Sony dates Heavy Rain for Europe

By Robert Purchese Published 8 January, 2010

End of Feb for PS3 exclusive.

Heavy Rain will be released in Europe on 26th February.

That date's just been made official on the European PlayStation blog.

Retailers were guessing at a date earlier this week, and had been hitting - as it turns out - the nail firmly on the head.

Heavy Rain is one of Sony's big hitters for PlayStation 3 early this year, and should need little introduction on Eurogamer where we've banged on about it since E3 2006.

Finally it's here! We'll have a review nearer release. Copious coverage below, including details of the fancy Collector's Edition, which offers a free dollop of episodic DLC.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (67) Latest comment 2 years ago

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

  • MORZTAN #1 2 years ago

    Stop all these releases!! I haven't got the bloddy time to play all these great games!!

  • Artemus #2 2 years ago

    Q1 is the new Q4.

  • b00n #3 2 years ago

    I never understood why people get upset by 'too many releases'... I wouldn't mind that they release all the games of a year on January 1st. Just buy them then whenever you feel like it later? Even better, they will be cheaper by then!

  • ZuluHero #4 2 years ago

    Shock! Worst kept secret this week! :)

  • jefranklin18 #5 2 years ago

    Great, looking forward to this one and will be my first day one purchase.

  • Segnit #6 2 years ago

    I love the concept but it's wait and see for me. I trust EG to make the right decision for me! :p
    Edited by 1 at 08/01/10 @ 16:13

  • Rorsch #7 2 years ago

    Must buy for me

  • AllenSpawn #8 2 years ago

    @segnit
    You can trust eurogamer, as long as dead space dan doesn't review it;-)

  • betahoven #9 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 09:36:16 17-12-2011

  • the_dudefather #10 2 years ago

    "It's not coming out on the 26th until we say it is.....ok NOW it's out on the 26th"
    Edited by 2 at 08/01/10 @ 16:21

  • Widge #11 2 years ago

    Well, I only like too many releases as it makes all the titles CRASH in price. Picking up stuff like Fallout 3 for £18 in 08, Bioshock I got for £22 on release then too.

    Not so hot for the publishers I bet though.

  • nixc9 #12 2 years ago

    I'll buy on launch date.
    However, as days go by, I have this growing sensation that it will end up not being all that much different from Fahrenheit . I hope I am wrong

  • cianchristopher #13 2 years ago

    "The next gen starts when we say so"

  • abcd #14 2 years ago

    Ahh super. Not long to wait then.

  • shadow1979 #15 2 years ago

    So when do we get the demo I wonder? I heard rumors of a demo being released before the game. *ponders*

  • Eraysor #16 2 years ago

    Now all I need is a little PS3 price drop :)

  • andywilkie35 #17 2 years ago

    Might actually book a day off to play this. I've never done that before (came close with Creed II) but this I feel could well be special

  • Negotiator #18 2 years ago

    This was one of the reasons I bought a PS3, so it better be good, thats all I can say.

  • Jay-ITFC #19 2 years ago

    "Copious coverage below, including details of the fancy Collector's Edition, which offers a free dollop of episodic DLC."

    But it isn't free - your paying extra for it by buying the more expensive collector's edition. Let's call a spade a spade here, otherwise the devs/publishers are getting us thinking exactly the way they want.

  • PanStre #20 2 years ago

    @ jay-ITFC

    Never fear, if you haven't heard, the collector's edition is the same price as the normal edition.

  • Widge #21 2 years ago

    yeap, someone pointed that out to me too, tempted to grab that. A nice 3% back with Quidco too.

  • EuroStalker #22 2 years ago

    Even if Heavy Rain turns out to be a 7 or 8 out of 10 game at least it's something different from the countless generic shoot 'em ups on PS3, and especially on Xbox 360. Shame this game is only on PS3. I think it would be great on PC/Xbox 360 too.

  • YoungPayters #23 2 years ago

    very intrigued, dunno about a first day purchase but will definetely give it a go at some stage

  • chrisno21 #24 2 years ago

    Ordered the CE too through Quidco - was always looking forward to this.

