Fahrenheit Review

By Kristan Reed Published 15 August, 2005

For Kristan, it's Fahrenaway the best adventure game of modern times.

Version tested: Xbox

It says a lot about the nature of the games business that a game as exciting as Fahrenheit can be left hung out to dry by its publisher. Less than a year into the game's development, Quantic Dream was left contemplating its options once it became clear that its publisher Vivendi-Universal Games was no longer interested in releasing it. With the personnel that originally signed the game for VUG having left the organisation, those left in charge seemingly had no clear understanding of where the project was heading or its commercial value.

As Quantic Dream boss David Cage recounted in a recent interview with Eurogamer, "We had no one to talk to and we suddenly felt a little bit lonely without any kind of support. It quickly became obvious that no one in the new American staff had any time to spend trying to understand this strange new idea."

Stop me if you've heard this one before

It's a familiar tale, but thankfully one with a happy ending - which has seen the game not only rescued from the scrapheap by fellow Frenchmen Atari, but given extra funding to turn it into a title genuinely worth sitting up and taking notice of. To reflect that Fahrenheit may have ended up suffering the same fate as Sam & Max: Freelance Police is enough to make a shy, bald Buddhist reflect and plan a mass murder. But we'll leave that to the Smiths fans to contemplate. We've got adventuring to do.

The most memorable games down the years have always crammed some of their best moments into the opening sequence, and the same holds true for Fahrenheit. Holed up in a beaten up New York diner, IT maintenance man Lucas Kane finds himself with a little more on his plate than the half-eaten steak and chips he couldn't quite finish off. Possessed by unseen forces, he takes himself off to the men's room and carves strange symbols into his wrists before committing a brutal, clinical murder on an innocent fellow customer.

Awakening from his trance you take control of Kane's actions, choosing whether to try and hide the evidence, mop the blood up, wash your hands, pay your bill and leave through the front door, acting like nothing's happened, or just getting the hell out through the back door as quickly as you can. Or a combination of the two. The permutations in the opening scene alone make the game not only intriguing to play, but just as fun to watch how someone else does it. It says as much about the kind of person you are as your grounding in the adventure gaming lineage.

The things I miss

'Fahrenheit' Screenshot 1

The most exciting thing, initially, is how your actions immediately have an impact on the course of the investigation. Somewhat uniquely, you're not just playing the hackneyed fugitive-on-the-run-from-the-law, but the people on his tail. In this case you also take control of two NYPD crime scene investigators Carla Valenti and her partner in crime (solving) Tyler Miles, and both will spot things that the other character misses, so picking up on vital clues can make a discernable difference some way down the line.

A few chapters down the line you're already making choices with Kane which may - or may not - affect how things dovetail later on. They may not seem especially significant at the time, but hours later, it's heartening to learn that even seemingly minor decisions have a bearing on the investigation. For example: did the cop see you in the diner or the park? Did you sit back down in your seat in the diner? Do you lie to your brother about what's happened? It's a game that's always asking you questions; very much like a modern-day 'choose your own adventure' book that you get to play.

There are a ton of bad decisions to make, and sure enough you'll make them, if only out of curiosity to find out what happens. But with a sensible checkpointing system, you're rarely forced to retread old ground for more than couple of minutes, and with around 50 scenes in the game to play through few of them outstay their welcome.

Out of control

'Fahrenheit' Screenshot 2

Although we don't want to dwell for too long on tedious camera and control issues, it'd be neglectful in the extreme not to highlight them. It's one area of the game design we were never 100 per cent comfortable with and occasionally contributes to a few grumbles along the way. Although movement is mapped to the left stick, the direction you steer the character with is relative to the camera angle, and not always as intuitive as you might think. For example, if the camera angle suddenly switches so you're running into the screen, it doesn't always follow that pressing the direction you were holding down a second ago will be the correct one anymore (have they been taking tips from Capcom?). With your character often sent lurching off in the wrong direction, it's not always helpful to then have to reposition the camera manually with the two shoulder buttons. Why Quantic Dreams couldn't have just stuck with the tried and trusted two-stick method is a moot point. Luckily, the game doesn't rely heavily on precision movements, so it's only a niggle, but one that could have so easily been solved.

