For a long time now I have wished for a game that would have a different feel to it than your average TPS/FPS adventure games. I'm so glad to tell you guys that Heavy Rain has fulfilled MY expectations, and went above and beyond that more than I could have ever imagined.

Putting that comment aside, I'm first going to focus on what I really liked the most about the game:

I would give a huge positive for the game's unique feel. The game feels like a gem, and it felt like no other game I have ever played in my life. (Yes, I'm talking ever since I started getting into gaming which was around SNES.)

The story was phenomenal, even though its not all that unique, the great presentation will blow your mind and i thought it was kind of familiar to the Saw movies (I only liked the first and second one btw.)

Going in to the game, not knowing what to expect of the gameplay, it surprised me of how much things you could actually do in the game and how engaging it was even though sometimes it did feel like just QTEs, it felt more than that.

The characters and dialogue was very well written for the most part.

The graphics is top-notch. Not "Wow" as Uncharted 2, but its definitely up there, especially with the character models which is the area the game pwns every other game in.

Music is great, and I would love to get my hands on the game's soundtrack!

Now you might ask me, what did I NOT like about the game?

I still haven't had a time for a second playthrough, but definitely I think replay value doesn't quite live up to expectations. After one playthrough, you probably have seen most of what the game had to offer and the consecutive playthrough will just appear more for the people that are obsessed/loves the story.

Some graphics and framerate issues, and noticeable slow downs and pop-ins. These does NOT bother you with the gameplay, and i repeat it WILL NOT bother you at all. But it does stand out if you're looking at it very meticulously, like me.

To conclude,

Heavy Rain is one of those games that you just have to see in action to appreciate its beauty. Watching it from videos from youtube, or screenshots doesn't do the game justice. The game takes patience, and people who are patient and love these psychological thriller type of stories will flock in and have one of the most memorable gaming of their lives. For the impatient type, there's not that much for you here, but I would still recommend seeing your patient friend play it, because trust me, you will be drawn to its story nonetheless. The game does a successful jobs getting certain emotions from the player ranging from happiness to sad to just plain scared for my life. Is it overhyped? Not a chance, because to me, it did great on the areas the game wanted to deliver.

GRAPHICS: 9.2

PRESENTATION: 9.5

GAMEPLAY: 8

REPLAYABILITY: 7

STORY: 8.5

OVERALL: 8.7

Nice review - I'll be getting the game a few weeks down the line, possibly at around the €25 price point (precisely because of the limited re-play value point).

You can post your review here
http://www.vgchartz.com/games/userreviewadd.php?id=7703

Im in a huge dilemma ... buy this, or WKC, or wait for FF13 ... or bayonetta ... damn i need a job lol!

anyway, nice review!

thanks guys.

i submitted this review already. =]

@peteypeeps: me too i have postponed bayonetta to buy WKC (because of the framerate issues), but no way will I pass on ff13 or god of war 3. I'd say, if you really want to be "wow"-ed by an incredible story, and don't mind watching a great movie, buy heavy rain, you won't regret it. But, anyway, if you want an epic game that plays very traditional, wait for ff13 or pass ff13 for bayonetta/wkc. =P