I've been playing Fahrenheit. Not Indigo Prophecy, because that version's for Americans and has its boobs chopped off. I've been playing solidly from 1pm until now, so not quite sure where in the story I am - but I'm guessing it's ambling towards the stage where it gets a little bit silly. I hope it can hold out for a bit longer. So far, it's a fascinating game.
Because, really, it's a film. Only it's a film that branches, depending on your actions. Only your actions are never really tangible, because it's mainly just QTEs. Which, incredibly, aren't horrible! It's a Choose Your Own Adventure book, rendered in full 3D.
It's incredibly self-conscious about this. But it knows the route it wants to take. The main menu is a DVD menu asking if you want to 'Play the film'. The script regularly hits you with jokes about the foibles of videogames and videogame culture. I can't decide if it doesn't believe in itself enough, or it believes in itself too much. Or just the right amount.
The camera and controls are preposterously awful, and are the Enormous Flaw so far. If they stay as the biggest problem, I'll be happy - though from what I've heard, the cliché-ridden second half could be the biggest hurdle I've to overcome. So far: I'm not sure it's the route I'd like games to go down, but as an experiment, and as a snapshot of an alternate form of the meduim, it's dead valuable and I'm glad I bought it.
More to follow, undoubtedly.
EmP Staff May 4, 2009
Which version did you go for?
Suskie May 4, 2009
Lewis Blogger May 4, 2009
I'm just doing the HORRIBLE STEALTH FLASHBACK LEVEL. God knows who thought that would be a good idea.
EmP Staff May 4, 2009
Lewis Blogger May 4, 2009
Were I to review it for some unnamed publication now, I'd be in the 6-7 out of 10 region. But one of those really fascinating, eye-opening, intriguing 6-7 out of 10s. Am interested to see how it pans out. Will continue, no doubt, tomorrow.
darketernal May 4, 2009
zippdementia May 4, 2009
I've been meaning to go back and play it, if only to finally write a review on it.
By the by, the only real difference between Farenheight and Indigo is a couple unneccesary sex scenes they took out, including one with the black guy and his wife, and one between the two main characters. They're ultra silly QT events and don't add anything to the story.
EmP Staff May 4, 2009
The first example you use isn't in the game; it's an unlockable extra. The non-interactive cut scene near endgame is very poorly done and cringeworthy, more for how it makes the coupling act than the deed. But the first sexual act I thought was pulled off great; it wasn't about sex, it was about Marcus finding one single moment of sanity and hapiness that he isn't even guaranteed to get. It's no so much about sex as it is reconnecting with someone he thought forever lost at the very peak of his depression -- when he needed it the very most.
Lewis Blogger May 5, 2009
zippdementia May 5, 2009
With the possible exception of the one EmP mentioned, the sex scenes are pretty pointless.
Lewis Blogger May 5, 2009
Oh, well that's just cinematism. Which I'd say is pretty integral in itself to what the game's trying to achieve. It's totally an interactive movie. Movies do it, therefore the game does too.