The now-vacant right stick tends to be used to carry out context specific actions, such as climbing, drinking, picking up objects or selecting a conversation choice. Rather than bog the player down with entire sentences, Fahrenheit opts for one-word choices like 'lie' or 'truth', or subject-specific keywords. We can see the benefits of having four selectable icons/keywords mapped to the right stick, but it's fair to say it comes at a price that wasn't really worth paying. Making the game as slick to control as possible should have been a priority.

When Fahrenheit's not tasking you with playing detective, or engaging the player with conversation choices, there's a fair bit of action to engage in. Once you're passed the halfway point, the action quotient really ramps up; but never in a way that you'd traditionally associate with an action game.

Reaction test

'Fahrenheit' Screenshot 3

In the tutorial (starring the game's creator himself, David Cage, replete with attractive Bobby Charlton-style comb-over, no less) you're given small glimpse of what's to come as a car comes tearing towards you at high speed. Presented with two icons in the centre of the screen, each one represents the four directions of the two analogue sticks with a different colour. As one or both icons light up, you're given around a second to press the sticks in the required direction, allowing the game's animators to concoct a variety of increasingly furious challenges which really test your co-ordination skills when the going gets tough. It's a slightly odd way of replicating your actions, but it'll be familiar to anyone who's played Shenmue at least.

On top of that, these action sequences are also supplemented by the need to hammer the shoulder buttons left and right, like some sort of modern day Track & Field. Although these sections are pretty straightforward, modern joypads really aren't up to the job, and we're quite sure many players will feel slightly exasperated why they're sat there with their joypad wedged upside down between their knees hammering analogue triggers. At the very least you'll sport an amusing facial expression while you're doing it.

It's during these frantic and demanding action sequences that you begin to question why Cage and co. felt the need to pander to the needs of action-oriented gamers with these exceptionally basic interludes. At the very least they're at odds with the sophistication of what the game's trying to achieve, although they do allow the artists and animators the chance to set up some dramatic and well put together scenes that would have otherwise been passive animations. Trying to marry such an odd fit is hard to reconcile when all you want is more of the intrigue and atmosphere that oozes out of the game's best sections.

Simple Simon

'Fahrenheit' Screenshot 4

On the one hand the pacing of the game might be a little one-dimensional if you're embroiled with heavy dialogue and puzzle-solving, but on the other hand it's hard to understand exactly what sort of gamer would want to play Simon Says and Track & Field more than is strictly necessary. Adventure gamers will roll their eyes at it, and action gamers will see it as too simplistic. It's an odd decision.

The saving grace, thankfully, is what's going on the screen. As a means to an end, it's well worth becoming a twitching mass of button-mashing flesh whenever the game wants you do. It's an odd Pavlovian response, but when the "Get Ready" message flashes up, there's palm-sweating excitement in store - and it's all on you. Really, the key is not to stress too hard over "why am I engaging in these bizarre little action rituals?" and realise that the story is the star, and advancing it becomes you're raison d'être for the duration you'll be playing it.

It's an odd thing to have to mull over, but the narrative really is a cut above practically anything else we've seen in ages. You'd probably do headstands and breakdance if it got you to the next chapter. So what is so compelling about the narrative? For a start, the game sucks you into a paranormal murder mystery right from the beginning. From the opening scene you're wondering what the hell's just come over him and feel just as keen to discover the answers as Kane is. Taking up the role of investigator as well is a superb idea that makes you understand that you're actually both trying to find out the same thing.

