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An in-depth look at Heavy Rain's opening scene
Each day between now and Christmas we'll be taking a look at consecutive scenes in Heavy Rain, kicking off with 'Prologue', the game's opening scene.
Written by David Scammell, 15 December 2009
WARNING: This series of previews aims to dissect consecutive scenes of Heavy Rain in great detail, potentially spoiling major plot points. We'll be talking in detail about what happens within each scene, the choices we make, and the consequences within that scene. There will be spoilers. Today's preview details the first scene of the game in explicit detail. If you want the Heavy Rain experience kept entirely fresh, look away NOW.
SCENE ONE - PROLOGUE
So how do you open the most anticipated PS3 game of 2010? Well, if you're Quantic Dream, with an arse.
It may not be the most elegant of openings, so to speak, but regardless, it's a telling look at Quantic Dream's ambition to mature the industry. There are no titters here, no homophobic remarks (MW2, we're looking at you) and no hint of immaturity, just a revealing look inside the life of lead character Ethan Mars as we join him on just another day of his life. But, as you'll see from tomorrow's preview, Ethan's life is about to change altogether.
Of course, at this point it's worth pointing out that each scene can play out significantly differently depending on the player's choices within the game, and rather than explore every option (we'll leave that for you to experience yourself) we'll only be discussing the path we took.
The opening scene, titled Prologue, starts with a 24-esque multi-camera view of lead character Ethan Mars asleep on his bed, dressed only in his boxer shorts. Rays of sunlight pour through the large French windows as Ethan sleeps. We're prompted to push up on the right stick, waking him as he perches onto the side of his bed. We're asked to do it again, this time more slowly to ease him onto his feet. Because as we all know, waking up is a delicate process.
Text beams onto the wooden flooring offering tips on how to control Ethan, telling us to use R2 to walk forwards and the left stick to change direction. We walk towards the glass doors ahead of us and slide them open with a flick of the right stick, before leaning over the balcony railings. It's summer; the skies are blue, and birds can be heard chirping in the distance. The constantly changing camera angles reveal that Ethan appears to live in a luxury wooden house in an unnamed east coast suburbia. Evidently, life for Ethan is sweet.
Heading back into the bedroom we take a peek inside Ethan's wardrobe, only to have him tell us that he better take a shower first. And so we do, stopping to read the letter left by wife Grace on the way. It's his son Jason's birthday, and she's gone to pick up his present. Don't work too hard, she says. We don't need telling twice.
We head to the bathroom and Ethan strips off for a brief shower as a piano score tinkles in the background. Turning off the shower, we're prompted to quickly shake the Sixaxis up and down to dry Ethan's hair and side to side to dry his body. We head back to the bedroom, stopping to say hi to our pet bird along the way, before getting dressed into a casual jeans and polo shirt combination. Whatever job Ethan has, it's obvious it doesn't require smart attire or an early wake-up call.
P3Zine Issue 36
For our latest Heavy Rain coverage, click here to download P3Zine Issue 36 for free.We take a trip downstairs, laying witness to the balloons and decorations laid out for James's birthday, before pushing L2 to bring up a menu of Ethan's thoughts. "It's almost lunchtime", says Ethan. Lazy sod.
We sit on the couch and turn on the TV. A film is on. What it is, we couldn't tell you. Before we know it a silver sedan pulls up outside. It's Grace and the kids, who rush through the front door to greet their dad. We learn that Jason is ten today, and Grace is loaded with shopping. We offer to help take the bags from her, pushing down the square and X buttons simultaneously to do so. As she unpacks in the kitchen, Grace asks Ethan about his day and whether he got any work done. He tells her that he tried but didn't get anywhere. Liar.
Grace needs help preparing lunch and so we offer a helping hand, walking over to the kitchen cupboard to grab a few plates. The door's stuck - "Give it a big tug", yells Grace, and we do, yanking it open with a thrust of the Sixaxis. Be careful with the dishes, we're told; they're a gift from Grace's mother, and thus we're introduced to a new type of context sensitive action. A gentle push on the right stick is required, displayed on-screen by a dashed box. We push it too quickly and clank the plate on the table. "You said you'd be careful," shouts Grace. Sorry, dear.
With the plates laid we return to Grace, wrapping our arms around her from behind. She makes it clear this isn't the time or the place for any hanky panky. Maybe later, eh? Options for conversation surround Ethan's head, including Help, Friends, Jason and Present, but having been given the cold shoulder, we decide to ignore Grace and head for the kids who are having fun with toy light sabers in the yard. Because when sex isn't an option, Star Wars is the next best thing, right?
We're given the option to play with either of the two children, Shaun and Jason, who both stand ahead of us yelling for our attention. It's only fair to pick Jason first. "Let's do the helicopter!" exclaims Ethan, before grabbing his arms and rotating the right stick to swing him round in circles. The camera switches between Ethan and Jason's point of view in an attempt to emulate the dizziness. It works.
With Jason done, Shaun climbs onto our shoulders and we're told to hold down the R2 button to run around the garden, tilting the Sixaxis to navigate. Hardly original you may argue, but nonetheless the Sixaxis controls feel fairly natural without ever being twitchy.
Popping the boys down we're presented with our first 'proper' QTE event, as a dramatic orchestral score kicks in over Jason's request to take Ethan on in a light saber duel. Hitting the face buttons and jabbing the right stick when prompted leads to us bashing him around the head a few times (seriously, could Heavy Rain be the first game ever to encourage child-beating?) before Mom stops in to break up the fight, telling us that lunch is ready. The kids run inside, but where's Shaun? He's disappeared, and so off we go to find him, searching the house top to bottom for the missing child.
Eventually we find him slumped on his knees and in tears in front of the birdcage we visited earlier. "It's Merlin? he's dead," sobs Shaun. Ethan attempts to reassure him. "There are some things which just have to happen, even if you don't want them to."
"It's not fair," says Shaun.
The screen fades to black.
Come back tomorrow when we'll be detailing The Mall, the second scene of Heavy Rain.
Heavy Rain coverage available in P3Zine Issue 36 - click here to download it for free!
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