Heterogeneous Shed

Fahrenheit (2005): PlayStation 2 and X Box.

There have been very few point and click titles available in recent years due to the restrictive nature of the gameplay therein, so it’s refreshing to play a title like Fahrenheit where there are a huge number of options open to the player. Each choice you make affects the outcome of the ever-twisting narrative. Right from the outset the first thing that grabs you about Fahrenheit is the cinematic presentation. There’s a palpable feeling that you’re playing an interactive movie playing as the three central protagonists as you influence the direction the story takes. Initially you play as murderer on the run, Lucas Kane before controlling the two detectives investigating his case. It’s this dual perspective on the same story that provides the game’s fundamental hook: participating in both sides of a game of cat and mouse. Tightening the noose around your own neck one minute then attempting to elude what you’ve previously caused to transpire is an intriguing gameplay mechanic and one that is both fun and involving.
Fahrenheit is a deep, enjoyable gaming experience while it lasts, which unfortunately is only about a week’s worth of gameplay. There’s little replayability when you realise that upon a second play through the decisions you make actually have little added impact on the course of the narrative. You’re free to play the final chapters differently to view the multiple endings after which Fahrenheit is virtually exhausted. Nevertheless, Fahrenheit remains a superlative point and click adventure and breathes new life into a stale genre. The analogue system beats using a conventional cursor and stands as one of Fahrenheit’s most effective innovations- simply move the right stick to perform actions. However, the bemani-style stick twiddling sections quickly become a tiresome chore whilst simultaneously ruining cut scenes. Despite Fahrenheit’s shortcomings, the sheer scale and ambition on show make it hard not to love it anyway.