Plot holing

'Fahrenheit' Screenshot 5

Just as crucial is the overall direction of the project; the acting style is measured and understated, the characters are easy to identify and empathise with, and the dialogue is almost always on the money. Apart from a few questionable sequences near the end and some plot holes that we won't spoil, it's a cut above practically anything else we're used to. Fair enough, it's still nowhere near cinematic quality, but if videogaming carries on heading in this direction it won't be long before we start demanding classy performances every single time.

Inevitably, though, Fahrenheit is going to come under intense scrutiny from those looking to pick holes over whether the plot really is a rubber band that stretches to fit the actions of the player. To that, we'd have to accept that it's not perhaps as significant as it initially appeared to be, but that the subtle choices you make always seems to crop up when you least expect them to. They may not change the overall story arc (for that would prove to be a vastly ambitious undertaking), but they do make a difference to specific parts of the scenes later on - and that in itself is a gratifying advancement with huge potential.

Moving the discussion of Fahrenheit to a more aesthetic level, it's worth praising the wonderful motion capture techniques in the game, too. Allied with an excellent artistic vision, the fluidity of the actors makes even the most incidental motions possible - and watching the unlockable movie of the making of is a real eye-opener to how far Quantic Dreams were prepared to go in order to make the game look as convincing as possible. With excellent lip-synching, facial detail and a range of expressions, there has rarely been a game that has delivered consistently credible scenes in the manner that Fahrenheit does. That it does so with a 24-style use of multiple picture-in-picture windows merely adds to slickness of what you're experiencing.

Bad Angel

'Fahrenheit' Screenshot 6

A special mention, too, for Cage's decision to hire the Angelo Badalamenti to score the music. Atari gave the green light to the extra expenditure required to secure his services, and it was worth every penny for adding a haunting, desperate texture to the package. You'd miss it if it wasn't there; put it that way. In sonic terms, the game serves as a shining example to its peers of why it's so important to hire good voice actors and a renowned composer. It's that good.

Inevitably we have to untangle this web of positives and negatives to grope for a bite-sized conclusion. But as hard as we try it's another one of those impossible-to-score games where the number at the end is practically meaningless.

Some will look at the game and insist it's flawed in several crucial areas and mark it down accordingly, while others will bask in the rosy glow of its innovations. The question we had to ask ourselves wasn't so much whether we thought the mechanics made the game good or bad, or whether we agree with QD's implementation of the action sequences, or even if we think the game really does give the degree of choice that Cage suggested it did.

Head heart dichotomy

Broken down to its base elements it's clear that Fahrenheit is by no means perfect. The control system is often counter-intuitive, the camera implementation is sloppy, and the action sequences are a square peg in the midst of the lovingly-crafted round hole that is the narrative. But yet, for every little niggle anyone could justifiably come up with (and, really, there are plenty), the amount of enjoyment we gleaned from the whole experience outweighs such minor issues to extent where the only thing you can say with any accuracy is that rating such a game is ultimately a head/heart issue.

Scoring Fahrenheit with your head you'd could slap a seven on it and feel confident that it sits comfortably in that zone where it did some very cool things that didn't quite come off. But if we did that it would imply that there are many other games out there today in the genre you'll enjoy more, which is obviously complete nonsense. With that in mind we had to follow our hearts and award Fahrenheit the nine it deserves for being probably the most enjoyable, forward-looking and thoughtful piece of videogaming we've played in this or in any year. We never thought we'd say this, but it's a real step forward for the adventure game genre. Now try sticking that quote on the box.

9 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (67) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Ninjamagic #1 7 years ago

    BAN THIS SICK FIL....

    Oops sorry wrong thread :)

  • deaner #2 7 years ago

    Does this mean that the PC version gets 10/10?

  • Huntcjna #3 7 years ago

    Whens it out then?

  • BradlayLaw #4 7 years ago

    I hope the final PC version supports widescreen unlike the demo. I tried to email the devs about it but got no reply.

  • Mike69_2004 #5 7 years ago

    didnt expect less. it sounded impressive from its annoucement

  • Talha #6 7 years ago

    Good review, atrocious pun. I hope it is not one of those point-and-click thingys, is it, because I intend to go right out and buy it.