  • Widge #25 2 years ago

    I read "dentalists" and thought you were calling people a collection of dentists.
    Then thought "what sort of insult is that exactly?".
    Then learnt to read.

  • MeBrains #26 2 years ago

    frod: to me it doesn't either - although I became more intrigued again after reading an edge interview with cage... the guy indeed does seem to have vision...

    is it mass-market?! hmm. doubt so as well... I guess the last guardian will be more - as was ico and SotC

  • PrivateJoker #27 2 years ago

    @Frod

    No one cares what you think. You're probably getting marked down because your comments are just negative and assuming.

    You're entitled to your opinion and so are the people marking you down.

    Pre-ordered the HMV collectors edition. Hope they post early like Game do and I get it on a Thursday.
    Edited by 1 at 08/01/10 @ 17:32

  • EuroStalker #28 2 years ago

    @frod_

    "I wasn't talking about its quality - an awful lot of people will probably pick this up on hype, but it doesn't look like a game with generic mass appeal to me."

    The fact that it doesn't have 'generic mass appeal' is what makes it stick out. Not all games should be about running and shooting. The hype is purely from a crowd of people who may be want something different to play.

    Heavy Rain is a break away from the norm. Bring on 26th Feb.

  • Murton #29 2 years ago

    Shame this game is only on PS3. I think it would be great on PC/Xbox 360 too.

    While it is perhaps a shame that not everyone will get to play it I believe this is one of those games that simply has to be single platform, if the developer's time was split between all the platforms it wouldn't be half as good as I think it's going to be.

    Truth is that games developers love shortcuts and as a result multiplatform games always suffer on one platform over the other as the code is written for one and then ported to the rest resulting in the dev missing out completely on the individual platforms strengths and often playing right into its weaknesses. Much better to go single platform and make sure it gets done properly.

  • man-of-steel #30 2 years ago

    same day as splinter cell conviction sa both 360 and ps3 get an exclusive

  • dudefella #31 2 years ago

    woooooooooo

    and indeed

    hooooooooooooo

  • shotgun44 #32 2 years ago

    Still not sold on this game. Sorry, it just doesn't look like a huge amount of fun. I'm sure it'll be good when I inevitably buy it at some point...

  • Widge #33 2 years ago

    Fun isn't the same thing as enjoyment too.
    I quite like the film Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, its not FUN but I bloody enjoy it and can happily sit through it time and time again.
    Even contemplate the same ideal in gaming and you get scoffed at. And then told to play Saints Row 2.
    Edited by 1 at 08/01/10 @ 19:15

  • welshben23 #34 2 years ago

    The_Last_Ninja you're in luck, I very much doubt Alan Wake or GT5 will be out in the next 3 months. I can't wait for this though, loved Fahrenheit. Great news.

  • jag10 #35 2 years ago

    i still need to get my two platinums for god of war collection before god of war 3 is released, and then there's MAG aswell.

  • mkreku #36 2 years ago

    @AllenSpawn: What do you mean Dead Space-Dan? I know him as Risen-Dan. :p And I'd rather not he ever reviews anything more complex/original than a Bioware/Bungie title for Eurogamer again.

    Edit: I didn't need that typo so I edited it out.
    Edited by 1 at 08/01/10 @ 20:48

  • Widge #37 2 years ago

    Is HR a prettier version of CDroms of the 90s? I don't know. Perhaps the MANY HANDS ON IMPRESSIONS might have given a clue. But feel free to keep posting that in every single Heavy Rain thread that appears. It might come true.

  • bad09 #38 2 years ago

    I have to laugh @ MESSIAH999, any lengths to have a go at the PS3 :)

    "Is HR just a prettier version of the FMV cdi-roms of the early 90's? seems likely "

    1. Have you played Farenheit? (it's playable on 360 you know Donnie!)
    2. Have you played HR before condemning it a "mundane button press" game?
    3. Have you ever actually played those FMV games from the early 90's?

    Anyway, looking forward to this as I liked Fahrenheit (Still need to finish it though!) but with so much coming out through Feb/March I'm actually glad I won't be playing it until later in the year (I sold my consoles so no PS3/360 now until I move in with Mrs bad09).

