiznit]

I think ill just throw this into the pile of "I'll buy into this when i see it".