See, Susan, you've basically made me even more annoyed now. I really wanted to play this and I'm a 360 owner, and I was pretty disappointed (to say the least) when I found Heavy Rain would be a PS3 exclusive. However, it looks like all you PS3 owners out there are guranteed some good fun :)
Something I can understand is the general disdain for quicktime events. It just seems lazy and sloppy, in my opinion, to stick these events in a game (PRESS X NOT TO DIE!) and so on when you've spent so long working on things like good graphics and a decent story. Why can't that same dedication progress towards gameplay as well? So I read the review of the demo with a little caution, and a bit of suspicion too. I man, good quicktime events? Surely not? But then, looking at Susan's description, it seems like this could work. Not just a simple case of 'Press X not to die!', but not quite as complicated as the gameplay in a lot of action games. That's how it seems, anyway, according to the way Susan talked about it. Having not seen the demo myself I don't know, but it seems like this could well be a decent balance. Let's just hope it doesn't disappoint in the finished product.
As a PC exclusive gamer this won't end up on my desk but it sounds definitely interesting. As above I am always skeptical concerning QTEs but the description here made sense, especially that missing a couple of them doesn't punish the player straight away. That's the kind of QTE which actually can work well as a miss is not going to make you reload straight away. Maybe this one gets once a PC version then I can test it too.
Hmmm... well you've certainly backed up the good first impressions I got from the videos I've seen previously. I'll be keeping a closer eye on this game from now on.
Odjin: As a PC exclusive gamer this won't end up on my desk but it sounds definitely interesting. As above I am always skeptical concerning QTEs but the description here made sense, especially that missing a couple of them doesn't punish the player straight away. That's the kind of QTE which actually can work well as a miss is not going to make you reload straight away. Maybe this one gets once a PC version then I can test it too.
Pretty much just this.
I like the idea of Heavy Rain quite a bit, and I would definitely pick it up if it were on PC/when it comes out for PC.
This game and The Last Guardian are the two games that have me most excited right now. Just judging by previous works they should both be great. I really hope the story turns out as good as it is looking right now.
That is a neat thought that just finding the blood trail does not automatically trigger a scene of the character figuring out what happened and more of a you have to sort of piece it together before your character does sounds really interesting.
Quick time events can really add to the immersion if they are done correctly. Indigo Prophecy did a decent job through most of the game with them. I think the biggest fallback most QTE's have is they usually show up as a do this now or you die horribly (ala Resident Evil, Uncharted etc etc. which can bring an otherwise flowing game to a halt just because you missed a quicktime event)
And they can take their time. I hate QTEs. I will never like them again; I could tolerate them back in the day when games had one stick and one button. There's no such thing as an intuitive qte: QTEs are for programmers who are too lazy to make intuitive controls.
GonzoGamer: And they can take their time. I hate QTEs. I will never like them again; I could tolerate them back in the day when games had one stick and one button. There's no such thing as an intuitive qte: QTEs are for programmers who are too lazy to make intuitive controls.
To say there is no such thing as an intuitive quick time event is pretty narrow minded. Just because you have not seen one does not mean there is not one. It is all dependent on how it is pulled off. Sure they could have thrown in a fighting mechanic but most people will turn that into a button mashing the idea of a QTE that is pulled off correctly is that your button presses or thumb stick movements are in line with what kind of action is happening on the screen not just wildly mashing the punch kick or block buttons. Which can pull you into the game more because you are thinking while the action is happening and have to make your decisions and choices fast like you would if it was really happening. Granted most games do not pull this off most QTE are hit random button to dodge falling boulders etc. then back to run and gun or mash square to kick. But from what I have seen of this game most QTE are mimicking the flow of what is happening and a lot did not seem to be kill and restart if you missed one it just changes the way the scene plays out instead of the normal miss this button press and you die and restart the same sequence again.
Sounds amazing, really looking forward to this game, such a shame it's a 2010 release date. The idea of having choices such as impress or burn alive sounds great and much more natural than most games. Can't wait to play it.
GonzoGamer: And they can take their time. I hate QTEs. I will never like them again; I could tolerate them back in the day when games had one stick and one button. There's no such thing as an intuitive qte: QTEs are for programmers who are too lazy to make intuitive controls.