    Edited by 1 at 08/01/10 @ 20:51

  • Verminox #39 2 years ago

    "I fight to make our medium evolve and move to a more mature form. It can only happen if many studios in the world believe in it. There are many developers more talented than we are who have exciting experiences to create, original stories to tell, who are bored making the same games for the same audience over and over again, [and] who are just waiting for a sign from the market saying it is now ready for something different. Of course, I hope Heavy Rain will be this sign, but if not, I hope that it will come from somewhere else very soon because I am tired of playing the same games again and again. Something new needs to happen now." Agreed. Even if this game doesn't get the sales or reviews at the end of the day it is something different in what is becoming a very sterile gaming generation.

  • andywilkie35 #40 2 years ago

    I can't wait - I completed Fahrenheit in a single sitting when it came out, loved every second of it, and I've no doubt I'll love every second of this

  • doomeh #41 2 years ago

    I really really hope this caters for 'old-school hardcore ninjagamers' in their 30's that only have time for SF4 when they do play. A nice story, occasional bits of heavy gameplay but mainly mind fuckery. I want that. I hope it proves me wrong in my beliefs as to what it will end up like.

  • Widge #42 2 years ago

    I don't think so... this screams adventure game rather than action game to me.

  • NewbieZilla #43 2 years ago

    PS3 owners must be delighted. An upcoming game that is worth playing.

  • Verminox #44 2 years ago

    @NewbieZilla - Because Xbox has so many exclusives worth playing doesn't it. [sarcasm/]
    Edited by 1 at 09/01/10 @ 10:41

  • NewbieZilla #45 2 years ago

    You talking console exclusive? If so, then yes, pretty much. No need for sarcasm.

  • NotSoSlim #46 2 years ago

    Remember sales = quality

    Fanboys moronic response when any PS3 exclusive is mentioned or hyped

    Word of mouth counts still...looking at Demon Souls n Valkyria Chronicles

  • Kazzahdrane #47 2 years ago

    @ NewbieZilla: LOL. Where are all the 360 exclusives right now? Sorry, I love my 360 but haven't played an exclusive on it for ages. Last year was very poor for the 360 in terms of exclusives (loads of great multiplatform titles though). I only buy exclusives for my PS3 and there were some cracking games out last year, and Heavy Rain and GoW3 in Q1.

    SC: Conviction (and maybe Crackdown 2) will be getting bought for my xbox though. Not having a dig at the console, just MS are obviously having a bit of a dry spell with exclusives that I'm sure will pick up this year. Slagging the PS3 and saying it has no decent exclusives just makes you look like an ignorant fool though.

  • NewbieZilla #48 2 years ago

    I think in terms of exclusives, I have been better off having games like Mass Effect, Lost Odyssey, Crackdown (with a sequel upcoming), both Gears, Mass Effect (sequel upcoming) than I would have with PS3 with Uncharted + Uncharted 2, MGS 4 and Heavy Rain.

    Besides, I got to play MGS 4 without even having to own a PS3, will do the same with Heavy Rain. I'm sure it'll be a fantastic game. Really ought to get around to trying out both Uncharted games.

    Edit: I played enough of Resistance 2. Better than Haze, but still not that great. Played Killzone 2 up to that point with the stupidly tacked on motion shit. Probably at the behest of Sony they put that in. Stupid, if you ask me.
    Edit: PS3 does have a victory over the 360 in Tales of Vesperia in that its getting/got lots more content than the 360 version. Course, the 360 had the advantage of being out for a long time before PS3 version. I don't like developers who segregate content like that either side of the divide.
    Edited by 2 at 09/01/10 @ 13:08

  • El-Dev #49 2 years ago

    Think I'll be opting for the HMV exclusive of this, seems a pretty good offer.

  • bad09 #50 2 years ago

    "I think in terms of exclusives, I have been better off having games like Mass Effect, Lost Odyssey, Crackdown (with a sequel upcoming), both Gears, Mass Effect (sequel upcoming) than I would have with PS3 with Uncharted + Uncharted 2, MGS 4 and Heavy Rain."

    Erm, ME 1/2 Gears 1 are not 360 exclusives....

  • NewbieZilla #51 2 years ago

    "Erm, ME 1/2 Gears 1 are not 360 exclusives..."

