I don't like heavy rain but I like the concept. It evolved things from farenheit. Each of those games had brilliant parts. But the story was just bleh to me and that's a big deal for such a story based game.
But I'd like to see a mix of farenheit/heavy rain style games, and Dreamfall/the longest journey type games. Which might be LA Noire.
multiple paths could still be argued as "playing then watching". you just get an to choose which way you want to go. But then you must watch.
If its meaning no cutscenes, then I would say bioshock and half life are the closest because you generally can do things in the dialogue.
Deus Ex, Bioware/Obsidian games are choose your own adventure though very limited. But they still have cutscenes after your choice.
In Final Fantasy X-2 and Chrono Trigger/Cross, shadow hearts you can get multiple endings, where your decisions affected the ending. Would I say you're playing the story... no, but that's my opinion.
I guess this is more or less a mental exercise. As, I don't think it really matters. I enjoy all the type of games listed plus more.