To say there is no such thing as an intuitive quick time event is pretty narrow minded. Just because you have not seen one does not mean there is not one. It is all dependent on how it is pulled off. Sure they could have thrown in a fighting mechanic but most people will turn that into a button mashing the idea of a QTE that is pulled off correctly is that your button presses or thumb stick movements are in line with what kind of action is happening on the screen not just wildly mashing the punch kick or block buttons. Which can pull you into the game more because you are thinking while the action is happening and have to make your decisions and choices fast like you would if it was really happening. Granted most games do not pull this off most QTE are hit random button to dodge falling boulders etc. then back to run and gun or mash square to kick. But from what I have seen of this game most QTE are mimicking the flow of what is happening and a lot did not seem to be kill and restart if you missed one it just changes the way the scene plays out instead of the normal miss this button press and you die and restart the same sequence again.
I'm not being narrow minded, I'm being logical. QTEs are by definition the antithesis of "intuitive controls." If the controls for heavy rain were so intuitive, they wouldn't need to have directions on the screen. I'll make you a deal: if there's even a setting allowing you to turn off the on screen directions, I will change my mind about this game; I however will not change my mind about QTEs.
I'm not being narrow minded, I'm being logical. QTEs are by definition the antithesis of "intuitive controls." If the controls for heavy rain were so intuitive, they wouldn't need to have directions on the screen. I'll make you a deal: if there's even a setting allowing you to turn off the on screen directions, I will change my mind about this game; I however will not change my mind about QTEs.
Actually quick time events are the definition of intuitive.
intuition c: the power or faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference
If someone sees a button on the screen intuition would tell them to press the button. Where as in a standard control scheme if there is no learning area or a manual with all the controls in it you would not intuitively know how to pull off the moves. Maybe walking etc. but there really is no standard such as square always kicks etc. etc.
I'm not being narrow minded, I'm being logical. QTEs are by definition the antithesis of "intuitive controls." If the controls for heavy rain were so intuitive, they wouldn't need to have directions on the screen. I'll make you a deal: if there's even a setting allowing you to turn off the on screen directions, I will change my mind about this game; I however will not change my mind about QTEs.
Actually quick time events are the definition of intuitive.
intuition c: the power or faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference
If someone sees a button on the screen intuition would tell them to press the button. Where as in a standard control scheme if there is no learning area or a manual with all the controls in it you would not intuitively know how to pull off the moves. Maybe walking etc. but there really is no standard such as square always kicks etc. etc.
How is something readily learned when it can mean something different every time? That's why QTEs are the antithesis of intuitive. I say again, if there's even a setting allowing you to turn off the on screen directions, I will change my mind about this game; I however will not change my mind about QTEs.
If it is possible to play this game without directions flashing on the screen, then it can be considered intuitive but it can't be considered to have QTEs exactly. If the game itself HAS TO constantly remind you what buttons to press, then it isn't intuitive, but it does have QTEs..
intuition c: the power or faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference
If someone sees a button on the screen intuition would tell them to press the button. Where as in a standard control scheme if there is no learning area or a manual with all the controls in it you would not intuitively know how to pull off the moves. Maybe walking etc. but there really is no standard such as square always kicks etc. etc.
How is something readily learned when it can mean something different every time? That's why QTEs are the antithesis of intuitive. I say again, if there's even a setting allowing you to turn off the on screen directions, I will change my mind about this game; I however will not change my mind about QTEs.
If it is possible to play this game without directions flashing on the screen, then it can be considered intuitive but it can't be considered to have QTEs exactly. If the game itself HAS TO constantly remind you what buttons to press, then it isn't intuitive, but it does have QTEs..
It is readily learned and understood when this pops up on your screen to push that button that is intuitive. Kind of like how when you learn controls for a new fighting game it is readily learned when you press this button this happens(kick punch etc.). They are both intuitive in their own way. You are thinking on scope of when I press this I want it to do this all the time. When triangle or A flashes I press that button and my character does what he needs to do. Turning them off and having triangle or A still do all those different moves for the character would be counter intuitive as per it would end up being more of a trial and error type scenario to find the right move.
intuition c: the power or faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference
If someone sees a button on the screen intuition would tell them to press the button. Where as in a standard control scheme if there is no learning area or a manual with all the controls in it you would not intuitively know how to pull off the moves. Maybe walking etc. but there really is no standard such as square always kicks etc. etc.
How is something readily learned when it can mean something different every time? That's why QTEs are the antithesis of intuitive. I say again, if there's even a setting allowing you to turn off the on screen directions, I will change my mind about this game; I however will not change my mind about QTEs.
If it is possible to play this game without directions flashing on the screen, then it can be considered intuitive but it can't be considered to have QTEs exactly. If the game itself HAS TO constantly remind you what buttons to press, then it isn't intuitive, but it does have QTEs..
