Now first of all I should probably point out I haven't played HR but I have talked to a few people that have and read a lot about it, and even tho everyone I know who played it hated it and many of the principles and goals of the development of the game I disagree with, I still wan't to play the game. 

Now I recently read this (Warning serious spoilers) http://ps3.gamezone.com/editorials/item/jim_sterlings_terrible_bucket_list_heavy_rain/ (Warning serious spoilers) article and from what I have heard about the game from friends and read in other place the game game has serious problems. Commonly raised include inconsistent graphics, terrible/inconsistent voice acting, bad dialogue, boring game play and plot holes. Now for a game that relies almost entirely on emulating movies and TV shows, to have plot holes as well as bad dialogue/voice acting sounds rather damning.   

But on the other hand this game received a massive amount of praise from reviewers, gamers and developers the world over. 

So the topic is how does the glowing praise (not unanimous obviously) heaped on the game reflect on us as gamers and the industry at large. If a game with poor gameplay and bad voice acting/writing is praised for it's writing and bringing a Hollywood style to gaming, that is as flawed in those areas as Heavy Rain reportedly?  

If games are to match or exceed the experiences shouldn't we hold games to higher standards of story telling and acting? And is trying to make games more like movies/TV really what we want for gaming? Or should we focus on what truly makes gaming different as a medium?

It's in the eye of the beholder. The praise Heavy Rain received was for the overall package, and  things like voice acting and story were critisized, but the game was still a gripping experience, which is what it was praised for. 

And personally, I like the gameplay.

Its a good adventure game, and something unique in sea of console shooters

you should play it before writing an thread like this and not go off what others said 

I hate to be blunt but,

It means people have different tastes and what people like is subjective. I just don't see much of a question here.

Seems like you're looking for our approval, so YES just buy the damn game and play it!

It's more than worth it. Period.

It's relative praise I'd say.

Compared to most games Heavy Rain - wobbly plot points and voice acting included - is way, way ahead on narrative structure nonetheless.  Basically, where most games - comparative to films/novels - are truly awful Heavy Rain at times isn't bad.

Also, the gameplay isn't that bad if you accept it for what it is.  At times it's actually very engaging - such as searching for clues at a crime site (actually I wish there had been more of this and less getting your characters to drink orange juice).

I think Heavy Rain also got praise relative to the risk it took and the ambition it showed - i.e. it was seen as an ambassador for a new approach and games aiming higher narratively.  As such flaws were excussed to an extent.  I believe you can see elements of this in reviews for the Wii at launch and Kinect now - admission of some rough edges and flaws but a view the abmition and effort excuse them.

EDIT: while the article is actually pretty good - I think the writer must be willfully ignorant of the majority of US movies (after which Heavy Rain is styled) which are just as bad in their writing, plot points, etc.  Or maybe he just watches good films like me!

We all agree that the fact that the OP hasn't even played the game doesn't give strength to his argument, at the very least.

I did play the game and I enjoyed it. Nevertheless, maybe because there are so many great games out there, or maybe because it wasn't appealing enough, I didn't get more than two endings, though I might go back to it, couldn't be sure about it.

What I want to point out is that I too do think that the game was overpraised. The atmospheres it creates are truly breathtaking, specially at the begining of the game and thanks to its superb OST, but the plot wasn't as great as some people are saying, or at least, that's my opinion.

The gameplay is not bad but neither great. Sometimes things are really intuitive, others they just aren't. I think a good implementation of the Wii Mote, sorry, Move, might really help its case.

Making the long, short: for me it was a great game, a very welcome experience, a glance of what might come, but not the lifetime experience I thought it might be. Sometimes I can't help but feel it was a very well done showcase, nothing less, not much more.