It could be said that since the rise of video games, the importance of that median in journalism was unattended to for various reasons: it was new, video game companies hired their own writers for their, and the general lack of interest from adults. Well, the modern era in video games has drawn in those old, middle-aged, and young. With the Wii children and adults can connect; the Xbox 360 and PS3 (Playstation 3) offer young adults and teenagers alike to immerse themselves within the game. With further strides of realism, so has journalistic credibility been needed. Reporting on future games, current games, large companies such as Blizzard, Activision, EA and Bethesdea have been needed more than ever.
Heavy Rain, a game developed by Quantic Dream and made for the PS3 is one of those games that have set the bar for realism and future storytelling in video games. Its entirely interactive, without suffering the plot, which in terms of cinematic realism is on par with modern screenplays. Its evident that with more powerful console systems, journalistic reporting is needed and has expanded within the video game world.
Andy Burt's review on Heavy Rain is what people want to know about such a hyped up game. Is it truly worth checking into? Clearly it is.
"An emotionally engaging thrill-ride from start to finish, Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain is a superbly crafted interactive experience, told expertly through its stunning visuals and believable characters."
Instead of mundane breakdown of the game itself he discusses, much like the critique of a film the key elements of why the plot of Heavy Rain is worth knowing. Classically the video game reviews would be sectioned, but its become more and more noticeable it has become too cookie-cutter and boring. Burt's review of Heavy Rain makes comparisons to film, discussion on emotional attachments, and the gameplay itself.
"Heavy Rain has much more in common with films like Steven Soderbergh's Traffic or P.T. Anderson's Magnolia than it does with any game."
This too me is what I value in a game review. I can't sit through a boring breakdown of a listed sections:
1. Plot
2. Gameplay
3. Visuals
While all of these are into the review by Burt it still refined and melded within the pieces of comparisons and similes.
"rarely has a video game so realistically translated not only a feeling of anxiety, dread, love, or any other emotion from across the screen and into the player's brain, but through its unconventional control scheme Heavy Rain wonderfully represents how one would react based on this emotional state, and the combined effect is as intoxicating as it is superb."
Andy Burt's profile of past education or past work other than his current job with GamerPro.com is non-existant. I assume that since he is more so a video game journalist than a traditional reporter say in politics or film is suggestive of his less than known background. Fun fact, instead of the Andy Burt I'm looking for I keep finding the British actor born in 1945!
GamerPro
His Twitter
The Freelancers (Video Game Journalist Podcast, Andy Burt was a guest)
