Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Nintendo Direct
  • Summer Game Fest 2026
  • Xbox Games Showcase
  • Future Games Show
  • New Games 2026
  • Best gaming tech
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • SGF 2026 schedule
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Adventure
  3. Heavy Rain

Heavy Rain's BIG plot-holes

Features
By David Houghton published 25 February 2010

15 reasons the supposedly brainy epic makes no more sense than Modern Warfare 2

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Above: "Good job I had the flying murder-pixies to help. Otherwise this hand would really hurt"

The butterfly trial makes no sense. The contrived set-up of Shelby’s second Saw-style test for Ethan would be impossible for any one man to put together. There is no logical way anyone could fill a complex tunnel system (comprising miles upon miles of chokey-tight crawl-space) with broken glass without painting themselves into a corner and getting cut to ribbons trying to get back out. And if Ethan is cramped in there, a man of Shelby’s size would probably destroy himself just trying to get in, let alone escaping.

Plot hole 12

Why does Ethan still suspect himself of being the killer after the lizard trial? Obviously the man’s carrying a lot of guilt after misplacing two sons in a row, but after being forced to brutally mutilate himself while someone watches and verifies the act via a video camera, surely it’s pretty obvious someone else is involved?

Latest Videos From
Watch full video here:

Plot hole 13

Heavy Rain’s cops-of-convenience really are fantastic when you have a nonsensical plot you want to maintain. When they’re needed, they’re all over a suspect whether it makes sense or not,but when application of the law would be inconvenient they’re nowhere to be seen.The former we know about. The latter? How about when Shelby invades the Kramers' mansion, killing at least a dozen bodyguards in someone's private residence and then facing no consequences afterward?

Above: Given how good the cops are, Jack is the safest man in the world right now

Yeah, you can spare Kramer himself, but whether he lives or dies, there’s still a shit-ton of dead bodies lying around the (presumably security camera-filled) mansion of a respected businessman, stuffed with bullets fired from a never-reloaded handgun (that may or may not be registered to Shelby). The police and media reaction to this incredibly high-profile, noisy bloodbath? None. Ever.

Plot hole 14

How in the hell does Shelby fund all of this high-concept murdering? Not only does he own the aforementioned vast warehouse complex, but he apparently helped set Paco up in business as a nightclub owner following the sleazy fiend’s release from prison. But hell, trifling details like things costing money don’t matter when there’s a set-piece requiring a moody backdrop.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Plot hole 15

Above: The actual murder is probably in the deleted scenes. Oh no, no it's not...

While it’s just about justifiable as an editing trick rather than a plot hole, the scene in the typewriter shop is a seriously cheesy cheat that aims to throw you off the scent in the laziest, tackiest way possible. Shame, because the same effect could have been achieved with a much subtler, cleverer scene. And why the hell does Shelby call the cops on himself before he’s cleared up the evidence of his presence at the murder scene? Not that it matters. If he does get pulled into the police station, the cops maintain their ineffectuality flawlessly, with an interview so in-depth and probing that the script might as well have read simply “KTHXBAI”


Is it a game? Is it a movie? Is it even any good?


Pressing buttons on cue can be more than just a crutch – here's proof


Having trouble wrapping your head around MW2's story? You're not alone

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Current page: Page 3

Prev Page Page 2
CATEGORIES
PlayStation Platforms
David Houghton
David Houghton
Social Links Navigation
Former GamesRadar+ Features Writer

Former (and long-time) GamesRadar+ writer, Dave has been gaming with immense dedication ever since he failed dismally at some '80s arcade racer on a childhood day at the seaside (due to being too small to reach the controls without help). These days he's an enigmatic blend of beard-stroking narrative discussion and hard-hitting Psycho Crushers.

Latest in Adventure
Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia makes splash with free underwater update and paid DLC, coming later this summer
 
 
Minecraft Dungeons 2 screenshot showing A character fighting zombies
Minecraft Minecraft Dungeons 2 joins every other game avoiding GTA 6 in releasing in September
 
 
Project: Mara screenshot which shows the incredible lengths Ninja Theory is going to recreate a single space which looks and feels real
Adventure Games Project Mara is no longer in development, Ninja Theory confirms
 
 
Senua screenshot
Adventure Games Ninja Theory announces a new Senua game, just don't call it Hellblade 3
 
 
Bigby Wolf smokes a cigarette
Adventure Games The Wolf Among Us 2 finally releases in 2027, with a remaster of the original due out this holiday season
 
 
Mr. Records
Adventure Games This cozy indie rhythm game that lets you run a record shop might be my Summer Game Fest highlight
 
 
Latest in Features
A screenshot from Halo: Campaign Evolved showing Master Chief firing an assault rifle
Halo I had a blast playing Halo: Campaign Evolved, but it's not the remake Halo deserves
 
 
A reveal image for the Steam Frame next to a review image of the Quest 3
VR Will Prime Day do anything to improve the $599 price of the Quest 3?
 
 
Cloud kneels before some yellow flowers while companions Barret, Tifa, Red XIII, Cait Sith, Yuffie, Vincent Valentine, and Cid watch in the background in Final Fantasy 7 Revelation
RPGs Final Fantasy 7 Revelation: Everything you need to know about the conclusion to the FF7 Remake series
 
 
An array of Lego Smart Play Pokemon sets laid out on a white table
Toys & Collectibles I went hands-on with Lego Pokemon Smart Play, and my inner 10 year-old was losing it
 
 
The xenomorph attacks, drool glistening as its multiple mouths open, in Alien Isolation 2's prologue, with the orange GamesRadar+ Summer Preview 2026 frame
Survival Horror Games 15 years after the first game made horror history, Alien Isolation 2 unleashes a smarter, meaner Xenomorph
 
 
Docto Who season 2 finale
Sci-Fi Shows Doctor Who's Christmas cancelation is the best thing that could happen to the show
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Black cat glares menacingly
    1
    1666 Amsterdam dev apologizes for AI in prologue demo, says "full game will not include any assets generated by AI"
  2. 2
    Square Enix finally announced the one Final Fantasy game I've wanted for 8 years
  3. 3
    My favorite JRPG ever added a wildly out-of-place racing minigame and I'm so glad it exists: "Xenoblade Kart is real"
  4. 4
    With Steam Frame arriving this summer, Meta is running out of time to entice gamers - will Prime Day do anything to improve the $599 price of the Quest 3?
  5. 5
    Nomura, you've done it again: Kingdom Hearts 4's new trailer features a character from a now-delisted spin-off MMO, and we wouldn't have it any other way

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...