  • deaner #7 7 years ago

    Huntcjna: "Whens it out then?"

    It's out on PC, XBox and PS2 on 09 Sept.

    BradlayLaw: "I hope the final PC version supports widescreen unlike the demo."

    Darn tootin'! There's absolutely no excuse for not having widescreen support on PC or console releases. I hate having to play certain PC titles (Lucas, I'm looking at you!) with vertical borders.
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/05 @ 12:10

  • Hunam85 #8 7 years ago

    yeah! had fears that like all adventure games this one woul actully be plop, EG you've just made my day

  • motslaps #9 7 years ago

    wikkid, I had a good feeling about this, roll on Sept 9!

  • KingOfSpain #10 7 years ago

    /bought

  • Tomo #11 7 years ago

    One thing Kristan,

    Did you find yourself playing through each scene, seeing the different outcomes, before moving onto the next scene? Or did you just play through the game once, not bothering to see how each part could be completed differently?

    In the demo, I loved seeing how the scene could be played differently, but I imagine this would make the real game rather long and also somewhat less dramatic, what with saving/reloading constantly.

  • zErOb_cOOl #12 7 years ago

    "Broken down to its base elements it's clear that Fahrenheit is by no means perfect. The control system is often counter-intuitive, the camera implementation is sloppy, and the action sequences are a square peg in the midst of the lovingly-crafted round hole that is the narrative."

    And it scored the same as God of War why?

  • TurdBreaker #13 7 years ago

    Pfft - it's no Infernal Runner...

  • deaner #14 7 years ago

    ...but it is quite Blade Runner!

  • jiveguy #15 7 years ago

    zErOb_cOOl:

    Maybe because its still a good game despite these problems?

    I saw what you tried with that post though, good effort, but rather pathetic in the end.
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/05 @ 12:42

  • stoopidgreg #16 7 years ago

    this game looks awesome from the trailers. and after playing the (rather short) demo it seems pretty cool to play as well. definately gonna get this. does anyone know why some places it's called indigo prophecy?

  • freedumb #17 7 years ago

    'the most enjoyable, forward-looking and thoughtful piece of videogaming we've played in this or in any year'

    or

    'it's a real step forward for the adventure game genre'

    Surely one or both of those will definitely go on the box. I'll be picking his one up next month.
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/05 @ 13:04

  • El_MUERkO #18 7 years ago

    Ordered now, this second, I have an excuse if the thought police arrest me... "The review made me do it!?!"

  • tengu #19 7 years ago

    "Because it doesn't revolve around mashing Square until everything's dead? ;) "

    Now that's not fair deathgibbon! I mashed triangle in God of War :)

    Fahrenheit though, phew, looking forward to this one a lot now.

  • deepmenace #20 7 years ago

    im gonna buy it but i'll be astounded if this get a top20 position and that will be yet another nail in adventure game coffin.

  • dadrester #21 7 years ago

    Good review, atrocious pun. I hope it is not one of those point-and-click thingys, is it, because I intend to go right out and buy it.

    O_o did you read the review?! no it's not one of those point and click thingies

  • Mike_Hunt #22 7 years ago

    Nice review Kristan. It seems pretty fair based on the demo I've played. It has flaws, but the innovation makes you oblivious to them (almost).

    Any chance you can give us an idea of how long the game actually is? I'm aware that other QD games (such as Nomad Soul) has day's worth of gaming, is this another biggie?

    Cheers

    [MH]

  • UncleLou #23 7 years ago

    Great, I was hoping it would be as good as the previews and demo suggested.

    /awaits the "it's too linear" crowd

  • Ceatlan #24 7 years ago

    deaner : 'Does this mean that the PC version gets 10/10?'

    Probably not, I tried the demo on both the XBox and the PC and enjoyed it more on the XBox. I think the whole control system has been designed around a console controller and it just felt better. It was also more immersive on a big TV hooked up to my hi-fi, than sat at my PC.