It is readily learned and understood when this pops up on your screen to push that button that is intuitive. Kind of like how when you learn controls for a new fighting game it is readily learned when you press this button this happens(kick punch etc.). They are both intuitive in their own way. You are thinking on scope of when I press this I want it to do this all the time. When triangle or A flashes I press that button and my character does what he needs to do. Turning them off and having triangle or A still do all those different moves for the character would be counter intuitive as per it would end up being more of a trial and error type scenario to find the right move.
But you do see what I'm saying: if it HAS TO put directions on the screen for you, it isn't intuitive.
intuition c: the power or faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference
If someone sees a button on the screen intuition would tell them to press the button. Where as in a standard control scheme if there is no learning area or a manual with all the controls in it you would not intuitively know how to pull off the moves. Maybe walking etc. but there really is no standard such as square always kicks etc. etc.
How is something readily learned when it can mean something different every time? That's why QTEs are the antithesis of intuitive. I say again, if there's even a setting allowing you to turn off the on screen directions, I will change my mind about this game; I however will not change my mind about QTEs.
If it is possible to play this game without directions flashing on the screen, then it can be considered intuitive but it can't be considered to have QTEs exactly. If the game itself HAS TO constantly remind you what buttons to press, then it isn't intuitive, but it does have QTEs..
It is readily learned and understood when this pops up on your screen to push that button that is intuitive. Kind of like how when you learn controls for a new fighting game it is readily learned when you press this button this happens(kick punch etc.). They are both intuitive in their own way. You are thinking on scope of when I press this I want it to do this all the time. When triangle or A flashes I press that button and my character does what he needs to do. Turning them off and having triangle or A still do all those different moves for the character would be counter intuitive as per it would end up being more of a trial and error type scenario to find the right move.
But you do see what I'm saying: if it HAS TO put directions on the screen for you, it isn't intuitive.
But the directions on the screen are the entirety of the game, since it produces a different action each time. It can't be any more intuitive, because that's as far as it goes.
intuition c: the power or faculty of attaining to direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference
If someone sees a button on the screen intuition would tell them to press the button. Where as in a standard control scheme if there is no learning area or a manual with all the controls in it you would not intuitively know how to pull off the moves. Maybe walking etc. but there really is no standard such as square always kicks etc. etc.
How is something readily learned when it can mean something different every time? That's why QTEs are the antithesis of intuitive. I say again, if there's even a setting allowing you to turn off the on screen directions, I will change my mind about this game; I however will not change my mind about QTEs.
If it is possible to play this game without directions flashing on the screen, then it can be considered intuitive but it can't be considered to have QTEs exactly. If the game itself HAS TO constantly remind you what buttons to press, then it isn't intuitive, but it does have QTEs..
It is readily learned and understood when this pops up on your screen to push that button that is intuitive. Kind of like how when you learn controls for a new fighting game it is readily learned when you press this button this happens(kick punch etc.). They are both intuitive in their own way. You are thinking on scope of when I press this I want it to do this all the time. When triangle or A flashes I press that button and my character does what he needs to do. Turning them off and having triangle or A still do all those different moves for the character would be counter intuitive as per it would end up being more of a trial and error type scenario to find the right move.
But you do see what I'm saying: if it HAS TO put directions on the screen for you, it isn't intuitive.
But the directions on the screen are the entirety of the game, since it produces a different action each time. It can't be any more intuitive, because that's as far as it goes.
And that's my problem, not only with this game but QTEs in general: at a time where we have three directionals and a dozen buttons (not to mention motion controls already in most consoles) there's no excuse for me to have to play simon says with the control scheme.
RAKtheUndead: Frankly, this game still looks pretentious and dull to me. I doubt I'd enjoy it.
Pretentious? When did the game claim to be something it's not? Looks like a murder psychological thriller, that's what it says on the tin. Dull? I guess that's subjective, because I don't know how this game could be more exciting. Gears of War is the dullest game I've ever played, but at least I can back up that opinion.
You guys really should go play Indigo Prophecy, if you've somehow gotten into your head that the game is a bunch of QTEs. The QTEs are only in the action scenes, in both games.
I've seen both trailers for HR and i gotta say, the first trailer looked more promising in quicktime reaction events than the second one did, so I'm not holding out any hopes that this will ultimately replace fahrenheit, not unless they actually show us some full on gameplay in the trailers anyways.
This has been top of my "most wanted" list for a while now, but then I'm a sucker for deep, story-driven games.
The QTE's look promising too. The only problem I have with them in other games is that they usually result in instant death, which is just plain infuriating and completely sucks the fun out of a game (I'm looking at you Resi 5), so I'm pleased to see them implemented in a more forgiving way.
In fact the last game I remember where QTE's weren't an instant death was waaay back in Shenmue, which I think was the first game ever to use them. Wierd....