a single click. All you need is Adobe Reader.
For use with either a modern browser, or an RSS program.
Heavy Rain's Father & Son Scene - In-depth preview
We take an in-depth look at Heavy Rain's third scene, Father & Son, in the third part of our series of previews. But be careful, there are spoilers ahead.
Written by David Scammell, 17 December 2009
WARNING: This series of previews aims to dissect consecutive scenes of Heavy Rain in great detail, potentially spoiling major plot points. Today's preview details the third scene of the game in explicit detail. If you want the Heavy Rain experience kept entirely fresh, look away NOW.
GamerZines exclusive screen of Quantic Dream's upcoming thriller Heavy Rain.SCENE THREE - FATHER & SON
After a morbid opening credits sequence we rejoin Ethan outside an elementary school of a rundown, east coast suburb. Two years have passed since son Jason's death, and the setting is a far cry from the pleasantries of Ethan's previous home. It's pouring with rain, the paving slabs are cracked, and Ethan's replaced his silver sedan with an older model. Even Ethan himself has changed, now sporting a beard and scruffy jacket. Times are obviously hard.
We see son Ethan's son Shaun walk out of the school gates. "Hi, Shaun", says Ethan. "Hi, Dad," he coldly replies as he sits himself inside the car. We get in the driving seat, putting on our seatbelt, adjusting the mirror, and switching on the engine with various movements on the right stick. Pressing the R2 button to accelerate triggers a cutscene that shows Ethan and Shaun driving off into the distance.
We rejoin them both at Ethan's apartment. It's a horrifically rundown area with the neglected swing park opposite soiled by graffiti. Shaun goes inside and turns on the TV as a camera pans towards a chalkboard filled with a list of things the boy needs to do before bed. The first thing, according to the board, is 16:30 snack time and we're already running late - the wall clock informing us that it's 16:40. We walk over to Shaun and ask him if he's hungry. "I guess... a little," he replies. We head into the kitchen and pick up an apple, before passing it on to Shaun. He thanks us, and continues to watch cartoons while he eats.
With an hour to kill until it's time for homework, we bring up a menu of Ethan's thoughts using the L2 button. We select the option to hear about Grace, and Ethan begins to speak of how Shaun appears like he can't wait to get back to his mother. The loss of Jason has obviously put a severe strain on the relationship between Ethan and his family who, at first glance, appear to hold him responsible.
P3Zine Issue 36
For our latest Heavy Rain coverage, click here to download P3Zine Issue 36 for free.Shaun isn't interested in talking to his dad and, in his own words, would much rather watch TV than spend time with his father. We walk over to a newspaper resting on the side cabinet. The headline "The Origami Killer strikes again" stares back at us.
After pleading with us to watch more TV, we tell Shaun to do his homework, who proceeds to walk over to the kitchen table. Ethan takes a seat opposite him and watches him work. A piano score plays in the background. "Dad, I'm finished. Can I go watch TV?" asks Shaun. We let him. With some time to go until dinner, we walk Ethan out into his back garden where he finds a basketball. We shoot some hoops using the Sixaxis to fire them off. We miss them all.
It's beginning to get dark, and so we head back inside and turn on the lights. We tell Shaun it's time for dinner, peeking into the fridge to see what's on the menu. We're given a choice, a microwave meal or a pizza. We go with the pizza and pop it into the microwave for 20 seconds. We cut it by shaking the Sixaxis before calling Shaun over. Again, we sit down with Shaun and wait for him to finish his meal. There's no discussion - clearly Shaun feels very little towards his dad.
As 8pm rolls around we tell Shaun to get into bed. He asks if he can stay up a little longer, but we refuse to let him, telling him he has school tomorrow. He walks upstairs and brushes his teeth before getting changed into his pyjamas. Ethan sits beside Shaun on his bed to say goodnight, but he says he can't sleep without his teddy. We're given the option to tell him 'too bad', or to go and find it. We choose to be nice. It's hidden on the washing machine in a room downstairs.
"Why do you look so sad?" asks Shaun as we hand him his teddy. "You know, what happened to Jason wasn't your fault." Ethan replies with a blunt "Goodnight, Shaun." We walk away.
On the landing, Ethan puts his hand to his head and the camera shakes and moves out of focus. He breathes heavily and looks directly into the camera. We cut to a scene showing Ethan alone in the middle of a dark street. A train passes in the distance and the camera focuses on his hand. Ethan gasps as he realises what he's holding. It's a piece of Origami. Ethan slowly walks along the street and the camera pans up towards a road sign. Carnaby Corner North, it says.
The screen fades to black.
Heavy Rain coverage available in P3Zine Issue 36 - click here to download it for free!
»View more Heavy Rain features...