  • Riskbreaker #25 7 years ago

    'Did you find yourself playing through each scene, seeing the different outcomes, before moving onto the next scene?'

    Does anyone remember those 'fighting fantasy' books that read just like that? 'turn to page 43', (turns page 43), 'you have been killed by dark warlock' (turns back to page 58, chooses to use salted beef instead) 'turn to pa.....................etc

    Ah the memories.

  • Hicksy #26 7 years ago

    ahhhhh i loved them books :D

  • ave #27 7 years ago

    It's £5 cheaper on the PC from play

  • Blerk #28 7 years ago

    Anyone heard how the PS2 version fares in comparison? I don't really want to buy the PC version...

  • kangarootoo #29 7 years ago

    Both great reviews. I'm not really that concerned about the actul scores given. At first glance they did both seem too high given the camera and control issues, but your explanation of why they were scored like that is reasonable.

    I think to compare all games based purely on their review score isn't really feasible. Sure in a perfect world that would be the role of the review score, but even with the varying tastes of the public removed from the equation it would far longer than is worth the bother to maintain the balance throughout every review. The text told me what I need to know, and that is where the reviews scored well for me.

    This is on my rental list. If it then "passes that stage" it will go in my shopping cart, but I'm hoping for good things. The combat in PoP:Sands annoyed me, but it was OK in the end, so even if the action sequences are annoying I will probably still enjoy the game overall ('cos I love adventures me, love em).

    BTW. Can I suggest, if its not already happening, that we all post on just this thread so we don't have to bounce between the two. Just a thought.

  • absolutezero #30 7 years ago

    Are there are large differences between the Xbox and PS2 versions? (apart from the pads)

    I belive its called Indigo Prophecy in the States because calling it Fahrenheit would confuse them. Maybe..

  • BravoGolf #31 7 years ago

    Once again, an excellent review :)

    Edit: Why doesn't EG stick "EU release date" on its reviews, it would be very beneficial.

    By the way, when is this out?
    Edited by 1 at 15/08/05 @ 13:58

  • #32 7 years ago

    Looks stunning. X-files meets 24. Download the demo.

    Here

  • zErOb_cOOl #33 7 years ago

    jiveguy:
    If it is stated about a game that:
    Broken down to its base elements it's clear that Fahrenheit is by no means perfect.

    It means its fundamentally not good. I seriously don't know how the hell they scored this game.

    I'm sorry, Im not saying its crap, but EG say its fundamentally not great, surely. I'm just confused about EG's game ratings sometimes.

    GOW, on the other hand, has hardly 2 bad words said about it (literally...read the review) and still 9/10 from EG. It was almost described as the perfect game.

    deathgibbon:

    Are you sure you've played GOW? I think you'll find some of the fights are a bit harder than that. Or you played it on easy all the way through.

    Square bashing may work as a tactic for some weak foes earlier on, but well before the halfway point in the game you must

    -Dodge...a lot
    -Block
    -Use magic when needed
    -Jump attack

    all the while managing your enemies carefully, attacking them in the correct order to minimise damage to yourself.

    Anyway, square is the main attack button, so whats wrong with mashing it?

  • deaner #34 7 years ago

    BravoGolf: "By the way, when is this out?"

    deaner: "It's out on PC, XBox and PS2 on 09 Sept."

    You're right about Eurogamer putting European release dates in the reviews though. Possibly towards the end, near the rating.

    It would save me using Google.

  • zErOb_cOOl #35 7 years ago

    I think the game sounds really good.

    I hope the whole thing relies 100% on choosing certain things, so that it determines which route you take through the game.

    This not only makes it more exciting, but also adds replay value to the whole game, as I know for one I'd have to play most of the possible combinations of storyline before feeling satisfied.

    Why can't every game be like this? (ok, because development time would be sky high, I know.)

