Fahrenheit

Fahrenheit

Perhaps you have heard of Fahrenheit (known also as Indigo Child), perhaps not. In video game world it is considered to be true and unique masterpiece, something that will be remembered for a very long time. So what's so special? Everything.

Base of Fahrenheit is detective plot considering three main characters you'll get to know: Lucas, Carla and Tyler. Lucas, ordinary guy murders man in diners. The problem is he wasn't aware of anything considering murder, he didn't really do it, but who's going to believe him? Carla and Tyler are detectives and they have a feeling that there's something very strange and bizarre about this case. Very soon they all find out that „things are never as quite as they seem".

Fahrenheit basically belongs to adventure genre but it's unique; your actions and decisions determine course of the game. Except solving murder you'll live „normal" life of your characters (you'll be able to control all of them) – eating, sleeping , watching TV, chatting with your friends, working out in a gym, playing basketball... Sounds weird and boring? It's everything but that.

Fahrenheit isn't type of game made just for game veterans (controls on PS2 are very natural and easy to get used to) so it's suitable for those who play occasionally or rarely. Also, puzzles aren't very hard so there aren't any obstacles that could hold you from enjoying this beautiful game.

Very important message for all movie lovers: you definitely have to play this. Why? Fahrenheit is interactive game in full meaning of this word: it's movie you play (saw it successfully done only in few games, e.g. Hideo Kojima's MGS trilogy).

Does it have any flaws? Sure it has and those who play a bit longer will probably notice them (e.g. some camera views), but they are small and compared with everything game has to offer insignificant.

Also, something that has to be mentioned is a story. Story and atmosphere are just amazing! Fahrenheit has one of the best game and movie stories I have ever seen!

You'll probably notice many references both to legendary movies and games but I'll let you discover them by yourselves. Fahrenheit takes elements from those games and movies and packs it into it's own world, but keeps being original and unique. That's what makes it so special.

After playing Fahrenheit you'll have the same beautiful feeling like when you leave theater with smile on your face knowing you've just seen something beautiful that you're going to remember for a long time. Do you need better recommendation than that?

True pearl 10/10.

INTRO: I first played this game on a friends PS2, 3 of us sat on the couch watching and taking part - deciding actions and movements, taking the challenges in turn depending upon who we felt was best suited (for some reason I ended up with the love and action sequences, it must be my good looks, charm and abundant athleticism). Despite the fact we took it in turns, not one of us left our seat when someone else took over. Indeed in 7 hours one night we left our seats only for bathroom and coffee breaks (and even then we shouted back and forth to each other the goings on).

Unfortunately I went on holiday so didn't get to play the final 'third' of the game. In response I purchased the game on Ebay in order to complete the game to my satisfaction. My only grumble? The final 'third' turned out to be 10 minutes game-play.

THE GAME: Fahrenheit follows on the heels of games such as the "Broken Sword" Trilogy, but incorporates elements of the "Blade Runner" VG (in particular the conversation routes, insertion of action sequences and more immersive sound and visuals) and also the detective/crime noir of Max Payne (from the setting, to the winter to the dark humour). Character depth is well founded, at least on par with those you would find in your average fugitive vs police TV show, and you feel you have a good grasp of your character very quickly through the use of some unintrusive monologues.

The action is dealt with well, or at least in a novel fashion. I hankered for a more open ended action sequence at times, but found it all challenging enough without. Criticism can (and should) be made that the action sequences are little more than 'obstacles' to prevent the progress of the story - but all (bar one) really add to the story without causing considerable delay. The controls are occasionally a bit fiddly (the ability to 'backpedal' slowly rather than 'turn around' would have been handy for the occasions you overran something - due to the models requiring a few feet either side of them to make a turn).

PC Users may find that the game, whilst playing flawlessly on the highest graphic setting, has 'timing' bugs with regards to these action sequences. Normally dropping the graphic settings down to minimum will aid in the completion of what may otherwise be a frustrating sequence. Sometimes the Simon Says colours can be harder to see on high graphic settings also due to the additional vibrancy of the background sequence.

Graphically the game is solid, if unspectacular. The skins and models are very well done, as are facial expressions, lip synch, and physical movements (thanks to motion capture). Everything else is simplistic, but effective (with occasional nice touches). Regardless it doesn't detract from the game in any way. Special effects are especially good, with emotive use of simple visual tricks.