    Must have missed my previous one where I said I think in terms of console exclusives. As a console gamer would.

  • bad09 #52 2 years ago

    @ NewbieZilla

    Sorry I thought you were talking about gaming not silly console wars, carry on.

  • NewbieZilla #53 2 years ago

    "Sorry I thought you were talking about gaming not silly console wars, carry on."

    Actually, it is a lot more common for a gamer to be a console gamer or PC gamer than to be both. You just want to be disingenuous.

  • Beano #54 2 years ago

    I do hope HR will be great - it certainly look gorgeous - but gameplaywise I'm failing to see the appreal so far. When I hear "interactive movie" I get unpleasant flashbacks to the early 1990'es when CD-ROM based games were all the rage. I hope I'm wrong and there is a game in there and not just a series of QTEs.

  • Razorus #55 2 years ago

    I pre-ordered CE Heavy Rain yesterday without knowing too much about it and only seeing a couple of vids. Risk ftw.
    But it's just TOO interesting. I'm so curious to find out what it's about so I just had to buy it. Yes, I have Wikipedia'd it so I know the concept. But generally speaking, not much info has come out compared to other releases.

  • Hindle #56 2 years ago

    I actually think Heavy Rain could be a really good game, like the old school adventure games that used to come out.
    Edited by 1 at 10/01/10 @ 12:24

  • NotSoSlim #57 2 years ago

    There will b plenty of gameplay just like farenheit but when a point of interest comes up you will need QTE to take story further

    QTE seem to be different as you have to do some at certain angle or certain speeds not to mess the scenario up

    All good in my book

  • Ryze #58 2 years ago

    I'm going to put my optimist hat on and say that I'm counting on this to take the promise of the first few scenes of Fahrenheit, strip out the poor design of the stealth sections, and completely eliminate any button bashing or relentless 'Simon' bollocks thrown in instead of actual gameplay.

    This game could be absolutely fantastic. I have high hopes, but didn't make the chance to play the demo at the Expo, and I haven't yet read teh hands-on.

    Let's see, eh?

  • Widge #59 2 years ago

    Now the question, would people criticise something like The Secret Of Monkey Island for not having any gameplay in it?

  • Johnsters #60 2 years ago

    "these are all games i KNOW i will love...."

    Not sure what to make of this comment.

    and likewise, Motorstorm is/was not average and neither was MSG4 - regardless whether or not there was too much cut scene.

  • NewbieZilla #61 2 years ago

    "I only buy exclusives for the ps3 and ALL MPlats for the 360."

    So, you didn't get either Gears or Mass Effect?

    "and the rest of the line up such as MGS4,LBP, heavy rain are all niche, awkward titles to say the least."

    Considering tow of those three are the only games I have an interest in, I wouldn't think of them as awkward.

    "Not sure what to make of this comment. "

    Its a perfectly fair comment.

  • Beano #62 2 years ago

    Classifying games like MGS4 and LBP as being niche and akward, disqualifies MESSIAH999 for being taken seriously - for ever.

  • El-Dev #63 2 years ago

    "MAG,infamous,motorstorm1/2,MGS4,socom, are all average imo and below a lot of top 3rd party games"

    MAG-not out yet
    inFamous-better than prototype
    Motorstorm 1 & 2-is there a better game in that category?
    MGS4-Better than splinter cell
    Socom-M'eh

    As per usual Donnie proving he knows jack shit about games. I wonder when they'll ban him again...

  • NotSoSlim #64 2 years ago

    Why do you guys respond to Messiah??

    He's a moron who looks a fool due to constant trolling in PS3 threads. Any news about PS3 sales he's there like a bad smell. Gamers maybe looking forward to a PS3 games he's there like a rash that never goes away.

  • pap #65 2 years ago

    Fahrenheit was an amazing piece of work. Played it in 2007 when I'd already experienced next-gen. Totally held up. Really looking forward to Heavy Rain.

  • Invisible_Cow #66 2 years ago

    Really hoping this is as good as it has the potential to be. Might wait a bit before purchasing though; just too many good games around at the moment.

  • trip919 #67 2 years ago

    Gamers spring wood across the land.