  • Derblington #36 7 years ago

    Zerob - the review says it's not perfect, not that it's not good, and it explains why they don't care about the niggles in the next line.

    And I also think you give GoW too much credit. It is a very simple, hold-your-hand button masher that requires nowhere near the level of skill you make out. One attack (S,S,T) does work for every enemy, including bosses, all the way through the game, on all levels of difficulty. It doesn't push any boundaries except on technical levels for the PS2. It's a very consistent, enjoyable game but doesn't deserve the amount of praise it's recieving.

  • smelly #37 7 years ago

    Its coming on pc? Ace.

    I'll save my money and get the cheaper pc version over the xbox version then

    yay!

  • Wash #38 7 years ago

    Think i'll prefer the controls on the xbox.. i played the demo on the pc and think it could be more suited to a pad.

    Also wots the length of thsi game... the demo was literally 3mins long after the cutscene and retarded designer guy telling me how good he thinks he is.

    I mean yeah theres "replayabilty" but we're talking less than 8hrs for this game for a play through i bet? I didnt read the review tbh... 1 was to much, 2 was overkill..

  • kewny #39 7 years ago

    Played the demo over the weekend too. Impressed. The only thing is that i wanted to murder the cop who walked in too !!!! Meddling fool ! Too much GTA methinks......
    Also preordered.

  • Vin #40 7 years ago

    Already SOLD. It's like a really twisted Broken Sword.

  • TS2610 #41 7 years ago

    Smiths references = instant win, but either way that was a great review. I'll be checking this out.

  • space_ace #42 7 years ago

    angelo badalamenti?! how come it's the first time i hear about it! sold.

  • UncleLou #43 7 years ago

    Already SOLD. It's like a really twisted Broken Sword.


    Gah, no, thank God it isn't! :)

  • absolutezero #44 7 years ago

    Does it make me sick that before I realised what the Smiths reference was really about I was thinking of Killer 7??

    Hello Smith (^_^)/

  • Chtulie #45 7 years ago

    Since there isn't likely to come a seperate PC review: does the pc version play well with a gamepad? Or is it keyboard & mouse all the way?
    (and a bit offtopic, is the pc version of Thief3 properly playable with a gamepad?)

  • deepmenace #46 7 years ago

    just did the pc vers on a wireless pad - control was good enuff but I am gonna be getting the ps2 release unless reviews say it has real problems.

    defn more suited to front room tv gaming.

  • BremXJones #47 7 years ago

    As a third opinion from another EG reviewer, I'd have given it either an 8 or a 9. It's certainly one of the Must Play games of the year so far.

    KG

  • Mike_Hunt #48 7 years ago

    That wouldn't be the "bed-hopping (former) PC Gamer writer (and sometimes sinister The Register informer) Kieron Gillen" would it?

    [MH]

  • BremXJones #49 7 years ago

    Yes. Except I still write for Gamer, so not that bit. Bed-hopping remains a constant, however.

    KG

  • Chtulie #50 7 years ago

    just did the pc vers on a wireless pad - control was good enuff

    Thanks, having a shot at the demo was also very enlightning, after having a go at that I'm completely sold, safe for the fact the game isn't actually available yet. Hope the action segments will be interpunction rather then whole sections as the way this game deals with conversations is infinatly more interesting then my experience with re4 style action cutscenes.

  • TS2610 #51 7 years ago

    Thanks to this review, I was motivated into downloading the demo. Now I can't wait for the full game to come - brilliant so far.

  • Blerk #52 7 years ago

    So. *cough*

    PS2 version, then. Anyone?

    Hello?

  • AaronTurner #53 7 years ago

    I've just bought an Xbox and I was wondering if anyone could tell me if this is better then Halo?

  • Blerk #54 7 years ago

    Yes. Yes, it is.

  • Chtulie #55 7 years ago

    Must say, when playing the demo, when there's no supertnatural stuff going on, it's almost like playing a Hitchcock film in the best way possible (especially when you're leaving the diner without paying the bill, when there's that moment of indecision with the timer running down...).

