Quantic Dream is synonymous with the interactive movie genre, games that aim to tell the player an immersive and intricate story that could be the plot of a Hollywood blockbuster with some input from the players. Gameplay mechanics are extremely limited to pushing around the character they are currently controlling around the extremely restricted environment, with the occasional QTE sections during more tense situations.
But the players do have some agency in Quantic's titles, with their decisions, successes, and failures altering the course of the plot. Ultimately, the ending of the game, and even the journey along the way, will be altered by the player's choices, and the characters that have survived so far. Players may miss out on scenarios because their path led them down a different path of different scenarios, which is what makes Quantic Dream games so special. And with rumors of a new title on the horizon, now is the perfect time to delve into the existing titles, and rank them from worst to best.
5 Omikron: The Nomad Soul
This title remains largely forgotten by gamers familiar with Quantic Dream, as most know the developer for its famed titles such as Heavy Rain. But before those triple-A titles that put them on the map, there was Omikron: The Nomad Soul. This futuristic sci-fi game was set in the titular fiction city of Omikron which dwells beneath a large crystal dome constructed to protect it against the return of the ice age. Inhabitants of Omikron are forced to remain in their sector, with each one unique in its technology and politics.
Omikron tells the tale of the playable character conscripted by police to investigate murders. They will explore the various sectors of Omikron, partake in conflict, and investigative sections as they try to uncover the culprit behind the murders. On paper, the game sounds like a solid enough title, especially considering Quantic Dream hired David Bowie to create its incredible soundtrack, but it suffers from poor controls, abysmal loading times, and ever-shifting gameplay. It seemed like The Nomad Soul didn't know what type of game it wanted to be, and it suffers as a result.
4 Beyond: Two Souls
With the two big-name celebrities Elliot Page and Willem Dafoe, and a compelling opening scene hinting at a possible apocalypse scenario, Beyond: Two Souls held a lot of promise but ultimately had an uneven delivery. With a timeline that was constantly leaping throughout the course of Jodie's life, forcing the plot back or forward in time just as players are getting immersed into that particular plot point, Beyond: Two Souls suffered from poor pacing and a somewhat confusing story.
The story in question follows the story of Jodie Foster (Elliot Page), who is found to be tethered to an otherworldly entity she calls Aiden who can interact with the real world, and even travel through walls and floors but must remain within a certain distance to Jodie. Jodie is sent to a scientific laboratory to try and uncover what exactly Aiden is and the limits of his powers, spearheaded by Nathan Dawkins (Willem Dafoe) who becomes something like a father figure to her, before his betrayal in the eleventh hour of the game. Due to circumstances, Jodie doesn't remain in the custody of Nathan, running away and experiencing homelessness, joining the army, and staying with a Navajo family in the Mojave Desert, developing bonds with the people she meets.
3 Detroit: Become Human
Stories exploring the existence of robots and AI in the human world and the possible dangers that could follow are not unheard of, and Detroit: Become Human sadly brings no new spins on this derivative tale. The year is 2038, and androids have become commonplace in the world. There are models designed for every role to aid in the life of humans, such as carers, cleaners, and even assistants to the police force when they are hunting down deviants.
Detroit: Become Human revolves around the stories of three androids: Kara, who cares for a little girl and rescues her from her abusive home, Connor, who works alongside the police force hunting deviants and becomes the crime-busting partner to Hank, and Markus, the caretaker for a rich artist who ends up becoming a fugitive, and ultimately leading the android revolution. The game has some compelling world-building and genuinely touching moments that make players root for the cast, but the analogy of the android uprising trying to break the shackles of the human masters was polarizing with players.
2 Heavy Rain
When gamers hear the name Quantic Dream, this title is most likely the one that comes to mind. This somber game with a chilling plot brings a touch of realism lacking in the studio's other titles. There are no supernatural powers, no androids, and no futuristic setting. Just a father searching for his son that has fallen into the hands of a ruthless serial killer, and the lengths he would go to in order to save him.
As with most of Quantic's games, players are given control over multiple characters that are all connected to the beating heart of the story in one way or another. There is the aforementioned father Ethan, journalist Madison looking for the scoop and eventually becoming his ally, Scott, a PI that is seemingly hell-bent on finding the killer, and Norman, a cop that is also on the tail of the Origami Killer. With plenty of twists in the ever-spinning plot and jaw-dropping moments of shock, Heavy Rain is a title that will live on in the memories of players, even if the internet has ridiculed moments to the point of no return.
1 Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy
Another of Quantic's forgotten titles, Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy tells the tale of Lucas Kane, a man who commits first-degree murder while he is the victim of supernatural possession, and now there are two police offers, Carla Valenti and Tyler Miles, who are on the case trying to establish the culprit. Soon enough, the police identify him as the killer and lay down a trap to apprehend him, only for Lucas to defeat his would-be captures with superhuman strength. The story sprawls into maddening depths that involve ancient Mayan rituals, Artificial Intelligence, and a young girl known as the Indigo Child who is said to hold great power.
The plot itself sounds insane, as though it is trying to jam as many subgenres and ideas in as possible, and yet it never loses itself in the search for the next unseen twist. The writing remains concise, interesting, and original, taking many risks that mostly pay off. Though Fahrenheit looks dated, and its controls are not as slick as modern titles, those that can forgive these small infractions of aging will find a hidden gem of a game that will keep them guessing as to what will happen next.
A new Quantic Dream called Star Wars Eclipse is currently in development.