Sound wise the game is also very solid, with good crisp voice acting from established voice actors and a steady score and licensed tracks from established artists.

STORY: The plot is excellent, until the final section. I'm sure I'm not the only person who felt that what was building up as an extremely interesting psychological thriller with supernatural edge was somewhat undercut by the final run in. But don't let that put you off from what is otherwise an extremely entertaining romp.

The game really warranted more time dedicating to it. I get the feeling the writer had more planned but couldn't include it all, it would be nice to see a Fahrenheit "Directors Cut" including the many sequences they didn't include due to time constraints.

OVERALL: I enjoyed this game, it installs fluidly, it plays extremely well, and it maintains a heady pace right the way through with some extremely satisfying action sequences. The story, the characters, the art and architecture through to the humour and adult orientated romance, all make this game unique in depth as it truly is the first playable movie since the haphazard attempts on the old Sega MegaCD. Try the game out and look how far we've come, and how much further a concept like this could go.

8/10

SIMILAR GAMES TO LOOK FOR: Blade Runner (Westwood Studios). Broken Sword 1, 2 and 3. Max Payne 1+2 (Action Shooter, but also crime noir rp)

Never in my gaming life have I _ever_ played such an intense game. I didn't took the first interviews and previews about Fahrenheit very serious. Another game-developer that claims to have created the ultimate game where _you_ control the story, etc. 'it plays like a movie', sure, we've heard that before!

But seriously, this movie plays like a game! Uhh.. this game plays like a movie! See, I'm getting all confused here! This game literally takes you of the edge of your seat and beyond...

The story is original, the controls are a bit weird some times, the plot twists and turns are great and the game-play is almost flawless... You can actually choose your way through the game. Some choices are good, others lead you thwarts a painful death.

I'm not going to spoil the story here, not even if I wanted it, because it's to complex. But I can tell you it will never be boring! And when it will get boring, "Get Ready!" suddenly appears, and it just stopped being boring... Don't know where the ... I'm talking about? Just play the game then!

The best feature, for me, is the way you play all the main characters in the game and _you_ decide when you switch characters. This way, you know certain things and it is you who decides how fast the story unfolds... It is you who commits the crime, it is you who solves it. And even if you know who did what and why, the characters don't, but it is up to you too lead them into the right direction.

The longer you play the game the more sympathy you get for both the criminal and the law. The longer you play the game the more sympathy you get for the people who made this game. A game with a story so intense it could only be made in the dark basements of Hollywood, and yet it feels a bit Japanese because of the high X-files factor in the game.

I can't convince you more without spoiling some things, a must-play, is my conclusion.

*And I was not supposed to like this genre...*

only 30 Min's in the game and it's so exciting, the graphics, and story are both top notch. The voice acting for the characters is so good, it makes you wonder if you are really playing a game and not watching a movie. Being able to ask plenty of questions to other characters is another fine point as well as interacting with different things around your surrounding. There is just so many things to do. throughout the game you can find bonus points which you can use to unlock pictures, video clips and music from the soundtrack.

this is the best game i have ever played, the storyline is gripping and iv'e only played the first 30 minutes. I can only wonder what will happen as i progress.

Many of you will know and appreciate Heavy Rain, Beyond Two Souls and Detroit: Become Human but where that genre truly started was right here with Fahrenheit otherwise known as the Indigo Prophecy (Or Indigo Child).

It tells the story of several people all connected to a murder that took place in a diner bathroom. A man on the run, police officers after him, but nothing is quite what it seems and a supernatural force appears to be overseeing everything that transpires. But to what end?

I was gripped from the opening moments, the decisions I had to make to progress the story were really quite fascinating and I can confidently say the first time around I didn't make the most logical ones.

With a great voice cast, a powerful psychological thriller of a story and intricately woven decision making system I was suitably impressed.

Sure it looks dated and the controls are more than a little clunky but that was to be expected back then. Everything else makes up for it ten fold, not to mention the fantastic soundtrack. Had it not been for Fahrenheit I wouldn't have been introduced to the incredible band Theory of a Deadman.

An absolute masterpiece, if you haven't play it then do something about that.

The Good:

Incredible story

Brilliant decision making system

Outstanding soundtrack

The Bad:

Finale is questionable

Clunky and ugly in places

Things I Learnt From This Game:

I have a major softspot for interactive movies

I'd make a terrible murderer

Pushing up to thrust is both a satisfying and creepy experience