  • Swannzie #56 7 years ago

    Cant wait for this i allready have a pre order on it.

  • gonzax #57 7 years ago

    Fantastic review and the Smiths references were really cool, my congratulations again. I will definitely buy this game, i´m sure it´s really worth it.

  • foamy #58 7 years ago

    I just loved the demo... I replayed like 20 times, trying everytime to make differente reactions.. When it comes out, i'll just run to the store and buy it.

  • SlackMaster #59 7 years ago

    Can't wait to play this actually, it's been a while since I got sucked into a good adventure game... last game that really drew me in was Jade Empire...

  • AHiFi #60 7 years ago

    Searched high and low for it. I only managed to find the PS2 version which merited a "No Chance" from me. I really hate game release dates...no-one has a blooming clue when it's coming out until the last minute.

    Really p'd off, I was looking forward to playing this today/tomorrow and then some studying on Sunday.

    Argh!

  • mash the x button #61 7 years ago

    Out today, and picked it up. So far so good, in the sense that you want to play more.

  • Carpathian #62 6 years ago

    Same here - really starting to get sucked into the story and being a number of people at once. Interesting seeing the same thing from different points of view. Badalamentis music rules too, by the way - fits this title rather well......

  • AHiFi #63 6 years ago

    Got it at last, and was disappointed by how short it was (for me anyway). During the latter hours though, the story developed into something so dark, deep and unlike anything I've ever seen before in a game. I felt like the kid who was in Last Action Hero.

    Terrific and epic. Buy it!

    P.S. Yes, the music is outstanding.

  • UnConeD #64 6 years ago

    Played through it a couple of times now:

    The game does offer some variety between different plays, but most of it is subtle, hard to trigger and only affects things immediately afterwards. The demo was hugely misleading because none of other 47 scenes even come close to its level of variation. None of the choices you make matter in the big picture, except at the very end where you can still end up with each of the endings and decide through your actions whether a minor character lives or dies. In fact, I can honestly say it doesn't do anything that Deus Ex didn't do 5 years ago, and at least Deus Ex had actually different ways to tackle a level beyond how you open a particular door.

    In those rare cases where there are multiple solutions to a puzzle (which can be counted on one hand), there is no persistent consequence of your actions beyond what immediately follows: e.g. if you break a window rather than force it open, someone will make a comment about the broken glass, and nothing more.

    The dialogs are a joke, really. Not the acting, which is convincing, but the choices you can make. Sometimes it doesn't matter which option you choose. Most of the time you are artificially limited from exploring all dialog options for no given reason. And the fact that each option is only described through a keyword means you have no idea what you're asking most of the time anyway.

    In spite of all this, it's still a good game, but only because of the gripping story and polished visual directing. In terms of adventure gaming, it's a huge step backwards, and in terms of story interaction it doesn't do anything that hasn't been done before.

  • wattoo #65 6 years ago

    I agree with a lot of what UnConed said especially the bit about the toilet sequence being misleading for the game.

    I think I'd have prefered this if it remained 'real world' and been about the hunt for a (framed) killer. I appreciate QD doing something different and for that I applaud them, but why oh why did it have to turn into something that was a rip off of the Matrix?

  • captain-future #66 6 years ago

    I just got my copy yesterday, tried it and have to say that my first impression is "WOWOW".

    Game Noir!

  • TheAlbaniac #67 6 years ago

    I think the reason why, despite having more obvious flaws, Fahrenheit can score as high as GoW, is that it aims higher. A three-course meal with one flawed 'element' can still be preferable to a perfect cheese sandwich. The latter is much easier to make perfect, but isn't neccesarily a better experience.

    I think giving a final score that don't always 'fit' with the review content is a necessity, especially since there is only one score. Comparable to 'reviewer's tilt' on Gamespot, perhaps.

  • Ryze #68 4 years ago

    This game is crying out for a Wii conversion.