3. Heavy Rain - Painful Interaction
In a game of narrative brilliance, Heavy Rain compels the player to carefully analyse their actions, so far as to perform certain tasks they wish to avoid in the vein of progress. No decision or act is more potent than Ethan Mars' cutting off of his own finger to help save his son.
"Are you prepared to suffer to save your son?"
This is the dilemma the player is faced with as a five minute timer begins for the player to cut the finger until the trial expires and Ethan's attempts will fail. As Heavy Rain is already littered with endless possibilities and paths to follow, any sense of calculation is often replaced by a frantic fear and panic to act before the countdown expires. As such, players often opt to cut off Ethan's finger, following every painstaking action with a morally difficult interaction. As Ethan initially botches his first attempt, he drops to the floor, writhing in pain, as the player is given a second attempt, upon which the screams become worse.
Psychological Effect In what was already a difficult scene to participate in, the merit of the player's actions are soon called into question as it transpires that the act was inherently unnecessary. Refusing to saw the finger results in a more difficult path to obtain the location of Ethan's son, and not his death (as there are several other trials of which the player can partake). At the climax of the game, one can't help wondering how far is necessary or required to save a loved one. Moreover, the interactive tapping of buttons and pushing the analogue sticks has been described as a difficult experience. Ethan's screams coincide with the player's commands and, much like GTA-V's 'By The Book', the player is taken into a torturous act.