Cole Burton, Associate Writer

Heavy Rain Demo Impressions

As many of you might know, a lot of people got the Heavy Rain demo a little early through the four-day challenge. The spoilers in this article are very mild, however, if you want a completely fresh play through, you should not continue.

Stage One of Two: Sleazy Place

In the first stage of the demo, you play as Private Detective Scott Shelby. He is searching a "sleazy" motel for a woman named Lauren Winter. When you enter the building, you can hold down L2 on your controller to bring up your thoughts. Then press the corresponding button to have Scott think about the subject. This often provides clues. However, you can proceed blindly without thinking and still complete your objective.

To find Lauren, you should ask the clerk. He lies about knowing of her, unless you slip him a $5 bill. This brings up an analog prompt. You can use the right analog stick and follow the line as fast or as slow as you want, and at the same time, Scott takes out his wallet and pays at the same speed. He then tells you to go to the third floor, last door on the left. You could do the same thing with trial and error without paying or even talking to the clerk and knocking on random doors. You automatically go to the third floor when you approach the stairs, and there are only four doors. No one answers any of the doors except for Lauren.

When you knock on Lauren's door, she opens it and says, "Sorry, I only see clients by appointmen" and slams the door. If you react in time, you can grab the door and say, "wait." This causes her to open the door revealing herself as wearing a tight robe. The exact same outcome occurs if you don't grab the door and knock again. She tells you that she charges $50.00 for her services. However, after entering you can pay or not, but either way you reveal yourself to be a private detective. This scares Lauren into thinking you want a freebie. She sets the clock for 10 minutes. If you say the right things to her by using your "trick" thought, you can persuade her to talk to you about her son and everything she knows about the Origami Killer. You learn that her son went missing while playing with some kids, and was later discovered dead, with an origami bird in his hand. The calling card of the Origami Killer. After 10 minutes of interrogation, the alarm she set goes off and she demands that you leave. Keep in mind that there are many different outcomes and I have only played this stage of the demo twice; also remember that there are other things that could happen.

As you leave, you have an asthma attack. Follow the on-screen prompts to use your inhaler. As you recover, you see a man walk to Lauren's room. She denies him entry and he breaks in. It is up to you to go in and save her or to leave. If you try to save her, the man answers the door when you knock. When the man answers the door, he asks what you want. Scott asks Lauren if everything is okay and then sees her knocked on the ground. Just then, the man says she's just swell and slams the door on you. Next, you have three choices: leave the motel, knock on the door again or kick the door in. If you knock again or kick the door down the man becomes annoyed and attacks you. From here on out I have experienced two different outcomes. Beat the man in the fight and he runs off, or the man beats you. Either way, Lauren asks if you are okay, tells you the man's name is Troy, and thanks you as you leave.

Stage Two of Two: Crime Scene

In the last stage of the demo, you Play as FBI agent Norman Jayden. He is in his car driving to the most recent crime scene of the Origami Killer. After you arrive, you must show your ID to the police to enter the small field. You then must talk to Lieutenant Blake. After speaking with Blake, you can search the field for evidence.

You can easily search the field thanks to your high-tech glasses. Equip them to scan the environment within a fair-sized circle. You can walk the entire small field scanning every area to find all evidence possible. You can find a dead cat, blood, tire tracks and more. Plus, when you investigate the body, you can get a positive ID.

There really isn't much more to say about this level, at least not without spoiling anything. You walk around, scan the area, get your evidence and leave.

Both parts of the demo, including the characters are great; but the first stage was the best. Everyone should eagerly await the full game as the demo has proven its quality!